Michigan native and current St. Louis resident Vaughan Taylor is bringing something brand new to hip hop with Air Playd. Instead of creating a traditional video for a new song, the web-based venture (which is moving to mobile very soon) creates custom video games for songs. Players have the opportunity to not only listen to, but download new and exclusive music from their favorite artists all while playing the game.

Dope idea, right?

Tell me about Air Playd. What is it and when did you start it?

I came up with it last April. In the beginning of 2012, I started teaching myself how to code. I had ideas, but it’s hard to manifest ideas if you can’t code yourself. I’m definitely going to teach my daughter how to code.

Time out. I just have to acknowledge the adorableness of you saying you’re going to teach your daughter how to code. You didn’t say ride a bike or drive, but code. Too cute.

*Laughs* Yes, It’s an important skill to have right now, so I think it’s something that would just help her have more options in general by the time she’s old enough to do it.

Love. Ok, back to Air Playd…

So basically, we make custom video games for songs. The artist essentially creates a soundscape. If the song is about Detroit for example, the game might feature Detroit landmarks and streets.  You start with the music and let your brain go.  But we go beyond that.

How is Air Playd different than other games out there?

When you look at mobile games that are out and poppin’ right now, they lack a certain edge or cool, but people eat them up. So my thought process was how do I add something new, but also something of value? Wouldn’t it be cool if you could play a game and win music from your favorite artist? So that’s what we did. With mobile apps now you pay a dollar and you win a virtual pig or something useless like that. Who wants a virtual pig? Much better to get something of value like music downloads.