REVIEW

Kasey Coats

JMC 2003 015

October 4, 1009

Lab - CD Review

A genre-altering CD hits the market and strikes a new phenomenon within the music industry: sincerity.

Hip-hop artist, Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi, also known as Kid Cudi, rocked the charts last month with the release of his new album “Man on the Moon: The End of Day”. This indie-rap phenomenon wears his heart on his sleeve throughout the album, sending it to the top of the billboard charts.

K.C. seems to be different, with his eclectic style and the originality he brings to the public. He has his “own sound, one based on minimal, electronica-inspired drum programming,” says. Many wonder if it’s the self-proclaimed stoner’s imagination, or the positive effects of marijuana, that help inspire his creative side. Either way, we dig it.

It’s rare these days to find albums with consistent themes derived from original inspiration, rather than a compilation of radio hits solely produced for financial success. Mega-fan Gray Thomas, praises Cudi’s work because he “transcends genres and is a musician that creates music from his visions.” Cudi boldly declares his views of his “musical purpose through his music, and is reliable in sticking to them,” Thomas added. No one anticipated how fresh this new album would be, and that might be part of why it has become so successful. Cudi came out of nowhere, and it’s relieving to be able to judge a new artist without any biased opinions or presumptions about his music.

Kid Cudi creates unique tracks filled with electronic beats and various sounds that inspire the lyrics, which seem to come so natural. Also known as Kanye West’s protégé from Cleveland, Ohio, Cudi seems to have the same charisma as Kanye, without the drama. Many see him as a lyrical genius that incorporates raw emotion and actual events from his life into his music. His songs, especially “Soundtrack 2 my Life,” talk about issues from childhood; the death of his father, a mother who “came through every Christmas,” and his love for drugs.

Cudi’s genuine swagger seems to sell, after seeing how fast he climbed on the billboard charts, selling at least 104,000 copies of his debut soundtrack within the first week. His vulnerability results in some calling him the “answer to confessionals of emo in rap” and see a promising future for this music artist. His top-selling songs include “Day ‘n’ Night” and “Make Her Say”, (which is a remix of Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face” featuring Kanye and Common), catapulted Cudi to mainstream fame. One can hope that the genuine vulnerability will last with this fame, unlike many artists who have also started out this way.

Kasey Coats

Scott, Jon Jon (2009, September 14). Kid Cudi “Man on the Moon:

End of Day” Review. Retrieved from http://www.culturebully.com/kid-cudi-man-on-the-moon-end-of-day-review