Kid Cudi

Kid Cudi

Kid Cudi in September 2009
Born Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi
(1984-01-30) January 30, 1984
Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Occupation Rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, guitarist, actor, film composer, music video director, fashion model
Years active 2003–present
Children 1
Awards List of awards and nominations

Musical career

Genres
Instruments Vocals, guitar, rhythm machine,[1] bass guitar[2]
Labels Wicked Awesome, Republic (current), Dream On, GOOD, Fool's Gold (former)
Associated acts WZRD, Common, Dot da Genius, Kanye West, King Chip
Website www.kidcudi.com

Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi (born January 30, 1984),[3] better known by his stage name Kid Cudi (/ˈkɪd ˈkʌdi/ KID KUD-ee, often stylized KiD CuDi), is an American recording artist and actor from Cleveland, Ohio. Cudi first gained major recognition following the release of his first official full-length project, a mixtape titled A Kid Named Cudi (2008). The mixtape caught the attention of American rapper-producer Kanye West, who subsequently signed Cudi to his GOOD Music label imprint in late 2008. Cudi has since gone on to launch his own record label imprints, the now-dissolved Dream On and current independent label, Wicked Awesome Records.[4][4][5] Initially a rapper, Cudi has since added singer, songwriter, record producer, guitarist, music video director and film composer, to his repertoire.

As of 2015, Cudi has released five studio albums as a solo artist. In 2008, his debut single "Day 'n' Nite", led him to prominence, reaching the top five of the Billboard charts. Cudi's debut album Man on the Moon: The End of Day (2009) was later certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In 2010, he released Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager, which was preceded by "Erase Me" and "Mr. Rager". Later in 2010, Cudi formed a rock band, now known as WZRD, with his long-time collaborator Dot da Genius, releasing one eponymous debut album, in early 2012. The album debuted at number one on the Top Rock Albums chart.[6][7] In April 2013, Cudi released Indicud, which became his highest-charting album on multiple charts. In February 2014, Cudi unexpectedly released his fourth album, Satellite Flight: The Journey to Mother Moon, exclusively to digital retailers with no promotion.

Kid Cudi has sold over 5.2 million digital singles and has worked with numerous prominent artists in the music industry, including Jay Z, Mary J. Blige, David Guetta, MGMT, Shakira, Snoop Dogg and Michael Bolton, among others.[8][9][10] With his originality and creativity, as well as the emotion he conveys in his music, Cudi has amassed a large cult-like following among high school students, college students and stoners alike.[11][12] In 2010, Cudi ventured into acting when he began starring in the HBO series How to Make It in America. Cudi has since appeared in several feature films, including Goodbye World, Need for Speed and Entourage. In addition, he has made appearances on television shows such as One Tree Hill, The Cleveland Show and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. In 2015, he became the bandleader on the IFC series, Comedy Bang! Bang!.

Early life

Kid Cudi's childhood photo.

Kid Cudi was born Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi on January 30, 1984, in Cleveland, Ohio, and grew up in Shaker Heights and Solon.[13] He is the youngest of four children, with two brothers, Domingo and Dean, and a sister, Maisha.[14] His mother, Elsie Harriet (Banks), is a middle-school choir teacher at Roxboro Middle School in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.[15][16] His father, Lindberg Styles Mescudi, was a house painter, substitute teacher and World War II Air Force veteran. His father was of African-American and Mexican-American descent, while his mother is African-American.[17][18][19][20]

When he was eleven years old, Cudi's father died of cancer; his passing had a significant effect on Cudi's personality and subsequently his music.[17] Cudi attended Shaker Heights High School for two years before transferring to Solon High School. He was expelled from the school for threatening to punch his principal and would later earn his GED.[21] Cudi studied film at the University of Toledo, dropping out after a year;[14] he was determined to join the US Navy but was denied due to his juvenile police record.[22]

Musical career

2003–08: Beginnings in New York

Cudi first began rapping towards the end of his high school career, inspired by alternative hip hop groups such as The Pharcyde and A Tribe Called Quest.[17] He moved to New York City to pursue a music career.[3] Upon his arrival, he stayed with his uncle, Kalil Madi:[23]

I was working at this restaurant in Cleveland. There was this white dude in his 40s who was cool as shit and would tell me, "You're funny and people like you. You need to move the fuck out of Ohio and just do this." My uncle told me I could come out there and stay with him in the South Bronx until I got on my feet. I'd never met him; this was my father's older brother, the last of my father's siblings, so I wanted to make that connection anyway. I moved in 2004 with my little demo and maybe $500.[24]

Shortly after he moved from Cleveland, a BAPE store opened up in the city, where he later applied for a job:[25]

I discovered what BAPE was when I moved to NY, the store opened up shortly after I moved from Cleveland. I was always a fan of the brand but it just wasn't something I could afford back then. I remember working there my first couple of weeks in the same uniform cause I didn’t own anything prior to being hired. So it was a dream come true to be able to work at the store I dreamed of shopping in one day. Over a couple of years I might have applied at the store 3 or 4 times before the last attempt that got me hired. I fell in love with BAPE because of their color selection and artwork. I love the style of their cartoons.

While working there Cudi met future mentor Kanye West, for the first time after forgetting to remove an anti-theft device from a jacket West had purchased.[25] His uncle later kicked him out, leading to his writing "Day 'n' Nite":

My uncle that I lived with passed in 2006. We were actually beefing because he forced me out the house when I didn't have another situation set up, so I was bitter. I never apologized for it, and that kills me. That's why I wrote "Day 'n' Nite". If he wasn't there to let me stay with him those first few months, there would be no Kid Cudi. It fucked me up watching him go, but it was like, "I have to fulfill this destiny now for sure." Things were moving but they weren't solidified yet. I had "Day 'n' Nite", we were just getting started, and I was like, "This shit has got to pop off." I wasn't taking no for an answer.[23]
Kid Cudi performing at Central Park Summerstage in New York City, in 2008.

In July 2008, Kid Cudi released his first mixtape, A Kid Named Cudi, in collaboration with New York street-wear brand 10.Deep as a free download.[26] The mixtape caught the attention of Kanye West, whose then-manager Plain Pat, had introduced Cudi's music to him, subsequently leading West to sign Cudi to his GOOD Music imprint later that year.

Kanye West first called upon Cudi to reference hooks for American rapper and mogul Jay-Z, and while in the studio Cudi and West went from working on The Blueprint 3 (2009) to West's R&B-esque 808s & Heartbreak (2008).[23] Cudi’s assistance on the latter includes co-writing credits and or vocals on "Heartless," "Welcome to Heartbreak," "Paranoid" and "RoboCop."[23] Kid Cudi was a prominent songwriter and featured artist on 808s & Heartbreak, with "Paranoid" and "Heartless" being released as singles, while "Welcome to Heartbreak" peaked at #87 on the Pop 100.[27]

Kid Cudi's first television appearance was at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards, alongside Travis Barker and DJ AM. Cudi was promoted as an artist to watch for in media such as Rolling Stone, Vibe, The Source, XXL and BBC News's 2009 Sound of poll.[28] MTV News reported on Cudi on a series of reports MCs To Watch In 2009.[29]

2009–10: Man on the Moon series

Kid Cudi performing on August 6, 2009.

In late 2008, Cudi was revealed to be included in XXL's 2009 annual Freshman Class. He was featured on the cover alongside fellow up-and-coming rappers Asher Roth, Wale, B.o.B, Charles Hamilton, Cory Gunz, Blu, Mickey Factz, Ace Hood and Curren$y.[30][31] On February 17, 2009, he appeared on Snoop Dogg's MTV talk show Dogg After Dark, performing "Day 'n' Nite" at the end of the show. Two days later on February 19, 2009, Cudi appeared on BET's 106 & Park, alongside Kanye West to debut the music video of "Day 'n' Nite". On February 25, 2009, Cudi self-leaked a teaser trailer[32] for the upcoming Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen film, using his song "Sky Might Fall" in the background; later he posted that he made the trailer himself and was in talks to possibly making it official.[33]

In February 2009, Kid Cudi also made a cameo appearance next to Solange, in the video for her song "T.O.N.Y.". On March 16, 2009, Kid Cudi performed on mtvU's Spring Break special, and the following day he performed three songs on NBC's Last Call with Carson Daly. Cudi teamed up with partner and record producer Emile Haynie, to produce an exclusive single titled "Switchin Lanes", for the video game Midnight Club: Los Angeles, part of its "South Central Premium Upgrade" downloadable content (DLC), which came out March 19, 2009, for the PlayStation 3 and March 27, 2009, for the Xbox 360.[34] He has also appeared as a musical guest on the Late Show with David Letterman and Jimmy Kimmel Live!. In June 2009, he made a cameo in The Black Eyed Peas' video for "I Gotta Feeling", alongside David Guetta, where the two met for the first time and subsequently recorded their international hit "Memories". In 2009, he had also been on two magazine covers, Complex (August/September 2009) and URB (August 2009). Japanese clothing company BAPE, awarded Cudi his own T-shirt in September 2009, in reward for his music and past employment there when living in New York City.

