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Kid Cudi made his way to the rap/hip-hop scene in a big way this year. Working with big-name artists like Kanye West and Common, Kid Cudi released his debut album “Man on the Moon: The End of Day.” The first single off the album, “Day ’n’ Night,” made the Billboard top ten charts for the hip-hop/rap category. With a beat similar to that of “Such Great Heights” by The Postal Service, Cudi talks about a lonely stoner who wants a girl who doesn’t seem to want him back. More than 11 remixes have been made from the song, which is ripe with pop culture references such as HBO show “Entourage” and the Playstation 3 game “Midnight Club: L.A.”
Many drug references are scattered throughout “Man on the Moon.” He makes references to smoking and possessing marijuana. In the song “Pursuit of Happiness” he opens with: “Crush a bit, little bit, / roll it up, take a hit / feelin’ lit / feelin’ light / 2 a.m. / summer night.”
Anyone can tell his lyrics are fairly juvenile, but many of his choruses are complex and catchy. Mushrooms are mentioned in the song “Soundtrack 2 My Life” where he says: “Split an eighth / so I can see the universe.” It’s not the singing about drugs or the catchy choruses that make this rookie album phenomenal; it’s his defiance of sticking to a certain genre.
Kid Cudi’s songs are all different. In songs like “Make Her Say,” he raps with Kanye, but in other songs such as “Soundtrack to My Life” and “Solo Dolo,” he sings softly — sometimes rhyming. His beats are trippy to say the least, which is a perk for most people. The beats are electronic, making it prime for clubs and experimental music lovers. Cudi has a wide fan base due to his influences from techno, electronic, trip-hop, hip-hop and psychedelic music. Most of the songs on the album are produced by the well-known producer Emile, who is responsible for producing songs for artists such as Raekwon, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube and Obie Trice. Cudi himself co-produced his single “Day ‘n’ Night.” Kanye, whose label Cudi is currently signed to, produced the songs “Make Her Say” featuring Lady GaGa and “Sky Might Fall.” Electronic rock artists and producers Ratatat produced the majority of the remaining songs on the album.
Cudi, born Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi, is from Cleveland, Ohio. He is a mixture of Mexican, African-American and Native American heritage. Like Kanye, he is a college drop out. Cudi studied film at The University Of Toledo in Ohio before dropping out. He then moved to Brooklyn, N.Y., to pursue a career of music. While in Brooklyn he released a mixtape titled “A Kid Named Cudi” that got him signed.
Perhaps what’s best about this CD is that it’s original. It’s not just for hip-hop fans. Fans of all music genres can appreciate this album for its lyrical content, experimental concepts, its sci-fi mood and Cudi’s singing.
Grade: A
