Welcome to the World (T.I. song)

Last updated
"Welcome to the World"
Song by T.I. featuring Kanye West and Kid Cudi
from the album No Mercy
Recorded2010
Genre
Length4:14
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) West

"Welcome to the World" is a song by American rapper T.I. featuring fellow American rappers Kid Cudi and Kanye West. Produced by the latter, it is the first track from the former's seventh studio album No Mercy (2010). [1]

Contents

Background

The track leaked online on November 22, 2010, within the same week that West's fifth studio album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy was released. [2] T.I. was being held in a federal prison at the time of this leak. [3] In his appearance, West addresses the conspiracy theory of him being an Illuminati member when rapping: "People ask me shit about the Illuminati/First off, fuck that mean?/He loved Jesus when he was worse off, oh I see/When they think a nigga is stupid rich/People just start coming up with stupid shit". [4]

Critical reception

HipHopDX received the song negatively, describing it as being: 'not nearly as cordial an introduction as the title suggests, as T.I. and Kanye West sound like they're having a terrible day, and the listener is responsible and must bear the brunt of their respective wrath'. [5] However, USA Today had a more positive reception towards "Welcome to the World", describing it as a track that: 'opens the album with T.I.'s characteristic swagger'. [6]

When Complex listed the best collaborations between West and Cudi in August 2017, the song was positioned at number nine. [7]

Commercial performance

Upon the release of the featuring album, "Welcome to the World" peaked at number 17 on the US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100. [8]

Charts

Chart (2010)Peak
position
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles ( Billboard ) [9] 17

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GOOD Music</span> American record label

GOOD Music is an American independent record label founded by rapper Kanye West in 2004. The label signed an exclusive long-term worldwide label agreement with the Island Def Jam Music Group in 2011. In 2012, the label released its debut compilation album Cruel Summer. In 2015, Pusha T was appointed the president of the label by West, while record executive Steven Victor was appointed COO. On December 19, 2022, Pusha T announced that he was stepping down and was no longer on speaking terms with West.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kid Cudi</span> American rapper and singer (born 1984)

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, Ohio, Cudi moved to New York City in pursuit of a musical career, where he first gained major recognition following the release of his debut single "Day 'n' Nite", which he initially self-published on his MySpace page. The song became a worldwide hit and served as the catalyst for Cudi to team with American record producers Plain Pat and Emile Haynie, to record his first official full-length project, a mixtape titled A Kid Named Cudi (2008). The mixtape helped Cudi rise to prominence and establish a fan base, and it caught the attention of high-profile musician Kanye West, who subsequently signed Cudi to his GOOD Music label imprint by late 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paranoid (Kanye West song)</span> 2009 single by Kanye West featuring Mr Hudson

"Paranoid" is a song by American musician Kanye West from his fourth studio album, 808s & Heartbreak (2008). The song features vocals from English musician Mr Hudson and background vocals from American singer Kid Cudi. West handled the production, with co-production from Jeff Bhasker and Plain Pat. The song was written by the producers alongside Kid Cudi and American rapper Consequence. It was serviced to top 40 radio stations in the United States on March 23, 2009, as the fourth and final single from the album. An upbeat new wave track, the song features electronic drum effects and pop synths. Its lyrical content is centered around West being pushed away by the mistrustful thinking of a woman that he is in love with.

<i>Man on the Moon: The End of Day</i> 2009 studio album by Kid Cudi

Man on the Moon: The End of Day is the debut studio album by American rapper Kid Cudi. It was released on September 15, 2009, through Dream On, GOOD Music, and Universal Motown Records. A concept album, narrated by fellow American rapper Common, it follows the release of his first full-length project A Kid Named Cudi (2008), and is the first installment of the Man on the Moon trilogy. Production was handled by several high-profile record producers, including Kanye West, Emile Haynie, Plain Pat, and Jeff Bhasker, as well as contributions from Dot da Genius, Free School and The Kickdrums, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kid Cudi discography</span>

The discography of American rapper Kid Cudi consists of eight 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.

<i>Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager</i> 2010 studio album by Kid Cudi

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".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pusha T discography</span> Hip hop recording artist discography

The discography of American rapper Pusha T consists of four studio albums, one extended play (EP), two mixtapes, 53 singles, two promotional singles and 33 music videos.

"Gorgeous" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Kanye West from his fifth studio album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010). The track features a hook provided by Kid Cudi, a recording artist formerly signed to West's label GOOD Music, and a rap verse provided by the Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon. The song was written by West, Cudi, Raekwon, No I.D., Mike Dean and Rhymefest, and was produced by West, No I.D. and Dean. It contains elements of Enoch Light and the Glittering Guitars' cover version of The Turtles' song "You Showed Me". "Gorgeous" received mostly positive reviews from music critics, who generally praised the intricacy of the production, the quality of the guest features and the rock music inspired aesthetic of the song. Several critics cited West's verses as a highlight of the track, complimenting his lyricism and delivery.

