View source for Kid Cudi

{{Short description|American rapper and singer (born 1984)}}
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{{Use mdy dates|date = February 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}

{{Infobox person
| name               = Kid Cudi
| image              = Kid Cudi 2010 2 (crop).jpg
| caption            = Kid Cudi in 2010
| birth_name         = Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1984|1|30}}
| birth_place        = [[Cleveland]], Ohio, U.S.
| education          = [[University of Toledo]] (no degree)
| occupation         = {{flatlist|
* Rapper
* singer
* songwriter
* record producer
* actor
* fashion designer
* director
* filmmaker
}}
| partner            = {{plainlist|
* [[Cassie Ventura]] ({{circa}} 2012)
* Lola Abecassis Sartore ({{abbr|eng.|engaged}} 2024)
}}
| children           = 1
| relatives          = 
| title              = {{Indented plainlist|
*Founder of Wicked Awesome Records and MOTR
*Co-founder of Mad Solar
*Co-founder and [[Chief creative officer|CCO]] of Encore Music Technologies<ref name=e2>{{cite web |url=https://www.complex.com/music/kid-cudi-co-founded-interactive-live-performance-app-encore-launches-9-million-funding |title=Kid Cudi's Live Performance App Launches With $9 Million in Funding Raised |publisher=Complex |date=2022-02-16 |access-date=2022-02-22}}</ref>
}}
| television         = {{plainlist|
* ''[[Entergalactic (TV special)|Entergalactic]]''
}}
| years_active       = 2003–present
| works              = {{hlist|[[Kid Cudi discography|Discography]]|[[Kid Cudi filmography|filmography]]|[[Kid Cudi production discography|production]]|[[List of songs recorded by Kid Cudi|songs recorded]]|[[Kid Cudi videography|videography]]}}
| agent              = Dennis Cummings<ref>{{cite web |url=https://imfromcleveland.com/blogs/news/meet-the-individuals-from-cleveland-who-contributed-to-kid-cudis-motm-iii-album |title=Meet the Individuals from Cleveland Who Contributed to Kid Cudi's MOTM III Album |website=Imfromcleveland.com}}</ref>
| awards             = [[List of awards and nominations received by Kid Cudi|Full list]]
| module             = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes
| genre               = {{flatlist|
* [[Alternative hip-hop]]
* [[alternative rock]]
* [[neo-psychedelia]]
* [[trip hop]]
* [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]
}} 
| label               = {{flatlist|
* Wicked Awesome
* [[Republic Records|Republic]]
* Dream On
* [[GOOD Music|GOOD]] 
* [[Fool's Gold Records|Fool's Gold]]
* [[Universal Motown Records|Universal Motown]]
}} 
| current_member_of    = {{flatlist|
* [[WZRD (band)|WZRD]]
* [[Travis Scott#The Scotts|The Scotts]]
}}
| past_member_of      = {{flatlist|
* [[Kids See Ghosts]] 
}}
| website             = {{Official URL}}
{{Infobox
| child=yes
| header          = Logo
| headerstyle     = background:#b0c4de
| data1 = }}
}}
| signature          = File:Kid Cudi signature, Billboard Open Letter 2016.png
}}

'''Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi''' (born January 30, 1984), also known by his [[stage name]] '''Kid Cudi''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|ʌ|d|i}} {{Respell|KUHD|ee}}; formerly stylized as '''KiD CuDi'''), is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, and fashion designer. Born and raised in [[Cleveland]], Cudi moved to [[New York City]] in pursuit of a musical career, where he first gained recognition for his song "[[Day 'n' Nite]]". Initially self-published on his [[MySpace]] page, the song became a [[hit song|hit]] online and served as a catalyst for Cudi to team up with record producers [[Plain Pat]] and [[Emile Haynie]] to record his first full-length project, a [[mixtape]] titled ''[[A Kid Named Cudi]]'' (2008). Its release helped Cudi rise to prominence and establish a fanbase, catching the attention of rapper [[Kanye West]]—who signed Cudi to his [[GOOD Music]] label by late 2008.<ref name="auto">{{Cite news |last=Caramanica |first=Jon |date=2022-04-21 |title=Kid Cudi Aspires to Guide the Kids |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/21/t-magazine/kid-cudi.html |access-date=2023-02-25 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

With "Day 'n' Nite" issued as its [[lead single]], his debut studio album, ''[[Man on the Moon: The End of Day]]'' (2009), was released to critical and commercial success. It received [[Music recording certification|quadruple platinum]] certification by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=man+on+the+moon#search_section |title=Gold & Platinum |work=RIAA |access-date=August 2, 2018}}</ref> and spawned two hit singles: "[[Make Her Say]]" (featuring Kanye West and [[Common (rapper)|Common]]) and the [[RIAA certification|diamond]]-certified "[[Pursuit of Happiness (song)|Pursuit of Happiness]]" (featuring [[MGMT]] and [[Ratatat]]). His second album, ''[[Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager]]'' (2010), was met with continued success; it received platinum certification and spawned the singles "[[Erase Me (song)|Erase Me]]" (featuring Kanye West) and "[[Mr. Rager]]". Cudi formed the rock band [[WZRD (band)|WZRD]] with long-time collaborator and producer [[Dot da Genius]]; their [[WZRD (album)|eponymous debut album]] (2012) debuted atop the [[Rock Albums|''Billboard'' Top Rock Albums]] chart.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.contactmusic.com/news/kid-cudi-ditches-rap-for-rock_1178078 |title=Kid Cudi Ditches Rap For Rock |magazine=[[Contactmusic.com]] |date=October 31, 2010 |access-date=April 20, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://keepittrill.com/online/2010/10/kid-cudi-forms-rock-band-called-wizard/ |title=Kid Cudi Forms New Rock Band Called 'Wizard' |first=Nadia |last=Trill |website=KeepitTrill.com |date=October 29, 2010 |access-date=April 20, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921055425/http://keepittrill.com/online/2010/10/kid-cudi-forms-rock-band-called-wizard/ |archive-date=September 21, 2013}}</ref>

His self-produced third album, ''[[Indicud]]'' (2013) peaked at number two on the ''Billboard'' 200, was led by the platinum-certified single "[[Just What I Am]]" (featuring [[King Chip]]), and served as his final release with GOOD Music. It was followed by the tepidly-received [[experimental music|experimental]] albums, ''[[Satellite Flight: The Journey to Mother Moon]]'' (2014) and ''[[Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven]]'' (2015). His sixth album, ''[[Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin']]'' (2016) saw an improvement in critical reception and was supported by the single "[[Surfin' (Kid Cudi song)|Surfin']]" (featuring [[Pharrell Williams]]). Cudi formed the duo [[Kids See Ghosts]] with former label boss West in 2018; they released a [[Kids See Ghosts (album)|self-titled collaborative album]] in June of that year, which was met with critical acclaim. His 2020 single, "[[The Scotts]]" (with [[Travis Scott]]), became his first song to peak atop the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], foreseeing the release of his seventh album, ''[[Man on the Moon III: The Chosen]]'' (2020) to commercial resurgence and critical praise. Cudi released his eighth album, ''[[Entergalactic (album)|Entergalactic]]'' (2022) to coincide with his adult animated TV special [[Entergalactic (TV special)|''Entergalactic'']]; both of which were critically praised. His ninth and tenth albums, the [[Trap music|trap]]-inspired ''[[Insano (album)|Insano]]'' (2024) and ''[[Insano (Nitro Mega)]]'' (2024), followed thereafter.

Outside of recording, Cudi has launched his own [[vanity label]]s: the now-defunct Dream On, and his label imprint since 2011, Wicked Awesome Records.<ref name="dreamon">{{cite web |url=http://rapfix.mtv.com/2011/02/27/kid-cudi-splits-with-manager-launching-new-label/ |title=Kid Cudi Splits With Manager, Launching New Label |date=February 27, 2011 |website=MTV |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110120006/http://rapfix.mtv.com/2011/02/27/kid-cudi-splits-with-manager-launching-new-label/ |archive-date=January 10, 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date=October 17, 2011}}</ref><ref name="wicked awesome">{{cite web |url=http://datnewcudi.com/2011/04/22/kid-cudi-announces-new-label-band-name/ |title=Kid Cudi Announces New Label & Band Name |date=April 22, 2011 |website=Dat New 'Cudi' |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427020801/http://datnewcudi.com/2011/04/22/kid-cudi-announces-new-label-band-name/ |archive-date=April 27, 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date=October 11, 2012}}</ref> Cudi ventured into acting with the [[HBO]] series ''[[How to Make It in America]]'' in 2010, and has appeared in the films ''[[Goodbye World]]'' (2013), ''[[Need for Speed (film)|Need for Speed]]'' (2014), ''[[Entourage (film)|Entourage]]'' (2015), ''[[Bill & Ted Face the Music]]'' (2020), ''[[Don't Look Up]]'' (2021), and ''[[X (2022 film)|X]]'' (2022). In 2015, he starred as a bandleader in the [[IFC (American TV channel)|IFC]] series ''[[Comedy Bang! Bang! (TV series)|Comedy Bang! Bang!]]'', and did so in the short-lived HBO mini-series, ''[[We Are Who We Are]]'' in 2020. That same year, he launched the production company Mad Solar; its first release was the documentary ''[[A Man Named Scott]]'' (2021), which chronicled Cudi's career and upbringing. In fashion and modeling, Cudi has partnered with [[Giuseppe Zanotti]], [[Virgil Abloh]], [[A Bathing Ape|Bape]], [[Coach Inc.|Coach]], [[Adidas]], [[Calvin Klein (fashion house)|Calvin Klein]], and [[Levi Strauss & Co.|Levi's]] on campaigns before launching his own clothing line in 2022.

