Throwback Write-Up #12: Kid Cudi - A Kid Named Cudi - HipHop | HipHop Channel

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Throwback Write-Up #12: Kid Cudi - A Kid Named Cudi - HipHop

Throwback Write-Up #12: Kid Cudi - A Kid Named Cudi - HipHop

Throwback Write-Up #12: Kid Cudi - A Kid Named Cudi

Posted: 16 Jun 2020 12:41 PM PDT

Artist: Kid Cudi

Album: A Kid Named Cudi

Label: Released in collaboration between 10.Deep and Fool's Gold

Date Released: July 17, 2008

Listen:

Datpiff

Youtube

Background

In 2008, as economies around the world buckled under the weight of a crippling recession, there emerged a renewed interest in popular media that spoke to the fears and anxieties that gripped the West; Art that channeled the sadness and disillusionment stirring within a war-fatigued public. Perhaps hearing this call, a Cleveland-transplant emerged from the murky, camouflaged depths of a New York BAPE store through a chance encounter with Kanye West, to release a mixtape that would transform hip-hop's mainstream landscape.

Self-styled as a "leader of the delinquents", Scott Mescudi, better known as Kid Cudi, drew on influences ranging from A Tribe Called Quest, Outkast, and fellow Ohio-native Camu Tao, to Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, and Paul Simon in the craft of his debut effort. Never too concerned with the technical side of rap, Cudi distanced himself from his peers with his take on melodically-driven rap that was first pioneered by artists such as Max B and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. Paired with simplistic lyrics, and a reluctance to heed the criticism that surrounds his work, Cudi now sits atop a discography decorated with far more adoration than accolades.

But as a sort of hip-hop romanticist, Cudi's focus has been, and seemingly always will be on the emotion his music carries and conjures in his listeners - the fruits of which seem to be in bloom if the words of SNL's Pete Davidson are any evidence:

"He saved my life. I would've killed myself if I didn't have Kid Cudi. If you're 25 and under, I truly believe that Kid Cudi saved your life." The comedian continued, "I truly believe if Man on the Moon didn't come out, I wouldn't be here."

"It's comforting to know your hero goes through the same stuff you do," Davidson said while relating Cudi's experience to one faced by Davidson and other Millennials. "I think that's why a lot of kids my age can relate to Cudi and people love him so much is because he's a very emotional dude, and he saves all of us."

Review

A Kid Named Cudi was a dazzling debut that would reveal just how much more would be in store from Scott Mescudi. Sitting at roughly 49 minutes of track time, the album lays out a value proposition for Cudi's place in hip-hop's pantheon (demonstrating at least enough worth to catch the ear of Kanye West and net Cudi a place amongst West's Good Music roster.) Cudi's performance throughout the album rests on a bed of diverse instrumentals, pulled from the likes of Band of Horses, Nosaj Thing, J Dilla, and Paul Simon, and from longtime collaborators Plain Pat, Emile Haynie, and Dot da Genius.

The album leads with a skit built from the chatter of a restless theater eager for the start of a movie, an indication of the scenes and pictures Cudi will attempt to paint throughout the course of the album. From here, we move into the album's opening cuts of music.

This is my story, this is my song / If you feel it, motherfucker, you can't go wrong

--

Now do you want to be him? Think twice / You'd commit suicide trying to read my mind

Over Outkast's bouncy "Chonkyfire", Cudi builds the first few components of his persona in Down & Out: a lost, substance abuser at war with himself. The song itself is fairly simple in both lyricism and structure, but in my opinion, it works in allowing Cudi space to really showcase those punchy syllables and sweet little melodies without drawing away too much attention.

Following this introduction of sorts, we dive into Is There Any Love and CuDi Get - two tracks built to allow Cudi to flex and dabble in more traditional rap tropes. Is There any Love samples Trevor Dandy's "Is There Any Love" and features Wale (who comes through with a strong verse (Sidenote - I really love Wale's whispered doubles)), and CuDi Get samples J Dilla's "Wild".

