Kid Cudi had a great time at Coachella this Sunday (April 21)… for a little bit, at least. Unfortunately, his set was cut short after he fell while performing and broke something in his heel, which a lot of fans were obviously very concerned with. Moreover, some expressed disappointment in the Cleveland creative for not sticking around or for falling in the first place, but the general sentiment is that these things can happen to anyone. Thus, folks sent him their best wishes, and his die-hards waited patiently for an update. The 40-year-old then took to social media with an update for fans with the caption “Hello there.”
“Hey, guys… Yeah, s**t got real yesterday,” Kid Cudi began his message below, indicating that he’s in good spirits and still recovering. “This is what happens when a 40-year-old man tries to prance around off stage like he’s 26. Like he used to do back in the day. I learned a valuable lesson: No more prancing around, jumping off stages.” We’re sure that he will reflect a lot on this time of his life in his upcoming memoir.
Then, Kid Cudi expressed hope that he will fully recover by the time his INSANO tour kicks off in late June of this year. “I don’t want to let you guys down,” he shared “That’s what we’re aiming for. Not canceling anything just yet. Just gonna wait and see how things go, but I’m okay. A little sore. Yesterday, a lot of pain, but I’m doing better now. I have a little temporary cast on now, and I gotta go get a real cast in a little bit. Apparently, I broke something in my heel.
“This is a major setback, but don’t worry. I’ma bounce back,” Mr. Rager continued. “I love y’all. All day. Engage the rage. But not at 40.” At least he has his engagement to look forward to as well! For more news and the latest updates on Kid Cudi, stay posted on HNHH.
Kid Cudi already made his musical mark on 2024 with INSANO and its NITRO MEGA expansion, and now it’s time for other endeavors. Moreover, he recently shared plans with fans for his two upcoming films. “I got the music outta me,” the Cleveland creative shared on Twitter on Saturday (March 2). “I got a lot of other stuff im workin on that im really excited about. HELL NAW, the film im doing at Sony and writing w the Lucas Bros is comin together beautifully. S**t is madddd funny and ridiculous. Cant wait for yall to see this madness. And lookin to shoot my directorial debut, TEDDY, sometime after tour.”
Not only that, but the 40-year-old has previously announced that he’ll focus on film for the next few years and eschew new music. “My next album is already about 80% done, and itll be out in 2026,” Kid Cudi expressed on Twitter. “As always, were takin it someplace new. Just wanted to let yall know, expect an album from me every other year. next year is all about filmin. Got a bunch of stuff I need to get done. Film and tv. So I take a year off of music to do it all.”
I got the music outta me. I got a lot of other stuff im workin on that im really excited about. HELL NAW, the film im doing at Sony and writing w the Lucas Bros is comin together beautifully. Shit is madddd funny and ridiculous. Cant wait for yall to see this madness. And…
In addition, Kid Cudi also made a big creative leap, but not in music or movies. Instead, he shared a new floral head tattoo that he got all around his skull. Back to the movies, though, Hell Naw is a zombie horror comedy co-written by the brothers behind Judas & The Black Messiah. “Sam, The Lucas Brothers and myself have really crafted a tale we feel everyone who’s a fan of horror and comedy will enjoy,” he told Deadline. “You will laugh, oh yes you will, but the horror aspect of this movie will really be something to see. You will be shook. I promise. Y’all know I don’t play around.”
Meanwhile, Teddy will be a more personal movie based on the “ELECTROWAVEBABY” creative’s 2009 hit “Pursuit of Happiness.” Jay-Z and Jeymes Samuel, also of Judas & The Black Messiah, are executive producing the comedy. “I added a lot of my own personal struggles and experiences in it, so this film is very close to my heart,” he stated online in 2022. “I know that, deep down, this movie will help people the same ways music has… It’s trippy, it’s fun, it’s sad, it’s life.” For more news and the latest updates on Kid Cudi, stay up to date on HNHH.
Kid Cudi may have just dropped his expanded edition of his new album, INSANO (NITRO MEGA), but he’s already setting forth his next journey. Moreover, he took to Twitter on Friday (February 23) to share what his future plans are looking like for the next couple of years and what fans can expect from him. Apparently, the Cleveland creative’s next LP is almost ready, so it seems like INSANO really represented a big creative moment for him as far as output. Not only that, but he also made it clear that, at least for the next two years, his main focus would be on other areas of entertainment and pop culture.
“My next album is already about 80% done, and itll be out in 2026,” Kid Cudi, one of the most multi-disciplinary artists in the game right now, told his followers. “As always, were takin it someplace new. Just wanted to let yall know, expect an album from me every other year. next year is all about filmin. Got a bunch of stuff I need to get done. Film and tv. So I take a year off of music to do it all.”
