Behind the Mask: Cistain's Journey Through Music and Self-Discovery

Cistain Alexander III arrived to our interview wearing a bright blue pearl-embellished mask. Masks have become his signature, an unmistakable part of his artistic identity. The look is anything but subtle. Rather than hiding behind it, he uses the mask to shift attention away from himself and back to the music. Born in Jamaica and raised in England, Cistain moved to the United States about a decade ago to attend university. College became a turning point for him. After growing up in boarding schools, where uniforms and structure left little room for individuality, he finally had the freedom to explore who he was outside of those expectations. Attending school in the American South, a stark contrast from the environment he was raised in, only added to that journey of self-discovery.

That journey is reflected throughout his songwriting. Early on, vulnerability was one of his biggest challenges as a writer. That changed after a friend asked him a simple question: How vulnerable do you want to be? The question pushed him to open up in a way he never had before. Today, Cistain describes his lyrics as fully vulnerable, a testament to his experiences and a reflection of the person he continues to become. Vulnerability did not come naturally to him at first. Part of the hesitation came from knowing he would have to relive those emotions every time he performed the songs. The first time he sang one of his more personal tracks during a preview, he choked up. Even now, performing can transport him back to the feelings he experienced while writing. His goal is to bring listeners into that moment with him.

While those emotions remain, he says the songs now serve as reminders of lessons learned and challenges overcome. There is comfort in knowing that better days always lie ahead. His openness often surprises the people closest to him. Friends have listened to his music and jokingly asked, "So, you really did that?" Family members have occasionally reached out with concern after hearing certain lyrics. Still, he says they have always supported both his music and his honesty.

That honesty is influenced by the artists he grew up listening to. Cistain cites neo-soul legends Jill Scott, Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu among his biggest inspirations. He speaks about Scott's music with particular admiration, pointing to its timeless quality as something he hopes to capture in his own work. He is also drawn to spoken word and sees music as something much bigger than entertainment, almost as its own living presence. Cistain describes his own sound as neo-soul, rooted in storytelling and emotional truth. More than anything, he wants his music to feel timeless. Whether a song was written months ago or years ago, his hope is that listeners can step into the emotions that inspired it and feel what he felt in that moment.

That connection will soon return to the stage. After a two-year hiatus from live performances, Cistain is set to perform again this month at an intimate all-LGBTQ artist showcase. He is also preparing to release a new EP, marking the start of the next chapter for an artist whose work continues to be defined by vulnerability, authenticity and self-expression.

Written by Thiisiiscyn