Kid Cudi performing in September 2009.

He revealed information about his future plans via his blog, saying that a possible collaborative album with Chip tha Ripper could be followed with a collaborative project with electronic rock duo Ratatat.[35] On May 5, 2009 Iranian-American progressive house DJ Sharam, released "She Came Along", the lead single from his debut studio album, Get Wild (2009).[36] The song, featuring Cudi, charted for 15 weeks on the Bulgaria Singles Top 40. It entered the chart on position 40 on week 30/2009, and its last appearance was on week 44/2009. It peaked at number 11, where it stayed for 1 week.[37]

During the summer of 2009, Cudi joined fellow up-and-coming rappers Asher Roth and B.o.B, for 'The Great Hangover' concert tour.[38][39] In late 2009, Kid Cudi was featured on the highly anticipated Jay-Z album The Blueprint 3, on the song "Already Home".[40]

Cudi's debut album Man on the Moon: The End of Day, was released on Universal Motown Records on September 15, 2009[41] and sold 104,419 copies in the first week and charted at #4.[42] The album's lead single "Day 'n' Nite", Kid Cudi's greatest commercial success thus far, charted well in both the U.S. and in Europe. The second single released was "Make Her Say" (originally titled "I Poke Her Face"), which features a sample from Lady Gaga's hit single "Poker Face" and performances by Kanye West and Common. Common was also featured throughout the album, as the narrator.[43][44]

In September 2009, Cudi co-headlined 50 Cent's "50 Fest" concert, along with fellow American rapper Wale.[45][46][47] In a late 2009 interview, Cudi announced that the follow-up to his debut album would be a compilation album entitled Cudder and the Revolution of Evolution, which would have many collaborations. He stated he had already recorded songs with Snoop Dogg, Travis Barker, Clipse, Cage and Pharrell, and would also like to work with Drake, Green Day, Kings of Leon, Robin Thicke, The Killers and The Postal Service on the album. It was also rumored that Man on the Moon: The End of Day would be followed up by a sequel titled Man on the Moon: The Ghost in the Machine and that the Man on the Moon series would be a trilogy.[48] Kid Cudi was nominated for three 2010 Grammy Awards, for his singles "Day 'n' Nite" and "Make Her Say".[49]

In January 2010, Cudi released Man on the Moon: The End of Day's third and final single "Pursuit of Happiness", which was eventually certified platinum by the RIAA. In 2010, Kid Cudi was featured on Snoop Dogg's re-release of Malice n Wonderland, titled More Malice, on the lead single "That Tree".[50] Cudi also teamed up with independent artist Johnny Polygon, to remix Polygon's "The Riot Song", which appears on his mixtape Rebel Without Applause (2010).[51] On April 20, 2010, Kid Cudi announced that the name of his second album would not be Cudder and the Revolution of Evolution, but Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager.[52][53] On June 11, 2010, Kid Cudi was arrested in the Chelsea neighborhood of the Manhattan borough in New York City and charged with felony criminal mischief and possession of a controlled substance.[54] Despite his arrest, he was released and made it to Manchester, Tennessee in time to play at Bonnaroo.[55]

The lead single from Cudi's second studio album, titled "Erase Me", features Kanye West and was produced by Jim Jonsin. The song debuted on a Cleveland radio station June 30, 2010, and was officially released to Rhythm/Crossover radio on August 17, 2010.[56][57][58] The title-track "Mr. Rager", was released as a promotional single shortly before the album's release. The album, released November 9, 2010, debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200 chart, with first-week sales of 169,000 copies.[59] In its second week it crossed the 200,000 sales mark.[60]

In 2010, Kid Cudi appeared on several songs for Kanye West's weekly free music giveaway GOOD Fridays, including "Good Friday", "Christian Dior Denim Flow" and "The Joy", the latter of which later became a bonus track on the Jay-Z and Kanye West collaborative album Watch the Throne (2011).

2011–12: New direction and WZRD

Main articles: WZRD (band) and WZRD (album)

In October 2010, Cudi had announced that he would be forming a rock band with frequent collaborator Dot da Genius, tentatively called Wizard.[61] In early 2011, he announced that he would be releasing a mixtape titled A Man Named Scott, reminiscent of his A Kid Named Cudi title, prior to the rock album.[62] On February 26, 2011, Cudi took to his Twitter account to announce that Dream On, the record label he launched back in 2009 with partners Patrick "Plain Pat" Reynolds and producer Emile Haynie, has been dissolved.[4] However, in an interview with Complex Magazine Cudi explained they were all still on good terms: "I wanted to try something new, and I wanted to take control of things myself. Those are still my guys, Pat and Emile, and I'm still going to work with them in the future. When we start working on Man on the Moon III I'll be calling them up to see if they want to be a part of it. I know Emile is definitely down. We had an issue, but we’re men and we were able to figure it out and move forward. There's no hard feelings."[63]

In March 2011, Cudi announced that a music video for "Marijuana" would be released in the spring, followed by a music video for "Mr. Rager" in the summer, then he would release a short film, directed by Shia LaBeouf, inspired by his song "Maniac", with Cage, in October 2011.[64][65] In April 2011, while performing at New York City's Roseland Ballroom Kid Cudi announced he was launching his own record label. The new label, which he will be releasing his third studio album on is called Wicked Awesome Records. He also renamed his band on the same occasion to 2 Be Continuum, renaming it from the original Wizard. Kid Cudi explained his reasoning saying: "I needed something more original, something different, but it's still wizardry at its finest."[5]

Kid Cudi performing in 2011.

On August 12, 2011, Kid Cudi released the music video for "No One Believes Me", directed by Fright Night director Craig Gillespie. The song, produced by Dot da Genius, features Cudi singing and contains elements of rock music.[66] On August 21, Cudi announced that he would no longer be releasing the A Man Named Scott mixtape, so that he can focus on his rock project and his third solo album Man on the Moon III.[67][68] Kid Cudi released the music video for his second album's title-track "Mr. Rager", on September 8, 2011. The video has received all-positive reviews from critics and fans alike.[69]

Despite saying he will not do many more features for other artists in Complex Magazine's October/November 2011 cover story,[70] Cudi appeared on Bryan Greenberg's second studio album We Don't Have Forever (2011), Travis Barker's Give the Drummer Some (2011), The Knux's Eraser (2011), and Wale's Ambition (2011), respectively. On October 30, 2011, Cudi released MANIAC, a short horror film co-starring Cage and directed by Shia LaBeouf, through his blog.[71] On November 13, 2011, a previously unreleased mixtape of material Cudi had recorded from 2002-2003, under the pseudonym Kid Mescudi, titled Rap Hard leaked online. On November 18, 2011 Cudi renamed his band for the second time to WZRD (pronounced W-Z-R-D).[72] He also announced that the upcoming rock project would be released on his 28th birthday, January 30, 2012.

In late 2011, Cudi was mentioned in a viral video by vlogger Ben Breedlove, about his near death experiences.[73] After Breedlove's death on December 26, 2011, Cudi commented on his thoughts about inspiring the young kid. "I am so sad about Ben Breedlove," Kid Cudi wrote on his Tumblr blog. "I watched the video he left for the world to see, and him seeing me in detail, in his vision really warmed my heart. I broke down, I am to tears because I hate how life is so unfair. This has really touched my heart in a way I cant describe, this is why I do what I do. Why I write my life, and why I love you all so much. Life is really f---- up sometimes, but I know Ben is at Peace, and I hope he gets a chance to sit and talk with my Dad. We love you Ben. Forever. Thank you for loving me. To Ben’s family, you raised a real hero, he’s definitely mine. You have my love."

In January 2012, Cudi appeared on two songs from Chip tha Ripper's mixtape Tell Ya Friends, "Ride 4 You" which also featured Far East Movement and "GloryUs", which credited the duo as they are collectively known, The Almighty GloryUs. This led to speculation that a long-awaited project from the two was underway. On January 31, Cudi announced through his Twitter feed that he had completed WZRD and that his next album was the collaborative effort with Chip tha Ripper.[74] In 2012, Cudi was featured on the soundtrack to the film The Hunger Games, crafting an original song for the film titled "The Ruler and the Killer". Referring to "The Ruler and the Killer", Cudi wrote on his Twitter feed: "I could not have done it without my producing partners on the project for the film, The legendary and Godly T Bone Burnett and Greg Wells!".[75]

While working on the band's self-titled debut, Cudi claims he had writer's block for almost 5 months because of his new sobriety; something that had never happened to him for such an extended period of time. According to Kid Cudi, bands that inspired the album include Electric Light Orchestra, Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana and Pink Floyd. The album includes a song titled "Where Did You Sleep Last Night?", a cover of the same titled song by Nirvana, who in turn were inspired by blues guitar legend Lead Belly's rendition of the traditional folk song.[76] Following WZRD's release on February 28, 2012, the album debuted at #3 on the US Billboard 200 chart, with first-week sales of 66,000 physical and digital copies in the United States.[77] The album also debuted on the Top Rock Albums and Top Alternative Albums at number one, and at #9 on the Canadian Albums Chart respectively.

