Kyle Rapps first appeared on my radar during SXSW earlier this year, when I caught his set and saw him host the Audible Treats show at the Scoot Inn. I was impressed by his skill on the mic and his charisma on stage. His EP Re-Edutainment was a solid collection of songs and held promise of bigger and better things. While it’s still not time for his full length debut, Rapps has dropped a mixtape to tide us over until his full length is ready.

For this mixtape, Rapps enlisted the help of producer Nate G. to flip a selection of tracks from the French electro-pop duo Air. The music works so well, it makes me wonder why I hadn’t heard anything like this before. Because their music usually falls within the range of midtempo to deliberately slow, it pushes Rapps rhymes to the forefront. This works with Rapps’ delivery, especially on the opening track, “Lost Message,” which allows him to clearly state his position on several topics, such as the music industry and his faith in himself. It also demonstrates Rapps’ clever wordplay, which at times is played for laughs, but other times can really drive home important ideas. “Streets Move On” does a great job of painting a picture of the hard life of lower class, and does an even better job of relaying his hope for brighter future without turning preachy. “Universal Traveler,” featuring Talib Kweli is my favorite track on the tape, which reinvents the Air song of the same name. “Modular,” with C-Rayz Walz, had the potential to be one of my favorite songs on the mix, with the great groove laid down by the sample, but features the most questionable lines from Rapps on the tape, such as “My cock hard - my jeans don’t like me/My eyes clear - Visine don’t like me.” This isn’t as odd as Walz’s verse, who rhymes, “You so gay but say ‘No Homo’ - That’s ass backwards.” I’d be more offended if this line made sense. As of now, I’m mostly disappointed that this track takes away from an otherwise solid mixtape. “Love Love 2” is a remix of “Love Love,” featuring KRS-ONE and Homeboy Sandman. I prefer it to the original, and it also reinforces that Homeboy Sandman has quickly vaulted himself into the top tier of emcees.

On Air isn’t the debut full length that we’re still waiting for, but it is an interesting mixtape that accomplishes a lot in a short amount of time. It will make you pull out your Air records and remind you of the talent of Talib Kweli, Homeboy Sandman, and KRS-ONE. Most importantly, it showcases the talents of Kyle Rapps as a lyricist and performer.