Interview: Long Island Based Rap Artist and Producer Bliss Consciousness

Bliss Consciousness is a rap artist and producer from Suffolk County, Long Island who just dropped a brand new album entitled "BANDIT". We connected with Bliss Consciousness for this exclusive interview to find out more about "BANDIT", which features his own production, as well as what he wants a new listener to take from hearing the album for the first time, and much more.

After reading this Q&A with Bliss Consciousness, be sure to follow him on his social media streams, and most definitely stream "BANDIT" ASAP. 

Tell us about your name Bliss Consciousness. How did it originate and what does it personify? 

Bliss consciousness is the highest form of consciousness in Transcendental Meditation. I have been practicing Transcendental Meditation for the past 5 years. It's a big part of my life and I attribute all my ideas and successes to it. Since practicing TM, my life has changed drastically. I've been able to attract the things I want in my life and go through this life with ease and calmness. The name is an ode to my meditation practice.

You have been in a metal band yet are now dropping a Hip-Hop album, how did you get to this point as an artist and producer? 

I've always been an artist and producer. Since a child in elementary school I would enter and win poetry competitions. I've always been in love with writing. Any outlet I had I would use. The band I was in was an outlet for me, I wrote a lot of the lyrics in the beginning. But as time went on, the band members wanted different things so we decided to part ways. But I never stopped. I started a few projects but Bliss Consciousness is a totally different thing all together. I've always loved rap and I just started writing to beat until eventually I put together "BANDIT", which you can get for free at iambliss.co.

Tell us about your experiences growing up in the suburbs of Long Island as a minority. Is this what drove you to music? 

Anyone who grew up as a minority can will understand the struggle. And for those that didn't grow up as one have struggled in their own ways. So I don't want to make it sound like I've been through worst than anyone. We're all in this together. But personally, I had to deal with racism and being different at a very young age. I could have gotten angry and bitter or I could have laughed it off. I did the latter. I was the class clown growing up and tried to be friends with everyone. I understood how it felt to be different and feel isolated so I would always make an effort to speak with the kids who didn't have many friends and tended to be loners. I'm still friends with some of those people today.

As far as my motivation for my music, it's just a need to create. I have to create. Just like I have to train and workout everyday. It helps me get my feelings out and in the process better understand who I am as a person so eventually, I can help those around me. 

Congratulations on the release of your new album "BANDIT". What are you most proud of with it? How long did it take to write and record? 

Thank you. What am I most proud of? I'm proud of my engineer and the featured singer who helped me create this album. This is just the beginning, I really have nothing to be proud of. So what, I made a rap album. Everyone has one nowadays. It's what I do with it that matters. 

I wrote the entire album in about 30 days. Then I recorded all my tracks in about 2 weeks. The longest part was finding my featured vocalist and getting her in the booth and mixing/mastering the whole album. 

When people listen to the "BANDIT" album for the first time, what do you want them to take away from the experience? 

I want them to listen to it and feel something. Anything. Love. Hate. Anger. Sadness. Just feel something. Every track is different, and my sole purpose with every song is to get someone to listen to it and help them get through whatever they're going through. Music saved my life, and if there's just one kid that listens to this and it gets them to tomorrow then my goal has been accomplished. 

Connect with Bliss Consciousness: Website | Facebook | YouTube | Soundcloud