Cudi has been recognized as an influence on contemporary [[hip-hop]] and [[Alternative hip-hop|alternative]] acts.<ref name=hum/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gq.com/story/kid-cudi-is-alright-profile/ |website=Gq.com|title = Kid Cudi Has Seen the Light|date = October 22, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Tremr2015">{{cite web |url=https://www.tremr.com/charlie-wooley/kid-cudi-a-forgotten-founder-of-psychadelic-introspection-in-hip-hop |title=KiD CuDi - A Forgotten Influence on Psychedelic Introspection in Hip-Hop |first=Charlie |last=Wooley |date=July 6, 2015 |work=Tremr}}</ref><ref name=uproxx>{{cite web |url=https://uproxx.com/hiphop/kid-cudi-depression-legacy-mental-illness-hip-hop/ |title=Kid Cudi Is 'Reborn' After Defeating His Demons And Facing Depression |date=July 26, 2018 |website=UPROXX |access-date=March 30, 2019}}</ref> His lyrics are often autobiographical, describing childhood experiences of [[Depression (mood)|depression]], [[loneliness]] and [[social alienation|alienation]]; his struggle with drugs into adulthood and themes of [[spirituality]], [[Broken heart|heartbreak]], dissipation and celebration. The majority of his impact stems from his ability to display vulnerability and address [[mental health]].<ref name="auto"/> He is noted for his [[Experimental hip-hop|experimental]] nature, combining [[Psychedelic music|psychedelia]], [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]], [[electronica]], [[synthpop]], [[Dance music|dance]], [[House music|house]], [[punk rock|punk]] and [[indie rock]] in his music. Cudi has sold over 22 million units domestically and won two [[Grammy Award]]s. He has worked with artists spanning numerous genres, including [[Jay-Z]], [[Drake (musician)|Drake]], [[Eminem]], [[Kendrick Lamar]], [[David Guetta]], [[Shakira]], [[Ariana Grande]], and [[Michael Bolton]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Wolgamott |first=Kent |title=What You Need to Know About Kid Cudi |url=http://journalstar.com/entertainment/music/article_f5e55616-abe0-5b71-b2d6-61a138c22929.html |newspaper=[[Lincoln Journal Star]] |access-date=July 7, 2011 |date=July 7, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://datnewcudi.com/2012/08/05/man-on-the-moon-ii-the-legend-of-mr-rager-certified-gold/ |title=Man on the Moon II: The Legend Of Mr. Rager Certified Gold |website=Dat New 'Cudi' |access-date=January 9, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325030433/http://datnewcudi.com/2012/08/05/man-on-the-moon-ii-the-legend-of-mr-rager-certified-gold/ |archive-date=March 25, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |author=The Chosen One |user=KiDCuDi |number=232254629059129344 |date=August 5, 2012 |title=Man on the Moon II The Legend Of Mr Rager is certified gold. Which means, I have 2 gold albums and over 5.2 million digital singles sold |language=en |access-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028025324/https://twitter.com/kidcudi/status/232254629059129344 |archive-date=October 28, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=man+on+the+moon#search_section |title=Gold & Platinum |website=RIAA |access-date=January 31, 2019}}</ref>

== Early life ==
Kid Cudi was born as Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi in [[Cleveland]], Ohio, on January 30, 1984.<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:wcfqxzu5ldte~T1 |title=Kid Cudi > Biography |last=Birchmeier |first=Jason |year=2009 |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=May 22, 2009}}</ref> He grew up in [[Shaker Heights]] and [[Solon, Ohio|Solon]].<ref name="spin">{{cite web |last=Fennessey |first=Sean |url=https://www.spin.com/2010/09/kid-cudi-how-he-made-it-america/ |title=Kid Cudi: How He Made It in America |work=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]] |date=September 14, 2010 |access-date=February 4, 2014}}</ref> He has two older brothers, Domingo and Dean, and an older sister, Maisha.<ref name=Soeder/> His mother, Elsie Harriet (née Banks), is an African-American school choir teacher at Roxboro Middle School in [[Cleveland Heights, Ohio]].<ref>{{cite web |first=Nabil |last=Elderkin |url=http://www.cleveland.com/popmusic/index.ssf/2009/06/before_he_became_the_most_buzz.html |title=Before he became the most buzzed-about rookie in the music business, Kid Cudi was a kid from Cleveland with big dreams |website=[[Cleveland.com]] |date=June 27, 2009 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://birth-records.mooseroots.com/l/12241322/Scott-Raymon-Seguro-Mescudi |title=Scott Raymon Seguro Mescudi (b. 1984) |work=Mooseroots.com |access-date=April 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150410000029/http://birth-records.mooseroots.com/l/12241322/Scott-Raymon-Seguro-Mescudi |archive-date=April 10, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> His father, Lindberg Styles Mescudi, was a house painter, substitute teacher, and [[World War II]] [[United States Air Force|Air Force]] veteran of African-American and Mexican descent.<ref name=Soul/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/X43H-G1D |title=Person Details for Lindbergh Mescudi in household of Charles Mescudi, "United States Census, 1930" |website=FamilySearch.org |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref><ref name="MTV Newsroom">{{cite news |url=http://newsroom.mtv.com/2009/03/10/kid-cudis-not-so-dark-alter-ego-revealed/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104050448/http://newsroom.mtv.com/2009/03/10/kid-cudis-not-so-dark-alter-ego-revealed/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 4, 2013 |title=Kid Cudi's Not-So-Dark Alter Ego Revealed! |last=Smith |first=Angelique |date=March 10, 2009 |work=MTV News |access-date=September 13, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/X43H-G1D |title=Person Details for Lindbergh Mescudi in household of Charles Mescudi, "United States Census, 1930" |work=FamilySearch.org}}</ref>

When Cudi was 11 years old, his father died of cancer; his passing had a significant effect on Cudi's personality and music.<ref name=Soul>{{Cite magazine |last=Hoard |first=Christian |date=September 17, 2009 |title=Kid Cudi: Hip-Hop's Sensitive Soul |url=http://datnewcudi.com/2009/09/14/rolling-stone-kid-cudi-hip-hops-sensitive-soul/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |issue=1087 |page=40 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110204224314/http://datnewcudi.com/2009/09/14/rolling-stone-kid-cudi-hip-hops-sensitive-soul/ |archive-date=February 4, 2011}}</ref> Cudi attended [[Shaker Heights High School]] for two years before transferring to [[Solon High School]]. He was expelled from the school for threatening to punch the principal, but later earned his [[GED]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/04/25-things-you-didnt-know-about-kid-cudi/expelled-from-high-school |title=25 Things You Didn't Know About Kid Cudi |first=Insanul |last=Ahmed |date=April 17, 2013 |magazine=Complex |access-date=April 20, 2013}}</ref> He studied film at the [[University of Toledo]], but dropped out after a year.<ref name=Soeder>{{cite news |first=John |last=Soeder |title=Before he became the most buzzed-about rookie in the music business, Kid Cudi was a kid from Cleveland with big dreams |url=http://www.cleveland.com/music/index.ssf/2009/06/before_he_became_the_most_buzz.html |work=[[The Plain Dealer]] |date=June 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021014513/http://www.cleveland.com/popmusic/index.ssf/2009/06/before_he_became_the_most_buzz.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 21, 2012}}</ref> His subsequent plan to join the [[U.S. Navy|Navy]] did not pan out because of his juvenile police record.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/04/25-things-you-didnt-know-about-kid-cudi/navy |title=After dropping out of college, he was determined to join the Navy but was denied due to his juvenile police record. — 25 Things You Didn't Know About Kid Cudi |magazine=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] |access-date=April 20, 2013}}</ref>

== Musical career ==
=== 2003–2008: Beginnings in New York City and ''A Kid Named Cudi'' ===
{{main|A Kid Named Cudi}}
[[File:Kid Cudi Summerstage Central Park.jpg|thumb|Kid Cudi performing at Summerstage in [[New York City]] in July 2008]]
Cudi first began rapping in 2003, towards the end of his time in high school, and was inspired by [[alternative hip-hop]] groups such as [[the Pharcyde]] and [[A Tribe Called Quest]].<ref name=Soul/> He later moved to [[New York City]] to pursue a music career.<ref name="allmusic"/> After leaving Cleveland in 2005 with $500 and a demo tape, he moved in with his uncle, accomplished jazz drummer Kalil Madi, in the [[South Bronx]].<ref name="spin"/> He worked at a couple of Manhattan clothing stores, before eventually sharing an apartment with friend and collaborator [[Dot da Genius]] in Brooklyn.<ref name="spin"/>

In 2006, Cudi ran into his future mentor, rapper and producer [[Kanye West]], in a [[Virgin Megastores|Virgin Megastore]]. He recounted in a 2009 ''[[Spin (magazine)|SPIN]]'' interview, "I was looking at [[Compact disc|CDs]], saw the gleam of a [[Jesus piece (jewelry)|Jesus piece]] in the right side of my eye, looked up, and it was Kanye West." He introduced himself and offered West some of his music.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.spin.com/2018/06/kanye-west-and-kid-cudis-complicated-history-a-timeline/ |title=Kanye West and Kid Cudi's Complicated History: A Timeline|date = June 6, 2018}}</ref> Cudi later ran into West again while working at the [[A Bathing Ape|BAPE]] store in New York, and recalled: "I remember Kanye coming in one time and I was helping him get a couple things. I forgot to take a sensor off of one of the jackets he bought and I had to run out the store to catch him before he left. Pretty funny me chasing after him in [[SoHo, Manhattan|SoHo]]."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2013/04/a-history-of-kid-cudi-and-good-music/| title=A Timeline of Kid Cudi on G.O.O.D. Music |website=[[Complex Networks]]}}</ref><ref name="bape">{{cite web |url=http://hypebeast.com/2010/3/bathing-ape-kid-cudi-interview-photoshoot?_locale=en |title=A Bathing Ape x Kid Cudi Interview & Photoshoot |first=Luis |last=Ruano |website=HypeBeast |date=March 29, 2010 |access-date=March 4, 2021}}</ref>

