In September 2022,during an interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music,Cudi implied that he's looking to pursue other ventures at least for the time being,“The Kid Cudi stuff,I think I want to put it on the back burner and chill out with that. I think,I want to be done with it. I think,closing the chapter on Kid Cudi.”[4] His desire to move on from releasing albums and touring was something that led to Entergalactic (2022),which he wanted to take a different approach with because he was “bored”of putting out more traditional releases.[4] Cudi continued to tell Zane,“I've said a lot and I have other desires,I have other things I want to do. And I do not see me never making music,I'll always fuck around in the studio,or make something here and there. But,as far as getting in the studio and working on an album,and then going and touring it,I just don't have it in me.”[4]
In October 2022,during an episode of Hot Ones,Kid Cudi continued to hint at retiring from music when he revealed that he didn't know how much longer he would continue making albums. He continued to say he was "kinda nearing the end on all things Kid Cudi." He quoted other rappers,including Snoop Dogg,Jay-Z,Eminem and more,saying he didn't think he would have the same longevity as these artists.[5] When mentioning alternate career paths Cudi said “I was thinking about this [...] wacky idea I had years ago. It would be cool to one day be a kindergartenteacher. Just do that for a couple years.”[6] On November 6,Cudi announced on Twitter he only has one more album left on his recording contract with Republic,revealing that he does not know what he will continue to do following the release.[7][8]
On March 8,2023,Cudi took to Instagram Live to continue to give updates regarding the album:“I’ve never made a project this powerful before in my life. And you know,sitting and listening to these mixes,I just know that this shit is going to move you. Y’all are going to fuck with this shit in such a major way,and I’m so fuckin’excited. I just want to get on here and let y’all know that I'm not gonna let y’all down. This is gonna be the album of the year right now. I'm not playing,this is not a fuckin’joke. Tell everybody you fuckin’know.”[9][10]
On May 7, 2023, during a Instagram Live stream, Cudi revealed despite previous statements, he would not be retiring from music yet, and confirmed this would not be his last album. In the same stream, Cudi noted this album is “probably the first album I’ve ever made where I’ve been truly 100% happy”.[12]
On August 14, Cudi posted a video on Instagram to give an update on the album, where he said “I feel very very fucking confident that y’all gonna love this shit. I need y’all to understand that for years I’ve been kind of making my music and staying to myself and just being my creative weird self. Now I’m competing. Now I’m entering the race. 15 years, I’ve been doing this shit a long time.”[13][14]
Recording and production
On May 20, 2021, Cudi previewed a song from an album he was working on via his Instagram story, unveiling a snippet of a song tentatively titled "Wow".[15][16] During his 2021 headlining performance at the Rolling Loud music festival, Cudi revealed intentions on releasing two full-length projects in 2022, with plans of releasing an album prior to Entergalactic "I have Entergalactic coming in the summer, and I wanna drop another album before that. I got some tasty surprises and I'm really excited about all this new shit, this new music, to give to you guys," he said before playing a recording of a song that has since been dubbed "Freshie", concluding with "That's why I'm teasing this shit now because it's coming out soon."[17][18] The songs "Wow" and "Freshie" were seemingly set to appear on the unreleased album before Entergalactic.[19]
In November 2022, during one of his To the Moon World Tour stops in Europe, Cudi debuted “Solo Dolo Pt. IV”. The song contains a sample of the original "Solo Dolo (Nightmare)" track, featured on his 2009 debut album, Man on the Moon: The End of Day, which in turn contains a sample of "The Traitor", performed by the Menahan Street Band. The production features enormous amounts of bass, something that the featured artist, fellow American rapper Playboi Carti, is known for.[20] “Solo Dolo Pt. II” appeared on Cudi's 2013 album Indicud, and “Solo Dolo, Pt. III” on his 2020 album Man on the Moon III: The Chosen. Cudi said that he currently has “one more” album in the process but that the fourth installment of his “Solo Dolo” series would be a single before that project comes out.[20] However, on May 15, 2023, Cudi revealed the song would not make the album due to Carti not clearing his feature.[21][22]
