mixtape maestro (2.0)

A larger-than-life rap n’ rock hybrid that seemed to be fully aware of it’s future ubiquity from the get-go, Kevin Rudolf’s “Let It Rock” cemented itself in the brains of millions with the utmost ease; thanks to it’s for-the-arenas fist-pumping air, head-turning Weezy grab and ginormous hooks (not to mention lyrics that apparently drew inspiration from Judas’ betrayal), the track turned the liner-note credit (his guitar skills have earned him spots on joints from Timbaland, Nelly Furtado and David Banner) into a major (at least, for the moment) pop star almost overnight.

So what’s next for the insta-sensation? How about a smart reprisal of what made him so big in the first place.

Like “Rock”, follow-up single “Welcome To The World” is another big, dumb and loud energizer fueled by heavy guitar and squelchy synths that doesn’t really register as coming from a human as it does a computer program based on “What the kids should like” focus group-ed data. Despite that un-attractive description, though, the song soars as a highly enjoyable guilty pleasure for the road.

“World”’s lyrics may revolve around a woman’s crash down back to Earth after experiencing her fifteen minutes of fame (“So no more time spent/ And no more free shit/ In fact this free ride has reached it’s destination”), but that dour theme never ekes it’s way into the track’s musical display, a celebratory stomp that damn near orders the toes to start tapping. Pair that with the “rock & roll lifestyle” hurrah of featured guest Rick Ross (“I only came to party tonight/ New chicks, get my drinks up/ Every weekend we can link up”) and Rudolf sounds like he’s got another smash on his hands.

Listen to the album version below, then snatch up an alternate take that replaces “The Bawse” with Kid Cudi afterward.

DL: “Welcome To The World (with Kid Cudi)” (alt)

Uncategorized kevin rudolf, kid cudi, lil' wayne, rick ross, rock-rap