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About Lavar

Baltimore City

ILL Conscious is a hip-hop artist based in Baltimore, Maryland.  With a fresh innovative approach, ILL’s style is still pleasantly reminiscent of the authentic 90’s hip-hop era. Since 2007, ILL has been performing along the east coast, mid-west and has sparred in several battle competitions where he would come out as the victor.  He has been featured on numerous rap blogs, online magazines, excerpts, and has been quoted as a mix between a later-in-his-career AZ, a Capital Punishment Big Pun… more

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The Essence

The Essence is Ill Conscious's official debut solo album that was released in Summer 2015.  The album was essentially created for true hip hop heads, thus giving the listeners that underground boom bap sound.  The production team on the album ranges from Copenhagen producer, M.W.P. to Norwegian producers Loop.Holes.  The Essence epitomizes the foundation of the Golden Era, when hip hop was pure and unadulterated.  Every lyric on the album was narrated observing through the scope of a Baltimore native.  Supporters of the Baltimore emcee agree that The Essence is the embodiment of social and political commentary within the urban inner city communities.  The Essence was an important album because it was a response to the Freddie Gray tragedy and other police brutality cases around the world.  The undertones in this project are that of civilians marching against injustices worldwide.  Ill Conscious' The Essence, also acquired his first vinyl deal through the United Kingdom's most notable vinyl record label, Chopped Herring Records.  In turn, this created a business relationship that would serve as promising and benefcial for Ill's future projects.  Ill Conscious has a good contrast of consciousness and street interpretations  that all sides of the hip hop community can appreciate. The Essence is a necessary album for all listeners and it connects all elements of hip hop that have been absent from many projects of this generation. 
  • The Essence album cover
    The Essence album cover
    Artwork by Michael Young. Photograph taken at Penn Station in Baltimore, MD by Brit Mcinnis - Circa May 2013
  • ILL Conscious - What You Need prod. by Marshtini (Loop.Holes)
    This Loop.Holes produced track is one of the most notable from ILL Conscious' debut 2015 LP, The Essence. ILL details his observations and experiences in Baltimore, MD through vivid social commentary on a solemn, melodic soundtrack. The legendary Busta Rhymes sample plays in the hook as the visuals portray the inner city woes. The Essence is available online on all major digital outlets, CD and vinyl.
  • Ill Conscious-The Essence LP
    Snippets of The Essence on Chopped Herring Records for vinyl release http://www.choppedherringrecords.com Ill Conscious - The Essence Tracks: A1 Good Morning Baltimore A2 The Pledge A3 Sheep A4 What You Need A5 Born Supreme A6 When it Sounded Like This B1 The Essence B2 A West Side Thing feat. Dirt Platoon B3 The Ruler B4 Wisdom B5 Subliminal Propaganda B6 When It Sounded Like This Pt.2 A1, A4 & B2 produced by Loop Holes. A2 & A6 produced by Cold Logistics. A3 & B4 produced by TooNorth. A5 & B3 produced by M.W.P. B1 produced by illMeasured. B5 produced by Theology. Cuts on A6 & B1 by illMeasured. Cuts on B2 by Dekstra Large. Cuts on B3 by DJ Modesty. Ill CONSCIOUS/THE ESSENCE LP 2015 BALTIMORE *CHOPPED HERRING*
  • Ill Conscious feat. Cyn Hawkes- The Pledge
    The first single and video for The Essence. The Pledge is produced by Cold Legistics from Rhode Island. The Pledge features another Baltimore artist Cyn Hawkes. Video shot and directed by Jay Mastermind from Baltimore, MD.
  • The Essence: Very Limited Vinyl on Chopped Herring Records
    The Essence: Very Limited Vinyl on Chopped Herring Records
    Ill Conscious landed his first vinyl deal on the United Kingdom's Chopped Herring Records. Very limited Vinyl. 2015
  • Ill Conscious x Loop.Holes - Declare
    Track and video for unreleased ILL Conscious album, Import Export after The Essence campaign. circa Fall 2015 Ill Conscious X Marshtini (Loop.Holes) - "Declare" Feat: Cuts by Kool DJ KC Fly Directed by: Grasshopper Philms Album: "Import Export"
  • Sheep prod. by TooNorth - Ill Conscious
    Single from The Essence. Compilation of visuals not owned by Ill Conscious used for promotional use only. prod. by TooNorth from Oregon
  • Ill Conscious Logo
    Ill Conscious Logo
    The Ill Conscious logo was created as a homage to the ancient Egyptian symbol, the eye of Horus/Ra. It also capsulates Ill's initials, I and C, all while respresenting the opening of the third eye, good health, protection, and supreme royal power.
  • Borm Supreme-Ill Conscious
    The Offcial Music Video for Born Supreme was shot but never released on any platform. It is Track 5 of the album, The Essence. Shot & Directed by Boombap Dlow
  • The Original Ill Conscious T-shirts
    The Original Ill Conscious T-shirts
    This is the first design of Ill Conscious T-shirts. This was the original logo that Ill used during The Essence campaign. Photograph taken by Chris Springer.
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