Konshens (TheMc) & his State of Mind

KONSHENS (pron. Conscience)

Born Tarik Davis, a talented writer and musician, was born and raised in Northwest Washington, DC. At an early age, he exhibited his musical potential as a vocalist and musician. As a precocious toddler, he was a guest performer with his uncle's " 2nd Amendment” and by 4, he was attending The Institute for the Gifted and Talented and focusing on the piano and later clarinet.

As a young child, he began writing poetry and continued to play music wherever there was an audience, usually at church, school, or family gatherings. His creativity developed and his artistic abilities broadened over the years and by the age of 10, Konshens officially fell in love with hip hop. Crediting Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, Ice Cube, Kool G Rap, Guru, Big L, Nas, Tupac and Scarface as some of his early influences, he continued to write and perform. A mere five years later, he became the rapper and backup lead talker for local go-go band "High Image". His band opened for local legends like Rare Essence, Northeast Groovers, & the Junkyard Band also playing numerous shows with Uncalled For (UCB) which at that time was the rival (friendly) band of High Image. High Image redefined the typical go-go band by creating its own music and original lyrics.

Konshens recorded his first hip-hop song in 2000 with his longtime friend Antonio Graham. One year later, he met his current producer Phillip Carroll of X Factory Studio/Records. Taking advice given from Rich Harrison (co-writer and producer of various songs including Amerie's "one thing", Beyonce's "Crazy In Love" & Destiny Child's "Soldier"), along with the creative minds of Phillip "Producer X" Carroll (or DOC as Konshens refered to him) and Dwayne "Blue" Telesford (his current business manager), Konshens has developed his unique contribution to hip hop.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Konshens has also done something unique in his musical journey by constructing his own (7 piece) band “STATE of MIND”. Konshens & His State of Mind consists of members who accompanied Konshens in his first and only go-go band High Image: High School friend Tim (drums) & Tim’s cousin Darwin (percussion), Ray (Sax) , Potsie Major (keyboards), Greg Gibson (Bass) and Gaje Jones (Guitar). As Konshens likes to refer to Konshens & His State of Mind as “the hip hop version of Frankie Beverly and Maze.” Konshens recorded his second project with his band STATE OF MIND, (released Mar. 2009). In 2008 Konshens won Best Rap/Hip Hop Album at the First Annual Velocity Magazine Awards (November,2008) for his debut project released in 2007. Along with being nominated twice at 2008’s DMV EMA's, Konshens also was nominated in 8 categories(including best artist in style of Hip-Hop) for the 2009’s Effigy Awards which is sponsored by ABC broadcasting networks airing songs throughout the U.S. (www.meermusic.com/Konshens). In Fall of 2009 Konshens was awarded with the “Entertainer of the Year” –DC, MD & VA at Velocity Magazines 2009 Entertainment Awards. Along with winning “Best Rap Album” & “Best Male Hip-Hop Artist.”

To Start off 2010, Konshens won first prize of the “Converse Get Out of the Garage” Urban music contest along with being nominated for the second year in a row for “Best Rap Artist” at the 4th Annual DMV Entertainment Awards (Jan. 17th 2010). In August of 2010, Konshens & His State of Mind was the only hip hop artist/band performing at the 5th Annual International Soul Music Summit in Atlanta, GA.

In March of 2011, Konshens & his State of Mind were nominated for “best band, group or duo” at the 2011 D.M.V Entertainment Awards followed by an appreciation award (Oct. 2011) from the City Council of Baltimore for bringing awareness to youth on the importance of being a registered voter and voting. Currently Konshens & his State of Mind is released the third independent (Konshens & his State of Mind: The Progression). Konshens TheMc also has an inspirational book looking to release this year (2013) as well. Konshens views life as change realizing that the famous quote by Frederick Douglass certainly stands true that “without struggle, there is no progress.”