There were multiple blocks of time I was recordin. I started beginning of Jan 2021, recorded about 30 songs through out the year, scrapped them, then in the fall of 2022 made another 30. So I ended up being in a fuckin zone that second run and thats most of this album. Some songs made it from first round. Top of this year and last few months made another 10. Im finally finished. U will be happy. Made sure to only use the HEAT
On December 2, 2022, Cudi posted on Twitter that he's recorded more than enough material to release another project.[24] “11 songs in [five] days. My goal was to do a whole new album worth of songs this week. 12 was my goal. Might get 14,” he tweeted.[25]
On May 15, 2023, Cudi confirmed fellow American rappers Travis Scott and Young Thug, as guest appearances on the album.[26][22][27] In May 2023, American record producers BNYX and Keyon Christ respectively revealed they had worked on the album with Cudi.[28][29] The release of the song "Porsche Topless" as the first single, revealed the song was produced by BNYX, Jean Baptiste and Cudi himself.[30][31][32] In June 2023, Cudi previewed a song tentatively titled “Superboy”, which was also produced by BNYX. [33][34][35]
The listening party Cudi held in June, previewed several songs and revealed American rapper Wiz Khalifa was set to appear on the album.[36] On June 19, Cudi revealed he recorded songs with his longtime friend and collaborator, fellow American rapper Chip tha Ripper; together they are collectively known as the Almighty GloryUs.[37][38]
On July 29, 2023, Cudi made a appearance during American electro house DJ Steve Aoki's set at Tomorrowland, to preview a new collaboration of theirs, "ElectroWaveBaby 2.0," which was also co-produced by BNYX and Jean Stockton.[39] Cudi and Aoki previously collaborated in 2010 on the remix of Cudi’s diamond certified single, “Pursuit of Happiness”, on "Cudi the Kid" from Aoki’s debut album Wonderland (2012), and on “Burrow” from Cudi’s ninth album Entergalactic (2022).
In a August 15 tweet, Cudi revealed there would be more featured guests on the deluxe versions of the album.[40] Cudi would later nix the idea for multiple deluxe editions with different bonus tracks, in favor of releasing all the added tracks on one record, Insano (Nitro Mega). Nitro Mega would go on to include the aforementioned "Superboy" and "ElectroWaveBaby 2.0," as well as the Wiz Khalifa and Chip tha Ripper features.
Music and lyrics
Reviewing the album’s lead single "Porsche Topless", The Fader proclaimed, “Cudi celebrates the good times on his latest effort,” while Complex applauded its “bouncy production and a carefree hook.” Hypebeast christened it “a fun and upbeat summer anthem,” and Consequence of Sound dubbed it “a top-down, tunes-up party track.”[41]
Billboard called “Most Ain’t Dennis” a “braggadocios track in which the artist flexes his accolades and how his counterparts pale in comparison.”[42]HipHopDX wrote “Most Ain’t Dennis” evokes “Indicud tracks like “Burn Baby Burn” and “Lord of the Sad and Lonely” as it finds Cudder spitting menacing bars over distorted, speaker-rattling production.”[43]
Commenting on “Ill What I Bleed”, Billboard stated “Cudi dials down the temperature […] and provides more melodic flair than raps.”[42]HipHopDX called “Ill What I Bleed” a “festival-ready banger featuring a woozy, thumping beat and Auto Tune-tinged vocals from Cudi, who defiantly sings about surviving life’s trials and tribulations.”[43]
Release and promotion
On February 27, 2023, Cudi announced on Twitter his last contractual album with Republic Records would be released in autumn; adding that the rollout for the album will begin in the summer, with singles to be released.[44][45] A fan replied to his tweet and asked whether a concert tour is in his plans, to which Cudi confirmed he would be embarking on a world tour in 2024.[46] He would later say he planned on touring for at least five months.[47]
On March 8, Cudi took to Instagram Live to reveal the album's first single would be released on June 1.[48][49] He later revealed on Twitter he would be directing the music video for the album's first single.[50][51] On April 26, 2023, Cudi announced he would reveal the title of the album and release the lead single on June 2.[52] After unveiling behind the scenes photos of the music video for the first single,[53][54] on May 9, Cudi made the single available for pre-save on all streaming platforms.[55]