In 2007, Kid Cudi's song "[[Day 'n' Nite]]", began being featured on several music blogs, after having initially uploaded the song to his [[MySpace]] page. This early work caught the attention of West via his then-manager [[Plain Pat]], subsequently leading West to sign Cudi to his [[GOOD Music]] imprint later that year. In July 2008, Kid Cudi released his first mixtape, ''[[A Kid Named Cudi]]'' (executive produced by Plain Pat and [[Emile Haynie]]), in collaboration with New York street-wear brand 10.Deep as a free download.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://illroots.com/2008/07/17/kid-cuDi-a-kid-named-cuDi/ |title=10. Deep Presents: Kid Cudi – "A Kid Named Cudi Mixtape" |website=Illroots.com |date=July 17, 2008 |access-date=October 11, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424231047/http://illroots.com/2008/07/17/kid-cuDi-a-kid-named-cuDi/ |archive-date=April 24, 2012}}</ref>

Kanye West first called upon Cudi to reference [[Refrain|hooks]] for American rapper and mogul [[Jay-Z]], and while in the studio Cudi and West went from working on ''[[The Blueprint 3]]'' (2009) to West's [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]-esque ''[[808s & Heartbreak]]'' (2008).<ref name="2009interview">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2009/07/kid-cudi/page/2 |title=Kid Cudi |magazine=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] |date=August 3, 2009 |access-date=March 16, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130427174922/http://www.complex.com/music/2009/07/kid-cudi/page/2 |archive-date=April 27, 2013}}</ref> Cudi's assistance on the latter includes co-writing credits or vocals on "[[Heartless (Kanye West song)|Heartless]]", "[[Welcome to Heartbreak]]", "[[Paranoid (Kanye West song)|Paranoid]]", and "RoboCop".<ref name="2009interview"/> Kid Cudi was a prominent [[songwriter]] and featured artist on ''808s & Heartbreak'', with "Paranoid" and "Heartless" being released as singles, while "Welcome to Heartbreak" charted as an album cut and peaked at number 87 on the [[Pop 100]].<ref name="Pop100">{{cite magazine |url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=kid cudi|chart=Pop 100}} |title=Billboard Pop 100 Chart Positions |magazine=Billboard |access-date=January 9, 2009}}</ref>

Kid Cudi's first television appearance was at the 2008 [[MTV Video Music Awards]], alongside [[Travis Barker]] and [[DJ AM]]. Cudi was promoted as an artist to watch for in media such as ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', ''[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]'', ''[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]]'', ''[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]'' and [[BBC News]]'s 2009 [[Sound of... (BBC poll)|Sound of]] poll.<ref>{{cite news |title=BBC Sound of 2008: The longlist |work=BBC News |date=December 5, 2008 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7758169.stm |access-date=January 1, 2009}}</ref> [[MTV News]] reported on Cudi on a series of reports titled "MCs To Watch In 2009".<ref name="MCs to watch">{{cite news |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1602354/20090108/kid_cudi.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114224744/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1602354/20090108/kid_cudi.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 14, 2009 |title=MCs To Watch In 2009: Kid Cudi |last=Roberts |first=Steven |date=January 8, 2009 |website=MTV News |access-date=August 28, 2009}}</ref>

=== 2009–2010: ''Man on the Moon'' and ''Man on the Moon II'' ===
{{Main|Man on the Moon: The End of Day|Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager}}
[[File:Kid Cudi Moon2.jpg|thumb|Cudi performing on [[MTV]] in August 2009]]
In late 2008, Cudi was revealed to be included in ''[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]]''{{'}}s 2009 annual Freshman Class. He was featured on the cover alongside fellow up-and-coming rappers [[Asher Roth]], [[Wale (rapper)|Wale]], [[B.o.B]], [[Charles Hamilton (rapper)|Charles Hamilton]], [[Cory Gunz]], [[Blu (rapper)|Blu]], [[Mickey Factz]], [[Ace Hood]] and [[Curren$y]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://highbridnation.com/2008/10/21/first-look-xxl-freshman-class-of-09-covers/ |title=First Look: XXL Freshman Class of '09 Covers |work=HighbridNation.com |date=October 21, 2008 |access-date=March 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hiphoppress.com/2008/10/xxls-class-of-0 |title=XXL's Class of '09 Cover: Top 10 Freshmen |work=HipHopPress.com |date=October 20, 2008 |access-date=March 13, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411022602/http://www.hiphoppress.com/2008/10/xxls-class-of-0 |archive-date=April 11, 2013}}</ref> On February 17, 2009, he appeared on [[Snoop Dogg]]'s MTV talk show ''[[Dogg After Dark]]'', performing "Day 'n' Nite" at the end of the show. Two days later on February 19, 2009, Cudi appeared on [[Black Entertainment Television|BET]]'s ''[[106 & Park]]'', alongside Kanye West to debut the music video of "Day 'n' Nite".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fakeshoredrive.com/2009/02/video-kid-cudi-kanye-west-on-106-park.html/|title=Video: Kid Cudi & Kanye West on 106 & Park – Fake Shore Drive®|date=February 19, 2009 |access-date=December 20, 2022}}</ref> On February 25, 2009, Cudi [[Internet leak|self-leaked]] a [[teaser trailer]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://videos.onsmash.com/v/v7nQrrBTj4nqfxCK |title=Transformers Trailer with KiD CuDi's New Single |website=OnSmash.com |access-date=March 21, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228095744/http://videos.onsmash.com/v/v7nQrrBTj4nqfxCK |archive-date=February 28, 2009}}</ref> for the upcoming ''[[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]'' film, using his song "Sky Might Fall" in the background; later he posted that he made the trailer himself and was in talks to possibly making it official.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1606279/kid-cudi-has-eureka-moment-with-transformers-trailer/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150719095604/http://www.mtv.com/news/1606279/kid-cudi-has-eureka-moment-with-transformers-trailer/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 19, 2015 |title=Kid Cudi Has 'Eureka' Moment With 'Transformers' Trailer |access-date=May 12, 2021 |last=Roberts |first=Steven |date=March 4, 2009 |website=[[MTV News]]}}</ref>

In February 2009, Kid Cudi also made a [[cameo appearance]] next to [[Solange Knowles|Solange]] in the video for her song "[[T.O.N.Y.]]". On March 16, 2009, Kid Cudi performed on [[mtvU]]'s Spring Break special, and the following day he performed three songs on NBC's ''[[Last Call with Carson Daly]]''. Cudi teamed up with partner and record producer Emile Haynie, to produce an exclusive single titled "Switchin Lanes", for the video game ''[[Midnight Club: Los Angeles]]'', part of its "South Central Premium Upgrade" [[Downloadable content|downloadable content (DLC)]], which came out March 19, 2009, for the [[PlayStation 3]] and March 27, 2009, for the [[Xbox 360]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rockstargames.com/midnightclubLA/southcentral/ |title=Midnight Club: Los Angeles South Central DLC Kid Cudi Exclusive |website=[[Rockstar Games]] |access-date=April 20, 2013}}</ref> He has also appeared as a musical guest on the ''[[Late Show with David Letterman]]'' and ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]'' In June 2009, he made a cameo in [[Black Eyed Peas]]' video for "[[I Gotta Feeling]]", alongside [[David Guetta]], where the two met for the first time and subsequently recorded their international hit "[[Memories (David Guetta song)|Memories]]". In 2009, he had also been on two magazine covers, ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'' (August/September 2009) and ''[[URB (magazine)|URB]]'' (August 2009).

[[File:Kid Cudi MOTM Performance.jpg|thumb|Cudi performing in September 2009]]
He revealed information about his future plans via his blog, saying that a possible collaborative album with [[Chip tha Ripper]] could be followed with a collaborative project with [[electronic rock]] duo [[Ratatat]].<ref>{{cite web |website=KidCudi.com |title=Features |url=http://www.kidcudi.com/news/?p=688 |date=May 2, 2009 |access-date=August 28, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090507183413/http://www.kidcudi.com/news/?p=688 |archive-date=May 7, 2009}}</ref> On May 5, 2009 Iranian-American progressive house DJ [[Sharam]], released "She Came Along", the [[lead single]] from his debut studio album, ''[[Get Wild (album)|Get Wild]]'' (2009).<ref>{{cite web |title=She Came Along (feat. Kid Cudi) by Sharam |url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/she-came-along-feat.-kid-cudi/id314247463 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150127164029/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/she-came-along-feat.-kid-cudi/id314247463 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 27, 2015 |work=[[iTunes Store]] |date=May 5, 2009 |publisher=[[Apple Inc.|Apple]] |access-date=September 21, 2012}}</ref> The song, featuring Cudi, charted for 15 weeks on the Bulgarian Singles Top 40. It entered the chart on position 40 on week 30/2009, and its last appearance was on week 44/2009. It peaked at number 11, where it stayed for one week.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sharam and Kid Cudi - She Came Along - Music Charts |url=http://acharts.us/song/45498 |work=αCharts.us |access-date=September 21, 2012}}</ref>

