Check It Out: Video Review Of Kid Cudi- "Make Her Say"

By: Alex Langston
Here at A.I.R we heart Kid Cudi, so we are bringing his latest video "Make Her Say" off his debut album Man On the Moon which is set to release August 25th. The video premired on MTV Hits today,and though it strays away from his first video "Day N Nite", it stays close to the abstract style that Cudi seems to bleed. The song seems to sample Lady Gaga's "Poker Face", but if you listen closely to the hook it says "I po-po-po-po poke her face" not "poker-face"; the video also features and cameos from Kanye West and Common all representing the G.O.O.D Music label! There are no bad reviews on our account, so without further ado, Kid Cudi ft. Kanye West and Common with "Make Her Say", check it out!

Breath of Fresh AIR: Pay “Attention” to Wale

By: Alex Langston
DMV not only stands for Department of Motor Vehicles but also the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area, in which new artist Wale hails from.
Wale, and that’s pronounced Wah-Lay not “Whale”, is not totally a new artist, though underground at the time, he toured with super-producer and DJ Mark Ronson two years ago in May 2007 shortly after being signed to his label Allido Records. It wasn’t until 2008 that this 24 year-old would be headed into a mainstream direction.
With his clever wordplay and the raw imagery of D.C. captured by Baltimorean video director Chris Robinson, MTV JAMS picked up Wale’s first video as “Jam of the Week” in December 2008. In early 2009, his single “Nike Boots”, which was more about the unification of brotherhood in dressing alike than the actual boots themselves. The single became more than hit, it was an anthem.
The DMV rapper released his second single and followed it with the video. This time he had some extra help from producers Cool and Dre, and another newcomer, Lady GaGa. He penned the raps and she sung catchy a hook-- “Lookin’ at, lookin’ at, lookin’ at me, look at that, look at how they lookin’ at me, eyes all sticking like honey on bees, look at that look at how they lookin’ at me”-- that taunts all others who may try to compete with the duo. Wale once again, teamed up with director Chris Robinson to shoot his next video for his most recent single “Chillin”, which uses a sample from Steam’s 1969 hit “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye”. The video aired on MTV JAMS June 8, 2009 as “Jam of the Week” which makes this his second music video to have the pleasure of being aired for a week, once every hour on the station.
It may have seemed like forever but here it is three years since Wale started taking his first steps to become hip-hop’s savior of rap music, and he’s not showing any signs slowing down. In fact, he’s released five mixtapes, has been featured in countless articles in The Rolling Stones, XXL, FADER, and UBR magazines and the front page of The Washington Post, and as of May 2009 made his first television performance on “Last Call With Carson Daly” late night talk show, all while recording his debut album set to release later this year titled, Attention Deficit.
There’s so much more to expect from Wale. He’s already crushing his competition, newcomers and veterans alike. He’s lyrically talented, has style that puts him with the dope boys on the corner to Hollywood’s elite socialites, and hey, he’s not too bad on the eyes either. Give him another three years and he’ll have more than just our attention but for right now he’s breath fresh AIR.
Check out Wale's latest video "Chillin" featuring Lady GaGa.

Wale - Chillin' ft Lady GaGa

New Music Round Up

By: Jordan Clark

So with this summer rolling along everyone’s looking for some good music to keep the good times rolling, and while bumping the classics is always a good look, sometimes it’s time to try something new. With that said let me present you with some new artists’ guaranteed to get you rocking even when the temperature is in the 90’s.

Sam Sparro


Sam Sparro: Even though he’s not the well known over here in the states, Mr. Sparro is a huge sensation over in the U.K. His self titled debut album is full of music that will keep you dancing all night long. From songs like Black and Gold to 21st Century Life Sparros brand of dirty electro pop will bring the funk to your summer that you desperately need.



The Noisettes


The Noisettes: If you love some good old fashion rock and roll mixed with a little dance flavor, with a dash of Lauryen Hill, and there you have it, The Noisettes. With their second album entitled Wild Young Hearts in stores now, this U.K. trio have tweaked their sound a bit and made the kind of album that plays like a sound track to your summer.



KiD CuDi


KiD CuDi: Mr. Solo Dolo himself is set to release his debut album Man on The Moon: End of Day in November, but if you know him just as that day and night guy, you got some catching up to do. With two dope mixtapes (A kid named CuDi, and Dat kid from Cleveland) CuDi shows a variety of styles that show off the kind of artist he really is. From rapping to singing the man has talent and the world will soon take notice of the man on the moon come November, but don’t be the last one on the spaceship when it takes off.



