Conscious Kane

Virginia native Conscious Kane is an artist who shows a lot of maturity in his lyrics.

His new project, Stability captures the mindset of the daily go-getter. He effectively tells his story as it may relate to the average listener and his potential is widely shown throughout the album as he touches on many different topics.

Conscious Kane’s opening track, “Legal Tender“ consciously speaks on the love of money, which is also considered to be the root of all evil. From the first seconds of the track, Kane immediately grabs the listeners attention with content that one can relate to as he talks about common financial struggles of a youngin’ on a mission. He questions the importance of money while rapping “Why is everything about the money?” As he continues he cleverly questions the characteristics of currency and It’s deadly flaw saying, “Money makes the world go round. If that’s the root of all evil, what we gon’ do now?”

Stability is an all-around mental diary of Kane’s dreams and aspirations. “Nothing’ Less“ is a track that exemplifies the idea of Kane wanting more out of life and his career as he continuously states that he wants it all. In the last seconds of the song, Kane openly speaks and testifies his hunger for success and everything that comes with it including stability.

The beat hardens up in “Patience“ as it hosts a club banging beat with a deeper message as Kane shows off his sharp flow along with his word play rapping, “Won’t be long til I make it on that top floor but damn, that shit take a lot of patience. What’s a doctor without his patients?”

Kane’s ability to transition between different productions makes him a definite standout. “Sushi“ provides a softer and smoother sound as it features vocals from Tayy. Smoother sounds are distributed in the r&b – hip hop track, “What’s Love,“ which features soft harmonization from Nicole Black.

More conscious and lyrical storytelling is executed on top of drums and saxophones in “Todds Lane,” which also features Masego, Naomi Rahj, and Austin Lanier. The team of artist put together a near perfect track that provokes the listener’s thought process as it insinuates a daydreaming feeling.

Kane’s flow represents a humble but confident attitude with a touch optimism. He raps with a good head on his shoulders with great knowledge on where he wants to be and the steps to get there. Listening to this emcee, you feel everything he’s saying. His mixture of flow and lyricism like in “Wavy At The Wave” and “Peel The Fruit“ puts him an advanced classification.

The ultimate conscious vibe of the album may be in his tracks “Blue Light“ and “The Potential“ where he openly vents on his worries and thoughts on the road to success. Nicole Black makes another appearance alongside “West Ave” to kick some knowledge on the young black Americans who have died at the hands of police officers.

I advise for any conscious hip-hop listener out there to check into the up and coming Conscious Kane and get accustomed to his catalog asap; this young man is something special with a ton of potential looking into the future. - HypeFreshMag

It’s take a lot to impress me, especially when it comes to Hip Hop music. The submissions in my G-Mail inbox are bountiful but sadly, aren’t always the best at times. Very seldom do I come across an artist who entices me to listen through an entire project, without pressing that little box with the “X” on the top right corner of my computer screen. When Conscious Kane dropped his debut project in my inbox, however, I had to take a moment to thank the Hip Hop Gods. “STABILITY” is a cohesive album that truly highlights his potential.

The selection of beats Conscious Kane decided to utilize on “STABILITY” are beyond complimentary in showcasing his versatility. His lyrics? Spotless. And his delivery? Flawless. Needless to say, he seems to have what it takes. Stability, ironically, is all he needs. - The Leakerz

Earlier this week, Hampton, VA newcomer Conscious Kane unleashed a free project, entitled Stability. One of the standout selections from the 12-track release is Sushi, which features vocal assistance from Tayy and borrowed beat (Por Tudo) from Sango. - DJBooth

Following the releases of his Sango-produced single “Sushi” and the harmonious love ballad “What’s Love,” Hampton, VA’s Conscious Kane returns to release his debut project, ‘Stability.’Having already gained credibility the attention of media outlets like EarMilk and DOPEMAG, the 12-track project serves as an extension of an already building momentum. With production from the likes of the aforementioned Sango and Curtiss King, Conscious Kane commits to delivering a story that expresses being a lower middle-class dream-chaser who uses his talents to manipulate flows, create smooth deliveries and focus on an unmatched lyricism that upholds his values. - Boi-1da

Historically, the name Kane sort of catches a bad rep. In the Bible it was Kane who slayed his brother Abel. Better yet, how about Kane from Menace II Society, where our protagonist learns the value of life a little too late. Maybe this is why the burgeoning SOVA wordsmith feels it necessary to throw the Conscious in front of his name? Maybe not. Really, the details behind the rappers moniker and its significance are neither here, nor there. However, Kane's music and lyricism are just as transparent as what he goes by.

