The
Video:
Who would have believed that a brief encounter between two jet-setting MCs, one to Brazil and the other to the UK, would produce such a Parisian sounding collaboration? But that's exactly how "Universe Traveler," the recently released Talib Kweli-featuring single from Kyle Rapps' On Air mixtape, came to be. Whatever the circumstances, what's most important is that the two East Coast rappers, along with producer Nate G, have found a niche combining sounds of legendary French-electro duo Air with East Coast-driven boom bap to create something new and original.
Now, the video for "Universe Traveler" brings the French theme to the forefront with the help of veteran director Lenny Bass. "We shot the audition footage in a NYC park underneath the Westside highway, so it has this gritty French cinema feel," explains Kyle Rapps. "It made for a crazy diverse collective and a visual experience that transcends genre." Though the video may focus on the more European aspects of the track, the meaning is actually much broader than that, says Kyle: "True artists can rock anywhere, in any circumstance, with any other type of artist. True artists will always complement each other."
Kyle's NYC fans can catch him performing with Blu at Public Assembly in Brooklyn on September 23rd. For more details about the show, visit here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=206035702786597
Watch the video for "Universe Traveler" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iml8CeRMt6k
In case you missed it, download the On Air mixtape here: http://www.sendspace.com/file/v0svxj
The Background:
By age 20, Princeton, New Jersey native Kyle Rapps started winning poetry slams in NYC with a concept-strong, socially sharp raw hip-hop delivery. Once he graduated from Rutgers University, he had already opened for big name acts like Wyclef Jean, Fat Joe, Talib Kweli and Dead Prez with his group, Thought Breakers. And once he decided to change his name to Kyle Rapps, he was getting ready to release the single "Love, Love" with KRS-One and Homeboy Sandman, which eventually went on to reach #1 on the college radio charts for hip-hop. Now, fresh off his critically acclaimed EP, RE-Edutainment, which features Joell Ortiz and KRS-One, and production from Kev Brown, Kyle has put together a new concept project called On Air. The new mixtape, which samples from the legendary French-electro DJ duo, Air, is now available for free download.
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