My next album is already about 80% done, and itll be out in 2026. As always, were takin it someplace new. Just wanted to let yall know, expect an album from me every other year next year is all about filmin. Got a bunch of stuff I need to get done. Film and tv. So I take a…
Unfortunately for the 40-year-old, the release of INSANO (NITRO MEGA) dealt with some big issues when it came time to arrive. “Hey fam, the label f***ed up and didnt start loading my album up in time, so it wont be out at midnight. Im workin on this now in real time and my plan is that it comes out tonight just a bit later, Im waitin on a time and ima keep yall posted.
“Im thoroughly pissed, especially cuz i get this call just hours before its to drop,” he continued. “such bulls**t, but i promise u this album is droppin tonight. So roll up, get a drink, binge a show, do something to pass the time, and then, WE RAGE. I love you.” With animated projects, acting roles, screenwriting gigs, fashion collabs and designs, and a world tour on the way, it looks like Scott Mesccudi fans are going to see a lot more from him this decade. We can’t wait to see what the next chapters are for such a talented and enduring artist. For more news and the latest updates on Kid Cudi, check back in with HNHH.
As one of music’s most multi-talented creatives, it’s no surprise that Kid Cudi eventually got around to co-writing his own comic series. Moreover, Moon Man launched with its first issue over the weekend with Kyle Higgins also at the helm, and in similarly expected fashion, he released some music meant to accompany the series. For this first installment, we have an exciting collab to kick things off: “Black Ops” with the one and only Denzel Curry. While this team-up surprised fans, it’s very interesting to see how the INSANO multi-hyphenate and the main brain behind TA13OO mesh together.
In fact, they switch up our expectations right off the bat, as Kid Cudi opens the song vocally with a pretty melodic rap flow and his typical lyrical matter of girls, drugs, and his hectic path to success. On the other hand, Denzel Curry reaches into his singing bag, crafting rapid lines and switch-ups in a similar way. There’s a lot of chemistry between their performances, and the instrumental is as woozy, trap-centered, and simple as that of Cudi’s aforementioned 2024 album. Even though some fans didn’t like it very much (us included), it’s heartening to hear him tap into more positive soundscapes and emotional pallets. When the fundamentals are as solid as they are here, this is a fitting loose for Moon Man as he continues to brush criticism off his shoulder.
Meanwhile, you can unfortunately only find “Black Ops” on SoundCloud at press time. Despite some fans wanting another direction, the Florida MC’s recent defense of Joey Bada$$’s new style shows that they would much rather innovate and try new things. With that in mind, the All Is Yellow collaborators crafted a straightforward but welcome banger here that pushed their current lanes further. If you haven’t heard this song yet, find it on SoundCloud and check out some standout bars below. For more on Denzel Curry and Kid Cudi, plus more great music releases around the clock, stay posted on HNHH.
Quotable Lyrics At the booby trap, my b***h say, “Don’t get used to that,” Redbone smoochin’ in the back, where Boosie at? Never lied about my past because a few would cap, I used to love this rappin’ s**t when I was new to that
Kid Cudi is really manifesting all of his wishes within the creative world, because he recently linked up with The Alchemist for a studio session. Of course, the two previously worked together about 15 years ago, but Cudi had tweeted last year how he wanted to do a full album with the legendary producer. Uncle Al responded with enthusiasm, and it looks like those wishes are coming to fruition. Moreover, fans can’t wait to hear what the two could craft together, even if they don’t make a full project. What’s more is that this excitement ramped up thanks to the Cleveland creative walking back his retirement announcement from last year.
Furthermore, Kid Cudi expressed as such during an interview with Zane Lowe discussing his new album INSANO, his creative path, and so much more. “I was kind of out of it,” he remarked concerning his commitment to hanging it up. “I was just in this place where I was thinking about my future. It just didn’t seem like there was really an appetite for my music in the ways that it used to be.
“I finally got through that whole retirement thing because I talked to my friend Brian,” Kid Cudi went on. “The world knows him as KAWS. He was like, ‘Hey man, I don’t mean to get in your business, but I think that you should rethink this retirement thing. I think you could be around for a long time.’ And to see Brian come to me real, like -– and he’s never approached me about my music or talked to me about my music ever before -– it hit me in a different way. And literally after that message, I was like, s**t man, he’s right. I’m just getting warm.“
Meanwhile, elsewhere during this conversation, the two briefly touched down on his beef with Lupe Fiasco. Given the Chicago rapper’s response to all this, it seems unlikely that this rift will heal anytime soon, which is unfortunate for fans of both. Regardless, it’s still exciting to see where Mr. Rager will go from here, and how he continues to become happier, healthier, and more at peace throughout his endeavors. Stick around on HNHH for more news and the latest updates on Kid Cudi and The Alchemist.