On May 19, through a post on TikTok, Cudi revealed the first single would be titled “Flex”, while previewing the song.[56] However, Cudi would later pivot and instead release "Porsche Topless" as the lead single on June 2.[57][58] The cover art for the single was designed by Cudi and American visual artist Glassface, who also helped produce the music video for “Flex” which was ultimately shelved.[59][60]
On June 2, after premiering the lead single and hosting a listening session with fans in Los Angeles, Cudi revealed the album would be titled Insano.[61][62] In June, Cudi announced he would be holding the second annual Moon Man's Landing festival; later unveiling the line-up to include $uicideboy$, Bashfortheworld, Chelsea Pastel, Coi Leray, Siena Bella and Lil Uzi Vert.[63] Cudi also revealed the location, confirming it would again take place in his hometown of Cleveland, on August 19, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.[64]
In July 2023, Cudi announced he would be embarking on a worldwide tour from April 2024 to November 2025.[65] He also revealed the album would have multiple deluxe editions.[66] During his headlining set for the HARD Summer music festival, after previewing five new songs from the album, Cudi revealed the album would be issued on September 15, the same date his 2009 debut album was released.[67][68]
On August 17, 2023, Cudi made the album available for pre-order and pre-save on streaming platforms; additionally he released merchandise in support of the album, consisting of short- and long-sleeve T-shirts and pullover hoodies—all of which feature graphics that reference the album. Cudi also unveiled four cover art variations that feature artwork by American designers KAWS and Glassface, respectively.[69][70]
On August 18, the Cleveland Guardians and Cudi announced their partnership for Kid Cudi Day on September 22, 2023. The event would be held at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio as the Guardians play host to the Baltimore Orioles. The event will be to celebrate the release of the album and honor the work Cudi has done for the Cleveland community.[71]
On September 4, Cudi announced he was pushing back the album’s release date to January 2024.[72][73] He claimed the delay was due to being a perfectionist and wanting to give the best version of the album.[74] Due to the delay, Cudi decided to release two promotional singles in support of the album, "Most Ain't Dennis" and "Ill What I Bleed" that day.[75] On November 3, 2023, he released the album's second single, "At the Party", which features fellow American musicians Travis Scott and Pharrell Williams, the latter of whom produced the song.
The album's finalized tracklist was unveiled on January 8, 2024.[76] In January 2024, massive statues sculptured in Kid Cudi's likeness began appearing in cities across the globe, namely Paris, Los Angeles and New York City. The statues of Cudi stood at approximately 33 feet tall, with red-purple lights blaring out of his eyes and a small spotlight out of his mouth. The sculpture situated in Paris played tracks from Insano, while the one in Los Angeles sailed around the Long Beach shoreline, Redondo Beach, Marina Del Rey, Santa Monica and Malibu; it was also "parked" in Alamitos Bay, Redondo Pier and Malibu Pier while it wasn't sailing.[77][78][79]
On March 6, 2024, Kid Cudi announced Insano: Engage the Rage World Tour. The tour would feature fellow American rappers EarthGang, Jaden Smith and Pusha T as opening acts. Cudi would embark on the tour on June 28, 2024.[80]
Insano was met with generally favorable reviews. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from professional publications, the album received an average score of 64, based on 7 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[81]HipHopDX's Sam Moore wrote that Kid Cudi "floats into a new space in what feels like an attempt to tap into the enormous market of close collaborator Travis Scott" and that the album "grasps the scattershot creative mind of Cudi as accurately as any of his other projects".[85] Reviewing the album for PopMatters, Igor Bannikov stated that Cudi "does his usual cosmic, moonish, entergalactic stuff in a relaxed, low-key manner, not aiming to make something iconic".[87] Robin Murray of Clash called the album a "lavish return" but felt that it "isn't perfect" and is "at times disjointed" with "a few tracks here that could have been excised without disrupting Kid Cudi's central narrative. 'Electrowavebaby' is fun but doesn't seem to add to his sound, while 'Mr Coola' feels a little dated".[83]Pitchfork's Dylan Green opined, "To its credit, Insano is trying to do something different—that different thing, however, is just having DJ Drama provide thin narrative window dressing to a spate of uninspired Kid Cudi songs".[86]