While the production on "Sushi", compliments of Sango, certainly stir a good feeling , its CK's writing and flow switching that keeps listeners enthralled - something very evident throughout his body of work. Unlike many artist in the spotlight today, substance through lyricism seem to be this rappers prerogative. The 21 year old Hampton, VA native describes his music as an expression of the

life of being a lower middle-class dreamchaser' with an unwavering thirst for prosperity and fulfillment.

Kane will release his debut project entitled Stability sometime in July. Be sure to check back for more details. - EarMilk

Newcomer, Conscious Kane dropped his debut project, Stability, last week and it's a little 12 track bundle of pure dopeness. With a little something for everybody to enjoy, Conscious Kane is able to grab the attention of new listeners and latch on to their musical sensations with ease. Previous singles, "Sushi" + "What's Love" exude the previously mentioned "jack of all trades" type of music and completes the project as a whole.
Stability can be defined as a quality or state that's not easily changed or a consistency of character or purpose that is rarely manipulated. For 21-year old Hampton, VA's Conscious Kane, the term stability represents more than just a word - but an unwavering drive to create great music and present an artistry that represents who he is.
Conscious Kane commits to delivering a story that expresses being a lower middle-class dream-chaser who uses his talents to manipulate flows, create smooth deliveries and focus on an unmatched lyricism that upholds his values.
If all Conscious Kane needs is some headphones and a beat to make music sound this good, then I'm nervous and excited to see the 21 year old grow and explore new areas within the specific genre. Get out your pen + paper and add the name to your list of people to watch. - OK-Tho Mag

Following the release of his Sango-produced single “Sushi” – Conscious Kane makes a quick turnaround with his newest release titled “What’s Love” featuring beautiful vocals from Nicole Black and production from Polo Boy. Word on the strip is this single will be appear on Kane’s Stability project arriving 7/20/15. - ItsBizKit

Conscious Kane spazzes on a new energy lifted track featuring fellow VA native 94Nicely. This stellar hard hitting production from LAvishDieRich is complimented by the mixture of flows presented by both artists.

Stream the fresh collaborative effort from the dynamic duo below! - HipHopSince87

Kane Charles Russell Makes Musical Strides

We entered a small elevator, a box of icy silver walls reflecting a soft glow from the dangling light bulbs above. He tucked his hands in the front pockets of his black skinny jeans, exuding a compelling blend between a raw yet velvet charm. He wore a dark blue denim vest over a long-sleeved, plaid button down, Nike SB’s on his feet, and a black rosary around his neck. On his head sat a slouched beanie, casting a shadow over his youthful smile. “I’ve been having the worst migraines, man. I have one right now,” he said. He then slightly shifted his gaze towards me and said, “I’ve gotten use to the pain though. You have to get used to the pain.” His room was the size of a 7-Eleven bathroom, and emptier than his growling stomach.



The white walls held the piercings of a pinned American flag, the scotch tape of a black, and white Michael Jackson poster. On the floor sat a twin sized mattress and a stack of notebooks. Recorder to his lips, he rapped, “Uh, yeah… Connect eyes as I preach. The sayin’ is trust no one. I’m not askin’ to trust me just hopin’ you listen to what is soon you’ll be sayin’ – it must be. Yeah, the truth as it sits there and marinates in your brain.” ?Jersey boy by birth but a Virginia gentleman at heart, 19-year-old Kane Charles Russell has a story to tell. Russell grew up in an atmosphere charged with creative juices and musically invested parents. His mother Karla Russell, a songwriter, and his father Chris Russell, former rapper Stric-9, biologically embedded music in his blood stream. “I naturally hopped into it,” he said, “I grew up around music.” His mother taught him how to format his song lyrics, and his father fueled his passion for hip-hop. Russell wrote his first song titled “Kane” at the age of eight. A smile formed across his face and a contagious laugh roared from his belly. “My name is Kane I’m in this game to win y’all. Eight years old bringin’ stains to your brain.” A few years later the relationship between Russell’s pen and paper became a way of life. It was the beginning of verses scribbled on a crumbled napkin, beats resonating in his mind, and the pursuit of a valiant dream.