2012–13: Indicud

Main article: Indicud

In April 2012, in Geneseo, New York, Cudi performed before a sold out crowd and premiered a hip hop song, his first since 2010. During his set, he performed a new record, tentatively titled "The Leader of the Delinquents", which he did a cappella.[78] On April 25, 2012 Cudi was officially back to rapping with the release of "Dennis, Hook Me Up with Some More of That Whiskey!".[79] The song, the first ever solely produced by Cudi himself, samples his 2010 song "Ghost!".[80] In June 2012, Cudi was seen in the music video for "Mercy," the lead single from GOOD Music's compilation album Cruel Summer, in which he, along with other GOOD Music recording artists were featured on. Cudi was ultimately featured on two songs from the compilation, "The Morning" and a solo track originally meant for Man on the Moon II (2010), titled "Creepers", produced by Dan Black.

In the summer of 2012, Cudi announced the title of his third studio album to be, Indicud when he tweeted: "My new album is entitled indicud, it will be my version of The Chronic 2001, some songs i'll produce, others i'll feat &/or play songwriter".[81] On June 8, 2012, Cudi announced Indicud, will be a double-disc album.[82] On August 12, Kid Cudi released the lead single from Indicud, a song titled "Just What I Am", featuring his friend and longtime collaborator King Chip (formerly Chip tha Ripper).[83] The album was announced to be released in early 2013 with Cudi focusing on scoring movies, followed by the third installment of the Man on the Moon series.[84] Cudi then added that Indicud "will feature more uptempos and that it will consist of at most 17 new songs."[84] The music video for "Just What I Am", which marked Cudi's directorial debut, premiered November 6, 2012 on VEVO and was shot in Los Angeles with fans invited to participate in the video’s shoot. On November 7, he revealed the album's second official single's title to be "Immortal", and that it again was produced by himself like the two previous releases, "Just What I Am" and "King Wizard". He claimed the song "will make you feel amazing in the heart and soul."[85] The song was officially released via iTunes on March 14, 2013.[86]

On March 14, 2013 Kid Cudi performed at MySpace’s South by Southwest (SXSW) secret show in Austin, Texas and after performing his many hits, he previewed a new verse from Indicud. He also revealed that the album would feature 18 tracks, while officially confirming ASAP Rocky and Michael Bolton as featured guests.[87] On March 16, Cudi announced that he would release the album's tracklist and cover art on April 2.[88] Three days later, Kid Cudi announced via Twitter that the album had officially been completed and turned in to his label, Universal Republic.[89] On March 26, the album's cover art and tracklist was unveiled by Walmart and later Complex.[90] Later that day, Cudi appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and performed the album's lead singles; "Just What I Am" and "Immortal", as well as premiering "Mad Solar", which he performed a cappella.[91][92]

On April 2, 2013, Kid Cudi announced on Power 106, that he was no longer under Kanye West's GOOD Music imprint. Cudi revealed he left the label on good terms, with him saying West respected his decision and will always be "big brother". Cudi's decision to move forward without West, was his desire to focus on his own imprint, Wicked Awesome Records and his friend, fellow rapper King Chip.[93][94][95] After Indicud leaked online in its entirety on April 9, 2013, Kid Cudi decided to push the album's release date up to April 16.[96] The album went on to debut at #2 on the charts by moving 140,000 copies.[97] In late 2013, Kid Cudi went on tour in support of Indicud on The Cud Life Tour 2013. The tour was announced on July 15 with tickets going on sale the following day. Supporting acts on the tour included fellow American rappers Big Sean, Tyler, The Creator and Logic.[98]

2013–14: Satellite Flight: The Journey to Mother Moon

While on tour, on October 16, 2013 Kid Cudi announced he would be releasing an extended play (EP), sometime in the next three months.[99][100] Cudi also revealed he would be producing it alongside Dot da Genius and that frequent collaborator King Chip, would appear on the EP.[99] He then called the EP a prelude to his fourth album Man on the Moon III, which he announced would be released in 2015.[99] On October 19, 2013, Cudi revealed "Going to the Ceremony", a song he had released via online audio distribution platform SoundCloud, earlier in July, would be included in the EP.[101][102] Cudi would also go on to reveal a remix of his hit single "Day 'n' Nite, which was briefly previewed on the intro of his 2008 breakout mixtape A Kid Named Cudi, would also appear on the EP.[103][104][105]

Kid Cudi performing at Coachella on April 19, 2014.

On November 25, 2013, via his Twitter, Cudi revealed the title of the EP to be Satellite Flight: The Journey to Mother Moon.[106][107] On December 16, 2013, Kid Cudi once again utilized SoundCloud to release "Satellite Flight", the EP's title-track.[108] On January 27, 2014, Kid Cudi revealed on Twitter that Satellite Flight: Journey to Mother Moon would no longer be an EP, but a full-length album instead.[109] In a February 2014 interview with MTV News, Cudi discussed the EP's transition to a full-fledged album and called the project his best work yet: "I'm really excited because it's my best work, and it's a surprise. People weren't really expecting it. I've never done two albums within a year of each other."[110][111]

On February 25, 2014, with only few hours' notice from Cudi, Satellite Flight: The Journey to Mother Moon was released exclusively to digital retailers. The album debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 chart, with first-week sales of 87,000 digital copies in the United States.[112] On March 4, 2014 Cudi appeared on Chelsea Lately, where he was interviewed by Oscar-nominated actress Gabourey Sidibe, to promote Satellite Flight and the 2014 film Need for Speed.[113] On March 12, 2014, Cudi released a song titled "Hero", a collaboration with American singer-songwriter Skylar Grey, recorded for the soundtrack to Need for Speed.[114][115] On March 15, 2014, Cudi appeared on The Arsenio Hall Show, where he promoted the album, discussed the state of hip-hop, suicidal thoughts, Need for Speed, and performed the song "Internal Bleeding", from the album.[116][117][118]

On April 8, 2014, Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services announced that it would recognize mental health advocates Kid Cudi, Ronda Rousey and Natasha Tracy during its annual Erasing the Stigma Leadership Awards on April 24, at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. Cudi also offered a special performance during the evening. Committed to helping depressed and suicidal youth through the power of music, Cudi joined Didi Hirsch’s Erasing the Stigma Efforts as a Mental Health Ambassador.[119][120][121] Also in April, Cudi appeared on the cover of the inaugural issue of Fat Man magazine.[122][123] On May 2, 2014, it was announced Cudi would headline Chicago's North Coast Music Festival, along with West Coast rapper Snoop Dogg.[124][125] On May 11, 2014 Cudi revealed he would be writing and directing a short film for the Satellite Flight album cut "Balmain Jeans": "Developing a short film for "Balmain Jeans", a story about a spontaneous electric connection between two strangers."[126][127]

2015–16: Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven

In a January 2015 interview, at the Sundance Film Festival, Kid Cudi expressed the possibility of releasing another album before the release of Man on the Moon III: "I'm always making music. The beauty in that is that I have a lot of material. And I'm actually thinking that it would be good to release something in the meantime, before Man on the Moon III comes out. Another Kid Cudi album, it's just kind of along the lines of what I did with Indicud or Satellite Flight, which is just its own standalone thing but still a Kid Cudi album. The Man on the Moon III album is something that's gonna take some time but I know the fans are gonna be patient and I really appreciate that guys, thank you for your patience. But Man on the Moon III is coming, there may be an album before that just to tide you over."[128][129] On March 3, 2015, Cudi officially released his first song since his album Satellite Flight, was put on the market. The song, which is titled "Love," was originally recorded for Satellite Flight, and samples Ratatat's "Sunblocks" and has been received with positive reviews.[130][131]

On April 4, 2015, Cudi announced via Twitter that he would be releasing a new album titled Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven. On October 27, 2015, Cudi announced the new album will be released on December 4, 2015.[132] He also leaked two songs off the project, "Wedding Tux" and "Judgemental Cunt".[133] In November 2015 Cudi announced a Especial Tour, that will bring the rapper to various theaters all across the United States. The concert tour would kick off on November 30 in Denver at the Fillmore Auditorium and will snake back and forth across the United States hitting cities like Raleigh, Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago and ending on December 22, in Santa Ana at the Observatory.[134][135] On December 1, 2015, Cudi announced the cancellation of his Especial Tour, due to various reasons, such as production and personal issues.[136][137][138] To make up for postponing the concert tour, Cudi released the album's title-track as the second single.[139][140]

On February 22, 2016, Cudi announced about the new album via Twitter, he stated that the new album will be released in the 2016 summer.[141]

