If you don’t already, get to know drill storyteller Cristale. The Brixton MC dropped a visual supplement to her introspective freestyle See Myself on P110 music, later released on streaming platforms as a stand-alone record, earlier this month.
This is a trap-ballad at heart, that flickers between personal struggles and wider concepts like industry commercialism, mortality and religion. Always maintaining composure, the track is glued together with tight wordplay and a formulaic rhyme scheme. Cristale doesn’t shy, or divert away from her identity in this one. Rather highlighting it, and shedding light on how she rises above its challenges.
“Used to wanna be the red ranger as a school kid/They tell you boys are stronger/I’m the proof that that was bulls**t” is a poignant example of this. The track’s main strength is that much of what Cristale spits resonates with the average person. Being at one with your identity, overcoming set-backs and broadening the mind’s horizon, are goals that as a listener you can empathise with for the most part. The harmonic vocal loop on the instrumental supports this, courtesy of Othello Beats, creating an emotive background for Cristale to work on, elevating the message sonically.
Stylistically, she’s been compared to Santan Dave, as her down to earth bars continue to turn heads on social media and within the industry. She’s received numerous shout outs and co-signs from artists and gatekeepers such as Kenny Allstar, Headie One, Lady Leshurr and more. Previous releases from the Brixton-native, have also made some waves in the past
12-months. Her Next Up freestyle and Whites track accrued impressive reviews from; Clash, GRM Daily and Penalty Mag.
Cristale pulls inspiration from grime, spoken word and other sounds that influenced her growing up in a Caribbean household. She says that this record represents an artist in contemplative mood, musing on life around her. We are excited to see what 2021 beholds for the talented South-Londoner.
Take in the visuals for See Myself and be sure to let us know what you think!