The
Song:
Any artist wondering how they can take their music to the next level should take notes from New Jersey-raised, Harlem-based emcee Kyle Rapps. Since the release of his debut EP, Re-Edutainment, Kyle's been hard at work, releasing new videos, performing at SXSW, and more, all while putting the finishing touches on his new mixtape, On Air. The mixtape, produced entirely by Nate G, draws its samples from French electronic band Air, and continues to show off Kyle's proclivity for pulling in high profile features, with guest slots from the likes of KRS-One, C-Rayz Walz, and Homeboy Sandman, along with Talib Kweli, who shows up on the lead single from On Air, “Universe Traveler.”
For Kyle, "Universe Traveler" is an opportunity to show and prove, and he does just that alongside one of his own musical heroes with lines like, "I'm staying on the blocks like the first grade/ I'm letting off shots, get the First Aid/ Some rappers sling coke, I prefer cake/ I'm the last one broke and the first paid." And while some might not suspect a collection of samples from Air to compliment the two tri-state representatives, Nate G's smooth blend of samples, backed by chunky drums, provides an opportunity for Kyle to prove that versatility is his specialty. "'Universe Traveler' is all about being able to rap anywhere, with anyone, to be able to rap in any situation and still be able to come off. To me, that's the definition of a true emcee."
Download "Universe Traveler" ft. Talib Kweli here: http://media.audibletreats.com/Kyle_Rapps-Universe_Traveler_Ft_Talib_Kweli.mp3
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, which samples from one of his favorite artists, the French-electro DJ duo, Air. The album features Talib Kweli and C-Rayz Walz, along with previous artists like KRS-One and Homeboy Sandman, and will be released Fall 2011.
|