?When in the world of scribbling and word scrambling, Russell identifies himself as “Conscious Kane.” The title speaks for itself, with his music rooting itself into a Modern Era of streamline of consciousness. While in producing and beat making mode however, his identity becomes that of “Len Byas.” The title was inspired by Leonard Kevin Bias, but also known as Len Bias. The former Maryland native All-American college basketball player towered at 6-feet 8-inches and weighed 210 pounds. In the 1986 NBA Draft, his explosive talent on the court made him the Boston Celtic’s second pick. Less than 48 hours later, Len Bias died from a cardiac arrhythmia provoked by a cocaine overdose. Len Bias was only 22 years old. “The timing of his death and its impact amazes me,” Russell said. Len Bias’s name morphed into Len Byas to project the unpredictability of life and how abruptly it can end. Russell stresses the need to act today, so that our marks can forever linger positively.

“It’s like I’m finishin’ a story that begun with greatness with the ending of my greatness,” he said.

?Within the last year, Russell found himself battling a “struggle filled journey,” he said. After a year at Old Dominion University, Russell withdrew from the institution and found himself back at home in Hampton, Virginia. The withdrawal wasn’t caused by lack of financial support, but was triggered by the pulling of creative strings within the mind of a wordsmith, an artist. When asked how it felt to rebel against the norms of society, he said, “I’m not a fearful person nor was I ever a systematic thinker, you know?” In his eyes, life is an assortment of singular individuals who shouldn’t act as the puppets of society, but as their own ventriloquist. Like a tree, people’s lives split and branch into its own unique shapes and angles.

?His withdrawal unfortunately spawned resentment and disappointment amongst his parents, making life at home a mental imprisonment. Constant cloudbursts between him and his parents consisted of the exchange of incoherent bawling and spouting of acidic words laced with strychnine, also known as Strict-9. The fights were crippling and catapulted Russell to make a life altering decision. “My creative flow was blocked, and that’s why I had to leave,” he said.

?Russell bravely broke away from home and plunged into a life of homelessness. Bouncing from place to place, he found himself sleeping on the cold streets of Norfolk. “I slept on a curb next to a Savannah Suites Hotel. It wasn’t a bad looking hotel,” he said. Barely scraping by, he landed a job serving fried rice and dumplings at the Panda Express located in ODU’s Webb Center.

This flight into manhood constructed clarity and a peace of mind within him. “I could do the strugg - Mace and Crown

There is a certain unexplainable rush that comes with discovering a new music artist. Their music is captivating because they just want others to understand and enjoy their vision. They aren’t rich or famous yet, so there’s purity and a sense of innocence that hasn’t been tainted by major label demands, or the pressure to crossover. It is solely about the music and nothing else.

Over the past month, Old Dominion’s Student Activities Council highlighted talented local music artists in a concert series hosted in Webb Center. Each week, a different artist was allotted an hour to perform for new and old listeners. Those artists included L.Y.E.D, Era Hardaway, Conscious Kane and Galaxy Dynamite. Each artist represented a different musical genre or sub-genre, a different city or region and each artist had a unique style. However, no matter how different from one another, each artist represented Norfolk.

Musically, Norfolk is a melting pot and ODU supplied the ingredients. Students from across the nation choose to attend ODU and they bring their unique sound with them. It’s here they are able to nurture and to grow their sound and to gain the support of their classmates. Once they have the support of their classmates, they are able to share their talent with not only the ODU community, but the city of Norfolk. In doing so, they are able to push themselves as music artists and reach a larger audience.

Norfolk may not be a known for its music scene like New York City or Austin, Texas, but the talent is enormous here. Norfolk is filled with endless venues, radio stations and restaurants that support the local talent. Luckily, ODU is a part of that list. Our university is home to an abundance of talented students and those students need to be heard. - Mace and Crown