KYLE
Biography
Kyle Thomas Harvey, born on May 18, 1993, in the Reseda neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, is a rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor known professionally as KYLE. He grew up in Ventura, California. As a child, KYLE had a speech impediment and was bullied because of it, but drama classes in high school helped him gain confidence. He started singing at age six and began writing and performing his own songs in elementary school. At around 13, he began rapping, inspired by Kid Cudi's music.
Career Beginnings
Starting in 2009, KYLE began releasing mixtapes under monikers such as KiddKash and K.i.D. In 2013, he released his commercial debut mixtape, "Beautiful Loser". His follow-up mixtape, "Smyle," was released in October 2015 and peaked at number 76 on the Billboard 200. One of his first music videos to gain significant traction was for the song "Keep It Real".
Breakthrough with "iSpy"
In December 2016, KYLE released the single "iSpy" featuring Lil Yachty. The song became a massive success, peaking at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and gaining widespread recognition for the artist. Originally considered a "throwaway" track, the song's viral success, fueled by its lyric video, led to a record deal with Atlantic Records in February 2017. The song has since been certified 8x RIAA platinum.
Studio Albums and Acting
KYLE's debut studio album, "Light of Mine," was released on May 18, 2018, and reached number 29 on the Billboard 200. The album featured collaborations with artists like Kehlani, 2 Chainz, and Alessia Cara. That same year, he made his acting debut in the Netflix original film "The After Party". His second album, "See You When I Am Famous," was released in July 2020. He has since released "It's Not So Bad" (2022) as an independent artist and "Smyle Again" (2024).
Musical Style and Collaborations
KYLE is known for his fun-loving, pop-rap style that often incorporates video-game samples and positive themes. He has collaborated with a wide range of artists, including Chance the Rapper, G-Eazy, Miguel, and Ty Dolla Sign. His music is often described as optimistic and unique, setting him apart from many of his contemporaries.