In Man On The Moon (The Anthem), Cudi utilizes Nosaj Thing's "Aquarium" to begin to highlight all that separates him from his peers:

All I do is try to make it simple / The ones that make it complicated / Never get congratulated / I'm something different, all aspects

One of the more structurally complex songs on the record, Nosaj Thing's tender, sleepy instrumental, perfectly carries Cudi's vocals, collecting into a hazy mist of loneliness and alienation for The Prayer to draw on.

And if I die before I wake / I pray the Lord, my soul, to take / But please don't cry / Just know that I have made these songs for you

I really love the contrast between Cudi's impassioned delivery of the chorus, and his marching, low-key delivery of the verses - it creates an explosive release that makes the chorus so much more powerful. Band of Horses' "The Funeral" serves as the bedrock of the song, and the flourishes added (like the twinkling synth line during the chorus) really help ground it inside the tracklist. From here, we move into a song that Cudi's success can perhaps be in-part attributed to, Day N' Nite.

In Cudi's words:

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.'

Also partly inspired by Geto Boys' "Mind Playing Tricks On Me", Day N' Nite features a very minimalistic instrumental that truly allows Cudi's hooks time to breathe and shine. I love everything about this song - from the swirling pads to the reverbed vocal sample that plays during the verses. This song is the perfect example of "less is more".

Next, we're greeted by the buzzing synths and driving beat of Embrace The Martian, a stark contrast to the slow, brooding tracks before it. Together with Maui Wowie, Cudi's knack for coming up with catchy earworms is made all too clear.

50 Ways To Make A Record further showcases Cudi's versatility. Composed of 2 sung verses, the song is perhaps the loosest structurally, but is one of the most interesting within the tracklisting in my opinion. (To be honest, I'm also still surprised by how good Cudi's voice sounds - it's very tender and sweet.)

50 Ways transitions into Whenever, a song that is incredibly beautiful despite Cudi's off-key vocals (which I actually really like in the context of the song.) I really love the percussion and the swelling strings buried under that odd-little synth lead.

Pillow Talk is fairly self-explanatory and serves as an opportunity for Cudi to continue sound-searching. Not as well-executed as the tracks that surround it, but I personally think this experiment paid off solely due to the fact that this was likely a precursor to Enter Galatic.

Save My Soul (The CuDi Confession) is a dreary departure that uses "Who's Gonna Save My Soul" by Gnarles Barkley as a base for Cudi to refocus the album around the narrative established in the first few tracks, before bridging into the groovy T.G.I.F.

Back in Shaker bitches, trynna play me to the left / Now I pick the hoes that I want and give my niggas what is left / I don't know if it's the name or the Bape gum bottoms / Keep them on salute them 501's you can't knock 'em

Easily one of my favorite tracks on the album, T.G.I.F. features two great performances from Cudi and King Chip (formerly known as Chip The Ripper). I especially love some of Cudi's flows - they're super tight and get into a really interesting pocket (particularly the lines in the quoted text.) The percussion is relatively simple but remarkably effective at creating a head-nodding bounce; a feature that makes it a perfect segue into the punchy, Neptunes produced CuDi Spazzin'.

Using N.E.R.D's Spaz, a track I absolutely love, Cudi takes an opportunity to rap in a more traditional style. I love how Cudi repurposed the bridge from the original to construct a hook on top of (I actually almost like Cudi's hook more than the original.) From here, we jump into another one of my favorite tracks: Cleveland Is The Reason. This shit is so fucking smooth, really love what Cudi and Dot da Genius pulled off here. Again, the drums are super simple but really effective in building a groove.

And with that, we move into Heaven At Nite, a song that samples "Tacobel Canon" by Ratatat. While this song only features a single verse, its probably the most interesting to me out of the whole tracklisting. I love how Cudi pairs the sing-songy chorus with a twinkling, nocturnal instrumental - it creates such a tangible sense of eerieness and unease. It's the perfect send-off for an album that feels like a slow march into self-destruction.