Acting career

In 2010, Kid Cudi made a guest appearance on American television drama One Tree Hill, starring as himself and performing his Man on the Moon II single "Erase Me", during the episode.[142] In 2010, Kid Cudi also began starring in the HBO comedy series How to Make It in America, as part of the main cast, being credited by his birth name Scott Mescudi, until its cancellation after two seasons.[143] On October 31, 2010, Kid Cudi released a short film, directed by Shia LeBeouf, in which he and fellow American rapper Cage, star as French-speaking serial killers. The short film, titled Maniac, was inspired by Cudi's song of the same name, from his 2010 album Man on the Moon II and is an homage to the 1992 Belgian black comedy crime mockumentary, Man Bites Dog.[144][145] In May 2012, Kanye West premiered a short film he directed, titled Cruel Summer, at the Cannes Film Festival. According to MTV, Kid Cudi is the lead character, playing a "car thief who falls for a blind Arabian princess." The film was shown on seven different screens that turned on and off, giving various angles of each shot.[146]

In October 2012, it was announced Cudi would star in an indie romantic comedy titled Two Night Stand, alongside Analeigh Tipton and Miles Teller.[147][148] Also in 2012, it was revealed Cudi would star in an indie thriller film titled Tacoma, alongside Patricia Clarkson.[149][150] In 2013, Cudi guest starred in the animated TV series The Cleveland Show, voicing a character named Devon, in the Season 4 episode "Brownsized".[151] In 2013, he also guest starred on the Fox comedy series Brooklyn Nine-Nine, where he played a criminal named Dustin Whitman.[152] In 2013, it was revealed Cudi would then star in Goodbye World, alongside Adrian Grenier.[153][154]

In January 2013, Cudi was cast in the film adaptation of Need for Speed.[155] Need for Speed, which is Cudi's feature film debut, was released by Touchstone Pictures on March 14, 2014.[156] In June 2013, it was revealed Cudi would appear in Mark Webber's film The Ever After, alongside Teresa Palmer and Melissa Leo.[157] On November 10, 2014, Cudi guest starred on the CBS American television series Scorpion, as Peyton Temple, a musical prodigy who created a controversial algorithm that generates the perfect hit pop song, who later helps Scorpion investigate the murder of his friend who was a music industry blogger.[158][159] In February 2014, it was announced Cudi would appear in Entourage (2015), the film adaptation of the popular HBO TV series of the same name.[160][161][162]

On April 11, 2014, it was announced Cudi would star in a film titled James White, alongside Christopher Abbott and Cynthia Nixon. In addition to starring in the film, it was revealed Cudi would also be curating the film's score as well.[163] In January 2015, Cudi revealed he played a homosexual character in James White: "This was way different than anything else I've ever done. It was dope to do that. I felt like I had a responsibility to present a different walk in life from that world." Although his character's sexuality is not outwardly discussed during the film, the original script included a coming-out scene and a kiss between Cudi and a male friend, played by David Call: "I didn't flinch. I'm secure with mine," Cudi told an audience after the film's premiere. "I'm an artist—it's all about playing characters that are intriguing and stimulating."[164][165]

Also in January 2015, Cudi revealed he had just finished filming a movie titled Vincent-N-Roxxy, alongside Zoe Kravitz and Emile Hirsch.[166][167] When speaking on Vincent-N-Roxxy, Cudi said: "this movie that I have coming out soon that’s my first villain role. It’s very violent and very disturbing […] I play kind of like a drug lord."[168] On February 19, 2015, it was announced that Cudi would be taking over the mic duties for Reggie Watts, on IFC's television series, Comedy Bang! Bang!. Cudi's first episode as Scott Aukerman's co-host, aired July 10, 2015.[169][170] As the in-house disc jockey, Cudi crafted original music for the show and appeared in several skits throughout season four.[171] The December 10 Christmas edition of Comedy Bang! Bang!, marked the season finale and Cudi's final episode as bandleader.[172][173]

Artistry

Musical style

Kid Cudi's musical style has been described as "an atmospheric take on melodic rap, with a dollop of charming, off-key singing".[13] He has also been called "introspective, with the ability to lay his insecurities on record and expose his fallibility."[174] In 2015, Kris Ex of Billboard, wrote "he's always been an emotional artist, dealing with expansive and nebulous feelings in acute and often destructive ways."[175] Kid Cudi's sound is what inspired and led Kanye West to create his cathartic 808s & Heartbreak (2008),[176] with West later stating that he and Cudi were "the originators of the style, kinda like what Alexander McQueen is to fashion…. Everything else is just Zara and H&M."[23][177] West also complemented Cudi by saying, "His writing is just so pure and natural and important."[178] In March 2014, Cudi talked about wanting to provide guidance for young listeners with his music and detailed his own thoughts of suicide: "my mission statement since day one […] all I wanted to do was help kids not feel alone, and stop committing suicide."[179]

In a 2013 article for The BoomBox, the author wrote: "On [A Kid Named Cudi], Cudi raps and croons over samples and interpolations of Gnarls Barkley, Paul Simon, Band of Horses, J Dilla, Nosaj Thing, N.E.R.D. and Outkast. He melded indie rock, electronica and dubstep seamlessly with hip-hop without pandering or reaching. Before Drake broke through with 2009’s So Far Gone, rapping and singing over Swedish indie poppers Lykke Li and Peter Bjorn and John, Cudi tweaked with multi-genre covers and seamless transitions between singing and rapping."[180] In a 2009 interview with HipHopDX, when speaking on his debut album Cudi stated: "Well one thing I wanted to do was combine sounds that really bring out intense moods."[177] Throughout the years he has also incorporated elements of psychedelia, R&B, electronica, synthpop and grunge, in his music.[181] In a 2015 article titled "KiD CuDi - A Forgotten Influence on Psychedelic Introspection in Hip-Hop", the author wrote "Cudi helped bring about a new era of electronic, psychedelic driven production. And his dark, drug-riddled approach to introspection has already taken hold in the up-and-comers in the hip-hop world."[182] Kid Cudi's music has also been described as trip hop.[183][184][185]

Influences

Kid Cudi's earliest influences include alternative hip hop groups such as The Pharcyde, A Tribe Called Quest and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony.[17][186][187] Cudi also cites rappers such as The Notorious B.I.G., Tupac, Jay Z, Snoop Dogg, Run-DMC, Kurtis Blow, LL Cool J, Salt-N-Pepa, Queen Latifah, Kid 'n Play, N.W.A., Naughty By Nature, Onyx and Public Enemy, as his hip hop influences while growing up.[181] Cudi has also credited fellow Ohio native Camu Tao, as an influence.[188][189][190][191][192] He has also been inspired by the sounds of The O'Jays, Ratatat, MGMT and The Postal Service.[186][193][194] In 2010, he began experimenting with rock music; rock acts that inspired Cudi include the Electric Light Orchestra, Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, the Pixies and Pink Floyd.[76][195]

Influence

Kid Cudi has gone on to influence and inspire multiple artists himself, such as rappers Kanye West,[196] Travis Scott,[197][198] Kendrick Lamar,[199] Schoolboy Q,[200] Chance the Rapper,[201][202][203] Childish Gambino,[204] Logic,[205] ASAP Rocky,[206][207] ASAP Nast,[208] OG Maco,[209] Raury,[209] Key![210] and more, as well as singers Jhene Aiko,[211] Lissie[212] and Tinashe.[213]

Other ventures

Fashion

In August 2014, Giuseppe Zanotti designed an exclusive sneaker inspired by Kid Cudi’s style. During one of Kid Cudi’s concerts, the designer was inspired by his great artistry, energy and vibes. They soon got in touch to share their personal vision of a sneaker embodying Kid Cudi’s style.[214][215][216]

Modeling

In January 2015, Coach, Inc. announced Kid Cudi as the new face of their brand, along with actress Chloe Grace Moretz, to front its Spring campaign.[217][218]

Personal life

In 2009, Cudi began dating entertainment attorney[219] Jamie Baratta. They were in an on-again, off-again relationship, and were a prevalent couple in the music industry.[220][221] They ultimately broke up in 2012, but not before Cudi dedicated a song to her titled "Teleport 2 Me, Jamie", which he recorded as a member of the alternative rock duo, WZRD.[222]

On March 26, 2010, Cudi's daughter, Vada Wamwene Mescudi, was born.[223][224] Throughout 2012, Cudi was in a quiet custody battle over his daughter. Reports surfaced that Cudi gave up custody after his child's mother accused him of being an absentee father, as well as having violent tendencies and a "long history of consistent drug and alcohol abuse." These claims were disputed by Cudi and his attorney in a statement, which noted: "Cudi did not give up custody but reached an amicable agreement with the mother; that 'both parents are fit and proper persons to have custody of their child,' as stated in the final custody judgment; results came back negative for drugs in a drug test voluntarily taken by Cudi; and that the court acknowledged Cudi attempted to establish a relationship and visit his child since her birth and "voluntarily provided financial support, including child support, rent and other monthly payments, for his daughter since her birth until the time that a child support order was entered as part of the normal course of the case." Details of the official custody agreement remain private.[225] Cudi has since purchased a property in Chicago to be close to his daughter.[226]

