THINK ABOUT IT - conswank
Artwork - THINK ABOUT IT
When people think East Coast Hip-Hop, I don’t think their first thoughts are about the state of Vermont. People think New York, maybe Pennsylvania or Virginia, maybe Massachusetts, but the very tip of the Northeast gets very little love when it comes to Rap Music.
“My life, in ride or die moments, I’m in a full sprint”
Burlington, Vermont native and self-described “Jazz rapper” Conswank has already had a career filled with moments that will last him a lifetime. From joining local Hip-Hop collective 99neighbors to the release of his debut solo project Low Point Retreat in May, Swank’s been at a full sprint with no intent on slowing down, continuing his push forward with a slew of incredible videos with 99neighbors. Their YouTube channel houses not only Conswank’s videos but a slew of incredibly well-orchestrated and produced visuals from both the artists individually and the collective as a whole.
Reflective and honest, Swank balances emotional intelligence with rooted, homegrown authenticity, using the production from Yogic Beats as a playground to flesh out and iron out the details in his writing. He sounds fearless too, speaking openly about his past lives and how he’s learned to maneuver in today’s body. Both his flow and cadence are commanding, but in the way when someone tells you a story around the campfire, with that sound of unteachable wisdom.
I heard it’s easy to not be scared when you work hard, and both Conswank and 99neighbors have been putting their hours in. The video, directed by Pat & Seamus and presented by Holy Smokes Entertainment, features some incredible storytelling in itself, moving from location to location and featuring different motifs that bring the added value that top-tier visuals provide.
Sure, I love rap and have a bias towards the rappers, but I really think they have something special up in Vermont, which is something I’d never thought I’d say in my life. Maybe they feed off that. Maybe they feel that disrespect when it comes to the East Coast scene. Maybe they’re just like everybody else who wants to put on for their hometown.
