J. Kosmos is a UK-based rapper and producer who blends elements of UK rap, R&B and trap. Active since 2018, a steadily built underground following has, alongside his penchant for production and sharp flows, set seven-year foundations for a project now kicking up into a new gear. His debut EP, Lost Hours, is his most ambitious release to date, the seven-track album exploring the highs and lows of modern life with sleek, cinematic scope.
Let’s start by discussing the process behind ‘Lost Hours.’ You wrote and produced the project in just ten days. What was that process like creatively? Did it make it rawer or more spontaneous working in this way?
The process behind the whole EP was exactly that, we didn’t set any limitations or boxes for the creative process, we didn’t even go in with the intention of making a project, we just kind of hit a flow state. To break it down, spontaneous would be the perfect word because we started working on music as we normally do, Santana was producing beats, and I was writing bars. Before we knew it, we had two or three tracks completed in the space of a few hours, at which point the thought of releasing a collaborative EP popped into my head. I presented the idea to Santana, and he was down. When the tracks were originally made, because they were getting made so quickly, the tracks were titled according to the time of completing the tracks so we had a bunch of tracks titled: 13:43, 17:25, 19:03. This led to the naming of the EP, ‘Lost Hours’. Synergy would be the second word I’d use to describe the creative process, as I’d write, rap and sing, Santana would make slight changes or add instrumentation to accompany a certain punchline or change in energy of the track.
The signature J. Kosmos sound blends UK Rap with R&B, trap and smooth production. Who are the artists that have shaped the way you approach music?
I’d say my musical palette is very broad and diverse. Inspiration definitely comes from a lot of different musical artists and genres, as I really love music! But, to mention a few that have changed the way I view and approach music would be Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, Akon and Bob Marley.
If someone is discovering your music through this EP, what do you hope they walk away with? What’s the message or feeling you want to leave them with?
I hope that they walk away feeling inspired, uplifted and moved. The message behind this project, at first glance, might allude to time that’s gone, but is actually a metaphor for the sacrifice taken in pursuit of your purpose. The long nights. The hours no one sees. The silent grind that builds something meaningful. As a whole, the EP signifies the importance of the journey. A journey where self-discovery and intention meet craft. The irony of the title is that hours lost turn into hours gained, so the mission was to want the listener to feel like they can achieve and accomplish anything in this life.
What’s next for your sound and career?
There’s a lot in the pipeline. My next goal is to release a string of singles, music videos and shorts that really showcase the versatility in my creativity and artistry. My director, Taylor and I have just shot a bunch of sketch ideas that I wrote to promote the EP. These will be out very soon, and I’m very excited to showcase this. In regards to new music, my plan is to release another project, I believe an album will be ready for the back end of the year, ‘Enter The Kosmos’.