In a January 2013 interview, Cudi revealed that he had stopped smoking marijuana two years earlier, both for the sake of his child and due to frustration with constantly being associated with the drug and stoner culture. In that same interview, Cudi said that while he believes in God, he considers himself spiritual but not religious.[227]

In a March 2013 interview, Kid Cudi talked about how his initial sudden and unexpected fame drove him to alcohol and drugs: "For me, I just got to this point, and especially up until recently, I gave up liquor, I don’t drink anymore, it’s been five and a half months I’ve been sober. The booze was a new thing for me, I didn’t realize I was an alcoholic all these years. I had a problem, I think with any addiction you have to be ready to make the choice, whether it’s cigarettes or anything. You have to just commit and you just have to stick with it. I stopped everything cold turkey. When I had my cocaine problem I stopped cold turkey, I didn’t go to rehab. I don’t believe in these things. Some people need the extra help, not me. I wasn’t a drug addict before this crap, I wasn’t doing cocaine, I wasn’t getting wasted every night because I didn’t want to be alone. I wasn’t this dark person before the madness, I was a whole other dude. I don’t even think I smoked weed as much ‘cause we couldn’t afford it... You just have to make the choice and decide the person you wanna be and stick with it. You get to a certain age where the people around you are not gonna be on that rollercoaster all day long ready for you to go up, ready for you to go down, and stick with you through all the madness. People want you to be one person and stick with it and I chose to be clean and be sober and get my life together. For myself, for my health, for my daughter, for my family."[228][229]

In a 2013 interview, Cudi revealed he had suffered an addiction to anti-depressant medication, which had been prescribed to help him deal with an "emotional breakdown" following a failed relationship.[230][231] In a 2014 interview, Cudi spoke on his struggles with depression and suicide throughout the years: "I’ve dealt with suicide for the past five years. There wasn’t a week or a day that didn’t go by where I was just like, ‘You know, I wanna check out.’ I know what that feels like, I know it comes from loneliness, I know it comes from not having self-worth, not loving yourself."[232][233]

On February 7, 2015, Cudi gave a Tedx Talk at Shaker Heights High School for the school's independently organized "TEDxSHHS" conference.[234]

Discography

Solo albums
As WZRD

Awards and nominations

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2011
Maniac Serial killer Short film, directed by Shia LaBeouf; writer
2012
Cruel Summer Rafi Short film, directed by Kanye West
2013
Goodbye World Lev Berkowitz Independent film
2014
Need for Speed Benny / Maverick Feature film debut
The Ever After Scott
Two Night Stand Cedric
2015
Entourage Allen
Meadowland Jason
James White Nick
2016
Vincent-N-Roxxy Suga Post-production
Tacoma Yanni Post-production
Television
Year Title Role Notes
2010
One Tree Hill As himself Episode: "Lists, Plans"
2010–2011
How to Make It in America Domingo Dean Main cast; 16 episodes
2013
The Cleveland Show Devon (voice) Episode: "Brownsized"
Brooklyn Nine-Nine Dustin Whitman Episode: "48 Hours"
2014
Scorpion Peyton Temple Episode: "Risky Business"
2015
Comedy Bang! Bang! As himself Co-host/bandleader; 21 episodes
2016
Talking Dead As himself Season five, episode 11

Concert tours

Lady Gaga and Kid Cudi performing the piano version of "Poker Face" and "Make Her Say" on The Monster Ball Tour.
Headlining
Supporting

