Conscious Route has released the latest two-track single from his new album, ‘Belterz.’ Opening with ‘Carry On,’ the London-born, Edinburgh-based MC calls on a vocal assist from Scottish rapper Kryptik to deliver some scathing, yet tongue-in-cheek barbs at artists who pretend to perform live but instead lip-synch over a backing track. All delivered over a hard-hitting, grime-inflected beat from Mackenzie, the chorus says it all, “I’ll leave the party if you’re gonna mime, come to see some rap, not karaoke time.”


The flip, ‘Late,’ slows things down and pivots into some reggae-tinted production and a guest appearance from Wends, who delivers a soulful vocal as Conscious Route calls out those who are more intent on grabbing social media likes and views over dedicating themselves to their artistry and showing respect for the history and culture of musical movements like hip-hop and reggae. ‘Late’ was recently spun in February 2024 on Phoebe I-H and Shereen Cutkelvin BBC Introducing Scotland show.


Just a small taste of what listeners can expect from the full-length ‘Belterz’ album, this two-track release demonstrates Conscious Route’s artistic versatility, while maintaining his own style and vision. Release date 28.03.2024


Media Praise for ‘Belterz:’

The Skinny Magazine “Belterz” Album 4 Star Review ****

“But if anyone’s earned the right to be so bold, it’s Conscious Route. For over two decades, the London- born, Edinburgh-based rapper has been honing his craft, emerging from the underground as one of the finest hip-hop artists in the Scottish scene.” (Chris Sneddon)

The Scotsman “Belterz” Album 4 Star Review ****

"Edinburgh rapper, Conscious Route is big on collaboration and community support. His new album Belterz is stuffed with guest rappers and singers - Empress, Stanley Odd's Solareye, Queen of Harps, Becci Wallace - poised to enhance the diverse musical menu." (Fiona Shepherd)

Conscious Route is a rapper, MC, poet and singer-songwriter who was born in London before moving to Edinburgh over a decade ago. In 2020, he unleashed the collaborative ‘Lost Routes’ album, alongside producer True Note, which went on to receive a 4-star review in The Scotsman upon its release.


His most recent album, ‘Belterz’ has also received 4 star reviews from The Skinny Magazine and The Scotsman. It has been supported worldwide, including ‘Day Ones’ being named in the top tracks of 2023 on London based Itch Fm's Exposure Show with DJ Sammy Jay and on Sheffield-based Mama RaRay’s Break & Bass Fam show. The album has received worldwide coverage with multiple songs played on radio and digital broadcasting platforms. It also was given a featured spotlight on PortlandMetroRecords.com, and was featured on Blacksmith and Frenic’s Rinse FM show.


Other recent releases, ‘Trojan’ and his feature on ‘Dragons Jaw’ by Post Coal Prom Queen, were named as tracks of the week on BBC Introducing Scotland. ‘The Sensory EP,’ a collaboration with producer Toni Smoke, also saw 2 tracks receive worldwide airplay on Rapstation 365 radio, being played by the UK’s DJ Shorty on the London Chip Shop show, then re-spun by the legendary Chuck D in the USA. His ‘Lost Routes Flip Tape’ was supported by Tom Robinson’s BBC 6 Music’s Fresh On The Net BBC Introducing mixtape show and he has seen his music named among the Herald’s top 100 Scottish tunes of the year in 2020, 2021 and 2022.


His 2023 release, ‘Jazz Unsung’ was featured among the top tracks of the year on Itch FM, the 6th Floor Show, the U.S.A.-based Puso 82.3 FM and on SWH Cam Glen Radio. It was also featured on Tom Robinson’s ‘Fresh on the Net Fresh Picks’ and on BBC Introducing Scotland radio. The track, ‘Galactic’ was featured on the BBC 6 Introducing Mixtape and on BBC Introducing Scotland, where Shereen Cutkelvin said, “Can I just say this trio together are absolute fire! I mean it just all works so perfectly together, it’s by far the best track I heard here, like he’s just taken the bar so high, he’s knocked it off to a whole other room.” Elsewhere, the track, ‘Dripping Sauce’ with producer Subject 13 (recently released on R&S Records), has been getting hyped reviews and worldwide attention including on platforms YORAPS.COM and DMCWORLD.NET.


Meanwhile, the live music scene has seen Conscious Route headlined The Queens Hall Edinburgh, supported Dabbla, Dead Prez, Marlowe, Pan Amsterdam, Wiki, Jelani Blackman Onyx, and Manga Saint Hilare to name a few.