Commercial performance
Insano debuted at number 13 on the US Billboard 200 chart, became Cudi’s seventh US top-20 debut on the chart.[88] The album marking the third highest debut of the week and the fifth best-selling album of the week, with 8,500 sold. Of that sum, physical sales comprise 7,000 (about 5,500 on vinyl and 1,500 on CD) and digital downloads comprise 1,500. The album’s sales were enhanced by its availability across four vinyl variants and four CD editions.[89]
Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi, also known by his stage name Kid Cudi, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, and fashion designer. Born and raised in Cleveland, Cudi moved to New York City in pursuit of a musical career, where he first gained recognition for his song "Day 'n' Nite." Initially self-published on his MySpace page, the song became a hit online and served as a catalyst for Cudi to team up with record producers Plain Pat and Emile Haynie to record his first full-length project, a mixtape titled A Kid Named Cudi (2008). Its release helped Cudi rise to prominence and establish a fanbase, catching the attention of rapper Kanye West—who signed Cudi to his GOOD Music label by late 2008.
A Kid Named Cudi is the debut mixtape by American rapper Kid Cudi, released on July 17, 2008, by New York City streetwear brand 10.Deep, in conjunction with independent record label Fool's Gold Records. Considered his breakout project, the mixtape marked Cudi's first official release, issued prior to his debut album Man on the Moon: The End of Day (2009).
The discography of American rapper Kid Cudi consists of ten studio albums, one compilation album, one box set, three extended plays (EPs), one mixtape, 32 singles, eight promotional singles and 32 music videos, the details of which are included in his videography.
Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager is the second studio album by American rapper Kid Cudi. It was released on November 9, 2010, through Dream On and GOOD Music, and distributed by Universal Motown Records. It serves as a sequel to his debut studio album Man on the Moon: The End of Day (2009), and is the second installment of the Man on the Moon trilogy. Production for the album took place during 2009 to 2010 at various recording studios and was handled by long-time collaborators Emile Haynie and Plain Pat. It also featured contributions from Anthony Kilhoffer, Blended Babies, Chuck Inglish, Dot da Genius, Jim Jonsin, and Rami Beatz, among others. The album was supported by two singles: "Erase Me" and "Mr. Rager".
WZRD is an American alternative rock band and record production team composed of longtime friends and frequent collaborators Dot da Genius and Kid Cudi. Formed in New York City in 2010, Cudi originally named the band Wizard, inspired by British heavy metal band Black Sabbath's song of the same name. However, Cudi renamed the band on two occasions, the first being in April 2011 to 2 Be Continuum, explaining: "I needed something more original, something different...". The second time occurred in November 2011, to the band's current namesake. The eponymous debut album, WZRD, was released in February 2012, peaking at number three on the US Billboard 200 chart. The album was supported by the lead singles, "Brake" and "Teleport 2 Me, Jamie".
Indicud is the third studio album by American rapper Kid Cudi. It was released on April 16, 2013, by GOOD Music, Wicked Awesome Records, and Republic Records. It was the first album of Cudi's solo career to not be an installment of his Man on the Moon series. The album's cover artwork was designed by Kid Cudi himself, who also served as an executive producer of Indicud. It was Cudi's goal to make more uptempo and positive music with the album. He described it as a completely new format compared to his previous albums.
"King Wizard" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Kid Cudi, taken from his third studio album Indicud (2013). The song was officially released on December 18, 2012 as the album's second official single, along with its accompanying music video, which was directed by Cudi himself.