References

  1. "He owns a Maschine which King Chip got him for Father's Day. — 25 Things You Didn't Know About Kid Cudi". Complex Media. Retrieved 2013-04-20.
  2. "Kid Cudi regarding 'Speedin' Bullet to Heaven' tweeted "There are no synths or electronic sounds on the album, It consist of all guitar and bass played by myself".".
  3. 1 2 Birchmeier, Jason (2009). "Kid Cudi > Biography". allmusic. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
  4. 1 2 3 "Kid Cudi Splits With Manager, Launching New Label". 2011-02-27. Retrieved 2011-10-17.
  5. 1 2 "Kid Cudi Announces New Label & Band Name". Datnewcudi.com. 2011-04-22. Retrieved 2012-10-11.
  6. "Kid Cudi Ditches Rap For Rock". Contactmusic.com. 2010-10-31. Retrieved 2013-04-20.
  7. "Kid Cudi Forms New Rock Band Called 'Wizard'". Keepittrill.com. 2010-10-29. Retrieved 2013-04-20.
  8. Wolgamott, Kent (July 7, 2011). "What You Need to Know About Kid Cudi". JournalStar.com. Retrieved July 7, 2011.
  9. "Man on the Moon II: The Legend Of Mr. Rager Certified Gold | Dat New 'Cudi'". Datnewcudi.com. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  10. "Twitter / ducidni: Man on the Moon II The Legend". Twitter.com. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  11. Insanul Ahmed (March 22, 2013). "The 50 Best Debut Rap Singles". Complex. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
  12. Alex Stone (March 29, 2012). "Kid Cudi Feels Mixtape Releases Are A Waste Of Time". TheVersed. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
  13. 1 2 Fennessey, Sean (September 14, 2010). "Kid Cudi: How He Made It in America". Spin.com. Spin Media. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  14. 1 2 Soeder, John (June 27, 2009). "Before he became the most buzzed-about rookie in the music business, Kid Cudi was a kid from Cleveland with big dreams". The Plain Dealer. Archived from the original on May 13, 2011.
  15. Nabil Elderkin. "Before he became the most buzzed-about rookie in the music business, Kid Cudi was a kid from Cleveland with big dreams". cleveland.com. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  16. "Scott Raymon Seguro Mescudi (b. 1984)". mooseroots.com.
  17. 1 2 3 4 Hoard, Christian (17 September 2009). "Kid Cudi: Hip-Hop's Sensitive Soul". Rolling Stone (1087): 40.
  18. "Person Details for Lindbergh Mescudi in household of Charles Mescudi, "United States Census, 1930" —". Familysearch.org. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  19. Smith, Angelique (2009-03-10). "Kid Cudi's Not-So-Dark Alter Ego Revealed!". MTV Newsroom (MTV News). Retrieved 2009-09-13.
  20. "Person Details for Lindbergh Mescudi in household of Charles Mescudi, "United States Census, 1930" — FamilySearch.org". familysearch.org.
  21. "He got expelled from high school for threatening to punch his principal. — 25 Things You Didn't Know About Kid Cudi". Complex. Retrieved 2013-04-20.
  22. "After dropping out of college, he was determined to join the Navy but was denied due to his juvenile police record. — 25 Things You Didn't Know About Kid Cudi". Complex. Retrieved 2013-04-20.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 "Kid Cudi". Complex. 2009-08-03. Archived from the original on April 27, 2013. Retrieved 2013-03-16.
  24. "Q&A With Kid Cudi". Musicconnection.com. 2013-11-04. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  25. 1 2 "A Bathing Ape x Kid Cudi Interview & Photoshoot". HypeBeast. 2010-03-29. Retrieved 2013-03-16.
  26. "10.Deep Presents: Kid Cudi – "A Kid Named Cudi Mixtape"". Illroots.com. 2008-07-17. Retrieved 2012-10-11.
  27. "Billboard Pop 100 Chart Positions". Billboard. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
  28. "BBC Sound of 2008: The longlist". BBC News. 2008-12-05. Retrieved 2009-01-01.
  29. Roberts, Steven (2009-01-08). "Kid Cudi". MCs To Watch In 2009 (MTV News). Retrieved 2009-08-28.
  30. "First Look: XXL Freshman Class of ’09 Covers". highbridnation.com. October 21, 2008. Retrieved March 13, 2013.
  31. "XXL’s Class of ’09 Cover: Top 10 Freshmen". hiphoppress.com. October 20, 2008. Retrieved March 13, 2013.
  32. Roberts, Steven (2009-03-04). "Kid Cudi Has 'Eureka' Moment With 'Transformers' Trailer". MTV News. Retrieved 2009-04-02.
  33. "Midnight Club: Los Angeles South Central DLC Kid Cudi Exclusive". Rockstar Games. Retrieved 2013-04-20.
  34. Kid Cudi (2009-05-02). "Features". Retrieved 2009-08-28.
  35. "She Came Along (feat. Kid Cudi) by Sharam". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved September 21, 2012.
  36. "Sharam and Kid Cudi - She Came Along - Music Charts". αCharts.us. Retrieved September 21, 2012.
  37. Roberts, Steven (2009-07-17). "Kid Cudi, Asher Roth Want Hangover Tour To Be A 'Movement'" (mdy). MTV News. Retrieved 2009-08-28.
  38. Kaufman, Gil (2009-06-03). "Asher Roth And Kid Cudi Hitting The Road For Great Hangover Tour" (mdy). MTV News. Retrieved 2013-03-15.
  39. "Blueprint 3 Track-List" (mdy). Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 2009-08-19.
  40. "Jay-Z Tops Album Sales Two Weeks In A Row". Shabooty.com. 2009-09-23. Retrieved 2012-10-11.
  41. Reid, Shaheem (2009-05-27). "Kanye West 'Inspired' By Lady Gaga's 'Face' For Kid Cudi Single". Mixtape Daily (MTV News). Retrieved 2009-08-28.
  42. Roberts, Steven (2009-07-20). "Kanye West, Common Lend Kid Cudi Bicoastal Support In Video". MTV News. Retrieved 2009-08-28.
  43. "50 Cent Recruits Wale, Kid Cudi and Corey Gunz for "50 Fest"". Hip-Hop Wired. 2009-09-09. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  44. "Thisis50 Fest - Focus On Kid Cudi | Behind The Scenes | 50 Cent". YouTube. 2009-10-06. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  45. "50 Cent Unites NYC Hip-Hop At ThisIs50 Festival". MTV. 2009-10-04. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  46. Kid Cudi Interview with Honey Magazine – Dat New 'Cudi'. Datnewcudi.com (2009-08-25). Retrieved on 2011-04-26.
  47. "Kid Cudi receives Three Grammy Nominations". Datnewcudi.com. Retrieved 2012-10-11.
  48. "Kid Cudi Featured on Snoop Dogg’s "More Malice"". Datnewcudi.com. Retrieved 2012-10-11.
  49. "Kid Cudi Featured on Johnny Polygon's "Riot Song"". Datnewcudi.com. 2010-02-14. Retrieved 2012-10-11.
  50. Kid Cudi (April 20, 2010). "Lend Me Your Eyesssss". KidCudi.com. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  51. "Kid Cudi Makes Changes To His Album... Again!". MTV UK. April 21, 2010. Retrieved April 24, 2010.
  52. Rodriguez, Jayson (June 11, 2010). "Kid Cudi Arrested". MTV News. Retrieved June 12, 2010.
  53. Kid Cudi Plays Bonnaroo Despite New York Arrest. Billboard.com (2009-09-14). Retrieved on 2011-04-26.
  54. Rodriguez, Jayson (2010-07-01). "Kid Cudi Debuts 'Erase Me,' With Kanye West, On Radio - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Retrieved 2011-11-24.
  55. Koroma, Salima (2010-07-22). "DX News Bits: Kid Cudi, Lupe Fiasco | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales | HipHop DX". Beta.hiphopdx.com. Retrieved 2011-11-24.
  56. "Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". FMQB. Retrieved 2011-11-24.
  57. Jacobs, Allen (2010-11-17). "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 11/14/2010". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group.
  58. Jacobs, Allen (2010-11-24). "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 11/21/2010 | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2011-11-24.
  59. Kid Cudi Forms Rock Band Called Wizard. Ballerstatus (2010-10-29). Retrieved on 2011-04-26.
  60. Kid Cudi plans rock album, announces A Man Named Scott mixtape « Consequence of Sound. Consequenceofsound.net (2011-01-28). Retrieved on 2011-04-26.
  61. "Kid Cudi: Puzzling (2011 Cover Story)". Complex.com. 2011-09-19. Retrieved 2011-10-17.
  62. Roberts, Steven. (2010-11-05) Kid Cudi/ Shia LaBeouf Picture Leaks Online – Music, Celebrity, Artist News. MTV. Retrieved on 2011-04-26.
  63. "Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2013-04-20.
  64. "No One Believes Me: Kid Cudi: Official Music". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2013-04-20.
  65. "Cud Life: Mixtape". Cudlife.tumblr.com. 2010-05-25. Retrieved 2011-11-24.
  66. Kid Cudi announces a Fall 2012 release of his 3rd studio album « Cud Life. Retrieved on 2011-07-13.
  67. TheCommissionChannel (2011-09-08). "Kid Cudi - Mr Rager ( Music Video) RARE EDITION". YouTube. Retrieved 2011-11-24.
  68. "Kid Cudi: Puzzling (2011 Cover Story)". Complex.com. September 19, 2011. Retrieved November 17, 2011.
  69. "MANIAC Directed by Shia LaBeouf Starring Scott Mescudi and Chris Palko". 2011-10-30.
  70. "Twitter / Scott Mescudi: News update! Me and @DotDa". Twitter.com. Retrieved 2011-11-24.
  71. Sacks, Ethan (2011-12-29). "Kid Cudi touched by teen fan's video farewell". Daily News (New York).
  72. "3rd album finished. Chip next, then my 4th". Twitter. 2012-01-31. Retrieved 2012-02-01.
  73. "Kid Cudi Discusses "The Ruler and Killer" from The Hunger Games Soundtrack". DatNewCudi. 2012-03-01. Retrieved 2012-03-02.
  74. 1 2 DP (February 14, 2012). "Kid Cudi & Dot Da Genius Host "WZRD" Listening Session in LA". DatNewCudi. Retrieved February 20, 2012.
  75. Jacobs, Allen (March 7, 2012). "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 3/4/2012". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
  76. "Kid Cudi Performs New Song In NY". Rap Radar. April 23, 2012. Retrieved March 10, 2013.
  77. Jacob Moore (15 April 2013). "Premiere: Kid Cudi "Dennis, Hook Me Up With Some More Of That Whiskey!"". Complex. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
  78. Mescudi, Scott (25 April 2012). "Ghost!". Twitter (Kid Cudi). Retrieved 17 March 2013.
