Hailing from the vibrant streets of North-West London, emerging artist J. Kosmos brings forth a blend of introspective rhymes and soulful melodic riffs that defy traditional genre boundaries. Since his debut in 2018, J. Kosmos has carved out a distinctive niche in the music scene, seamlessly merging R&B, hip-hop, and soul influences into his compelling sound.
His latest single 'Sixth Sense' is a chilled piece of hip-hop piece infused with pop sensibilities. Reminiscent of artists like Drake and The Weeknd, J. Kosmos skilfully weaves pop-woven vocals into a tapestry of trap beats and airy synths. Along with a stunning music video all directed by himself, J. Kosmos showcases that he is an artist in many senses of the word, with an artistic direction that puts him right at the forefront.
We sat down with him to learn more about what makes him tick, the new single and forthcoming EP and much, much more, exclusively for FLEX!
--
Hey J. Kosmos, welcome to FLEX! How are you doing today?
What’s good? Yeah I’m all good thanks. Excited to be with you, here today.
How did growing up in North-West London influence your music?
Massively! There’s nothing like North, North-West London. This place is a melting pot of so many different cultures and walks of life that it moulds you as an individual. From dancehall culture to hip hop and grime culture, these elements are key in the sonics of my sound.
What inspired your new single ‘Sixth Sense’? Tell us all about it!
The lyrics, beat and track was very spontaneous and made in the moment. I was in Leicester at the start of 2021. kicking it back with my boy and long-term collaborator ‘Wolfgang Santana’. Santana was working on a new beat and as soon as I heard the synths Santana was utilising, I pulled out my phone and the track wrote itself. Whenever me and Santana work it’s just effortless.
What inspired you to blend R&B, hip-hop, and soul into your sound?
These are all the genres of music that I Love. Mixing conscious lyrics with melodies and beautiful instrumentation was never the goal but I guess was a process that happened naturally. To make good music, of substance that speaks to the soul, inspires and heals is my mission.
Who are your biggest musical influences?
A lot, but to keep it short and sweet I’d say.
Michael Jackson, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent, Notorious B.I.G., OutKast, Kanye West, Beyonce and Stevie Wonder.
How has your music evolved since your debut in 2018?
I would say I’m more confident. More sure in my artistry and clearer in my vision. I’ve always experimented with my sound and since 2018 and you can hear the evolution of that sound through my discography.
Watch the official music video for 'Sixth Sense' here:
What was it like collaborating with Wolfgang Santana on your upcoming EP?
Spectacular! Working alongside Wolfgang Santana is always a pleasure. This time round Santana was visiting me up in Manchester and like we always do, we worked on music. It started off with us completing 1 or 2 tracks and before we knew it we had a whole tape full of records at which point I said “yo! Why don’t release a joint tape/EP” The whole tape was produced and written in the space of five days. Each beat had the title of the time stamp at which the beat was produced so we gave the project the title ‘Lost Hours’. The project is our best work to date and is set for release in August.
Tell us about your entertainment company, BackYourDream Ent.
BackYourDream Ent. or BYD for short was founded and established in 2022. It started with the intention of being an independent label but it has since grown into more, being a production and entertainment company. At this point, we’re just getting started with the company and the vision is to have collaboration with talent from different industries such as art, film, tv, fashion and sport where we support talented and gifted individuals who live by the slogan ‘Back Your Dream’.
What can fans expect from the other tracks on the EP?
Fans can expect my best work to date! A commercially recorded and produced album. Every record on this tape/EP is big and I’m sure this tape will take the listener on a journey for sure!! From background vocals, to the harmonies and lyricism used, everyone involved with this project added their own touch to make it a work of art, a special project.
And finally, what are your plans for the rest of 2024? Any live shows planned?
2024 is a year filled with a string of releases. A few singles of the project are set to be released with accompanying music videos. After this, a shorter 4 track EP is scheduled for the end of the year. Listening parties and shows are set to be organised around these releases so there’s a lot to look forward to!
Stream "Sixth Sense" here: