By: Ryan Martin
What makes a rapper corny? Or wack? Some categorize rappers like KYLE and Childish Gambino as corny. Or Logic as wack. What I've noticed is all three of those rappers aren't afraid to express how they really feel in terms of their emotions. KYLE raps about something different than money and 'bitches'. He raps about what really makes him happy or what makes Kyle Harvey feel like SuperDuperKyle (which he thinks of as his super hero alter ego). KYLE appropriately titled his sophomore effort, Smyle. The cover art details the rapper's actual smile and highlights his snaggletooth as it's one of his biggest insecurities. In an interview with Hip Hop DX, KYLE says he put his gold fronted snaggletooth on the cover in attempts to show people how something deemed negative can be turned into something positive.
KYLE's biggest goal while making this album was to make people smile while listening to his music, hence the actual title. He also mentions that he was heavily influenced by his love for 90's music and throughout the album you can hear his love for video games as 8-bit effects translucent you from song to song. From heartfelt jams like 'All 4 You' and 'Remember Me' to summer anthems 'Endless Summer Symphony' and 'SuperDuperHero'. KYLE has set a perfect mood to keep you riding that happiness wave that he eagerly wants to share with the world.
KYLE has a lot of his friends included on his new project. From his 18-year-old DJ, photographer and best friend, Super Duper Brick. To well known, Chance The Rapper. Chance also featured KYLE on his band's, The Social Experiment, debut Surf, which was released earlier this year which we reviewed here:
http://musictimewithmikeandry.weebly.com/home/surf-album-review
Throughout the help of his many friends, also known as the SuperDuperCrew, KYLE has established a rabid fan base and his newest project is destined to further himself into the spotlight. I personally liked his debut Beautiful Loser so that is where I would recommend to start. It really defines his sound and gives you a better idea of what this dude is all about. Where as Smyle is sort of like a sequel and although is very good, I feel it lacks a certain vibe that Beautiful Loser executed so well. It might just because the album hasn't fully sunk in for me yet as i'm sure i'll come to like both equally. But KYLE is a naturally talented artist that deserves his new found attention that seems to only be growing more and more each day. Give this guy a listen because you are only going to hear about him more and more. KYLE truly has something special to share with the world other than just a Smyle.
What makes a rapper corny? Or wack? Some categorize rappers like KYLE and Childish Gambino as corny. Or Logic as wack. What I've noticed is all three of those rappers aren't afraid to express how they really feel in terms of their emotions. KYLE raps about something different than money and 'bitches'. He raps about what really makes him happy or what makes Kyle Harvey feel like SuperDuperKyle (which he thinks of as his super hero alter ego). KYLE appropriately titled his sophomore effort, Smyle. The cover art details the rapper's actual smile and highlights his snaggletooth as it's one of his biggest insecurities. In an interview with Hip Hop DX, KYLE says he put his gold fronted snaggletooth on the cover in attempts to show people how something deemed negative can be turned into something positive.
KYLE's biggest goal while making this album was to make people smile while listening to his music, hence the actual title. He also mentions that he was heavily influenced by his love for 90's music and throughout the album you can hear his love for video games as 8-bit effects translucent you from song to song. From heartfelt jams like 'All 4 You' and 'Remember Me' to summer anthems 'Endless Summer Symphony' and 'SuperDuperHero'. KYLE has set a perfect mood to keep you riding that happiness wave that he eagerly wants to share with the world.
KYLE has a lot of his friends included on his new project. From his 18-year-old DJ, photographer and best friend, Super Duper Brick. To well known, Chance The Rapper. Chance also featured KYLE on his band's, The Social Experiment, debut Surf, which was released earlier this year which we reviewed here:
http://musictimewithmikeandry.weebly.com/home/surf-album-review
Throughout the help of his many friends, also known as the SuperDuperCrew, KYLE has established a rabid fan base and his newest project is destined to further himself into the spotlight. I personally liked his debut Beautiful Loser so that is where I would recommend to start. It really defines his sound and gives you a better idea of what this dude is all about. Where as Smyle is sort of like a sequel and although is very good, I feel it lacks a certain vibe that Beautiful Loser executed so well. It might just because the album hasn't fully sunk in for me yet as i'm sure i'll come to like both equally. But KYLE is a naturally talented artist that deserves his new found attention that seems to only be growing more and more each day. Give this guy a listen because you are only going to hear about him more and more. KYLE truly has something special to share with the world other than just a Smyle.