Whether its rhyming in “Rich Minion” or conversing with Talking Ben, Yeat has paved the way for a new wave of psychedelic rage-rap with his swiftly shallow rhymes and sonically-hypnotizing production. AftërLyfe finally makes Yeat immortal, as the indestructible project showcases the rapper’s dynamic versatility in vocal range and vapid rage.
It’s Yeat’s World and we’re all just living in it. His November 2022 Complex cover story reveals the secret of his production that lies in the layering of his voice; a “one-man band,” as BNYX describes him as. While the rapper is not particularly known for his captivating lyricism, his signature slurs including “Luh geek” and “Tonka” signify a new language that “Kant die” amongst his cult following.
2Alivë, the sequel to Alivë, racked up features from YSL and Ken Carson, compiling a Billboard-ranking project that brought rage to the mainstream charts. “Still Countin” and “On the Line” remained as premier singles throughout 2022, and lime green Tonka trucks line up against a Twizzy militia in the Lyrical Lemonade-shot visual for “Poppin.”
2Alivë was an instant success, as Lyfë — its 12-track follow-up — carries the greatness of the record, yet is a darker-toned project with a solo feature from Lil Uzi Vert on “Flawless.” Hijacking hallucinatory instrumentals of BNYX pair with Yeat’s braggadocious lyricism and vocal sub-layering — a symbiotic duo that never seems to disappoint.
AfterLyfë marks the rapper’s ascension into a realm of untouchable mainstream success, proving its moment with 50 million streams in five days and peaked at No. 1 on Apple Music. While the limited-feature tracklist left many fans initially apprehensive, the project truly needs no features at all, with the “one-man band” taking the lead.
The clouded X-ray animated cover, reimagined by Digiyams, glitches with Yeat’s turban-draped silhouette and flashing twizzy chain. BNYX, the Working On Dying producer, radiates dance-infused and rave-inspired instrumentals that transform Yeat’s monotonous tone into varied melodicism. Afterlyfe presents a new persona to the bona fide rockstar, with psych-rock guitar solos and soft-hearted ballads gleaming a polished project for the rapper’s experimental sound that continues to reshape the culture.
The opening track “No morë talk” chimes in with the glitching “Working on Dying” producer tag and Yeat’s ghoulish entrance, with dissonant adlibs echoing from afar as the rapper reminds listeners of his esteemed lifestyle when he’s “riding with [his] demons and his deadliest twins.” The energy persists through the next track as he continues to stack up his bread alongside Louisiana-bred rapper, Youngboy Never Broke Again, sharing mob ties and designer enthusiasm on “Shmunk.” Yeat’s innocuously hypnotizing rhymes resonate over dark arpeggiating riffs; Numb at its core and focused in its presentation, the relentless sonic- appeal of Lyfë persists.
The warbling bass of “Rav3 P4ty” invites you to the after-party, ramping up the BPM with psychedelic, flanging production from dulio and a feature from his Kranky Kranky alter ego. The party’s vibe switches on “Nun id change” with a four-on-the-floor house beat that meets Yeat’s hymning — sharing his vivid, mind-numbing experiences while “flying to the moon.” Lyfë meets AftërLyfe in these two tracks, inviting a bounc light-hearted flare to the rapper’s sinister vocal experimentations.
“How it go” remains high-energy with the Carti-style beat, pairing catchy “Woa” adlibs to each flaunting phrase on flawless diamonds and private jets. Yet, the playful energy shifts back to the rapper’s demonic alter-ego in with the Yeat-produced track “Bad bënd/DëMON,” with the “demons on his mind and demons on his line” that takeover him when he “felt like making this beat.” The ghoulish howls of “Heavyweight” further ripen Yeat’s altering persona, welcoming you to a reimagined AftërLyfe of an alternate realm.
Yeat comes down to Earth with a candid, soulful ballad on “Myself.” With contributing background vocals and an acoustic guitar lead from BNYX, the rapper is vulnerable in sharing the struggle to stay true to himself in his fast lifestyle — and the “dreams from above” that keep him focused. The alternative rock instrumental juxtaposes the explosive bass-driven project: A soft and unexpected ending to this carefully curated composition.
From bass house to rage rap, the 22-track album truly is a “whole different sound fully,” that paves the way for the experimental new age. Despite his effortless ability to shift through genres, Yeat continues to remain true to himself — unbothered, self-reliant and focused.
Culture-shifting and outwardly otherworldly, AftërLyfe opens hell’s gates on a whim — taking you on a treacherous journey through Yeat’s unforgiving universe.
Listen to AfterLyfë below!