During the summer of 2009, Cudi joined fellow up-and-coming rappers [[Asher Roth]] and [[B.o.B]], for 'The Great Hangover' [[concert tour]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1616466/20090717/kid_cudi.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090821212402/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1616466/20090717/kid_cudi.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 21, 2009 |title=Kid Cudi, Asher Roth Want Hangover Tour To Be A 'Movement' |last=Roberts |first=Steven |date=July 17, 2009 |website=MTV News |access-date=August 28, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1613186/asher-roth-kid-cudi-hitting-road-together.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140111082300/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1613186/asher-roth-kid-cudi-hitting-road-together.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 11, 2014 |title=Asher Roth And Kid Cudi Hitting The Road For Great Hangover Tour |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |date=June 3, 2009 |website=MTV News |access-date=March 15, 2013}}</ref>
In late 2009, Kid Cudi was featured on the highly anticipated [[Jay-Z]] album ''[[The Blueprint 3]]'', on the song "Already Home".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/36262-jay-zs-iblueprint-3i-the-tracklist/ |title=Blueprint 3 Track-List |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |access-date=August 19, 2009 |archive-date=March 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110321171701/http://pitchfork.com/news/36262-jay-zs-iblueprint-3i-the-tracklist/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On September 14, 2009, [[BET]] premiered their ''Rising Icons'' profile of Kid Cudi. During the 30 minute show Cudi performed "CuDi Zone", "Mr. Solo Dolo", "Day 'n' Nite" and "Make Her Say". Cudi also discussed his childhood, his move to New York to begin his career as an artist and more.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tv.com/shows/grey-goose-entertainment-and-bet-present-rising-icons/ |title=Grey Goose Entertainment and BET Present: Rising Icons - Show News, Reviews, Recaps and Photos |website=TV.com |access-date=December 19, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://nahright.com/2009/09/15/video-bet-rising-icon-kid-cudi/ |title=Video: BET Rising Icon: KiD CuDi |website=Nah Right |date=September 15, 2009 |access-date=December 19, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.luxuriousprototype.com/events/bet-rising-icons-w-melanie-fiona-and-kid-cudi/ |title=BET Rising Icons w/ Melanie Fiona and Kid Cudi |website=LuxuriousPROTOTYPE |date=August 22, 2009 |access-date=December 19, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.celebritybug.net/2009/09/rising-icons-kid-cudi.html |title=Rising Icons: Kid Cudi |website=Celebrity Bug |date=September 15, 2009 |access-date=December 19, 2016}}</ref>

Cudi's debut album ''[[Man on the Moon: The End of Day]]'', was released on [[Universal Motown]] Records on September 15, 2009<ref>{{cite web |url=http://internetpopular.wordpress.com/2009/09/15/kid-cudi-man-on-the-moon-released/ |title=InternetPopular.com |date=July 28, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120728173608/http://internetpopular.wordpress.com/2009/09/15/kid-cudi-man-on-the-moon-released/ |archive-date=July 28, 2012}}</ref> and sold 104,419 copies in the first week and charted at #4.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.shabooty.com/2009/09/23/jay-z-tops-album-sales-two-weeks-in-a-row-sells-298k.php |title=Jay-Z Tops Album Sales Two Weeks In A Row |website=Shabooty.com |date=September 23, 2009 |access-date=October 11, 2012 |archive-date=September 25, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925193154/http://www.shabooty.com/2009/09/23/jay-z-tops-album-sales-two-weeks-in-a-row-sells-298k.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> The album's [[lead single]] "Day 'n' Nite", Kid Cudi's greatest commercial success thus far, charted well in both the U.S. and in Europe. The second [[Single (music)|single]] released was "[[Make Her Say]]" (originally titled "I Poke Her Face"), which features a sample from [[Lady Gaga]]'s hit single "[[Poker Face (Lady Gaga song)|Poker Face]]" and performances by Kanye West and [[Common (rapper)|Common]]. Common was also featured throughout the album, as the narrator.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1612265/20090527/west_kanye.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090529194827/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1612265/20090527/west_kanye.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 29, 2009 |title=Kanye West 'Inspired' By Lady Gaga's 'Face' For Kid Cudi Single |last=Reid |first=Shaheem |date=May 27, 2009 |website=MTV News |access-date=August 28, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1616551/20090720/kid_cudi.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090721013500/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1616551/20090720/kid_cudi.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 21, 2009 |title=Kanye West, Common Lend Kid Cudi Bicoastal Support In Video |last=Roberts |first=Steven |date=July 20, 2009 |website=MTV News |access-date=August 28, 2009}}</ref>

In September 2009, Cudi co-headlined [[50 Cent]]'s "50 Fest" concert, along with fellow American rapper [[Wale (rapper)|Wale]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hiphopwired.com/2009/09/09/50-cent-recruits-wale-kid-cudi-and-corey-gunz-for-%E2%80%9C50-fest%E2%80%9D/ |title=50 Cent Recruits Wale, Kid Cudi and Corey Gunz for "50 Fest" |website=Hip-Hop Wired |date=September 9, 2009 |access-date=August 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161008150158/http://hiphopwired.com/2009/09/09/50-cent-recruits-wale-kid-cudi-and-corey-gunz-for-%e2%80%9c50-fest%e2%80%9d/ |archive-date=October 8, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |date=October 7, 2009 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AYwm4snUmo |title=Thisis50 Fest - Focus On Kid Cudi {{!}} Behind The Scenes {{!}} 50 Cent |publisher=[[50cent]] |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916111027/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AYwm4snUmo |archive-date=September 16, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1622984/50-cent-unites-nyc-hip-hop-at-thisis50-festival/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140530100546/http://www.mtv.com/news/1622984/50-cent-unites-nyc-hip-hop-at-thisis50-festival/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 30, 2014 |title=50 Cent Unites NYC Hip-Hop At ThisIs50 Festival |website=MTV |date=October 4, 2009 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> In a late 2009 interview, Cudi announced that the follow-up to his debut album would be a [[compilation album]] entitled ''Cudder and the Revolution of Evolution'', which would have many collaborations. He stated he had already recorded songs with [[Snoop Dogg]], [[Travis Barker]], [[Clipse]], [[Cage (rapper)|Cage]] and [[Pharrell Williams|Pharrell]], and would also like to work with [[Drake (entertainer)|Drake]], [[Green Day]], [[Kings of Leon]], [[Robin Thicke]], [[the Killers]] and [[the Postal Service]] on the album. It was also rumored that ''Man on the Moon: The End of Day'' was followed up by a sequel titled ''Man on the Moon: The Ghost in the Machine'' and that the ''Man on the Moon'' series would be a trilogy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://datnewcudi.com/2009/08/25/kid-cudi-interview-with-honey-magazine/ |title=Kid Cudi Interview with Honey Magazine |date=August 25, 2009 |website=Dat New 'Cudi' |access-date=April 26, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091030210710/http://datnewcudi.com/2009/08/25/kid-cudi-interview-with-honey-magazine/ |archive-date=October 30, 2009}}</ref> Kid Cudi was nominated for three [[2010 Grammy Awards]], for his singles "Day 'n' Nite" and "Make Her Say".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://datnewcudi.com/2009/12/02/kid-cudi-recieves-three-2010-grammy-nominations/ |title=Kid Cudi receives Three Grammy Nominations |website=Dat New 'Cudi' |access-date=October 11, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427061846/http://datnewcudi.com/2009/12/02/kid-cudi-recieves-three-2010-grammy-nominations/ |archive-date=April 27, 2012}}</ref>

[[File:Kid Cudi 2010 1.jpg|Cudi in April 2010|left|thumb]]
In January 2010, Cudi released ''Man on the Moon: The End of Day''{{'}}s third and final single "[[Pursuit of Happiness (song)|Pursuit of Happiness]]", which was eventually certified platinum by the RIAA. In 2010, Cudi was featured on Snoop Dogg's re-release of ''Malice n Wonderland'', titled ''[[More Malice]]'', on the lead single "[[That Tree]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://datnewcudi.com/2010/01/20/kid-cudi-featured-on-snoop-doggs-more-malice/ |title=Kid Cudi Featured on Snoop Dogg's "More Malice" |website=Dat New 'Cudi' |access-date=October 11, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302111532/http://datnewcudi.com/2010/01/20/kid-cudi-featured-on-snoop-doggs-more-malice/ |archive-date=March 2, 2012}}</ref> Cudi later teamed up with independent artist [[Johnny Polygon]], to [[remix]] Polygon's "The Riot Song", which appears on his mixtape ''Rebel Without Applause'' (2010).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://datnewcudi.com/2010/02/14/johnny-polygon-feat-kid-cudi-riot-song-remix/#respond/ |title=Kid Cudi Featured on Johnny Polygon's "Riot Song" |website=Dat New 'Cudi' |date=February 14, 2010 |access-date=October 11, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330202239/http://datnewcudi.com/2010/02/14/johnny-polygon-feat-kid-cudi-riot-song-remix/#respond/ |archive-date=March 30, 2012}}</ref> He was also invited to be a vocalist for [[We Are the World 25 for Haiti|the remake]] of the [[charity record|charity single]] "[[We Are the World]]" for its 25th anniversary to benefit [[Haiti]] after [[2010 Haiti earthquake|the earthquake]].

On April 20, 2010, Kid Cudi announced that the name of his second album would not be ''Cudder and the Revolution of Evolution'', but a direct sequel to his first, titled ''[[Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager]]''.<ref name="Man on the Moon 2">{{cite web |url=http://www.kidcudi.com/news/lend-me-your-eyesssss-1561.html |title=Lend Me Your Eyesssss |date=April 20, 2010 |work=KidCudi.com |access-date=April 24, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100423121659/http://www.kidcudi.com/news/lend-me-your-eyesssss-1561.html |archive-date=April 23, 2010}}</ref><ref name="MTV UK">{{cite news |url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/artists/kid-cudi/news/209849-kid-cudi-makes-changes-to-his-albumagain |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523050144/http://www.mtv.co.uk/artists/kid-cudi/news/209849-kid-cudi-makes-changes-to-his-albumagain |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 23, 2010 |title=Kid Cudi Makes Changes To His Album... Again! |date=April 21, 2010 |website=MTV UK |access-date=April 24, 2010}}</ref>

On June 11, 2010, Kid Cudi was arrested in the [[Chelsea, Manhattan|Chelsea]] neighborhood of the [[Manhattan]] borough in New York City and charged with felony criminal mischief and possession of a controlled substance.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rodriguez |first=Jayson |title=Kid Cudi Arrested |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1641413/20100611/kid_cudi.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613061345/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1641413/20100611/kid_cudi.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 13, 2010 |website=MTV News |access-date=June 12, 2010 |date=June 11, 2010}}</ref> Despite his arrest, he was released and made it to Manchester, Tennessee in time to play at [[Bonnaroo]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/957790/kid-cudi-plays-bonnaroo-despite-new-york-arrest |title=Kid Cudi Plays Bonnaroo Despite New York Arrest |magazine=Billboard |date=September 14, 2009 |access-date=April 26, 2011}}</ref>

