By Danny Contreras
Kid Cudi is a special artist. When he broke through the mainstream in 2008 with his “Man on the Moon” debut album, he had amassed a cult following. The debut effort was a critically acclaimed concept album that appealed to fans of hip hop, pop and rap.
It became the 2009 album for stoners, with anthems “Pursuit of Happiness” and “Day ‘N’ Nite” both charting domestically and internationally. Almost five years since his debut, Kid Cudi has returned with another album in “Indicud” an album that is closer to a Pink Floyd production than 50 Cent. While he isn’t revolutionizing hip-hop with this product, hit is a refreshing sound to both fans of Cudi, and fans of the genre.
Scott Mescudi (his real name) is credited with producing every single song, and it shows. There’s a psychedelic feel to the album—it’s some sort of trade between pot and LSD and one that never feels forced. “The Resurrection of Scott Mescudi” is not a song one would find in a hip hop album. The distorted basslines are combined with a low sub-bass kick, and a catalogue of trumpet sounds, creating a medieval atmosphere. It’s a bit predictable, but fun and catchy.
“Unfuckwittable” follows right after, and Cudi fans will be reminded why they like him so much. It’s a raw song, with typical Cudi lyrics. But he finally returns to rapping, and his clean vocals sound unrefined. It works very well. It’s a slow song that feels really fast. The 4/4 structure is there, but you wouldn’t be able to tell—the guitars in the background are so weird that it invokes early Led Zeppelin.
Cudi is aware of his roots, however, and it is shown in “King Wizard”.” The song is by far the truest form of hip hop that Cudi has ever produced. His rapping is very Cleveland-like. It’s closer to Eminem’s Michigan style than Kanye or 50 Cent’s New York rapping. He references his recent project, WZRD, a pop-rock band he started with mentor Dot da Genius, while telling his fans, it’s time for some good ole’ Kid Cudi.
“Solo Dolo, Pt. 2” is by far the best song in the album. It samples psychedelic rock band MGMT’s “Immortal” and it really is the anthem for stoners in the album. He plays it off as an original production. Cudi has an amazing knack for smart, coherent lyrics that sound rough, and unpolished. Add to that the fact he produced the song all by himself, and you have a great combination of both traditional hip-hop, rock and pop.
“Cold Blooded” is a tribute to the rap Gods. It combines west coast rapping with east coast writing. He delivers his lines so well, you’d think he started back in the 80s. He has a knack for knowing what his fans wants, and Cudi doesn’t disappoint. Hardcore fans of rap will probably disregard this album. While Cudi is great rapper and producer, it still sounds like a “pop” production. It may turn off some listeners, but you gotta give it to Mescudi, he knows the ins and outs of the game.
Overall, “Indicud” is one of the best albums in 2013. It’s ready for summer outings, and pot smoking binges. It doesn’t stray away from Kid Cudi’s traditional sound, but it also brings in new elements. You can hear his evolution from the very beginning. Cudi has adapted well to the new pressures of popularity. Along with Tyler, the Creator—Cudi is one of the freshest acts in the hip hop and American music.
Some will want to disregard him as nothing more than a pot smoking teenager with a computer, and some samples—but critics and fans know there’s more to him than just “pot smoking”. Cudi is one the best writers in the business, and while his delivery is sometimes amiss on his songs, he remains one of the better wrappers of the past 10 years.
He’s very versatile, too. Kendrick Lamar, RZA and Ratata all feature in this album, but you’ll never be able to tell. The whole production is an epic story being told by Mescudi—and everyone blends in so well that it’s as though they’re already there from the very beginning.
What is “Indicud”? Listen to it and find out.