Man on the Moon III: The Chosen (2020) was a great full-circle moment for Kid Cudi. He emulated Travis Scott (for whom he is a massive influence) and came through with psych-trap bangers, plus a versatile and emotionally powerful set of Cudder-style cuts. Unfortunately, on the Cleveland native’s ninth solo studio album and final Republic Records offering, INSANO, this experiment repeats itself with less exciting results, more filler, and an overall missing vision that usually ties his projects together seamlessly.
While he framed this album as a dedication to his OG fanbase, this sounds like more catering to the contemporary popular sounds in hip-hop that he helped innovate. However, this is no empty desert: Mr. Rager still delivers a handful of tracks worthy of his celebrated discography. But perhaps INSANO‘s biggest flaw is how it’s a pick-and-choose experience rather than a fulfilling front-to-back package.
If you’re a big fan of Kid Cudi’s hypnotic, dreamy, often cavernous, and entrancing style, or that of the artists he influences, then there’s a great chance you’ll like INSANO. “OFTEN, I HAVE THESE DREAMS,” “ELECTROWAVEBABY” (which got a Ye “co-sign”), “BLUE SKY,” and certain choruses, flows, and themes on other tracks are classic Cudi all the way. These are among the cuts that cohesively mesh his influences of hip-hop, pop, indie, and electronic, and this breaks up the track flow in the most engaging ways. “FRESHIE” also provides excellent flows and a structurally distinct song in comparison to the others, whereas “TORTURED” and “FUNKY WIZARD SMOKE” provide a strong focus on despondence and perseverance, respectively.
At first glance, or listening to any track out of context, there are always signs and displays of what makes Kid Cudi so great. Clean, crisp, but impactful production, engaging melodies across songs, carefree lyricism, emotional honesty and range, and an overall healing factor. On that last point, this is probably the 39-year-old’s most joyful album. INSANO starts with more bangers and slowly morphs into more mellow fare, but there’s a catch. By the time we finally leave the psych-trap lane in the tracklist, we’ve heard two or three of these records too many.
Kid Cudi attends the premiere of “The Book of Clarence” on January 05, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty Images)
While INSANO represents the WZRD artist’s talents across the board, listening from top to bottom can be repetitive, vapid, and messy. He’s always had jumbled and choppy flows, but these instrumentals require a strong melodic and structural focus that these performances never capture. “KEEP BOUNCING,” “A TALE OF A KNIGHT,” and “CUD LIFE” are examples of tracks that come and go with minimal impact. In addition, with few instances of memorable wordplay or phrasing, detailed narratives, or strong hooks, there’s little to latch onto emotionally and lyrically beyond the basic descriptions we’ve heard so much in Kid Cudi’s catalog. There are only so many times we can hear about blunts, baddies, fast cars, and being better than all the haters he claims not to care about.
Even the professional-grade production is too limited in terms of psych-trap aesthetics and structure. Beats like “MOST AIN’T DENNIS” and “FRESHIE” are amazing, but they’re sonically not that different from the mostly passable and largely static pack of instrumentals here. Many of these songs needed more fleshing out and development to materialize fully, and to distinguish themselves from others. Meanwhile, the features range from very good to average, and most of them are too short to stun. A$AP Rocky shines on “WOW,” Kid Cudi goes back and forth with Travis Scott and Young Thug on “GET OFF ME” and “RAGER BOYZ” respectively, and Lil Wayne provides a brief but fun set of bars on “SEVEN.” Lil Yachty’s vibrato does its thing on “TOO DAMN HIGH,” Pharrell’s okay on “AT THE PARTY,” and the XXXTENTACION sample is well-treated. Alas, they don’t astonish.
Kid Cudi performs at Rolling Loud Miami on July 22, 2022 in Miami, Florida. (Jason Koerner/Getty Images)
Overall, INSANO feels like Kid Cudi just having fun for an hour, but without the focus and intent to translate that experience compellingly. With a deluxe on the way and his career in limbo thanks to possible retirement (though he’s by no means slowing down beyond music), it’s hard to tell where he’ll go next. Still, there is one reason why this album should be celebrated that has nothing to do with its quality. Scott Mescudi’s been through a lot: the loss of a father, mental health struggles, addiction, and the constant criticism, doubt, attacks, and misunderstanding perceptions that have plagued him throughout his career.
