What is Classical Kyle?
Classical Kyle is a music reaction show on Capital Xtra’s YouTube channel launched in 2019. The show juxtaposes (primarily) Rap music to a Classical music enthusiast with minimal knowledge of contemporary Black music.
The first series of videos were released until the first Covid-19 prevented any further production. Classical Kyle was then revived in 2022 to coincide with the return single for N-Dubz.
Classical Kyle Format
The format for Classical Kyle involves a guest presenting their latest single to Kyle, either through audio alone or with their music video. Kyle will react to the instrumental, composition and lyrics, and allow the guest to explain it to him.
Kyle is often given questions to ask about the music and usually specific questions about overtly sexual or violent phrases or words used by the artists in their music.
On some episodes Kyle shows the guests his favourite classical music for them to react to.
Classical Kyle Host
Kyle Macdonald, nicknamed Classical Kyle, is the Senior Social Media Editor at Classic FM and has worked at the station since 2012. Kyle is from New Zealand and writes content and news for Classic FM’s website. Kyle previously held positions at Radio New Zealand.
Note: Both Classic FM and Capital Xtra are owned by Global.
Classical Kyle Example Episode
Find an example of a standard format Classical Kyle episode below. In this installment Headie One discusses his single Both, which features a sample of Ultra Naté’s Free.
Classical Kyle Guests
Standard Format Guests
The majority of the artists featured on Classical Kyle have been UK Drill-based rappers. The series has gone on to feature UK Afroswing, Pop-Rap, Afrobeats musicians, in addition to popular rappers and R&B artists from the United States. Although the content is shared on the Capital Xtra YouTube channel, little to none of the Drill tracks featured on the episodes were playlisted by their radio station.
Find the complete list of artists featured on the standard format Classical Kyle, along with the songs they explained, below:
- Unknown T – Homerton B
- Russ – Gun Lean
- Swarmz – Bally
- Skengdon X AM – Gun Talk
- RV – Why Always Me?
- Trapx100 – 500Gs
- Morrison – Shots
- Lil Nas X – Old Town Road
- Megan the Stallion – Big Ole Butt
- Aitch – Taste
- Young & Bugsey – Strike a Pose
- Headie One – Both
- Ambush – Only Right
- Ard Adz – Habibti
- Kwengface – Twix
- Afro B – Drogba
- V9 – Charged Up
- Poundz – Opp Thot
- Big Shaq – Buss It Down
- Offica – Naruto Drillings
- Doja Cat – Juicy
- KSI – Like That
- Ms Banks – Bad B Bop
- M24 – Riding
- M1llionz – HDC
- 38 X Alz – Change
- RA – Don’t Slip
- DaBeatfreaks and Deno – Self Obsessed
- Ghostly – UK Drill Production
- Niko B – Who’s That What’s That
- ArrDee – Oliver Twist
- Bandokay – Slide
- N-Dubz – Charmer
- BLXST – About You
- Big Narstie – Groundwork
- Rimzee – Juggin’
- Glorilla – Tomorrow 2
Wireless 2021 Episode
At Wireless 2021 Kyle hosted afternoon tea and was joined by a range of the event’s performers, including some previous guests. It is a short-form interview rather than a full format episode of usual Classical Kyle content.
The full list of Wireless 2021 guests includes:
- Young T & Bugsey
- Mist
- Ivorian Doll
- Nana Rouges
- ArrDee
- Poundz
- Yinka Bokinni
- Shayna Marie
- Miss LaFamilia
- Potter Payper
- Rimzee
Classical Kyle FAQs
Who is Classical Kyle?
Classical Kyle, real name Kyle Macdonald is a New Zealand-raised classical music enthusiast who has held positions as a music catalogue expert and content creator for radio stations in New Zealand and in the UK. He is currently the social media manager for Classic FM.
Who was the first Classical Kyle guest?
Unknown T was featured on the first episode of Classical Kyle with an analysis of his breakthrough single Homerton B. The original title for the YouTube video erroneously credited it as Kyle’s reaction to Grime rather than Drill.