In May 2010, American shoe company [[Converse (shoe company)|Converse]], launched "You're It", a campaign which highlighted 23 artists from around the world in a series of web shorts. The campaign featured artists from 13 countries including Kid Cudi. In this short, Converse takes a trip back to Cudi's roots as an artist in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. The campaign's goal was to tap into the grassroots of Converse's global market and introduce the artists of tomorrow.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hypebeast.com/2018/5/converse-youre-it-kid-cudi |title=Converse - You're It: Kid Cudi |date=May 12, 2010}}</ref>

In June 2010, Converse was promoting being a catalyst for creativity by bringing together three musicians from different genres to form a unique collaboration known as "Three Artists. One Song." Converse teamed up Cudi, alongside [[Vampire Weekend]]'s [[Rostam Batmanglij]] and [[Best Coast]]'s [[Bethany Cosentino]], to produce the song titled "All Summer".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hypebeast.com/2018/6/converse-presents-kid-cudi-video |title=Converse Presents Kid Cudi |date=June 24, 2010 |website=Hypebeast}}</ref> In addition to collaborating on the track, each of the artists also participated in the creation of the music video, which was released later that summer.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/viral-videos/957373/kid-cudi-has-a-big-head-in-all-summer |title=Kid Cudi Has a Big Head in 'All Summer' |first=Megan |last=Vick |date=July 14, 2010 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref>

The lead single from Cudi's second studio album, titled "[[Erase Me (song)|Erase Me]]", features Kanye West and was produced by [[Jim Jonsin]]. The song debuted on a Cleveland radio station June 30, 2010, and was officially released to Rhythm/Crossover radio on August 17, 2010.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rodriguez |first=Jayson |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1642855/20100701/kid_cudi.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100705095119/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1642855/20100701/kid_cudi.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 5, 2010 |title=Kid Cudi Debuts 'Erase Me,' With Kanye West |website=MTV |date=July 1, 2010 |access-date=November 24, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Koroma |first=Salima |url=http://beta.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.11771/title.dx-news-bits-kid-cudi-lupe-fiasco |title=DX News Bits: Kid Cudi, Lupe Fiasco |website=HipHop DX.com |date=July 22, 2010 |access-date=November 24, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812093452/http://beta.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.11771/title.dx-news-bits-kid-cudi-lupe-fiasco |archive-date=August 12, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16691 |title=Available for Airplay |magazine=[[FMQB]] |access-date=November 24, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101021222843/http://fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16691 |archive-date=October 21, 2010}}</ref> The title-track "[[Mr. Rager]]", was released as the album's second single, shortly before the album's release. The album, released November 9, 2010, debuted at number three on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart, with first-week sales of 169,000 copies.<ref name="DX-11-17">{{cite web |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.13024/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-11-14-2010 |title=Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 11/14/2010 |first=Allen |last=Jacobs |date=November 17, 2010 |website=HipHopDX.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001091510/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.13024/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-11-14-2010 |archive-date=October 1, 2012}}</ref> In its second week it crossed the 200,000 sales mark.<ref>{{cite web |last=Jacobs |first=Allen |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.13114/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-11-21-2010 |title=Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 11/21/2010 |website=HipHopDX.com |date=November 24, 2010 |access-date=November 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001194947/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.13114/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-11-21-2010 |archive-date=October 1, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2010, Kid Cudi appeared on several songs for his mentor Kanye West's weekly free music giveaway ''[[GOOD Fridays]]''; namely "Good Friday", "Christian Dior Denim Flow" and "The Joy", the latter of which later became a [[bonus track]] on the [[Jay-Z]] and Kanye West collaborative album ''[[Watch the Throne]]'' (2011).

=== 2011–2012: New direction with WZRD and Wicked Awesome ===
{{Main|WZRD (band)|WZRD (album)}}
[[File:Global Dance Fest 2011 @ Red Rocks.jpg|thumb|upright|Cudi performing at the 2011 Global Dance Festival at [[Red Rocks Amphitheatre]] in [[Colorado]]]]
In October 2010, Cudi had announced that he would be forming a rock band with frequent collaborator [[Dot da Genius]], tentatively called [[WZRD (band)|Wizard]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ballerstatus.com/2010/10/29/kid-cudi-forms-rock-band-called-wizard/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719164136/http://www.ballerstatus.com/2010/10/29/kid-cudi-forms-rock-band-called-wizard/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 19, 2012 |title=Kid Cudi Forms Rock Band Called Wizard |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=October 29, 2010 |website=Ballerstatus |access-date=April 26, 2011 }}</ref> In early 2011, he announced that he would be releasing a mixtape titled ''A Man Named Scott'', reminiscent of his ''A Kid Named Cudi'' title, prior to the rock album.<ref name="rockalbum">{{cite web |url=http://consequence.net/2011/01/kid-cudi-plans-rock-album-announces-a-man-named-scott-mixtape/ |title=Kid Cudi plans rock album, announces A Man Named Scott mixtape |first=Alex |last=Young |date=January 28, 2011 |website=[[Consequence of Sound]] |access-date=April 26, 2011}}</ref> On February 26, 2011, Cudi took to his Twitter account to announce that Dream On, the record label he launched in 2009 with partners [[Plain Pat|Patrick "Plain Pat" Reynolds]] and producer [[Emile Haynie]], has been dissolved.<ref name=dreamon/> However, in an interview with ''Complex Magazine'' Cudi explained they were all still on good terms: "I wanted to try something new, and I wanted to take control of things myself. Those are still my guys, Pat and Emile, and I'm still going to work with them in the future. When we start working on ''Man on the Moon III'' I'll be calling them up to see if they want to be a part of it. I know Emile is definitely down. We had an issue, but we're men and we were able to figure it out and move forward. There's no hard feelings."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2011/09/kid-cudi-puzzling-2011-cover-story/page/2 |title=Kid Cudi: Puzzling |first=Noah |last=Callahan-Bever |website=Complex.com |date=September 19, 2011 |access-date=October 17, 2011 |archive-date=October 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111014054427/http://www.complex.com/music/2011/09/kid-cudi-puzzling-2011-cover-story/page/2 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In March 2011, Cudi announced that a music video for "[[Marijuana (song)|Marijuana]]" would be released in the spring, followed by a music video for "[[Mr. Rager]]" in the summer, then he would release a [[short film]], directed by [[Shia LaBeouf]], inspired by his song "Maniac", with [[Cage (rapper)|Cage]], in October 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1651623/kid-cudi-shia-labeouf-picture-leaks-online.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925185232/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1651623/kid-cudi-shia-labeouf-picture-leaks-online.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 25, 2011 |title=Kid Cudi/ Shia LaBeouf Picture Leaks Online |first=Steven |last=Roberts |date=November 5, 2010 |website=MTV |access-date=April 26, 2011}}</ref><ref name="twitter.com">{{cite tweet |author=The Chosen One |user=KiDCuDi |number=44090919305224192 |date=March 5, 2011 |title=maniac horror short will be released on halloween, rager short this summer, marijuana video this spring. i got you guys, no worries |language=en |access-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711151349/https://twitter.com/KidCudi/status/44090919305224192 |archive-date=July 11, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2011, while performing at New York City's Roseland Ballroom Kid Cudi announced he was launching his own record label. The new label, which he will be releasing his third studio album on is called Wicked Awesome Records. He also renamed his band on the same occasion to 2 Be Continuum, renaming it from the original Wizard. Kid Cudi explained his reasoning saying: "I needed something more original, something different, but it's still wizardry at its finest."<ref name="wicked awesome"/> In 2011, Cudi landed a songwriting placement on English singer [[Natalia Kills]]' debut album ''[[Perfectionist (album)|Perfectionist]]'', for the song "[[Free (Natalia Kills song)|Free]]".