For this album, we can’t say we don’t see where the haters are coming from. Yet despite his overbearing references to them, it feels like he is happier and healthier than ever, allowing himself to bask in this blessing and triumph while still speaking on his demons. As such, INSANO may not reach the standards Kid Cudi set for himself, but it does represent personal growth and peace that no project’s acclaim could amount to. So while this attempt was neither great nor terrible, we’ll always be excited for whatever he does next, whether as the artist we grew to love or as the influential, multi-disciplinary creative he always knew he’d become.
Kid Cudi’s long-awaited album INSANO is finally here, and there are lots of woozy bangers, psychedelic jams, and dreamy croons to take note of. Another killer part of this album are the featured guests, including Travis Scott, A$AP Rocky, Lil Wayne, and more. However, perhaps none shine brighter than Young Thug on the track “RAGER BOYZ,” as the two creatives show off ridiculous vocal chemistry and their ability to pair an instrumental so well with their vocal performances. It’s a guitar-led, low-key, melodic, and subtle trap cut about hopelessness, chaos, and struggle in the world, one whose catchiness and atmosphere doesn’t sully its message.
A big part of that is the news item on “RAGER BOYZ,” as Thugger seemingly addressed his YSL RICO case on this verse. Of course, that’s quite unlikely given how difficult it must’ve been to record a new verse from behind bars. In reality, it’s probably just a coincidence that rings eerily true today as we await what else will happen in the turbulent and confusing court battle. Elsewhere, though, Kid Cudi also comes through with some despondent bars, although his perseverance to fight back against it is the main takeaway. Also, this may seem insignificant in the grand scheme of the song, but it’s always great when a producer (Cudder, Anthony Kilhoffer, Dot Da Genius, THATS NOT IT, and Jean Baptiste, in this case) changes the timbre of certain drum patterns to switch up the beat.
Meanwhile, folks are still dissecting INSANO‘s content, lyrical references, and flow. Whether it’s the sample of an old XXXTENTACION track or Rocky’s apparent response to Drake’s alleged disses against him and Rihanna, there’s plenty to chew on here. But don’t let “RAGER BOYZ” fall under that radar. If you haven’t heard it or the album yet, find it on your preferred streaming service and peep some standout bars below. Also, for more Kid Cudi news, Young Thug updates, and more great music releases around the clock, stick around on HNHH.
Quotable Lyrics I told the judge, “I’m probably the biggest off,” I told the b***h she can’t be charging me for Saint Laurent, Yeah, I told my baby not to break the law, I told my baby mama, “Careful”, not to get involved
Now we’re talking; the second week of 2023 held so many amazing albums, singles, and everything in between for hip-hop. As such, we have a stacked and pretty hefty Fire Emoji playlist update rounding up the best of the best this week, so strap in. First up are two massive albums from two beloved creatives in the game right now: Kid Cudi’s INSANO and 21 Savage’s american dream. As for the former, we’d recommend “WOW” with A$AP Rocky and “GET OFF ME” with Travis Scott as particular highlights. In fact, La Flame returns on the standout “née-nah” with Metro Boomin off 21’s aforementioned album, which also includes amazing cuts like “pop ur s**t” with Young Thug and Metro, plus the murderous “redrum.”
Furthermore, let’s switch things up on Fire Emoji and talk about some true lyrical killers, some of which switched things up. For example, Joey Bada$$ teamed up with Lyrical Lemonade, Gus Dapperton, and Lil Yachty for “Fallout.” Not only that, but if you’re looking for some Griselda-related vibes this week, look no further than Benny The Butcher’s new single “BRON.” Along that same vein, Boldy James and Nicholas Craven just dropped an excellent album, Penalty of Leadership, on which “Formal Invite” is a stunning opener.
Meanwhile, Fire Emoji also brings us hot new tracks from rising artists, such as TiaCorine and Luh Tyler’s new cut, “Yung Joc.” In addition, That Mexican OT continues his prolific streak with the single “02.02.99,” furthering his blend of many Southern rap styles. We included Paris Texas and Kenny Mason’s 2023 cut “DnD” on our update to prepare you for their newest collaboration, “Big Bank,” which dropped this week. That also features Billy Lemos and is connected to Pigeons & Planes and Big A** Kids‘ See You Next Year collective.
Rounding our list out, we wanted to shoutout Doja Cat, Kodak Black, Adekunle Gold, and Jeymes Samuel for “JEEZU” off of The Book Of Clarence‘s soundtrack. Lil Tjay also dropped a single this week titled “Told Ya,” and Kevin Gates came through with the song “Birds Calling.” Let us know what your favorite Fire Emoji release this week was– and what we missed, too. Check out the playlist above and, as always, stick around on HNHH for more great music releases around the clock.