  79. Dempsey, Brendan (2012-06-05). "Kid Cudi Reveals New Album Title, Indicud". MTV Newsroom (MTV News). Retrieved 2012-06-13.
  80. Horowitz, Steven J. (2012-06-11). "Kid CuDi Says "indicud" Will Be A Double-Disc Album". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2012-06-13.
  81. "Kid Cudi Debuts First 'Indicud' Song, 'Just What Iam': Listen - The Juice". Billboard.com. 2009-09-14. Retrieved 2012-08-13.
  82. 1 2 "Kid Cudi Says He Lost His Mind But Found It, Details "indicud" & "Man On the Moon III"". Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  83. "Twitter / ducidni: My official 2nd single is called". Twitter.com. Retrieved 2013-04-20.
  84. "Immortal – Single by Kid Cudi". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  85. "KiD CuDi Previews New Music At SXSW (Video)". 2DopeBoyz. Complex Music. 15 March 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
  86. Mescudi, Scott. "Revealing tracklisting and album cover April 2nd!!". Twitter. Retrieved 16 March 2013.
  87. "Twitter / ducidni: Album turnt in, spirit turnt". Twitter.com. Retrieved 2013-04-20.
  88. Weiss, Sam (2013-03-26). "Kid Cudi Unveils "Indicud" Album Art and Tracklist". Complex (Complex Media). Retrieved 2013-03-27.
  89. Weiss, Sam (2013-03-27). "Kid Cudi Unveils "Indicud" Album Art and Tracklist". Complex (Complex Media). Retrieved 2013-03-27.
  90. Kid Cudi Performs "Just What I Am" YouTube, Retrieved March 28, 2013.
  91. Burgess, Omar (2013-04-02). "Kid Cudi Announces Split From G.O.O.D. Music | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2013-04-20.
  92. "Kid Cudi: "I'm No Longer on G.O.O.D. Music"". Complex. 2013-04-02. Retrieved 2013-04-20.
  93. Christina Lee (2013-04-06). "Kid Cudi Talks Focusing On His Label, Now That He’s Left G.O.O.D. Music". Idolator.com. Retrieved 2013-04-20.
  94. "Kid Cudi Bumps Indicud Release Date After Album Leak". Rapfix.mtv.com. 2013-04-10. Retrieved 2013-04-20.
  95. "News". HITS Daily Double. 2013-04-23. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  96. "Kid Cudi Announces ‘The Cud Life Tour’ with Big Sean, Tyler, The Creator & Logic (Updated)". MissInfo.tv. 2013-07-15. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  97. 1 2 3 Tardio, Andres (October 16, 2013). "Kid Cudi Announces "Man On The Moon 3" Prelude EP". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. Retrieved January 31, 2014.
  98. "Kid Cudi Announces Prelude EP to "Man On The Moon 3"". Complex. Complex Media. October 16, 2013. Retrieved January 31, 2014.
  99. Republic Records (2013-07-06). "Republic Records". Republic Records. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  100. "Twitter / ducidni: GOING TO THE CEREMONY will". Twitter.com. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  101. "Twitter / ducidni: We basically made it the next". Twitter.com. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  102. "Twitter / ducidni: Wanna catch a snippet of it??". Twitter.com. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  103. "Twitter / ducidni: A hidden clue thats just now". Twitter.com. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  104. "Kid Cudi Reveals Title Of Upcoming EP - XXL". Xxlmag.com. 2013-11-25. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  105. Tardio, Andres (2013-11-25). "Kid Cudi Announces "Satellite Flight: The Journey to Mother Moon" EP | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  106. Davis, Justin (2013-12-16). "Listen to Kid Cudi's New Song "Satellite Flight"". Complex. Complex Media. Retrieved 2014-01-14.
  107. Rose, Lila (2013-01-27). "Kid Cudi Announces "Satellite Flight" Is Now An Album, Not EP". HotNewHiphop. hot new hip hop. Retrieved 2014-01-27.
  108. Cooper, Roman (February 2, 2014). "Kid Cudi Calls "Satellite Flight" Album His "Best Work"". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  109. Robertson, Iyana (February 2, 2014). "Kid Cudi Calls "Satellite Flight" Album His "Best Work"". Vibe. Spin Media. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  110. Tardio, Andres (March 5, 2014). "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 3/2/2014". HipHopDX. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
  111. Fitzgerald, Trent (March 5, 2014). "Kid Cudi Talks With Gabourey Sidibe on 'Chelsea Lately'". TheBoombox.com. THE BOOMBOX NETWORK. Retrieved March 12, 2014.
  112. "New Music: Kid Cudi feat. Skylar Grey - 'Hero'". Directlyrics.com. 2014-03-12. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  113. Lobenfeld, Claire (2014-03-12). "Hear New Kid Cudi Song "Hero" Featuring Skylar Grey". Complex. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  114. "Kid Cudi Talks Suicidal Thoughts & The State Of Hip-Hop On 'Arsenio'". Vibe. 2014-03-15. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  115. Kristobak, Ryan. "Kid Cudi: 'There Would Be No Drake'". Huffington Post.
  116. Kohn, Daniel (2014-03-15). "Kid Cudi Says "There Would Be No Drake" if Cudi Rapped About His Cars". Complex. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  117. "Kid Cudi, Ronda Rousey and Natasha Tracy Take Center Stage at Didi Hirsch’s 18th Annual Erasing the Stigma Leadership Awards". Business Wire. 2014-04-08. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  118. "Kid Cudi | Kid Cudi Honoured For Work With Mental Illness Charity". Contactmusic.com. 2014-04-27. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  119. "Kid Cudi, Ronda Rousey and Natasha Tracy Take Center Stage at Didi Hirsch’s 18th Annual Erasing the Stigma Leadership Awards - Yahoo Finance". Finance.yahoo.com. 2014-04-08. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  120. "KiD CuDi Covers Inaugural Issue Of FAT MAN Magazine [PHOTO". Hip-Hop Wired. 2014-04-23. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  121. David Fischer. "Kid Cudi Covers Issue A of Fat Man Magazine • Highsnobiety". Highsnobiety.com. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  122. G. Valentino Ball (2014-05-02). "Snoop Dogg, Kid Cudi To Headline Chicago's North Coast Music Festival". Xxlmag.com. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  123. "North Coast festival lineup; Snoop Dogg, Bassnectar headline North Coast fest - Chicago Tribune". Articles.chicagotribune.com. 2014-05-01. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  124. Kujundzic, Petar (2014-05-11). "KiD CuDi to Write & Direct Short Film For ‘Balmain Jeans’". Hypetrak. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  125. C. Vernon Coleman (2014-05-11). "Kid Cudi Writing & Directing Short Film For “Balmain Jeans� - XXL". Xxlmag.com. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  126. "Kid Cudi Planning To Release Album Before Man On The Moon: III". The Masked Gorilla. 2015-01-30. Retrieved 2015-02-22.
  127. "Kid Cudi Planning To Release New Album Before Man On The Moon: III | Hits On Hits. Stay Ahead Of The Game". Hitsonhits.com. Retrieved 2015-02-22.
  128. "Kid Cudi Wants You To Cheer Up And Listen To 'Love'". MTV News.
  129. Shira Benozilio. "[LISTEN] Kid Cudi’s ‘Love’ — Listen To Hot New Song - Hollywood Life". Hollywood Life.
  130. "Kid Cudi Announces New Album ‘Speedin’ Bullet to Heaven’". Rap-Up.
  131. "Kid Cudi Announces Release Date For "Speedin’ Bullet To Heaven"". BallerStatus.com. October 27, 2015.
  132. "Kid Cudi Announces 'Especial' Tour Supporting 'Speedin Bullet To Heaven'". Music Times.
  133. "Kid Cudi Announces ‘Especial’ Tour". Rap-Up.
  134. Kevin Goddard (2 December 2015). "Kid Cudi Cancels "Especial" Tour". HotNewHipHop.
  135. "Why Kid Cudi says he cancelled his entire concert tour". MLive.com.
  136. "Kid Cudi Cancels 'Especial' Tour". Hypebeast.
  137. "Kid Cudi's New Single Will Remind You To Smile About Your Falls". MTV News.
  138. "Kid Cudi Cancels 'Especial' Tour, Releases 'Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven'". Billboard.
  139. "The Choosen One (@KidCudi) Twitter". Retrieved April 5, 2016.
  140. Becky Bain (2010-12-01). "Kid Cudi Plays Himself On ‘One Tree Hill’, Becomes The Most Convincing Actor On The Show | Music News, Reviews, and Gossip on". Idolator.com. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  141. HBO. "Kid Cudi in How to Make it in America". Retrieved March 7, 2010.
  142. Rao, Mallika (2011-11-01). "'Maniac' By Shia LaBeouf, Starring Kid Cudi (VIDEO) (NSFW)". Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  143. "Video: Kid Cudi "Maniac" (Directed by Shia LaBeouf) + Bonus Interview". Complex. 2011-10-31. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  144. "Kanye West's Cruel Summer Film Premieres at Cannes, Starring Kid Cudi | News". Pitchfork. 2012-05-24. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  145. "Kid Cudi Joins 'Two Night Stand' Romantic Comedy". Billboard. 2012-10-15. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  146. 03/12/2012 22:06:05 (2012-10-16). "Kid Cudi To Star In Rom-Com 'Two Night Stand' - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV.com. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  147. "Kid Cudi Breaking In Feature Film Acting w/ Roles In 2 Indies (Apocalyptic Comedy & Thriller) | Shadow and Act". Blogs.indiewire.com. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  148. "Kid Cudi Cast as Yanni in "Tacoma" Thriller Film Due Out in 2013 | Dat New 'Cudi'". Datnewcudi.com. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  149. "Kid Cudi Guests on ‘The Cleveland Show’ [Full Episode]]". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  150. "Kid Cudi Will Appear On 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' Tonight - XXL". Xxlmag.com. 2013-11-05. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