On August 12, 2011, Kid Cudi released the music video for "[[No One Believes Me]]", directed by [[Fright Night (2011 film)|Fright Night]] director [[Craig Gillespie]]. The song, produced by Dot da Genius, features Cudi singing and contains elements of [[rock music]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005GYCXBY |title=No One Believes Me: Kid Cudi |website=Amazon.com |access-date=April 20, 2013}}</ref> On August 21, Cudi announced that he would no longer be releasing the ''A Man Named Scott'' mixtape, so that he can focus on his rock project and his third solo album ''Man on the Moon III''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cudlife.tumblr.com/post/9221598438/mixtape |title=Cud Life: Mixtape |website=Tumblr.com |date=May 25, 2010 |access-date=November 24, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726014139/http://cudlife.tumblr.com/post/9221598438/mixtape |archive-date=July 26, 2013}}</ref><ref name="3rd MOTM">{{cite web |url=http://cudlife.tumblr.com/post/7392420358/man-on-the-moon-iii-will-be-released-in-the-fall/ |title=Cud Life: Kid Cudi announces a Fall 2012 release of his 3rd studio album |website=Tumblr |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217191906/http://cudlife.tumblr.com/post/7392420358/man-on-the-moon-iii-will-be-released-in-the-fall |archive-date=December 17, 2013 |access-date=July 13, 2011}}</ref> Kid Cudi released the music video for his second album's title-track "Mr. Rager", on September 8, 2011. The video received all-positive reviews from critics and fans alike.<ref>{{cite AV media |date=September 8, 2011 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psV5VtIEpOo |title=Kid Cudi - Mr Rager ( Music Video) RARE EDITION |publisher=TheCommissionChannel |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006044335/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psV5VtIEpOo |archive-date=October 6, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Despite saying he will not do many more [[Guest appearance|features]] for other artists in ''Complex'' magazine's October/November 2011 cover story,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2011/09/kid-cudi-puzzling-2011-cover-story/page/3 |title=Kid Cudi: Puzzling |first=Noah |last=Callahan-Bever |website=Complex.com |date=September 19, 2011 |access-date=November 17, 2011}}</ref> Cudi appeared on [[Bryan Greenberg]]'s second album ''We Don't Have Forever'' (2011), [[Travis Barker]]'s solo debut ''[[Give the Drummer Some]]'' (2011), [[the Knux]]'s ''[[Eraser (album)|Eraser]]'' (2011), and [[Wale (rapper)|Wale]]'s ''[[Ambition (Wale album)|Ambition]]'' (2011), respectively. On October 30, 2011, Cudi released ''[[Maniac (2011 film)|Maniac]]'', a [[Short film|short]] [[horror film]] co-starring fellow American rapper [[Cage (rapper)|Cage]] and directed by American actor [[Shia LaBeouf]], through his blog.<ref>{{cite tweet |author=The Chosen One |user=KiDCuDi |number=131129794153824256 |date=October 31, 2011 |title=MANIAC Directed by Shia LaBeouf Starring Scott Mescudi and Chris Palko http://t.co/hjNEcAb3 |language=en |access-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711151350/https://twitter.com/KidCudi/status/131129794153824256 |archive-date=July 11, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> On November 13, 2011, a previously unreleased [[demo (music)|demo tape]] Cudi had recorded from 2002 to 2003,<ref>{{cite tweet |author=The Chosen One |user=KiDCuDi |number=385111720664256512 |date=October 1, 2013 |title=Rap Hard 10 year anniversary |language=en |access-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208015353/https://twitter.com/KidCudi/status/385111720664256512 |archive-date=February 8, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |author=The Chosen One |user=KiDCuDi |number=385111284632788992 |date=October 1, 2013 |title=The last existing and playable copy of my original Rap Hard demo from when I was 19. Very rare. Gotta lock this up! http://t.co/irfuC7JXw7 |language=en |access-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208015355/https://twitter.com/KidCudi/status/385111284632788992 |archive-date=February 8, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> under the [[pseudonym]] Kid Mesc,<ref>{{cite tweet |author=The Chosen One |user=KiDCuDi |number=137241341489987584 |date=November 17, 2011 |title=Its kind of dope you guys can see where it all started. These were the first songs I ever recorded. My rap name was KiD MeSc |language=en |access-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825023908/https://twitter.com/KidCudi/status/137241341489987584 |archive-date=August 25, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> titled ''Rap Hard'', leaked online.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=137240827503181824|user=KidCudi|title=Oh btw, I did not release my Rap Hard...|date=November 17, 2011}}</ref> On Twitter, Cudi wrote "I actually never wanted anyone to hear those songs ever, but its cool. Ha"<ref>{{cite tweet |author=The Chosen One |user=KiDCuDi |number=137241886728536064 |date=November 17, 2011 |title=I actually never wanted anyone to hear those songs ever, but its cool. Ha |language=en |access-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825024732/https://twitter.com/kidcudi/status/137241886728536064 |archive-date=August 25, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On November 18, 2011 Cudi renamed his band for the second time to [[WZRD (band)|WZRD]] (pronounced: w-z-r-d).<ref>{{cite tweet |author=The Chosen One |user=KiDCuDi |number=137538406992449536 |date=November 18, 2011 |title=News update! Me and @DotDaGenius are no longer called 2 Be Continuum. The world will call us W Z R D, which is short for WIZARD. |language=en |access-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107003628/https://twitter.com/kidcudi/status/137538406992449536 |archive-date=November 7, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> He also announced that the upcoming rock project would be released on his 28th birthday, January 30, 2012. In late 2011, Cudi was mentioned in a [[viral video]] by [[vlogger]] [[Ben Breedlove]], about his near death experiences.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/kid-cudi-responds-ben-breedlove-video-farewell-shortly-teen-fan-died-heart-condition-article-1.998401 |newspaper=[[New York Daily News]] |first=Ethan |last=Sacks |title=Kid Cudi touched by teen fan's video farewell |date=December 29, 2011}}</ref> After Breedlove's death on December 26, 2011, Cudi commented on his thoughts about inspiring the young kid. "I am so sad about Ben Breedlove", Kid Cudi wrote on his Tumblr blog. "I watched the video he left for the world to see, and him seeing me in detail, in his vision really warmed my heart. I broke down, I am to tears because I hate how life is so unfair. This has really touched my heart in a way I cant describe, this is why I do what I do. Why I write my life, and why I love you all so much. Life is really fucked up sometimes, but I know Ben is at Peace, and I hope he gets a chance to sit and talk with my Dad. We love you Ben. Forever. Thank you for loving me. To Ben's family, you raised a real hero, he's definitely mine. You have my love."

In January 2012, Cudi appeared on two songs from Chip tha Ripper's mixtape ''Tell Ya Friends'', "Ride 4 You" which also featured [[Far East Movement]] and "GloryUs", which credited the duo as they are collectively known, The Almighty GloryUs. This led to speculation that a long-awaited project from the two was underway. On January 31, Cudi announced through his Twitter feed that he had completed ''[[WZRD (album)|WZRD]]'' and that his next album was the collaborative effort with Chip tha Ripper.<ref>{{cite tweet |author=The Chosen One |user=KiDCuDi |number=164511705265750017 |date=February 1, 2012 |title=3rd album finished. Chip next, then my 4th |language=en |access-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516003154/https://twitter.com/KidCudi/status/164511705265750017 |archive-date=May 16, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2012, Cudi was featured on the [[The Hunger Games: Songs from District 12 and Beyond|soundtrack to the film]] ''[[The Hunger Games (film)|The Hunger Games]]'', crafting an original song for the film titled "The Ruler and the Killer". Referring to "The Ruler and the Killer", Cudi wrote on his Twitter feed: "I could not have done it without my producing partners on the project for the film, The legendary and Godly [[T-Bone Burnett|T Bone Burnett]] and [[Greg Wells]]!"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://datnewcudi.com/2012/03/01/kid-cudi-discusses-the-ruler-and-killer-from-the-hunger-games-soundtrack/ |title=Kid Cudi Discusses "The Ruler and Killer" from The Hunger Games Soundtrack |website=Dat New 'Cudi' |date=March 1, 2012 |access-date=March 2, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305045222/http://datnewcudi.com/2012/03/01/kid-cudi-discusses-the-ruler-and-killer-from-the-hunger-games-soundtrack/ |archive-date=March 5, 2012}}</ref>

While working on the band's [[WZRD (album)|self-titled debut]], Cudi claimed he had [[writer's block]] for almost five months because of his new [[sobriety]]; something that had never happened to him for such an extended period of time. According to Cudi, bands that inspired the album include [[Electric Light Orchestra]], [[Jimi Hendrix]], [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]] and [[Pink Floyd]]. The album includes a song titled "[[Where Did You Sleep Last Night?]]", a [[Cover version|cover]] of the same titled song by [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]], who in turn were inspired by blues guitar legend [[Lead Belly]]'s rendition of the [[Traditional music|traditional]] [[folk music|folk]] song.<ref name="listeningsession">{{cite web |title=Kid Cudi & Dot Da Genius Host "WZRD" Listening Session in LA |url=http://datnewcudi.com/2012/02/14/kid-cudi-dot-da-genius-host-wzrd-listening-session-in-la/ |website=Dat New 'Cudi' |date=February 14, 2012 |access-date=February 20, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219062739/http://datnewcudi.com/2012/02/14/kid-cudi-dot-da-genius-host-wzrd-listening-session-in-la/ |archive-date=February 19, 2012}}</ref> Following ''WZRD''{{'}}s release on February 28, 2012, the album debuted at #3 on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart, with first-week sales of 66,000 physical and [[Online distribution|digital copies]] in the United States.<ref name="HipHopDX">{{cite magazine |last=Jacobs |first=Allen |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.18926/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-3-4-2012 |title=Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 3/4/2012 |magazine=HipHopDX |date=March 7, 2012 |access-date=March 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006200448/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.18926/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-3-4-2012 |archive-date=October 6, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The album also debuted on the [[Rock Albums|Top Rock Albums]] and [[Alternative Albums|Top Alternative Albums]] at number one, and at #9 on the [[Canadian Albums Chart]] respectively.

=== 2012–2013: ''Indicud'' and departure from GOOD Music ===
{{Main|Indicud}}

In April 2012, in [[Geneseo, New York]], Cudi performed before a sold-out crowd and premiered a hip-hop song, his first since 2010. During his set, he performed a new record, tentatively titled "The Leader of the Delinquents", which he did [[a cappella]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rapradar.com/2012/04/23/kid-cudi-performs-new-song-in-ny/ |title=Kid Cudi Performs New Song In NY |website=[[Rap Radar]] |date=April 23, 2012 |access-date=March 10, 2013}}</ref> On April 25, 2012 Cudi was officially back to rapping with the release of "Dennis, Hook Me Up with Some More of That Whiskey!".<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Jacob |last=Moore |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/04/premiere-kid-cudi-dennis-hook-me-up-with-some-more-of-that-whiskey |title=Premiere: Kid Cudi "Dennis, Hook Me Up With Some More Of That Whiskey!" |access-date=March 17, 2013 |magazine=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] |date=April 15, 2013}}</ref> The song, the first ever solely produced by Cudi himself, samples his 2010 song "Ghost!".<ref>{{cite tweet |author=The Chosen One |user=KiDCuDi |number=195362650736173057 |date=April 26, 2012 |title=ok so what I did was, I took Ghost, reversed it, added new drums and guitar. |language=en |access-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717100757/https://twitter.com/KiDCuDi/status/195362650736173057 |archive-date=July 17, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2012, Cudi was seen in the music video for "[[Mercy (Kanye West song)|Mercy]]", the lead single from GOOD Music's [[compilation album]] ''[[Cruel Summer (GOOD Music album)|Cruel Summer]]'', in which he, along with other GOOD Music recording artists were featured on. Cudi was ultimately featured on two songs from the compilation, "The Morning" and a solo track originally meant for ''[[Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager|Man on the Moon II]]'' (2010), titled "Creepers", produced by [[Dan Black]].