Kid Cudi’s new albumINSANO has plenty of notable collaborations across its creative tracklist, but fans were particularly excited for one. However, when they tuned into the track “X & CUD,” they found that the XXXTENTACION “feature” was just a sample of his 2017 song “Orlando,” which is off his album 17. Some fans expressed strong disappointment in this, appreciating the gesture but feeling cheated and exploited with how the collaboration was announced. On the other hand, some listeners referred to the late Florida rapper’s producer John Cunningham, who indicated via Twitter on Monday (January 8) that this would a sample of a previously released track and not a brand-new feature.
Furthermore, a lot of fans think people overreacted, bu understandably so, given the vague nature of these announcements. After all, XXXTENTACION’s work has been exploited far too much already for morbid profit, which is why many fans are so hesitant to celebrate new music to the fullest. At the same time, though, this is Kid Cudi’s way of paying homage and making a tribute rather than fully collaborating, which is clear now that we can listen to the track in its full context. Back in 2021, the Cleveland creative expressed regret at never getting the chance to work with him or another artist gone far too soon, Juice WRLD.
Meanwhile, this isn’t the only hot topic of conversation surrounding Kid Cudi’s new studio offering’s host of features. A$AP Rocky also ruffled some feathers by potentially issuing a response to Drake’s alleged disses towards him and his boo– and their romantic overlap– Rihanna. Of course, this is purely speculative, but it’s pretty hard not to read between the lines when Pretty Flacko talks about a “mandrake.” We’ll see whether either MC responds to this in some way.
Fans React To “X & CUD”
This is Cudi paying tribute to X’s version of his song Edge of the Earth. Relax and do some research
This song is good, cudi and X are two of the most emotional artists out there. If this is the only way to hear them on a song, I’d rather this than some snippet from 2015 that sounds like it was recorded on a toaster pic.twitter.com/FMgtPUH3D1
Not only that, but we also have a deluxe version of INSANO to look forward to in the near future. If you’re curious, check out more reactions to this X “feature” above. Also, let us know what you think about all this down in the comments section below. For more news and the latest updates on Kid Cudi and XXXTENTACION, log back into HNHH.
Kid Cudi’s next album INSANOis right around the corner, and we just got a whole lot more reasons to be very excited for it. Moreover, he decided to unveil the stacked list of producers he enlisted for this equally lengthy project on Twitter on Thursday (January 4). Set for a January 12 release date (in other words, about a week), this should be one of the biggest albums to kick off 2024 and one of the Cleveland native’s most highly teased and anticipated. Not everyone’s been a fan of the teased material, but you can’t deny that his closeness and dedication to his fanbase brings a genuine sincerity to his craft.
Nevertheless, let’s get into Kid Cudi’s wild producer list for INSANO, which hints at a variety of sounds. Some standouts: BNYX, Pharrell, WondaGurl, Clams Casino, Cubeatz, Take A Daytrip, Da Honorable C.N.O.T.E., sadpony, Dot Da Genius, Plain Pat, John Cunningham, Keyon Christ, and so many more. The “Show Out” creative, as such, will probably offer fans a wealth of styles and appeals when it comes to this record’s tracklist. Many of these producers feel pretty comfortable in a trap lane, but they will surely branch out and add their own special flair.
“This talented group of individuals helped me execute something next level,” Kid Cudi further expressed on the social media platform. “I am so thankful to have worked w some really awesome folks, and next week u will all hear the magic we all created.” Fortunately, this once again steered his page into a more positive direction following a quick clap-back at a troll. Furthermore, they suggested that the 39-year-old wore a dress on Saturday Night Live because he’s a part of the Illuminati.
“Dear Issac u silly lil person and all people under this post,” he replied. “I got time for muthaf***as like u today. This post is mad f***in l*me of u and sad. A black man cant express himself and be confident AND successful with out it being some conspiracy. My success was givin to me by God with the help of my many angels. All u people in the [comments] that have been tweetin me all day about this s**t can gargle on my mayo. This moment was a proud moment for me, a shinin moment for all people who express themselves in their art. I felt free and alive, it inspired people and nothing u simple a**es say can take that away from me. Happy New Year u f***in simps.” For more news on Kid Cudi, stay up to date on HNHH.
pic.twitter.com/7JpaGR8Kpq
next year is all about filmin. Got a bunch of stuff I need to get done. Film and tv. So I take a…
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