The New Consistent is a rapper who has been making waves in the UK music scene since his rise to prominence in 2019. Based in the West Midlands, he has been praised by publications like Wordplay Magazine and BBC 6 Music, and has even been nominated for the Birmingham Music Awards. With a silky, authentic delivery and unique beats that blend modern UK and classic US Hip Hop, The New Consistent has a style all his own.
His latest EP, "All Hopes Lost On The Shadowplay," showcases his ability to connect with listeners on a deep, emotional level. The songs on this project explore the complex transition from adolescence to young adulthood, and display The New Consistent's talent for conveying both the exhilarating highs and devastating lows of this time in life. Recorded at the prestigious Abbey Road Studios in the summer of 2022, "All Hopes Lost On The Shadowplay" solidifies The New Consistent's position as one to watch among the talented young artists emerging from the West Midlands.
Where did the vision start and how did it progress?
I was 18 when I first started making music properly, but really the vocal delivery was a lot slower, and a lot more down tempo. I didn’t really have a focused vision for the first year or so because I was just trying to find my voice and realise what I wanted to do with this newfound way of creating. I was demoing a lot and putting out songs that we’re very raw for a while. However over the last 18 months or so I feel I’m really finding my lane and my musical influences are really having a strong impact on the music that I’m making and putting out now. As I’ve grown from teen to adult I’ve found my vision becoming clearer and clearer in terms of who I want to be, who I want to represent and the music I want to make. It’s a long progress but it keeps developing the more I experience life and the more I create.
Tell us about your latest project ‘All Hopes Lost On The Shadowplay’. Did anything change in your approach to writing this compared to previous projects?
I was a lot more focused on getting the small details spot on with this project. I had the demos of certain tracks for ages, some of them like 2 years. So when it came to getting it finished and ready for release, all I really had to focus on was making sure my vocal delivery was as sharp as it could be when we recorded, and that sonically, it matched the vision in my head. I was also keen to break away from the ‘making it in a bedroom and collaborating via email’ habit that I’d become accustomed to (I guess it had
become the norm for most during lockdown too) so spent a lot of time travelling to different studios to work with producers and other musicians. Broadening my horizons throughout the process was important not just for the music but for me personally.
Is there one song on your new EP that has an extra special meaning to you and could you tell us more about that track?
I think Invisible Fears is probably the one that stands out for me. It’s very personal, probably too much at times. But I found that stuff important to share and get off my chest. I guess the whole point of creating is to translate the artists perspective of the world out into the world itself right? So this was me doing that in the rawest way I could at the time. Just telling my story, I’ve found a lot of people have related to that one most.
What do you like to do for fun outside of working on music?
More time just spending time with different people as much as I can. I have a lot of family spread out in different locations, and I see them as much as I can, because there have been times in the past where I couldn’t for various reasons, so that’s important to me. But otherwise, just knocking about with friends. Having a laugh with the boys I grew up with keeps me grounded, trying to get out to other events that my mates are putting on and just staying connected with the world as much as I can. Tryna read more, learn more and look after myself too. Shit’s important
What other artists, songwriters and/or producers do you see as your primary inspirations?
Jehst, Coops, Silhouettes Project, Mr Boss, Dave, MF DOOM... I could go on and on, there’s hundreds. Just music that has a real soul to it. I tend to subconsciously take a little bit from every artist that I listen to and add it into my own melting pot of creating. So I could even say artists that are a little out of my lane like Jay Z on Reasonable Doubt, Big L, The Roots etc all play a part too. The music I listen to and the music I create are both two very different things some times, but they’re both equally a part of who I am.
Is there an artist you want to work with that you have not yet had the opportunity to work with?
I’d like to work with Pitch 92 on a tape, I loved Intervals. His production style is very much an inspiration when I’m listening to and creating beats with the producers I work with. That was just off the top of my head but there’s loads; Loyle Carner, Enny, Ezra Collective - again, I could go on forever.
Any words of wisdom for young aspiring artists?
Be consistent in what you are doing. Consistency in putting out music at a high quality level and with high quality visuals is probably the best thing you can do to gather momentum and build a fanbase. Any other noise is nowhere near as relevant. It’s harder than you think too, and I’m not saying put a song out every week and burn yourself out. But just consistently be drip feeding new music month by month and year by year. It’s easier said than done because life is forever changing, but yeah just try and stay as consistent as you can with your movement.
We’re all about new music discovery– who is a new artist that you think everybody should be listening to right now?
I am not even gonna try narrow it down to 1 cos that’s impossible so imma give you a strong list to get started haha! Isla Wolfe, Hunter Bavaro, Sam Robins, Benobi and every artist under the More Than Dem collective are all doing incredible things right now.
What's been a highlight in your work so far?
I’ve got a couple to be honest. I supported Rejjie Snow in April, shit was crazy. Then I got the chance to finish the EP at Abbey Road Studios in the Summer, bucket list once again. My first gig will always stand out to cos I can just remember how nervous I was for it, and how well it ended up going, really moved me. Then finally I’d say this last project, it’s really felt special. The whole process of putting it together, the people I worked with on it and the whole roll out and show on release day...it’s been good man, I’m proud of it all.
What can we expect from you next?
More of everything. Got some cool stuff coming out as part of this project to start the year off, then I got a tune with my guy Benobi coming out on his side. Hopefully after that, me and Hunter Bavaro got one dropping too. I wanna do an in-store launch party somewhere for that one, nice and intimate, put it on all by ourselves and have another get together. Getting people all in one room as often as I can is the most important thing I’ve realised after the EP launch party. Good times man.
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