Cyst: The Experimental Duo Redefining Outsider Hip Hop

In the ever-evolving landscape of experimental sound, few pairings feel as inevitable as the union of Iglooghost and daisy*. Long-time collaborators who have previously intersected on projects like 2024’s Tidal Memory Exo, the duo has now solidified their creative synergy under the moniker Cyst. Their debut album, ‘ᲘᲘ’, serves as a manifesto for a genre they describe as “outsider hip hop”-a chaotic, imaginative, and deeply personal exploration of sound.

• By: Gemma Ross | Photography: Sasha Chaika
• Published: 24 September 2026

A New Chapter: Parenthood and Sonic Evolution

Beyond their shared artistic vision, the pair’s personal lives have undergone a profound transformation: the arrival of their first child. This shift into parenthood has acted as a catalyst for their latest musical direction. While their previous work often leaned into complex, world-building electronic textures, their new material finds them grounding their experimental impulses in the raw, human element of their own voices.

The transition into domestic life provided an unexpected creative spark. The duo found themselves reflecting on the turn-of-the-millennium era, specifically the fleeting, fertile ground where IDM (Intelligent Dance Music) and underground hip hop collided. They describe the genesis of ‘ᲘᲘ’ as a byproduct of their daily routine-navigating the mundane tasks of new parenthood while listening to a curated blend of glitchy, “mouthbreather” hip hop and high-concept computer music. This juxtaposition of domestic chaos and digital precision became the blueprint for their new sound.

The Aesthetic of ‘ᲘᲘ’

Cyst is not merely a continuation of their past projects; it is a departure. By stepping away from their established personas-including the well-known BABii moniker-the duo has created a space where they can experiment with vocal-forward arrangements that feel both nostalgic and futuristic.

The result is a record that feels like a fever dream of the early 2000s, filtered through the lens of modern production. It is a project that demands attention, not just for its technical prowess, but for its willingness to embrace the “weird.” As they prepare to bring this vision to the stage, fans can expect a live performance that mirrors the intensity and unpredictability of the album itself-a high-energy, immersive experience that cements their status as the most exciting experimental pairing in the current scene.