  151. Montanez, Eric (2013-06-13). "KiD CuDi Stars in ‘Goodbye World’ Trailer". Hypetrak. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  152. "Adrian Grenier's 'Goodbye World' Acquired by Samuel Goldwyn, Phase 4 Films". TheWrap. 2013-10-21. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  153. Fleming, Mike, Jr. (January 14, 2013). "DreamWorks Revs ‘Need For Speed’; Rap Producer Scott ‘Kid Cudi’ Mescudi Cast". Deadline.com. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
  154. Vilanova, John (2014-03-07). "'Need for Speed': Kid Cudi reveals 'Breaking Bad' bromance | Inside Movies | EW.com". Insidemovies.ew.com. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  155. variety.com/2013/film/news/teresa-palmer-melissa-leo-ever-after-1200493601/
  156. "Watch This Exclusive Kid Cudi 'Scorpion' Clip For His Acting And The Well-Timed Macklemore Joke". MTV. 2014-11-07. Retrieved 2015-02-22.
  157. Abrams, Natalie (2014-09-29). "'Scorpion' enlists Kid Cudi, Method Man as rivals". EW.com. Retrieved 2015-02-22.
  158. Fleming, Mike (2014-02-20). "'Entourage's Ari Gold Finds His New Lloyd: It's Kid Cudi". Deadline.com. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  159. Yohance Kyles (2014-02-24). "Kid Cudi Joins The Cast Of "Entourage" Movie". AllHipHop.com. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  160. Serafino, Jason (2014-02-21). "Kid Cudi Is Set To Play Ari Gold's New Assistant In The "Entourage" Movie". Complex. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  161. Serafino, Jason (2014-04-11). "Check Out the Kickstarter for "James White," Starring Kid Cudi and Christopher Abbott". Complex. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  162. "Kid Cudi Is Bummed His Gay Kissing Scenes Were Cut From 'James White'". MTV. 2015-01-25. Retrieved 2015-02-22.
  163. "Kid Cudi Dishes on His Deleted Male-on-Male Kissing Scenes in New Film James White at Sundance". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-02-22.
  164. "Kid Cudi Wraps Movie With Zoe Kravitz". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-02-22.
  165. "Kid Cudi Set To Star In Movie With Zoe Kravitz & Emile Hirsch". AllHipHop. 2015-01-19. Retrieved 2015-02-22.
  166. "After Playing A Gay Man In 'James White', Kid Cudi Readies For A More "Disturbing" Role". Vibe.
  167. "Comedy Bang! Bang! - Comedy Bang! Bang! Passes the Mic to Kid Cudi – IFC". Ifc.com. Retrieved 2015-02-22.
  168. "Scott Aukerman Talks ‘Comedy Bang! Bang!’: Interview". UPROXX.
  169. "Reggie Watts: Kid Cudi taught art of band-leading in Comedy Bang! Bang! - EW.com". Entertainment Weekly's EW.com.
  170. Josiah Hughes (December 11, 2015). "Kid Cudi Exits 'Comedy Bang Bang'". Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  171. "Last Night’s ‘Comedy Bang! Bang!’ Finale Was Kid Cudi’s Last Episode". Splitsider.
  172. "Is Rap Finally Breaking Its Mental Health Taboo?". NOISEY.
  173. "Kid Cudi Grapples With Life's Lows on 'Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven': Album Review". Billboard.
  174. "The Coldest Story Ever Told: The Influence of Kanye West’s 808s & Heartbreak - Pitchfork". pitchfork.com.
  175. 1 2 HipHopDX (30 January 2015). "- HipHopDX". HipHopDX.
  176. Hoard, Christian. "Kid Cudi: Hip-Hop's Sensitive Soul." Rolling Stone. Music Index.
  177. "Kid Cudi Talks Suicidal Thoughts & The State Of Hip-Hop On ‘Arsenio’". Vibe.
  178. boombox-staff (29 August 2013). "Revisiting A Kid Named Cudi". The Boombox.
  179. 1 2 HipHopDX (16 September 2009). "- HipHopDX". HipHopDX.
  180. "KiD CuDi - A Forgotten Influence on Psychedelic Introspection in Hip-Hop". Tremr.
  181. "The Communicator : ALBUM REVIEW: Kid Cudi, "Satellite Flight: The Journey to Mother Moon"". The Communicator.
  182. Piet Levy. "Concert Review - Kid Cudi shoots for the moon, but is slow to lift off". jsonline.com.
  183. HipHopDX (8 November 2010). "- HipHopDX". HipHopDX.
  184. 1 2 "Kid Cudi: The Lonely Stoner Hits His Stride". The Huffington Post. 23 November 2009.
  185. Myspace's My Favorite Videos: Kid Cudi. 24 October 2009 via YouTube.
  186. "Pop & Hiss". latimes.com.
  187. HipHopDX (25 May 2010). "- HipHopDX". HipHopDX.
  188. Maxwell Cavaseno (13 December 2015). "Review: Kid Cudi's "Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven"". HotNewHipHop.
  189. Christopher Weingarten (10 August 2010). "Download Camu Tao's Elvis Costello-Borrowing "Be a Big Girl" (SOTC Premiere)". Village Voice.
  190. Phillip Mlynar (18 August 2010). "Camu Tao Gets His Due". Village Voice.
  191. Complex Magazine (3 August 2009). "Kid Cudi". Complex.
  192. Addison Todd. "A look at Kid Cudi’s ‘Man on The Moon’ — I. M. H. O.". Medium.
  193. Chris Payne (February 24, 2012). "Kid Cudi, Dot Da Genius Preview 'WZRD' Album in NYC". Billboard. Retrieved February 26, 2012.
  194. Lauren Nostro (3 April 2013). "Kanye West Calls Himself and Cudi The "Originators of The [808s] Style" - A Timeline of Kid Cudi on G.O.O.D. Music - Complex". Complex.
  195. "Travi$ Scott: Breaking Houston Boundaries". Clash Magazine.
  196. nadinegraham (29 May 2015). "25 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Travi$ Scott". The Boombox.
  197. Kendrick Lamar talks J Cole, XXL Freshmen, Kid Cudi, Human Music. 31 December 2010 via YouTube.
  198. Daniel Isenberg (14 August 2012). "Watch The First Episode Of Kendrick Lamar And ScHoolboy Q's "Under The Influence Of Music" Tour Vlog". Complex.
  199. "We Dug Up Chance the Rapper's Pre-'Acid Rap' Material". NOISEY.
  200. "Chance the Rapper Answers Reddit's Questions About Childish Gambino, Frank Ocean, and Kid Cudi". Pigeons & Planes. 31 July 2013.
  201. "Lil Chano From 79th on Twitter". Twitter.
  202. Nicolas James (3 November 2013). "Childish Gambino Discusses Working With Kid Cudi". HotNewHipHop.
  203. Insanul Ahmed (22 September 2014). "He wears his influences on his sleeve. - Logic Breaks Down 10 Things You Need to Know About "Under Pressure" - Complex". Complex.
  204. "A$AP Rocky on His Sundance Hit, Mourning A$AP Yams and Why He Rejects Those Tupac Comparisons". The New York Times. 28 January 2015.
  205. "Kid Cudi Encourages Individuality: 'F**k Fitting In'". Empty Lighthouse Music & Arts Magazine.
  206. Sean Fennessey. "It Might Blow Up, and It Will Go Pop". Grantland.
  207. 1 2 Ladi. "How Fetty Wap, Vince Staples And Dej Loaf Got Voted Into The 'XXL Freshman 10 List'". 360Nobs.com.
  208. "Key! – ‘When I Tried To Write For Cudi’ EP". UPROXX.
  209. "Rap-Up TV: Jhené Aiko Talks 'Souled Out' Debut, Love for Kid Cudi and Tupac". Rap-Up.com. 2012-08-21. Retrieved 2014-01-30.
  210. "Listen: Lissie Covers Kid Cudi". Clash Magazine.
  211. "TINASHE". tumblr.com.
  212. "Giuseppe Zanotti Designs a Futuristic Sneaker Inspired by Kid Cudi". Highsnobiety.
  213. "Kid Cudi Teams Up With Italian Designer Giuseppe Zanotti For High-Top Sneakers". The Inquisitr News.
  214. "Kid Cudi Just Out Kanye'd Kanye With His New Giuseppe Zanotti Sneakers". NOISEY.
  215. http://www.thefader.com/2015/01/20/coach-taps-kid-cudi-for-their-spring-campaign
  216. http://www.vibe.com/2015/01/kid-cudi-coach-dreamers-campaign/
  217. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiebaratta
  218. James, Natalie (June 12, 2010). "Rapper Kid Cudi arrested for allegedly ripping woman's door off hinges". TheMoneyTimes. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
  219. "Kid Cudi and Jamie Baratta»Photostream". Zimbio. Livingly Media, Inc. September 24, 2011. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
  220. Robinson, Nicholas (January 16, 2013). "KiD CuDi goes suicidal for provocative new ‘Complex’ cover". Rolling Out. Steed Media Group, Inc. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
  221. Photo: Ladies and gentleman, I think its time you all meet the #1 love in my life. The lil lady thats kept... Twitter. twitter.com (2012-01-12). Retrieved on 2012-01-26.
  222. She'll be 2 March 26th....were gonna hit up a bar and celebrate Twitter. Twitter.com (2012-01-12). Retrieved on 2012-01-26.
  223. Andrew Martin (20 November 2012). "Kid Cudi's Attorney Responds to Child Custody Controversy". Complex. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
  224. "Kid Cudi loses custody battle". 3 News NZ. 20 November 2012.
  225. Joe La Puma (17 January 2013). "Interview: Kid Cudi Talks Quitting Weed, Bossing Up, Illuminati Rumors, and "MOTM III"". Complex. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
  226. "Kid Cudi Reveals How He Beat His Addictions". The Fix.
  227. HipHopDX (19 March 2014). "- HipHopDX". HipHopDX.
  228. WENN. "Kid Cudi honoured for work with mental illness charity". Hollywood.com.
  229. Rahiel Tesfamariam (17 January 2013). "Breaking hip-hop’s silence: Kid Cudi speaks on mental health". Washington Post.
  230. HipHopDX (15 March 2014). "- HipHopDX". HipHopDX.
  231. Centric TV. "Rapper Kid Cudi Admits Suicidal Thoughts, Why Men Are At Risk". CentricTV.
  232. "TEDxSHHS Awes Sold-Out Audience". 7 February 2015.
  233. "Asher Roth And Kid Cudi Hitting The Road For Great Hangover Tour". MTV News.
  234. Rose Lilah (22 July 2013). "Kid Cudi Announces "The Cud Life Tour" With Big Sean, Tyler, The Creator & Logic [Update: Full Dates Added]". HotNewHipHop.
  235. http://entertainment.suntimes.com/music/kid-cudi-postpones-tour-including-chicago-show-regroup/

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kid Cudi.
Listen to this article (info/dl)


This audio file was created from a revision of the "Kid Cudi" article dated 2011-04-26, and does not reflect subsequent edits to the article. (Audio help)
More spoken articles

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Saturday, May 07, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.