Final Thoughts

As a black kid that grew up in the south, this album, together with MOTM, helped change my life. I can't describe how amazing it felt to see another black man willing to be so open and honest about mental health. It helped me overcome so many issues I was dealing with at the time, and I can't praise it enough. I know it's nowhere near perfect, but that's exactly why I love it.

Discussion Questions:

What are your favorite songs on this album?

How does this album stack-up against the rest of Cudi's discography?

How has the material on this album aged? Would this album be better-received today?

What were your initial thoughts and reactions to this album? How have they changed over time?

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Daily Discussion Thread 06/16/2020

Posted: 16 Jun 2020 08:09 AM PDT

Welcome to the /r/hiphopheads daily discussion thread!

This thread is for:

  • objective questions with right/wrong answers (e.g. "Does anyone know what is happening with MIXTAPE?", "What is the sample in SONG?")
  • general hip-hop discussion
  • meta posts...e.g. ideas for the sub

Thread Guidelines

  • Do not create a separate self post for these types of discussions outside of this thread - if you do, your post will be removed, as stated in the guidelines.

  • Please be helpful and friendly.

  • If a question has been asked many times before, provide a link to a thread that contains the answer.

Weekly/Monthly Threads

Other ways to interact

There are a number of other ways to interact with other members of HHH:

New to /r/hiphopheads or hip-hop in general?

Check out these:

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T-Pain decides to take all his beats he's been making on stream, and give them to the community

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Absolut Vodka - Be Kanye commercial (2008) a classic piece of TV history everyone should see

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New Boldy James & Sterling Toles Album "Manger on McNichols" dropping July 22

Posted: 16 Jun 2020 06:52 PM PDT

https://www.fatbeats.com/products/boldy-james-sterling-toles-manger-on-mcnichols-lp

https://sector7grecordings.bandcamp.com/album/manger-on-mcnichols

Tracklist:

1. Medusa
2. Welcome to 76
3. Detroit River Rock
4. B.B. Butcher
5. Middle of Next Month
6. The Safe (the womb)
7. Mommy Dearest (a eulogy)
8. Birth of Bold (the christening)
9. Requiem
10. Why Are You In Her(e)?
11. Got Flicked (the rebirth) feat. Louie P. Newton

Sterling Toles is a Detroit producer.

submitted by /u/tvanek26
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Pop Smoke’s store reveals posthumous album title and merch (LP/CD/APPAREL)

Posted: 16 Jun 2020 06:34 AM PDT

Posthumous album title is "Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon".

LP

CD

APPAREL

submitted by /u/jrmio
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Billboard Hot 100 Discussion - June 14-20 2020