Pac Div


Pac Div(Pacific Division): Coming straight out of L.A. this hip-hop trio is bringing that Cali sound back in full force to the scene. With as much bass as Dre used to bring, Like, Be Young, and Mibbs, are a forced to be reckoned with as part of the new hip-hop class. Songs like The Mayor show off the the lyrical ability of the group while songs like Taste and Fareal Fareal show that there more than just dope raps. With a new mixtape, Church League All Stars coming soon, this is definitely something you can blast in the car if you want to wake up the neighborhood.




U-N-I


U-N-I: Also hailing from the left coast is the duo U-N-I, consisting of Thursday and Y-O. Think of the Pharcyde but a vast collection of Nikes and Jordans. While most of their Cali compatriots tend to bring more of the bass, U-N-I bring a little more of the smoothness that L.A. is also known for. Songs like Beautiful Day and My life they show you can come out of California without being a gangster, now that’s gangster.



Blu


Blu: Why not finish off the California trinity with perhaps the most promising newcomer in Blu. Drawing comparisons to Common, Blu is slowly coming up in the rap world. Along with his partner in beats Exile, his smooth flow and sharp, witty lyrics, and a laid back style that makes it all look easy. Check out his debut LP with Exile entitled Below the Heavens, if you want a taste of what the future of L.A. looks like.



The Cool Kids


The Cool Kids: You hear that? That’s the sound of the bass heavy crew coming straight out of the Chi. The Midwest duo of Mickey Rocks and Chuck English, might seem more like their coming straight out of the 80’s, with beats by Chuck that will take you back to the days of high top fades and bright colors. Not only does the music sound 80’s that’s how they dress as well, before gold ropes and and high topes where back in style, The Cool Kids where doing it when it wasn’t cool. Check out either the mixtapes’, That’s Stupid and Gone Fishing, or their debut LP The Bake Sale if you want some of that new flavor in your ear (Word to Craig Mack) and keep your eyes peeled for their debut album When Fish Ride Bicycles’ coming later this year.



B.o.B


B.o.B aka Bobby Ray: Last but definitely not least is the ultra talented Mr. Bobby Ray. Some of you might remember Haters Everywhere featuring Rich Boy last year, but this is a new B.o.B hence the name change. If you want a taste of the new sound check out his single I’ll be in the Sky, where he raps, sings, and plays some instruments too. His new mixtape B.o.B vs. Bobby Ray will give you a look at the two very different sides he can bring to the table. Look out for his debut, The Adventures of B.o.B, in stores this November.



This list hopefully will give you a look at what to look for and play this summer if your tired of the same old thing. Don’t be afraid to take a chance on something new, who knows you just might like it!

Check It Out: Video Review of Drake- Best I Ever Had

By: Alex Langston



What can we say about Drake aka Aubrey Graham? Well for starters he's a great actor, he played Jimmy Brooks on the teen drama Degrassi: The Next Generation for close to eight years, he has undeniable sex appeal (and the cutest smile ever!), and now he's one of the most talked about unsigned rappers in the industry.
His latest single "Best I Ever Had" is all over the radio, in clubs, and on people's iPod's. And finally there's a video! The video was directed by Kanye West, whom we all know has impeccable style and not to mention his video's are always awesome and abstract, so it's only right to assume that his directoral skills are just as great...right?
The video looks a little low-budget and is lukewarm compared to the hot song. Nowadays most music videos do not follow the same concept or context as the lyrics to the song but this video is way out of the ballpark. It has a pep-rally feel with Drake as the Coach and an All-Star team of busty and vivacoius women as his basketball team. That figures. The women in the video are pretty but there are many shots of their breasts bouncing up and down in slow-motion with plenty of close ups. Enough! We know the women are hot and that they have breasts, big ones at that but really, as if the video wasn't already weak, throw in some DD's, cameos from singer Trey Songz, rapper Fabolous, unknown Young Money rap artists and you've got yourself a video that's going, well, no where.
Honestly, Kanye should definently keep his day job and get from behind the camera and step in front of it. For Drake, his rap career is still very promising even though this video wasn't. You what know they say, third times a charm, so better luck next time Drake.