Rising from the underground with a vision that’s equal parts raw and cinematic, UK artist J. Kosmos has arrived in full force with his debut EP ‘Lost Hours’. Following a series of attention-grabbing singles earlier this year, including ‘Feeling Like’, ‘Sixth Sense’, and ‘The Process’, Kosmos is ready to cement his place as one of the most exciting new voices in UK hip-hop.
Spanning seven tracks and created in just ten days, ‘Lost Hours’ fuses dynamic hip-hop flows with the melodic finesse of R&B and the grit of trap, all while showcasing Kosmos’s knack for striking, sample-driven production. Exploring the highs and lows of modern life, the EP offers a cohesive journey that feels as immersive as it is thought-provoking. As Kosmos puts it, “This project is a cohesive body of work that was made to stand the test of time… it’s a movie!”
So we decided to sit down with him to unpack the creative process behind ‘Lost Hours’, dive into the themes driving his music, and discuss his mission to leave a lasting mark on the UK hip-hop scene.
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Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got started in music?
My background in music started with my parents buying me a piano at the age of seven.
From what my parents told me, I always had a liking for music and would be an avid dancer at a young age, I think this is where my sense of rhythm comes from and also my start in music.
Who are your biggest musical influences and how have they shaped your sound?
It has to be a few of the GOATS, growing up I was in awe and obsessed with Michael Jackson, the catalogue of music, his voice, the message behind certain songs, the choreography, his live performances and his music videos absolutely blew me away. As I got older artists such as Tupac, Bob Marley and Dizzee Rascal shaped my sound.
Was there a specific moment or experience that made you decide to pursue music seriously?
The impact Joey Badass & Capital Steez had with Pro Era and the beast coast collective inspired me to seriously consider pursuing music, the message and ability to make an impact on a conscious level really ignited that pursuit of transformation within me.
Can you walk us through your typical songwriting process?
Usually I have the instrumental/beat first and try to find the sound, tone that would fit best over the beat. I then proceed to write lyrics which can vary from a couple of hours to a few days. It definitely depends on the record, some tracks write themselves pretty instantaneously and others take a bit longer when there’s more of a concept to the track.
How do you find inspiration for your music and lyrics?
Inspiration can come from a lot of different places however inspiration for my music and lyrics come from real life experience and I feel that this makes for the most impactful and hard hitting music that I’ve as of yet created. Pain, struggle, realization, happiness are all motions and feelings that all humans can relate too.
What themes or messages do you hope listeners take away from your music?
My intention for listeners of my music is to be moved, to maybe make them feel better,more positive, to get up and dance and even help anyone escape or have a moment where they can detach from their problems or even face them head on. Not all of my music is positive and uplifting, other tracks are more introspective and could even make you cry but to face and conquer your demons is what I want with my music.
What challenges have you faced as an emerging artist in the music industry?
I’ve encountered a lot of fake energy in the industry. I think it’s very important to stay locked in on your journey and to build a team of people that you really trust and grow with. I understand that this industry is not for the faint of heart so you need to be thick skinned and have a definitive purpose. I really love music and all music so I never let the challenges in the industry dampen my spirit because at the end of the day you have to put in work to reap what you sow and I’m very grateful for how far I’ve come but also know how far I’ve yet to go.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your musical journey so far?
I’d say releasing two projects, especially the latest EP ‘Lost Hours’ which was released with long term collaborator Wolfgang Santana. It’s a really good feeling when you release a project you’ve been working on or holding onto for so long.
How do you stay true to yourself and your artistry in a constantly evolving industry?
I try to stay locked in and focus on not really following the trend in music. I always try to make music that connects to the heart and soul so feeling and energy is paramount for me when making music and as a result I believe that this naturally leads to timeless music that isn’t boxed into one generation or genre.
What can fans expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or tours?
They can definitely expect another project at the end of the year, a bigger and longer project titled ‘Enter The Kosmos’ which will most likely be an album. I’m currently sitting on a lot of records that are in the back catalogue so I’m very excited to start sharing these. On a side note I’ve been writing a lot and producing short films alongside skits so fans can expect to also see more acting with the music.
Where do you see yourself and your music career in the next five years?
I see myself growing and evolving with my sound, I still feel like I’m just getting started so consistency is a major goal over the course of the next few years. I’d love to start touring over the UK, then Europe and other continents. I hope to have merchandising and a store set up for all products and services related to J. Kosmos and really develop a creative universe that people can dive into.
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Listen to J. Cosmos’ new EP ‘Lost Hours’ below.
