Kid Cudi has engraved his name as an artist who was unapologetically different, yet somehow still went on to grow a cult-like following and become one of the music industries greatest pioneers. Being one of the most widely evolving genres it’s incredible how Kid Cudi was able to stay relevant in the rap scene for so long, not to mention how many artists he has inspired on a level that goes above and beyond just a musical aspect. We give you an insight into the impact Kid Cudi has made in the rap industry, and just how much of a pioneer he really is.
Cudi himself has always been one to break boundaries and has never been bound by the norms of his genre. With his innate ability to rap, sing and produce, not to mention having an insane knack for creating melodies, Cudi has proved why his plethora of skills earn him a spot in Hip-hops hall of fame. To date Cudi has released a total of 6 studio albums and 29 singles. The release of his mixtape ‘A Kid Named Cudi’ in 2008 caught the eye of Kanye West who then flew him out to meet him. Kanye’s ‘808s and Heartbreaks’ was born after much collaboration with Kid Cudi on the lyrical and producing end of the project, which gained him accreditation on the 2009 ‘Soul Train award’ nominated album. Cudi gave Kanye the much-needed direction for his album, it was something he’d been envisioning but didn’t quite know how to execute until he heard Cudi’s breakout album. Cudi further proved his relevance in 2009 after the release of his debut album ‘Man on the Moon: The End of Day’ on September 15th, which later became two times platinum. It was released under Kanye’s G.O.O.D Music and peaked at #4 on the Billboard charts, spending 78 weeks on the chart in total. The album received rave reviews from listeners highlighting its chilled atmosphere, soulful direction, and psychedelic vibe. Inversely the worst reviews were from music critics, who mainly emphasized the repetitive instrumentals and lyrics they argued had a lack of depth, but this didn’t stop it from being one of the most well-received albums of the genre.
In many ways, Kid Cudi has definitely inspired some of the industries ‘new age’ talent. This is evident not only in the style of some artists music but also in their own statements. Lil Yacthy, Kyle, Logic and Ski Mask the Slump God are all examples of rappers who stated Cudi as an inspiration in their music some way or another, and if those names weren’t already unexpected we have one more. The most notable follower of Cudi would have to be Travis Scott. In popular interviews with both MTV and Complex, Travis stated that Cudi’s music helped teach him how to express himself, and stated that Cudi was the reason he was able to stay on the right path throughout his teen years. In his interview with Rolling Stone Travis revealed that his first time meeting Cudi was when he met Kanye, immediately setting a bar of where he wanted to be in a career. It wasn’t until 2016 when the two eventually collaborated on a track entitled ‘Through the Night’ for Travis’s album ‘Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight’. A dream collaboration indeed for the young star who on multiple occasions described Cudi as his idol.
Kid Cudi’s fear of showing his vulnerability encouraged him to use music as a means to relay his emotions, pain, and feelings most people haven’t learned how to express. The emotion Cudi’s music evokes in people is what draws them, allowing an avenue to relate to someone who seemingly knows exactly what your going through. Cudi’s dark experiences resonate with his audience, ultimately more than Cudi himself anticipated it would.
Breaking into the scene after a single mixtape and virtually no prior commercial coverage is a phenomenon that was not as prominent in the industry before 2010. This shows us the level of talent Kid Cudi had honed since his love for music had begun. His ability to be relatable in his sadness, and show listeners that it’s okay to ‘feel’ is a process that well describes Cudi’s place in Hip-hop. With his ongoing trend of inspiring the industries artists and fans alike, it’s clear to see why Kid Cudi is truly a pioneer in the music industry.