"Soundtrack 2 My Life" is a song by American recording artist Kid Cudi, taken from his debut studio album Man on the Moon: The End of Day (2009). The lyrics were written by Cudi, while the music was written by American record producer Emile Haynie. The song’s music video, directed by Jason Goldwatch, was released in 2010.The song was the theme song to MTV's World of Jenks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercy (Kanye West song)</span> 2012 single by Kanye West

"Mercy" is a song by American rapper Kanye West featuring fellow American rappers Big Sean, Pusha T, and 2 Chainz. The song, released April 3, 2012 through GOOD Music and Def Jam, serves as the lead single from the compilation album Cruel Summer (2012). The song's production was handled by Lifted, with additional production from West, Mike Dean, and Mike Will Made It, and additional instrumentation from Hudson Mohawke. The song heavily samples the dancehall song "Dust a Sound Boy" by Super Beagle. The song received mostly positive reviews from music critics who praised the bombastic production, the varying quality of the verses, and the wordplay of the individual rappers. The song was featured on the soundtrack for NBA 2K13.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Just What I Am</span> 2012 single by Kid Cudi featuring King Chip

"Just What I Am" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Kid Cudi, released on October 2, 2012 as the lead single from his third studio album Indicud (2013). The song, produced by Cudi himself, features a guest verse from his frequent collaborator and fellow Cleveland-based rapper King Chip. Complex named the song #40 of the best 50 songs of 2012. As of January 26, 2016 "Just What I Am" has reached platinum status by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

"Father Stretch My Hands" are songs by American rapper Kanye West from his seventh studio album, The Life of Pablo (2016). They are split into two parts on the album: "Father Stretch My Hands, Pt. 1" and "Pt. 2". "Pt. 1" contains vocals by American rapper Kid Cudi and American R&B singer Kelly Price, while "Pt. 2" includes vocals from American rapper Desiigner, and American musician Caroline Shaw. Prior to release, the latter was played by West for Desiigner when the two met.

"Waves" is a song by American rapper and producer Kanye West from his seventh studio album, The Life of Pablo (2016), featuring vocals from American recording artists Chris Brown and Kid Cudi. It was positively received by music critics, generally for its theme and lyricism. West performed the track on multiple occasions during the Saint Pablo Tour. It charted in the United States, United Kingdom, Sweden, Ireland and Canada in 2016. A music video was recorded for it in April 2016, but West chose to never release it. The song, although not released as a single, was commercially successful, being certified 2× Platinum and Silver in the United States and United Kingdom respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kids See Ghosts</span> American hip hop duo

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 critically acclaimed, debuting 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.

"4th Dimension" is a song by American hip hop duo Kids See Ghosts, composed of the rappers Kanye West and Kid Cudi, from their eponymous debut studio album (2018). The song features a guest appearance from Louis Prima, who was credited as a featured artist due to his work being sampled. It was produced by West, with additional production from Mike Dean and Noah Goldstein. The producers co-wrote the song with Kid Cudi and Prima, with the latter of the two receiving credit as a result of it sampling music by him. A hip hop song, it samples Prima's "What Will Santa Claus Say " and Shirley Ann Lee's "Someday". Lyrically, the song features Kids See Ghosts presenting their thoughts to stop themselves from becoming worried.

"Cudi Montage" is a song by American hip hop duo Kids See Ghosts, composed of Kanye West and Kid Cudi, released as the final track on their eponymous debut studio album (2018). The song was produced by Kid Cudi and Dot da Genius, with co-production from Mike Dean. The song also features vocals from Mr Hudson. Dot da Genius recorded with Kids See Ghosts in 2018, and he recalled West as unifying him and Kid Cudi's musical interests. An electro-gospel track with rock influences, the song samples Kurt Cobain's unreleased track "Burn the Rain". In the lyrics of the song, Kids See Ghosts pledge to not repeat past mistakes.

"Guilt Trip" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Kanye West, from his sixth studio album Yeezus (2013). It was produced by West, Mike Dean, S1, with an additional production credit for Travis Scott and Ackeejuice Rockers for the samples of "Chief Rocka" by Lords of the Underground and "Blocka" by Pusha T featuring Popcaan and Travis Scott. The song's lyrics deal with looking back at a failed relationship, similar to fellow Yeezus track "Blood on the Leaves". West provides his vocals through rapping and singing through an Auto-Tune processor, reminiscent of his 2008 album 808s & Heartbreak. The song includes vocals from rapper Kid Cudi, who later expressed negative opinions about his feature due to his vocals being recorded years prior.

"New Body" is an unreleased song by American rapper Kanye West featuring vocals from Ty Dolla Sign and Nicki Minaj. It was originally slated to be included on West's album Yandhi which was never released. The song's original lyrics are about body shaming and the stigma surrounding plastic surgery. A reworked version of the song featuring Christian-themed lyrics was later previewed at listening parties for West's ninth studio album Jesus Is King (2019). In June 2020, Minaj stated that she would contact West about potentially releasing the song after its leaked version became viral on TikTok.

"Remote Control" is a song by American rapper Kanye West from his tenth studio album Donda (2021). The song, which features vocals from fellow American rapper Young Thug, was produced by West alongside Cubeatz, Digital Nas, Ojivolta, 88-Keys, Mike Dean and Teddy Walton.

"Life of the Party" is a song by American rappers Kanye West and André 3000. It was intended for West's tenth studio album Donda (2021), but was left off the album due to André 3000 not agreeing to his verse being edited to a clean version. The song was later leaked by Canadian rapper Drake on Sound 42 radio amidst a feud with West. It was initially released as an exclusive to the Donda Stem Player in October 2021. The song was released fully in November 2021 on the deluxe version of Donda, and an explicit version as a single.

References

  1. Credits: No Mercy. Allmusic. Retrieved on 2018-10-27.
  2. "Kanye West and Kid Cudi Guest on New T.I. Leak, "Welcome to the World"". Rolling Stone . Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  3. "New Music: T.I. feat. Kanye West, Kid Cudi: "Welcome To The World"". Vibe . Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  4. "9 Rappers Accused of Being In The Illuminati". Complex . Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  5. "T.I. - No Mercy". HipHopDX . 6 December 2010. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  6. "Listen Up: T.I., Daft Punk, Natasha Bedingfield, more". USATODAY.com . Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  7. "Best Kid Cudi And Kanye West Collaborations". Complex . Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  8. "T.I. Chart History". Billboard . Retrieved October 27, 2018.
  9. "T.I. Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 27, 2018.