Artists Tytist Dean and Alpha Patron Debut Original Music at Student-Led Concert

An explosion of beats and rhymes rocked the LaHaye Event Space at the Student Activities Concert Tuesday, Oct. 27. Student artist Alpha Patron and men’s basketball player Tytist Dean both performed energizing sets, showcasing their talents for fellow students. 

Sophomore from Seattle, Washington, Patron radiated excitement, and was ready to perform. Typically, many artists just sing along to a track. However, Patron was adamant on using a full band. 

“It’s about being immersed…It’s not just a concert. It’s an experience,” Patron said. “The audience wants to feel the drums and feel the guitar, piano and sax. It hits
differently.” 

Patron got his start in music playing in the church as a child, but he put music aside for a while to focus on sports. In his junior year of high school, he decided to pick it up again.

“My boys and I wanted to do a high school talent show for giggles,” Patron said. “Once I was on stage, I felt different. I felt like I could be myself.” 

“At the same time, I saw Lecrae perform at Winter Jam. He really encouraged me because everyone in the crowd was tuning in and inspired by his performance. I knew I wanted to inspire people,” Patron said.

Ever since then, Patron has been performing and writing music. While Lecrae is still a large influence on him, he also takes inspirations from late greats like Nipsey Hussle and Michael Jackson.

Patron has performed before, but this was Patron’s first time performing at an organized event. 

“I am so excited,” Patron said. “You know that feeling you get when you’re so excited, you lose your appetite? That’s me, right now. I just want to get out there right now.” 

Patron and his band came out with force. The crowd shouted, “Alpha, Alpha, Alpha.” He showed his passion throughout the whole set. 

He performed a 30-minute set filled with originals, including an unreleased song titled “Still Here.” His songs featured a more melodic sound. His band featured a pianist and a guitarist who pulled double duty with his saxophone for some parts of the show.

Throughout his performance, Patron’s uplifting personality and poetic lyrics were inspiring. 

Next up to perform was student artist and basketball player, sophomore Tytist Dean. 

Dean came out with just his drummer and shook the room with his bass heavy introduction. His set featured a more straight-forward hip-hop sound that the crowd could shout along with. 

His performance matched the quality of his tracks on Spotify. Replicating a sound like that can be difficult, but he did it with swagger.

Both artists were able to showcase their talents to a very receptive crowd.

Both Tytist and Alpha Patron’s music is available on most streaming platforms. 

Daniel Ellis is a Feature Reporter. Follow him on Twitter at @dnaieltyler.