I'm always curious about the creative process, and that goes double when details are revealed about my favorite album of 2013 (yup, that's right), Indicud. In a new interview with MTV, Kid Cudi discusses producing collabs with two of the game's hottest emcees right now: Kendrick Lamar & A$AP Rocky.
“Aside from the fact that they’re dope, I was really inspired to work with [Kendrick and A$AP] because I love their sound, and when you hear something new, you [think], ‘I wonder what my sound would be like with that.’ That’s how I think about features. Fusing two artists’ sound in a way where it makes sense and brings out this ‘super song’; that’s what I was trying to accomplish.”
On "Solo Dolo Pt. II":
Cudi also recalled that when Kendrick showed up at the studio — “he came in there f—ing ready to go. He came in there so ready to go, he was excited. I was so humbled by the fact that [Kendrick] was such a big fan of mine because sometimes I just feel out of touch with the new generation,” the 29-year old admitted. “I’m not even that old, but I was away for a while and it’s just really exciting for me to see the love from somebody like Kendrick who’s in a space where he’s just beasting and killing it.”The focus was on producing the record for Kendrick,” Cudi added. “I wanted to shine as a producer first. I wanted to show that side off more than anything else and that’s why I had my one verse then let Kendrick go ape-sh– crazy all over the rest of it.”
On "Brothers":
“I felt like that was a perfect beat for A$AP to get on there and speak some truths and talk to the younger generation, because he’s in a place where a lot of kids are up to him and Kendrick,” the Indicud MC said. “I just wanted to hear him say something a little bit more thoughtful, and he did that — he showed up. I was blown away by his craftsmanship, his professionalism and his overall mojo.”
Awesome. Love that last intention of wanting A$AP to push that boundary lyrically, and the more I listen to his verse on "Brothers", the more I dig it. This interview inspires yet another late night rotation of Indicud. A dope album to cop — get with it!
In case you missed, not one, not two, not three, *LeBron voice* but seven new covers of Complex from Rihanna yesterday - well, here's one more to boot. It's not of her, but of Kid Cudi, who will share cover duty with Rihanna on the flip side of their upcoming February/March issue.
Per usual with Complex covers, you get some strikingly powerful imagery. You can also read the cover story, entitled "Life After Death" here.
Last night, Kid Cudi went to Twitter to express his frustration at the lack of radio play for singles "King Wizard" and "Just What I Am" - citing its strong online views - and subsequent lack of support from his label.
For some behind the scenes insight, the labels primarily push singles to your favorite radio station and that's why you'll see such disconnect sometimes between artist and label. Another example is when the label pushes an artist for a radio-friendly single, which led to such tension between Atlantic and Lupe Fiasco around the release of Lasers.
Back to Cudder's case, you gotta first admire that he does care so much about getting his art out there and receiving the support he feels was mutually agreed upon by his label. If anything, this should only inspire his fans to drive more traffic to the singles and Cudi's music online. Thankfully, the transition of the music industry to the digital realm is becoming more and more mainstream.
Watch those videos to "King Wizard" and "Just What I Am" f/ King Chiphere and here.
Slightly misleading because it's featuring a few recycled vocals from Kid Cudi over some old Dr. Dre production. Sounds like a poor mix, but fans of Jaden (and that picture) might enjoy this one...
Kid Cudi always breaks his news via Twitter and today was filled with a mix of informative and fun tidbits after the release of his "King Wizard" music video. For starters, we can expect to hear Indicud this March, which I know will be here soon enough.
As I creeped scrolled down his Twitter feed, I saw a few fun tweets talking more in-depth about the video and the artwork for the "scooby snack" above. To top things off, my personal synchronicity to Cud's Twitter feed was ignited by a sudden urge to press play on a Kid Cudi playlist on shuffle in iTunes.
Ok so I know I said I was going to be doing my Top 5 songs of the week every Tuesday but things were kind of heavy the past two days but I'm back on top of my game. I'm still going to be using the same time frame of Monday to Moday so that I not cheating. So that being said lets get into it.
I really like the vibe that I got from this song when I first heard it on Fabolous The Soul Tape. It was real chill but at the same time I was still able to give a strong head nod. Minus Fab the song is still pretty dope.
So every song that Big Boi has released leading up to Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors has made its way to my Top 5 songs list and this one is no different. I really rock with this beat, Big Boi killed his verses as he usually does, and Cudi really sounded like the Cudi from his first album which was the best Cudi to me.
First I want to give a shout out to Jamie Foxx for the production. This beat is crazy and I honestly would never expect this from Jamie Foxx. Rick Ross complimented the beat very well and made the overall song that much better. Looking forward to hearing the entire soundtrack.
This is my curve ball of the week. I not really into much of the "Drill" music but when I heard this it sounded more like it meant something to Durk. He wasn't just rapping over the beat but instead telling the personal story of Lil Durk. Need more like this from him.
This is the song that I probably only listen to when I'm driving my car or after a few drinks in the club. I have to be in a certain mood to really enjoy this but when I'm in that mood this will be my shit.
So that this week Top 5. Sorry about the delay and as always feel free to comment. Two fingers to the side.
Cudi just revealed the name and some insight into his upcoming 2nd single off Indicud, titled "Immortal". Lookin' forward to the self-produced jam from Cudi, especially given the notion of empowerment as the song's theme. Comin' soon it seems...