Posted: 16 Jun 2020 09:21 AM PDT

Billboard Hot 100 chart

Position Title Artist ▲/▼ Last week Weeks Charting Peak
1 Rockstar DaBaby Featuring Roddy Ricch - 1 8 1
2 Savage Megan Thee Stallion Featuring Beyonce - 2 13 1
3 Blinding Lights The Weeknd - 3 28 1
4 Say So Doja Cat Featuring Nicki Minaj - 4 23 1
5 Intentions Justin Bieber Featuring Quavo ▲+3 8 18 5
6 Toosie Slide Drake - 6 10 1
7 Roses SAINt JHN ▲+3 10 12 7
8 Don't Start Now Dua Lipa ▼-1 7 32 2
9 The Box Roddy Ricch - 9 27 1
10 Rain On Me Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande ▼-5 5 3 1
11 Circles Post Malone - 11 41 1
12 Blueberry Faygo Lil Mosey ▲+3 15 18 12
13 The Bones Maren Morris ▲+1 14 38 12
14 Adore You Harry Styles ▼-2 12 27 6
15 Life Is Good Future Featuring Drake ▼-2 13 22 2
16 Whats Poppin Jack Harlow ▲+5 21 18 16
17 Falling Trevor Daniel ▲+1 18 30 17
18 I Hope Gabby Barrett ▲+1 19 24 16
19 Sunday Best Surfaces ▲+1 20 15 19
20 Stuck With U Ariana Grande & Justin Bieber ▼-3 17 5 1
21 Party Girl StaySolidRocky ▲+5 26 7 21
22 Chasin' You Morgan Wallen ▼-6 16 20 16
23 Death Bed Powfu Featuring beabadoobee ▲+1 24 13 23
24 High Fashion Roddy Ricch Featuring Mustard ▼-1 23 24 20
25 The Scotts THE SCOTTS, Travis Scott & Kid Cudi ▼-3 22 7 1
26 Break My Heart Dua Lipa ▲+3 29 11 21
27 Before You Go Lewis Capaldi ▲+1 28 19 27
28 Does To Me Luke Combs Featuring Eric Church ▼-3 25 13 20
29 Watermelon Sugar Harry Styles ▲+11 40 12 29
30 Hard To Forget Sam Hunt - 30 11 30
31 I Hope You're Happy Now Carly Pearce & Lee Brice ▼-4 27 23 27
32 Memories Maroon 5 - 32 38 2
33 Be Kind Marshmello & Halsey ▲+3 36 6 29
34 We Paid Lil Baby & 42 Dugg ▲+21 55 6 34
35 After A Few Travis Denning ▼-4 31 11 31
36 Everything I Wanted Billie Eilish ▲+2 38 31 8
37 Go Crazy Chris Brown & Young Thug ▲+13 50 5 37
38 Nobody But You Blake Shelton Duet With Gwen Stefani ▼-3 35 22 18
39 One Margarita Luke Bryan ▲+5 44 6 39
40 My Oh My Camila Cabello Featuring DaBaby ▼-6 34 27 12
41 Heartless Diplo Presents Thomas Wesley Featuring Morgan Wallen ▼-2 39 20 39
42 Supalonely BENEE Featuring Gus Dapperton ▲+1 43 13 39
43 Gooba 6ix9ine ▼-6 37 5 3
44 Walk Em Down NLE Choppa Featuring Roddy Ricch ▲+1 45 12 44
45 Bluebird Miranda Lambert ▲+1 46 10 45
46 Hot Girl Bummer blackbear ▲+1 47 39 11
47 Emotionally Scarred Lil Baby ▲+5 52 15 31
48 Dior Pop Smoke ▲+6 54 17 30
49 Here And Now Kenny Chesney ▼-1 48 10 48
50 Dance Monkey Tones And I ▼-1 49 36 4
51 Beer Can't Fix Thomas Rhett Featuring Jon Pardi - 51 13 36
52 Chicago Freestyle Drake Featuring Giveon ▲+7 59 6 14
53 If The World Was Ending JP Saxe Featuring Julia Michaels ▲+5 58 11 53
54 In Your Eyes The Weeknd ▼-1 53 12 16
55 Out West JACKBOYS Featuring Young Thug ▲+6 61 22 38
56 I Love My Country Florida Georgia Line ▲+6 62 8 56
57 After Party Don Toliver - 57 8 57
58 Be A Light Thomas Rhett Featuring Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin & Keith Urban ▲+2 60 10 58
59 Flex Polo G Featuring Juice WRLD ▼-3 56 4 30
