Kid Cudi’s name could easily reside among the great modern hip-hop artists. Thanks to his relatable lyrics, immersive sound and honesty about mental health struggles, Cudi inspired a wave of emo-rappers. He’s stood the test of time in a turbulent musical era by staying grounded in himself. His evolving style has come with backlash, but we can’t deny the weight of his contributions to hip-hop.
A new conversation on Cudi’s body of work comes as the result of Pitchfork’s recently published list of albums they decided deserved re-scoring. Cudi fans questioned why The Man On The Moon: The End of the Day was not one of them. The monumental 2009 album, which featured classics like “Day ‘N’ Nite” and “Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare),” received a dismal 4.1/10 from Pitchfork upon its release. But when a fan expressed frustration on Twitter over no new score, Cudi assured them he’s not bothered.
Pitchfork has never givin me good ratings, and here we are, years later and im still here. Its ok man. They dont need to change it. The entire world knows, even my haters, that this album was the one that changed hip hop forever. https://t.co/NBbSg0uMoY
— The Chosen One (@KiDCuDi) October 5, 2021
“Pitchfork has never givin me good ratings, and here we are, years later and I’m still here. Its ok man. They don’t need to change it,” Cudi wrote in response to a fan’s tweet criticizing the album’s score. “The entire world knows, even my haters, that this album was the one that changed hip hop forever.”
Kid Cudi: Influencing The Culture
Today’s most influential actors and artists take note of Cudi, making his name ring in the ears of the next generation. No matter the style of rap, he has penetrated the hearts and minds of those who’ve encountered his music. “He broke the barrier for weird people like me,” ScHoolboy Q said.
Journey to the Moon Again
Cudi’s latest album, Man on the Moon III: The Chosen dropped in December of last year. Pitchfork again gave him a not-so-savory review, with critic Alphonse Pierre writing “even though Cudi’s heart is in the right place, Man on the Moon III is still like when the old rock band reunites and their costumes don’t fit anymore.”Although the third installment of the Man on the Moon trilogy did not see the numbers of his previous albums, at this point in his career, Cudi seems content with what he has accomplished. In response to another fan, he tweeted:
I think when I was younger I thought it would hurt my career. Like the fans would listen to the reviews and not give the music a chance. Then, I realized over the years after I survived each era and made album after album, that nothing anyone could ever say would stop my light ☺️ https://t.co/kzgDqzyKph
— The Chosen One (@KiDCuDi) October 5, 2021
Cudi’s positivity, just like his lyrical honesty about his depression, has been an asset. He remains a force on Billboard charts, with single ‘The Scotts,” a collaboration with Travis Scott, solidifying a No. 1 spot in 2020. And Jay-Z recently teased another collaboration with Cudi for new Netflix series “The Harder They Fall.” Regardless of what Pitchfork thinks, Cudi has the great minds of the industry on his side. Like a true artist, he is using his music to affect the lives of fans, all while staying true to himself.
Written by Antoinette Ford
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