Song of the Day: edIT – Certified Air Raid Material

photo by Nolan Rudi

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s featured selection, chosen by Afternoon Show host Kevin Cole, is Certified Air Raid Material by edIT from the 2007 album Certified Air Raid Material on Alpha Pup Records.

Edward Ma, aka edIT, spawned from LA’s once influential, now defunct Koncrete Jungle, where he served as a resident DJ under the moniker The Con-Artist. During that time — what most would call indie hip-hop’s heyday — Ma was responsible for producing records of other West Coast underground elite, namely Sole, Busdriver and Aloe Blacc. His first record as edIT, Crying Over Pros For No Reason, a more downtempo affair with plenty of blips and choppy samples, placed him in the glitch-hop movement. Over the last couple of years edIT has shifted his efforts towards the dancefloor. His latest album highlights the hip-hop elements of his repertoire as well as his interest in club beats. Featuring collaborations with The Grouch, Busdriver, Abstract Rude and others, this album is dressed to impress. Those of you who had given up on good hip-hop this year now have a reason to look back in fondness.

Currently, edIT is touring with members of his side project The Glitch Mob, a group of four DJs and friends, including Ooah, Boreta & Kraddy. edIT’s MySpace page shows a couple West Coast dates approaching, including a stop in Seattle 12/15 at a yet undisclosed location. Stay tuned. Meanwhile, here’s a clip of Edit and Ooah along with fellow West Coast DJ Bassnectar: