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Illustrating an Outcome: The Conscious Leo interview


Without hesitant Conscious would show you his blueprint. Without resentment Conscious would show you his heart. To redesign the minds of communities through actions not only music. To face the adversity with zeal, a sword and shield if possible. An artist not afraid to showcase his truth at all times. He has stepped on stages with major artist and slept on park benches on cool summer nights. Only to wake and walk miles to perform his craft. Its not dedication, its medication. He lives music, art, and his community. He wants to make a change and has a plan to do it. This is the exclusive interview of "Conscious Leo" only at #v2



(Please stop the music playlist at bottom of site)




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Tell us who is Conscious Leo?

Conscious Leo is no different from you. Seeker of the truth, sometimes wannabe hero that raps in the booth. Teacher by day, Champion at night, fighting for what he believes to be right. Some say he's half man and half some time of cat like alien from some other land, but at the end of all, Conscious Leo is just an artist who would rather give back to his people, than to see us all fall. 



Before we jump into the interview what is the meaning behind the name? (Conscious Leo)


 Conscious Leo comes from the culmination of etymology mixed with astrology and cosmology. To be "Conscious" means to be aware, a trait that most Leo aren't known to have, but I do. I don't really sleep much, because I'm always working hard to improve my craft or plan, so I tell people that I only dream within a state of Conscious Reality, making anything possible. 



You grew up in Memphis Tn? How was your childhood?




I was a vagabond for most of my childhood. State to State, City to City, Foster home to Foster home. I guess that's part of the reason why I never really fit in. My interests contrasted from the environments that I was exposed to tremendously. Crackheads knocking on the window to get their fix; I'm in the room playing Pokemon and reading comics.   

Some of your family was known involved activist tell us about them?

 Both of my Grandparents were heavily involved in the Civil Rights Era. My Grandfather was a Black Panther during a time where they were instrumental to the progression of the Black Community. I feel like they fought and sacrificed for my voice and song to be heard, so I don't take anything I do for granted. 



So was hiphop your first introduction to music?



My first love was Rock and JRock (Japanese Rock). I didn't really discover Rap or the culture of Hip-Hop until I was about 13, but my life changed forever. 



If you could give advice to a kid that may be an outcast in there community what would you tell them? 



I would tell them to never lose sight of who they want to be. Being yourself is all you really have in this world. Everything else will come and go, but you'll be here. 



You are a known "Lover" of geek culture. What exactly what is that?



I am 100% Nerd lol. Whether it's reading comics, manga or watching Anime and Star Trek, I'm in there. 

When was that moment you realized HIPHOP was what you wanted to do?

The moment of self-realization that I had one night at a show, almost certain that I would have to stop and ask the DJ to bring the track back, only to hear the audience, people that I'd never even met, rapping my lyrics out loud..I knew right then and there that this was the path that I wanted to stay on. 



How do you feel towards your family putting you in foster care? And how was meeting your father for the first time.



 It sucked and my biological father sucked more. 



How would you describe your music, for people who haven’t heard you before? Which 3 artist would you take to form up your style if you had too?



As a solo artist, I'd definitely say that I'm pretty eclectic, but not too far off from some of my idols; Common, Talib Kweli and Will I Am. 



IMC (Iron Mic Coalition) was a heavy influence to YR Generation why is that?



I could write an anthology on just what IMC has done for us and the Memphop scene as a whole. All of those guys have taken time out of their careers and lives to help better and mold us into the artists and men that we are now. The lessons are always solid, whether it's to be ready for anything or never to let your ego get in the way of the mission. I will always give them my respect and gratitude for paving the way for us to do what we do and Fathom 9/Avenging Wind will always be with us. 



Tell us why you started the Group "YR" Generation and what does the title mean?



 I wanted to form a group made up of individuals who were not only tired of the struggle and societal stigmas, but ready to fight back and rage against the machine. The "Y.R" stands for "Young Rebel", but overall, the group name serves as a question "Why our Generation?" in the context of Generation Y being the focal point for blame by our elders. We have the solutions. 




With some of the members being in Memphis Tn, and you being in NYC how do you manage to stay a tight knit group?



 We were close friends before we ever went into the studio together and the Ship that we've built will forever move fluidly. 





You started off as a spoken poet. Used to be homeless, tell us about that time in your life?



 There was a moment in my life where I had a Home, Car and Job, but I felt incomplete. Then I lost it all and decided to focus on my craft. The more invested I became, I realized that I had to make a choice between going back to the system that potentially creates stability or continue to work harder than my hardest to better my craft, so that I could fulfill my goals. I choose the latter. 



Now you teach HIPHOP, English and History? How do you manage to land that job. What ways do you feel like hiphop helps children learn



I earned this job completely under the merits of what I've done as a Hip-Hop Artist, which is beyond surreal. The fact that I even get to work with children, let alone teach them about the Culture and History of Hip-Hop is amazing. I definitely feel like Hip-Hop teaches children to think from a different perspective and to feel free to express themselves.  


Being the first rap group to be sponsored by the Anime Convention how did that feel? 



 It feels great being able to say that we stuck to who we are and not only made some minor history, but we're showing the youth that you don't have to conform to some trend. 

You and your group actually got a chance to go on tour with Joell Ortiz of Slaughter HOUSE. Tell us about that.



 First off, All of Slaughterhouse are great. Those guys are incredibly humble and hard working. Opening up for Ortiz was surreal and the fact that he spoke to me like an artist and not a scrub was even more surreal. 



Are you currently signed to a label?



No, As a group with a Distribution deal with Top Notch Records/Universal Music Group, but no record label. 

You have a lot of plans for your community and culture. What are some things you wish to turn around or do?

I plan to install a lot of different entities that will help end some of the issues associated with poverty in the Black and Hispanic communities.

What do you ultimately wish your fans take from your music?



If there was one thing that I would hope our or my fans take from the music, its to not be afraid to question things or to be themselves.






Any shout outs, sites, events, mix tapes just anything you want to tell the people of #V2?



I definitely want to give YOU guys a huge Thank you for having me. Shout out to some of my Brothers in Rhyme back home in Memphis who are on the grind doing their thing!! I know Omega Forte just dropped a solid project and rumors have it that Virghost is working on something that gets greater later. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for artist like Michael Royal, Tre Merit, Idaly Maceano, Lurrell Low and them Soulful Ninjas Hippy Soul. I have a solo project in the works and Y.R Generation is about to turn up the heat. 









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