Deeper Than Rap: insyt on the Discipline of Process and Building Art Without Being Destroyed By It
Blessed by a Dharma
insyt: The 24-Year-Old Architect Reintroducing Analog Soul to Hip-Hop
At just 24, Toronto's insyt is fast establishing himself as one of hip-hop’s most compelling voices. His meticulous approach and profound dedication to introspection result in music that is both emotionally honest and strikingly refined in its execution. Like the late Guru of Gang Starr—whose wisdom declared, "if your voice ain't dope, then you need to chill"—Insyt possesses a commanding and instantly recognizable tone that lends gravitas to his sharp pen.
His signature sound is defined by a deep commitment to analog warmth. Built upon genuine crate-digging and hardware like the SP-404, Insyt's production embraces the organic imperfections and subtle hiss of the classics. This creates an immersive, textural resonance that pays direct homage to '90s progenitors while feeling completely current and captivating. He is the sound of boom-bap precision crafted for the modern era.
What elevates insyt beyond mere nostalgia is his sophisticated blend of form and feeling. He’s an intricate storyteller whose lyrical depth explores complex themes of grief and personal growth, earning comparisons to the unpredictable flow of DOOM and the emotional gravitas of Earl Sweatshirt. Whether delivering heartfelt contradiction on cuts like "Venus and Serena" or contributing to the collective energy of the 4DaTribe movement, Insyt treats every detail as paramount. Following his impactful sophomore album, Dancing for Myself, and recent support slots for heavyweights like Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist, Insyt stands as a vital artist—a rare architect who is successfully reintroducing soul, substance, and textural depth to the modern hip-hop landscape.
We caught up with Insyt for the latest installment of our "Nice To Meet You" series to discuss his process, his influences, and what comes next.
Thanks for doing this! What was the process that led you to write your first song?
Nothing overly extravagant, honestly. I was probably 18 or 19, dealing with the teenage angst of not really knowing who you are yet. Writing the song was probably a way to make sense of some confusion. I just wrote what I felt was true. The song wasn’t good, haha, but it was definitely true.
Do you remember the first time you shared your music online — and what that moment meant to you?
I remember that time for sure. It was tough cause nobody associated me with music or as an artist, so I was breaking barriers in terms of my identity. Which naturally felt awkward. All I remember is that I was really proud and excited about what I made. It opened me up to a whole new form of expressing myself. It felt liberating.
Was there a specific artist or moment that made you realize you wanted to make music?
There were two important ones for sure. I was driving home rapping to a Mach-Hommy beat. Trying to find flows….find pockets. I think it was honestly fun, and I liked the way my voice sounded, so I wanted to hear what it sounded like recorded.
Second, I think the music I was listening to at the time inspired me to try expressing myself through the same medium. Black Soap by MIKE, Some Rap Songs by Earl Sweatshirt, GREENTXTS.V1 by Knxwledge. This was music that felt like they were talking directly to me.
What’s an album or song that still reminds you why you do this?
Dharma by me
“I want to improve. I’m still learning how to rap, how to make good compositions and how to make cohesive albums. So my biggest goal is to keep my heart open and learn as much as I can. I want a complete Discography.”
What inspires your approach to writing lyrics?
Writing is how I make sense of my world. What I write is always informed by what I live through. Writing feels like trying to connect the dots to the themes of my life at the time... But really going in like a surgeon and examining where and how each line intersects. Every song widens my scope. Even more so…. it connects me to something that is bigger than myself.
What’s a sound, sample, or texture you’re currently obsessed with?
What is something you're proud of?
I’m here and I’m still breathing….trying my best….building.
What’s a recent performance, film, or book that left a mark on you?
I was able to watch Mavi & Ovrkast perform stage-side while opening for Freddie Gibbs & Alchemist in Toronto. Really powerful experience. It’s artists like Mavi that confirm that it's quite literally always been deeper than rap.
I’m currently reading the autobiography of Nelson Mandela. His story is so vast and powerful. Pan-Africanism has really been inspiring me as of late.
What’s your greatest challenge right now — and how are you working through it?
Managing my stress and self-talk for sure. My life has me wearing a lot of different hats right now. I’m trying to find ways to stay grounded and healthy. Not trying to be destroyed by the things I build..
Amen. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to artists just starting?
Find your process. Fall in love with your process. With snares…with sounds. Let your love and enjoyment ground you. If you’re thinking about the end goal, or numbers or whatever… you’re probably lost in the plot. My love and passion for music is what got me here for sure.
What’s the biggest goal you have for your music at this moment?
I want to improve. I’m still learning how to rap, how to make good compositions and how to make cohesive albums. So my biggest goal is to keep my heart open and learn as much as I can. I want a complete Discography.
Amazing final words. Thank you!