In the summer of 2012, Cudi announced the title of his third studio album to be, ''[[Indicud]]'' when he [[Twitter|tweeted]]: "My new album is entitled ''indicud'', it will be my version of ''[[The Chronic 2001]]'', some songs i'll produce, others i'll feat &/or play songwriter".<ref name="indicud">{{cite news |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1686592/kid-cudi-new-album.jhtml |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130129045708/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1686592/kid-cudi-new-album.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 29, 2013 |title=Kid Cudi Reveals New Album Title, Indicud |last=Dempsey |first=Brendan |date=June 5, 2012 |website=MTV News |access-date=June 13, 2012}}</ref> On June 8, 2012, Cudi announced ''Indicud'', will be a [[Double album|double-disc album]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.19982/title.kid-cudi-says-indicud-will-be-a-double-disc-album |title=Kid CuDi Says "indicud" Will Be A Double-Disc Album |last=Horowitz |first=Steven J. |date=June 11, 2012 |magazine=HipHopDX |access-date=June 13, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120613192007/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.19982/title.kid-cudi-says-indicud-will-be-a-double-disc-album |archive-date=June 13, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> On August 12, Kid Cudi released the lead single from ''Indicud'', a song titled "[[Just What I Am]]", featuring his friend and longtime collaborator [[King Chip]] (formerly Chip tha Ripper).<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/480471/kid-cudi-debuts-first-indicud-song-just-what-iam-listen |title=Kid Cudi Debuts First 'Indicud' Song, 'Just What Iam' |magazine=Billboard.com |date=September 14, 2009 |access-date=August 13, 2012}}</ref> The album was announced to be released in early 2013 with Cudi focusing on scoring movies, followed by the third installment of the ''Man on the Moon'' series.<ref name="www.hiphopdx.com">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.21685/title.kid-cudi-says-he-lost-his-mind-but-found-it-details-indicud-man-on-the-moon-iii |title=Kid Cudi Says He Lost His Mind But Found It, Details "indicud" & "Man On the Moon III" |first=Andres |last=Tardio |date=October 29, 2012 |magazine=HipHopDX |access-date=October 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101024030/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.21685/title.kid-cudi-says-he-lost-his-mind-but-found-it-details-indicud-man-on-the-moon-iii |archive-date=November 1, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Cudi then added that ''Indicud'' "will feature more uptempos and that it will consist of at most 17 new songs."<ref name="www.hiphopdx.com"/> The music video for "Just What I Am", which marked Cudi's directorial debut, premiered November 6, 2012 on [[VEVO]] and was shot in Los Angeles with fans invited to participate in the video's shoot. On November 7, he revealed the album's second official single's title to be "[[Immortal (Kid Cudi song)|Immortal]]", and that it again was produced by himself like the two previous releases, "Just What I Am" and "[[King Wizard]]". He claimed the song "will make you feel amazing in the heart and soul."<ref name=immortal>{{cite tweet |author=The Chosen One |user=KiDCuDi |number=266244210280263681 |date=November 7, 2012 |title=My official 2nd single is called "IMMORTAL", and it will make u feel amazing in the heart and soul. We all have powers. Comin soon |language=en |access-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614020626/https://twitter.com/KidCudi/status/266244210280263681 |archive-date=June 14, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> The song was officially released via [[iTunes]] on March 14, 2013.<ref>{{cite web |title=Immortal – Single by Kid Cudi |url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/immortal-single/id620102269 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620044007/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/immortal-single/id620102269 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 20, 2013 |work=[[iTunes Store]] |publisher=[[Apple Inc.|Apple]] |access-date=March 14, 2013}}</ref>

On March 14, 2013 Kid Cudi performed at [[MySpace]]'s [[South by Southwest|South by Southwest (SXSW)]] secret show in [[Austin, Texas]] and after performing his many hits, he previewed a new verse from ''Indicud''. He also revealed that the album would feature 18 tracks, while officially confirming ASAP Rocky and [[Michael Bolton]] as featured guests.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.2dopeboyz.com/2013/03/15/kid-cudi-previews-new-music-at-sxsw-video/ |title=KiD CuDi Previews New Music At SXSW (Video) |work=2DopeBoyz |date=March 15, 2013 |access-date=March 15, 2013}}</ref> On March 16, Cudi announced that he would release the album's tracklist and [[cover art]] on April 2.<ref>{{cite tweet |author=The Chosen One |user=KiDCuDi |number=313023528385531904 |date=March 16, 2013 |title=Revealing tracklisting and album cover April 2nd!! |language=en |access-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916111057/https://twitter.com/KidCudi/status/313023528385531904 |archive-date=September 16, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Three days later, Kid Cudi announced via Twitter that the album had officially been completed and turned in to his label, Universal Republic.<ref>{{cite tweet |author=The Chosen One |user=KiDCuDi |number=314088357103800320 |date=March 19, 2013 |title=Album turnt in, spirit turnt up. 4th studio album wrapped. Mission impossible accomplished. Hope u all love it as much as I do. |language=en |access-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916111003/https://twitter.com/KidCudi/status/314088357103800320 |archive-date=September 16, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> On March 26, the album's cover art and tracklist was unveiled by [[Walmart]] and later [[Complex (magazine)|Complex]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/03/kid-cudi-unveils-indicud-album-art-and-tracklist |title=Kid Cudi Unveils "Indicud" Album Art and Tracklist |last=Weiss |first=Sam |date=March 26, 2013 |work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] |access-date=March 27, 2013}}</ref> Later that day, Cudi appeared on ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]'' and performed the album's lead singles; "Just What I Am" and "Immortal", as well as premiering "Mad Solar", which he performed a cappella.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/03/watch-kid-cudi-debut-mad-solar-and-perform-immortal-on-jimmy-kimmel-live |title=Kid Cudi Unveils "Indicud" Album Art and Tracklist |last=Weiss |first=Sam |date=March 27, 2013 |work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] |access-date=March 27, 2013}}</ref><ref name="JKvideo">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zke13NnYRJo |title=Kid Cudi Performs "Just What I Am" |website=[[YouTube]] |access-date=March 28, 2013}}</ref>

On April 2, 2013, Kid Cudi announced on [[Power 106]], that he was no longer under Kanye West's GOOD Music imprint. Cudi revealed he left the label on good terms, with him saying West respected his decision and will always be "big brother". Cudi's decision to move forward without West, was his desire to focus on his own imprint, Wicked Awesome Records and his friend, fellow rapper King Chip.<ref>{{cite web |last=Burgess |first=Omar |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.23443/title.kid-cudi-announces-split-from-g-o-o-d-music |title=Kid Cudi Announces Split From G.O.O.D. Music |website=HipHop DX |date=April 2, 2013 |access-date=April 20, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/04/kid-cudi-leaves-good-music/ |title=Kid Cudi: "I'm No Longer on G.O.O.D. Music" |magazine=Complex |date=April 2, 2013 |access-date=April 20, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Christina |last=Lee |url=http://idolator.com/7450701/kid-cudi-label-wicked-awesome-leaving-good-music |title=Kid Cudi Talks Focusing On His Label, Now That He's Left G.O.O.D. Music |website=Idolator.com |date=April 6, 2013 |access-date=April 20, 2013}}</ref> After ''Indicud'' [[music leak|leaked online]] in its entirety on April 9, 2013, Kid Cudi decided to push the album's release date up to April 16.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rapfix.mtv.com/2013/04/10/kid-cudi-bumps-indicud-release-date-after-album-leak/ |title=Kid Cudi Bumps Indicud Release Date After Album Leak |website=MTV.com |date=April 10, 2013 |access-date=April 20, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130414010921/http://rapfix.mtv.com/2013/04/10/kid-cudi-bumps-indicud-release-date-after-album-leak |archive-date=April 14, 2013}}</ref> The album debuted at #2 on the charts by moving 140,000 copies.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hitsdailydouble.com/news/newsPage.cgi?news09365 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130615174348/http://www.hitsdailydouble.com/news/newsPage.cgi?news09365 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 15, 2013 |title=News |website=HITS Daily Double |date=April 23, 2013 |access-date=January 9, 2014 }}</ref> In late 2013, Kid Cudi toured in support of ''Indicud'' on ''The Cud Life Tour 2013''. The tour was announced on July 15 with tickets going on sale the following day. Supporting acts on the tour included fellow American rappers [[Big Sean]], [[Tyler, The Creator]] and [[Logic (rapper)|Logic]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.missinfo.tv/index.php/kid-cudi-the-cud-life-tour/ |title=Kid Cudi Announces 'The Cud Life Tour' with Big Sean, Tyler, The Creator & Logic (Updated) |website=MissInfo.tv |date=July 15, 2013 |access-date=January 9, 2014}}</ref>

