In the age of the Internet, which is allows tons of aspiring musicians to release their music independently, it is increasingly difficult to establish yourself as a rapper. Your tracks, your flow and your subject matter must distinguish itself in a sea of young artists who are attempting to do the same thing you are. With inventive production and a refreshingly light-hearted message, that is exactly what Kyle, or Super Duper Kyle, as he sometimes refers to himself, has done. With a feature on Donnie Trumpet and the Social Experiment’s “Surf” album, Kyle’s star is certainly on the rise.
According to an interview with Hip-Hop.com, Kyle Harvey hails from Ventura, California. On one of his earlier singles “Keep it Real,” he raps, “People say I sound like Drake, I don’t.” It’s true that Kyle’s voice gives off the same vibe as Toronto’s most successful MC, but a quick listen will dissipate these ideas. His personality is evident on all of his tracks. He’s an unapologetic geek, with a song called “Sex & Super Smash Bros” on his first album, and a “Star Wars”-inspired track “The Force” on his second album, as well as a surfing and skating enthusiast. His look is unconventional, as a snaggletooth graces his mouth. True to Kyle fashion, he has refused to ignore it and references it in his music. Much like J. Cole in “Crooked Smile,” Kyle encourages listeners to smile through any situation.
His debut album, “Beautiful Loser” was released in 2013 and featured songs like “Keep it Real” and “Sex & Super Smash Bros,” as well as the Kehlani featuring pop influenced “Just a Picture.” The album is full of Kyle’s signature rapping, singing, ear-catching beats and unwavering positivity (a bonus track features a chorus “Super Duper Kyle stay A-OK!”). A single for what would become his second album, “Don’t Wanna Fall in Love,” expanded his fan base with a fantastic '80s sample over an electronic beat.
Kyle's "Don't Wanna Fall in Love" video.
Then came his verse on “Wanna Be Cool” with Chance the Rapper and his merry band of collaborators, The Social Experiment. Kyle closes out the song with an incredible verse where he drops gems like “Yo is being cool that cool?” and “So Im’ma post this…selfie on IG and I don’t care if nobody likes it or likes me, it’s cool!” The verse was a perfect precursor to his second album, fittingly titled “Smyle.” “Smyle” features Kyle doing the things that we love him for but somehow still evolving. The beats are sicker, the lines are tighter, and the album conveys many emotions at once (the track “Summertimesoul” is a fully sung feel-good summer song, while the song “Dewwutitdoez” features a hilarious gag where he continues to thank Jesus throughout the song.)
The deluxe edition cover of "Smyle," which highlights Kyle's snaggletooth.
Ultimately, Kyle’s biggest charm is his aggressive uniqueness. His identity does not lie in avant-garde strangeness, but in a refusal to be anything but himself. In the Hip-Hop.com interview, he said, “The biggest message I want to communicate with my music is non-conformity. Some people who have fears force other people into acting like them ... I don’t think there’s been a rapper like that before. Someone who is completely happy with themselves doesn’t need to make fun of anybody to make them conform.”
In a send-off I’m sure he’d appreciate, Kyle’s not only the rapper we need, he’s the rapper we deserve.