Satellite Flight: The Journey to Mother Moon is the fourth studio album by American musician Kid Cudi. The album, which was issued on February 25, 2014, with only few hours' notice, was first released to digital retailers by Wicked Awesome Records and Republic Records. The album features a sole guest appearance from Raphael Saadiq. Satellite Flight received generally mixed reception from music critics, although some praised the album for its production and surprise release strategy.
Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven is the fifth studio album by American musician Kid Cudi. The album was released on December 4, 2015, through Republic Records and Cudi's Wicked Awesome Records imprint. The album is a complete departure from his previous projects, excluding WZRD, a 2012 collaborative effort which was his first venture into rock music. Inspired by the 1990s indie music scene, Cudi included commissioned skits featuring Mike Judge voicing the titular characters of his '90s animated sitcom, Beavis and Butt-Head.
Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin' is the sixth studio album by American rapper Kid Cudi. The album was released on December 16, 2016, through Wicked Awesome Records and Republic Records. It succeeds Cudi's alternative rock album Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven (2015). The album features guest appearances from André 3000, Pharrell Williams, Travis Scott and Willow Smith. The production on the album was handled by Cudi himself, alongside Plain Pat, Mike Dean, Dot da Genius, Anthony Kilhoffer, Mike Will Made It and Pharrell Williams, among others.
Kids See Ghosts was an American hip-hop supergroup composed of musicians Kanye West and Kid Cudi. Formed in 2018 during West’s Wyoming sessions, the duo released their eponymous debut album in June of that year, through their respective label imprints, GOOD Music and Wicked Awesome Records. The album was met with critical acclaim, debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200, and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The duo disbanded in 2022 due to personal disagreements, and although they reconciled the following year, there has been no information regarding the duo's status.
Entergalactic is a 2022 adult animated music television special created by American musician and actor Kid Cudi, that serves as a visual companion piece to the album of the same name. Initially announced as a television series, in August 2022, Entergalactic was then redeveloped as a TV special. The special premiered on September 30, 2022, exclusively on Netflix, simultaneously with the album.
Man on the Moon III: The Chosen is the seventh studio album by American musician Kid Cudi, released on December 11, 2020 by Wicked Awesome Records and Republic Records. It is the final installment of Cudi's Man on the Moon trilogy of albums.
Kid Cudi is an American actor, producer, film composer, music video director and musician.
Entergalactic is the eighth studio album by American musician Kid Cudi. The album was issued on September 30, 2022, by Republic Records and Cudi's Wicked Awesome imprint. The album was released alongside its visual component, an adult animated special of the same name, starring Cudi, exclusively on Netflix.
The To the Moon World Tour was the fifth concert tour by American musician Kid Cudi. The excursion, which was his first tour in five years, also served as his first arena tour. The tour began in Portland on August 18, 2022 and concluded in Milan on November 22, 2022. The tour dates included 26 cities, on three continents.
"Porsche Topless" is a song by American musician Kid Cudi. It was first released on June 2, 2023, as the lead single for Cudi’s ninth solo album Insano (2024). The song was issued through Cudi's Wicked Awesome Records, an imprint of Republic Records.
"At the Party" is a song by American rapper Kid Cudi, released on November 3, 2023 as the lead single from Cudi's ninth studio album Insano (2024). The song features vocals from fellow American rappers Pharrell Williams and Travis Scott, with Williams on the chorus while Scott provides a verse. A alternative hip hop and trap record, it was produced by Williams and written by all, alongside American musician Dot da Genius.
Insano (Nitro Mega) is the tenth studio album by American musician Kid Cudi, released on February 23, 2024, through Wicked Awesome and Republic Records. It serves as a sequel to his ninth studio album Insano, released the previous month. The album features guest appearances from Wiz Khalifa, Chip tha Ripper, Pusha T, Steve Aoki, Lil Yachty, Layzie Bone, and Krayzie Bone. Production was primarily handled by record producers who had worked on Insano, such as Cudi and Lil Yachty themselves, alongside Anthony Kilhoffer, Justin Raisen, Jean-Baptiste, Dot da Genius, Sadpony, and Bnyx, among others.
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