60 Die From A Broken Heart Maddie & Tae ▲+10 70 9 60
61 P*$$y Fairy (OTW) Jhene Aiko ▲+7 68 21 40
62 Believe It PARTYNEXTDOOR & Rihanna ▲+1 63 11 23
63 In Between Scotty McCreery ▲+6 69 9 63
64 Otherside Of America Meek Mill ▲+37 [FRESH] 1 64
65 God Whispered Your Name Keith Urban ▲+6 71 8 65
66 Yo Perreo Sola Bad Bunny ▲+1 67 13 53
67 Ride It. Regard ▼-2 65 9 62
68 X Jonas Brothers Featuring Karol G ▲+4 72 4 33
69 Daisies Katy Perry ▲+5 74 4 40
70 Level Of Concern twenty one pilots ▼-6 64 9 23
71 Don't Rush Young T & Bugsey Featuring Headie One ▲+8 79 5 71
72 Need It Migos Featuring YoungBoy Never Broke Again ▲+4 76 3 62
73 Dollaz On My Head Gunna Featuring Young Thug - 73 3 38
74 Drinking Alone Carrie Underwood ▲+3 77 6 74
75 Righteous Juice WRLD - 75 7 11
76 Got What I Got Jason Aldean ▲+2 78 2 76
77 Tell Me U Luv Me Juice WRLD & Trippie Redd ▼-36 41 2 41
78 One Big Country Song LOCASH ▲+4 82 2 78
79 Like That Doja Cat Featuring Gucci Mane ▲+13 92 2 79
80 Deep End Freestyle Sleepy Hallow ▲+21 [FRESH] 1 80
81 Grace Lil Baby & 42 Dugg ▲+4 85 12 48
82 Sour Candy Lady Gaga & BLACKPINK ▼-49 33 2 33
83 Why We Drink Justin Moore ▲+4 87 2 83
84 Girl Of My Dreams Rod Wave ▲+7 91 4 84
85 Cool Again Kane Brown ▲+16 [FRESH] 2 68
86 Turks NAV, Gunna & Travis Scott ▲+3 89 11 17
87 One Beer HARDY Featuring Lauren Alaina & Devin Dawson ▲+10 97 2 87
88 July Noah Cyrus & Leon Bridges ▲+10 98 14 85
89 Cooler Than A Bitch Gunna Featuring Roddy Ricch ▼-8 81 3 41
90 Mamacita Black Eyed Peas, Ozuna + J.Rey Soul ▲+11 [FRESH] 1 90
91 All In Lil Baby ▲+8 99 6 45
92 That Way Lil Uzi Vert ▲+2 94 12 20
93 One Night Standards Ashley McBryde ▲+8 [FRESH] 1 93
94 One Of Them Girls Lee Brice ▼-4 90 2 90
95 Hard Days Brantley Gilbert ▲+6 [FRESH] 1 95
96 Catch Brett Young ▲+5 [FRESH] 17 29
97 ily surf mesa Featuring Emilee ▼-1 96 3 96
98 21 Polo G ▲+3 [FRESH] 3 62
99 Trillionaire Future Featuring YoungBoy Never Broke Again ▼-4 95 4 34
100 Worldwide Beautiful Kane Brown ▲+1 [FRESH] 1 100

Billboard 200 chart

Position Title Artist Sales Change Last week Weeks Charting
1 My Turn Lil Baby 64,432 (320 pure) +4% 3 15
2 Chromatica Lady Gaga 63,856 (29,591 pure) -77% 1 2
3 Wunna Gunna 39,865 (329 pure) -17% 4 3
4 High Off Life Future 39,047 (193 pure) -19% 5 4
5 Dark Lane Demo Tapes Drake 39,175 (308 pure) -4% 6 6
6 BLAME IT ON BABY DaBaby 37,711 (299 pure) -1% 9 8
7 The GOAT Polo G 36,145 (130 pure) -8% 7 4
8 Hollywood's Bleeding Post Malone 35,661 (1,001 pure) +0% 12 40
9 Eternal Atake Lil Uzi Vert 34,329 (422 pure) -1% 13 14
10 After Hours The Weeknd 34,827 (3,008 pure) -4% 11 12

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Why is X artist higher than Y artist on the 200 chart, even though X artist sold less?

A: This is because of a discrepancy between Billboard's ranking and the ranking from the website that the sales data is scraped from

Q: Where do you get the sales data from?

A: https://hitsdailydouble.com/sales_plus_streaming

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