Today we’d like to introduce you to ClrConscience.
Hi ClrConscience, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story of becoming an artist is a complicated one. Ironically, pursuing music wasn’t something I had ever considered until college, even though I had an affinity for Hip Hop/Rap since I was introduced to it as a child. I memorized songs and performed them for my aunt, some of our family, and some of the kids at her daycare when I was little. I also used to write poems and sing here and there, writing them for myself but also for the girls sometimes growing up. Funny enough, the singing part was mostly for the girls. The really interesting thing though is that I grew up singing and playing the drums in my family church but was still never interested in pursuing music early on. However, that was probably due to other reasons that I won’t get into.
But as I said, my interest in making music started in college when I first attended the Community College of Baltimore County. There was a wind-down area for students called ” The Den” on campus that a close friend and I would often go to. He would always want to throw YouTube beats on and freestyle. I was terrible and didn’t always feel like it, but I still spit with him. Eventually I got pretty decent and it began to be fun so we started making songs together. I have a cousin that worked out of a studio with some guys in downtown Baltimore at the time. I also met a guy through a co-worker at a job I had at that time who had a home studio, and he’s a good friend and frequent collaborator of mine now. Between those two options, my friend and I started making music together here and there while going to school.
Eventually he dropped out of school and decided to go into the military. I stayed in school while continuing to make music as well. From there it was me working with my cousin and the art collective he formed. That was a time of learning and figuring myself out as an artist. I was figuring out my sound, how to write songs, how to perform, etc. To be honest I was pretty bad then, but practice makes perfect. At some point though, an unfortunate situation separated my cousin and I. I then had to rely on myself while on my artistic journey. Ironically, that’s when I really began to blossom. That’s when ClrConscience was truly born.
The year was 2016, I began making a name for myself on the Baltimore art scene with passion and consistency. I attended and performed at as many open mics as possible, started getting booked for featured performances, collaborated with as many great artists as possible, introduced other talented artists to the scene, released singles, released an album, hosted events, curated/hosted my own event for several years, and was even nominated for multiple Baltimore Crown Awards. I did all of this up until the year of 2022 when I went on a hiatus for two years due to personal matters.
Since returning from my hiatus in 2024, I’ve announced my new upcoming album, “Strictly 4 Me.” I’ve released two singles for the album, “Still Him” and “Identity,” along with videos for them. I’ve also released a couple of loosie tracks to pass the time while I finish the project. This will be a very personal album for me where I’ll be unpacking some of those personal matters that led to my hiatus and much more. That brings me up to this current day in my journey as an artist.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I touched on this in my response to the previous question, but I will get into further detail. One of my earliest struggles was simply developing as an artist. When I first started freestyling and recording music in college, I wasn’t very good. Learning how to write songs, find my sound, perform on stage, and grow as an artist took years of practice, consistency, and patience.
Another major challenge came when an unfortunate situation caused me and my cousin, who had been a big part of my musical journey early on, to go our separate ways. At that point, I had to rely on myself and figure out how to continue building my career independently. While it was a difficult time, it ultimately helped me grow and become more confident in my abilities as an artist.
Like many independent artists, I’ve also faced the challenges of building a name for myself from the ground up. That meant performing at countless open mics, networking, creating opportunities when they weren’t available, and staying consistent even when recognition wasn’t guaranteed.
Perhaps the biggest challenge came in 2022 when I stepped away from music for two years due to personal matters. That was one of the most difficult periods of my life even aside from music. I don’t regret it though because it helped me to evolve as a person, and by extension, as an artist. Now that I’ve returned, much of that experience is being poured into my upcoming album, “Strictly 4 Me,” making it one of my most personal projects to date. However, the new challenge has been rebuilding due to being away for such a long time. I do feel like I’ve been doing well enough, but I could also be doing better. It has been difficult.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a recording artist, songwriter, performer, event curator, and community builder based in Baltimore. My music is primarily Hop Hop/Rap, but I’m also a poet and I make RnB. However, I don’t like to box myself, as I prefer to leave myself open to whatever my spirit leads me to create. I specialize in thoughtful, introspective music that balances personal storytelling with lyricism. My music often explores identity, self-awareness, growth, relationships, and the experiences that have shaped me. I strive to create music that is authentic to who I am, even when that means being vulnerable and addressing difficult topics. I would say that I’m known for that, along with my passionate performances, and my consistency (hiatus aside).
I’m most proud of my consistency through the ups and downs of my artistic journey. The emotional rollercoaster of it all can be difficult, but that’s when it comes down to your “why.” What are you doing it for? For me, I create first and foremost because I love it. Although I speak into existence and believe that I will be successful as an artist, I would continue to create even if there was a hypothetical world where I never met my version of success that I will reach. What makes me equally as proud is that thoughtfulness that goes into my music. No matter how anyone feels about the subject matter, it’s authentic to me and that’s something I never sacrifice. I believe that’s what sets me apart from other artists.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
The advice I have would be to remain teachable. No matter how much experience you gain or how much you think you know, there’s always more to learn. Also, there’s things to potentially learn from everyone, both older and younger than you. So essentially, release your ego and understand that a “mentor” could come in many forms. The last thing that I would say on this topic is to aim to be around artists that are at least where you are or beyond, artists that are where you want to be or on their way. Be around people that know more than you and have more experience than you, that’s how you grow and how finding a mentor can be more natural.
As for networking, fortunately for me, I happen to be a naturally social person. One thing I can say is that consistency is the first step to quality networking, consistently showing up and being in the mix at different events. People consistently seeing your face and the passion behind your work is networking in itself. Putting on a performance so captivating that it draws people to you afterwards is networking in itself.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clrconscience/
- Twitter: https://x.com/ClrConscience
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@clrconscience
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/clrconscience
