The newest track by Kentucky Rapper, ALYST, is called “Gleeming.” It’s a low vibration piece, with a direct and at times, intense delivery by ALYST. Little is known about ALYST’S early life, aside from his birth state, and the fact that he was once a nationally ranked, tennis player. He says he even trained with none other than King Richard, at one point. He’s got what could be called a “hard” look, with symmetrical facial features, and an athletic build. In some ways, you could say he has a main villain look, for an action film, set in the concrete jungle, or the underworld.
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“Gleeming,” has something of an East Coast feel to it, which is likely explained by ALYST’S collaborator. Affluent Oscar Sanchez is also featured on the track, as well as being the head of the label that represents ALYST. In what is likely a move to justify his moniker, ALYST has recently changed his headquarters from Kentucky to NYC. It’s a region that seems tailor made for him, and vice versa. There’s a streetwise quality to ALYST, as well as an intimidation factor, especially if provoked.
“Gleeming,” suffers from repetition to some extent. ALYST goes on about the healthy status of his bank account, ad nauseam. The production on the track is fine, opting for a deep, urban beat, with a slight sense of foreboding. ALYST has a vocal style that has some light parallels to Biggie. He walks the ledge of mumbling at times, but is somehow entirely comprehensible, throughout. There is a ready made audience for ALYST’S style, but with so much content in this vein, it may be difficult to stand out.
The video for “Gleeming,” may be even more effective in introducing ALYST. There isn’t a lot to it, but it establishes ALYST’S energy and engaging look. The Rapper seems quite comfortable in front of a camera, and veers in between a laid back charisma and a pensive, even brooding, demeanor. There’s a cinematic quality to the video, but in an entirely fragmented format. The video for “Gleeming,” is currently available on YouTube, and is highly recommended.
“Gleeming,” will likely be looked back on as a pivotal track for ALYST. He’s made some bold predictions for his future, and with a name like, ALYST, that’s certainly to be expected. While his sound is still finding its own identity, he, as a personality, is further along in that process. “Gleeming” is a feature piece, that is primarily designed to introduce ALYST to a new audience. Interestingly, he shows some acting potential in the video for “Gleeming.” The artist has a presence and a look that would nicely in certain genres of film. Whatever carpet, ALYST is destined to walk, one thing is for certain, it won’t be as a B list player.
Chadwick Easton