Biggie To Bon Jovi: Killa Kyleon's Many Inspirations

Candy Paint N Texas Plates 2 has a wide range of samples, in Mixtape Daily.
By Rob Markman, with reporting from James Smith

Killa Kyleon
Photo: Ray Tamarra/ Getty Images

Main Pick
Artist: Killa Kyleon and Rapid Ric

Representing: Houston

Mixtape: Candy Paint & Texas Plates 2

Real Spit: Killa Kyleon may still be making a name from himself in rap, but the Houston MC is no rookie.

The seasoned Southern spitter got his start running alongside Big Pokey, Chris Ward and DJ Screw's Screwed Up Click, before really making an impact with Slim Thug's group Boss Hogg Outlawz. It's his gruff vocal tone, butter flow and hard-nosed lyrics that make Killa Kyleon a fan favorite. On his latest mixtape, Candy Paint N Texas Plates 2, Killa puts it all on display.

With the tape's 21 soul-drenched tracks, Killa Ky hooks up notable producers like Lex Luger, Cookin' Soul and Cy Frye to lay his sound bed. On "Top Down," Killa spits over a dreamy loop that incorporates a small sample from the Notorious B.I.G.'s 1995 song "Who Shot Ya," so it's only right that Kyleon tries his hand over the classic Biggie beat on the next track.

His inspiration isn't all rap. On "Bodies Hit the Floor," Killa recruits Bun B and producer Lex Luger to add a hip-hop twist to Drowning Pool's 2001 metal track "Bodies." It doesn't stop there: On "Hustler's Prayer," Big K.R.I.T. samples Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead or Alive" as Ky goes in lyrically against his rap competitors. ("Lyin' about they real on these records in front of cameramen/ Run a background check, them n---as fake as mannequins."

Mac Miller joins in on "Come on Baby," and "Letter to Pimp C" is a heartfelt dedication track to the fallen UGK pioneer. Whether from the Deep South, Northeast or West Coast, Killa Kyleon's Candy Paints & Texas Plates 2 has something for every hip-hop fan.

Joints to Check For
» "Bodies Hit the Floor." "We did a rendition of the track ['Bodies'] by Drowning Pool," Killa said. "We took that, put a little street flip on it, man, put a little Texas style with it, added a little flavor with the homeboy Lex Luger."

» "Who Shot Ya." "It's my remix of Notorious B.I.G.'s 'Who Shot Ya,' " Ky said. "I just wanted to pay a little bit of homage to the big homie. That's one of my favorite rappers, one of my favorite top two rappers in the game. I just wanted to take the track, do my little flip on it, man."

For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines.

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1671512/killa-kyleon-candy-paint-texas-plates-2-mixtape.jhtml

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