=== 2013–2014: ''Satellite Flight: The Journey to Mother Moon'' ===
{{Main|Satellite Flight: The Journey to Mother Moon}}
[[File:Kid Cudi Coachella 2014 1 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Cudi performing at [[Coachella (festival)|Coachella]] in [[Indio, California]], in April 2014]]
While on tour, on October 16, 2013 Kid Cudi announced he would be releasing an [[extended play]] (EP), sometime in the next three months.<ref name="EP">{{cite web |last=Tardio |first=Andres |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.25841/title.kid-cudi-announces-man-on-the-moon-3-prelude-ep |title=Kid Cudi Announces "Man On The Moon 3" Prelude EP |website=[[HipHopDX]] |date=October 16, 2013 |access-date=January 31, 2014}}</ref><ref name="EP2">{{cite web |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/10/kid-cudi-ep-pre-man-on-the-moon |title=Kid Cudi Announces Prelude EP to "Man On The Moon 3" |work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] |date=October 16, 2013 |access-date=January 31, 2014}}</ref> Cudi also revealed he would be producing it alongside Dot da Genius and that frequent collaborator King Chip, would appear on the EP.<ref name="EP"/> He then called the EP a [[Prelude (music)|prelude]] to his fourth album ''Man on the Moon III'', which he announced would be released in 2015.<ref name="EP"/> On October 19, 2013, Cudi revealed "Going to the Ceremony", a song he had released via online audio distribution platform [[SoundCloud]], earlier in July, would be included in the EP.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.republicrecords.com/new-music-kid-cudi-going-to-the-ceremony/ |title=New Music: Kid Cudi "Going To The Ceremony" |website=Republic Records |date=July 6, 2013 |access-date=January 9, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203045230/http://www.republicrecords.com/new-music-kid-cudi-going-to-the-ceremony/ |archive-date=December 3, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |author=The Chosen One |user=KiDCuDi |number=391738472685248512 |date=October 20, 2013 |title=GOING TO THE CEREMONY will be included on the EP, as well as the never before released Day N Nite remix Dot & I made the day after original! |language=en |access-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026180706/https://twitter.com/kidcudi/status/391738472685248512 |archive-date=October 26, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> Cudi revealed a [[remix]] of his hit single "Day 'n' Nite, which was briefly previewed on the intro of his 2008 breakout mixtape ''A Kid Named Cudi'', would also appear on the EP.<ref>{{cite tweet |author=The Chosen One |user=KiDCuDi |number=391738656857149440 |date=October 20, 2013 |title=We basically made it the next day and kept it in the vault for the right time. And the time is now ;) |language=en |access-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221027084506/https://twitter.com/kidcudi/status/391738656857149440 |archive-date=October 27, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |author=The Chosen One |user=KiDCuDi |number=391739115445555200 |date=October 20, 2013 |title=Wanna catch a snippet of it?? Play the intro to A Kid Named Cudi and listen reaaaal close. |language=en |access-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425220439/https://twitter.com/kidcudi/status/391739115445555200 |archive-date=April 25, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |author=The Chosen One |user=KiDCuDi |number=391739686906896384 |date=October 20, 2013 |title=A hidden clue thats just now being uncovered goin on 6 years later. |language=en |access-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917163749/https://twitter.com/KidCudi/status/391739686906896384 |archive-date=September 17, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On November 25, 2013, via his Twitter, Cudi revealed the title of the EP to be ''[[Satellite Flight: The Journey to Mother Moon]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/11/kid-cudi-makes-big-announcement/ |title=Kid Cudi Reveals Title Of Upcoming EP |website=[[XXL (magazine)|XXL]] |date=November 25, 2013 |access-date=January 9, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Tardio |first=Andres |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.26390/title.kid-cudi-announces-satellite-flight-the-journey-to-mother-moon-ep |title=Kid Cudi Announces "Satellite Flight: The Journey to Mother Moon" EP |work=[[HipHopDX]] |date=November 25, 2013 |access-date=January 9, 2014}}</ref> On December 16, 2013, Kid Cudi once again utilized SoundCloud to release "Satellite Flight", the EP's [[wikt:title track|title-track]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Davis |first=Justin |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/12/kid-cudi-satellite-flight |title=Listen to Kid Cudi's New Song "Satellite Flight" |work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] |date=December 16, 2013 |access-date=January 14, 2014}}</ref> On January 27, 2014, Kid Cudi revealed on Twitter that ''Satellite Flight: Journey to Mother Moon'' would no longer be an EP, but a full-length album instead.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rose |first=Lila |url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kid-cudi-announces-satellite-flight-is-now-an-album-not-ep-news.9090.html |title=Kid Cudi Announces "Satellite Flight" Is Now An Album, Not EP |work=HotNewHiphop |date=January 27, 2013 |access-date=January 27, 2014}}</ref> In a February 2014 interview with [[MTV News]], Cudi discussed the EP's transition to a full-fledged album and called the project his best work yet: "I'm really excited because it's my best work, and it's a surprise. People weren't really expecting it. I've never done two albums within a year of each other."<ref>{{cite web |last=Cooper |first=Roman |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.27328/title.kid-cudi-calls-satellite-flight-album-his-best-work-/ |title=Kid Cudi Calls "Satellite Flight" Album His "Best Work" |work=[[HipHopDX]] |date=February 2, 2014 |access-date=February 4, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Robertson |first=Iyana |url=http://www.vibe.com/article/kid-cudi-calls-satellite-flight-his-best-work |title=Kid Cudi Calls "Satellite Flight" Album His "Best Work" |work=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]] |date=February 2, 2014 |access-date=February 4, 2014}}</ref>

On February 25, 2014, with only few hours' notice from Cudi, ''Satellite Flight: The Journey to Mother Moon'' was released exclusively to digital retailers. The album debuted at number four on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart, with first-week sales of 87,000 digital copies in the United States.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.27763/title.hip-hop-album-sales-week-ending-3-2-2014 |last=Tardio |first=Andres |title=Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 3/2/2014 |magazine=HipHopDX |date=March 5, 2014| access-date=March 5, 2014}}</ref> On March 4, 2014 Cudi appeared on ''[[Chelsea Lately]]'', where he was interviewed by Oscar-nominated actress [[Gabourey Sidibe]], to promote ''Satellite Flight'' and the 2014 film ''[[Need for Speed (film)|Need for Speed]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Fitzgerald |first=Trent |url=http://theboombox.com/kid-cudi-gabourey-sidibe-chelsea-lately/ |title=Kid Cudi Talks With Gabourey Sidibe on 'Chelsea Lately' |work=TheBoombox.com |date=March 5, 2014 |access-date=March 12, 2014}}</ref> On March 12, 2014, Cudi released a song titled "Hero", a collaboration with American singer-songwriter [[Skylar Grey]], recorded for the soundtrack to ''Need for Speed''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.directlyrics.com/new-music-kid-cudi-hero-news.html |title=New Music: Kid Cudi feat. Skylar Grey - 'Hero' |website=Directlyrics.com |date=March 12, 2014 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Lobenfeld |first=Claire |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2014/03/kid-cudi-feat-skylar-grey-need-for-speed-ost |title=Hear New Kid Cudi Song "Hero" Featuring Skylar Grey |magazine=Complex |date=March 12, 2014 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> On March 15, 2014, Cudi appeared on ''[[The Arsenio Hall Show]]'', where he promoted the album, discussed the state of hip-hop, [[Suicidal ideation|suicidal thoughts]], ''Need for Speed'', and performed the song "Internal Bleeding", from the album.<ref name="arsenio">{{cite web |url=http://www.vibe.com/article/kid-cudi-talks-suicidal-thoughts-state-hip-hop-arsenio-hall-0 |title=Kid Cudi Talks Suicidal Thoughts & The State Of Hip-Hop On 'Arsenio' |website=Vibe |date=March 15, 2014 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/15/kid-cudi-arsenio-hall_n_4971684.html |work=Huffington Post |first=Ryan |last=Kristobak |title=Kid Cudi: 'There Would Be No Drake'}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Kohn |first=Daniel |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2014/03/kid-cudi-drake-arsenio-hall |title=Kid Cudi Says "There Would Be No Drake" if Cudi Rapped About His Cars |magazine=Complex |date=March 15, 2014 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref>

In April 2014, Cudi appeared on the cover of the inaugural issue of ''Fat Man'' magazine.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hiphopwired.com/2014/04/23/kid-cudi-covers-inaugural-issue-fat-man-magazine-photo/ |title=KiD CuDi Covers Inaugural Issue Of FAT MAN Magazine |website=Hip-Hop Wired |date=April 23, 2014 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=David |last=Fischer |url=http://www.highsnobiety.com/2014/04/22/kid-cudi-covers-issue-a-of-fat-man-magazine/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140428073346/http://www.highsnobiety.com/2014/04/22/kid-cudi-covers-issue-a-of-fat-man-magazine/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 28, 2014 |title=Kid Cudi Covers Issue A of Fat Man Magazine |website=Highsnobiety.com |access-date=August 9, 2014 }}</ref> On April 24, 2014, while being honored as a mental health advocate by Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, Cudi offered a special performance during their annual Erasing the Stigma Leadership Awards.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20140408006438/en/Kid-Cudi-Ronda-Rousey-Natasha-Tracy-Center#.U14AsvldWSo |title=Kid Cudi, Ronda Rousey and Natasha Tracy Take Center Stage at Didi Hirsch's 18th Annual Erasing the Stigma Leadership Awards |website=Business Wire |date=April 8, 2014 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> On May 2, 2014, it was announced Cudi would headline Chicago's [[North Coast Music Festival]], along with [[West Coast hip-hop|West Coast rapper]] [[Snoop Dogg]].<ref>{{cite web |first=G. Valentino |last=Ball |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2014/05/snoop-dogg-kid-cudi-chicago-north-coast-festival/ |title=Snoop Dogg, Kid Cudi To Headline Chicago's North Coast Music Festival |website=XXL |date=May 2, 2014 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2014-05-01/entertainment/chi-north-coast-festival-lineup-20140501_1_north-coast-music-festival-bassnectar-snoop-dogg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503131013/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2014-05-01/entertainment/chi-north-coast-festival-lineup-20140501_1_north-coast-music-festival-bassnectar-snoop-dogg |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 3, 2014 |title=North Coast festival lineup; Snoop Dogg, Bassnectar headline North Coast fest |website=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=May 1, 2014 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> On May 11, 2014 Cudi revealed he would be writing and directing a short film for the ''Satellite Flight'' album cut "Balmain Jeans": "Developing a short film for "Balmain Jeans", a story about a spontaneous electric connection between two strangers."<ref>{{cite web |last=Kujundzic |first=Petar |url=http://hypetrak.com/2014/05/kid-cudi-to-write-direct-short-film-for-balmain-jeans/ |title=KiD CuDi to Write & Direct Short Film For 'Balmain Jeans' |website=Hypetrak |date=May 11, 2014 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=C. Vernon |last=Coleman |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2014/05/kid-cudi-writing-directing-short-film-balmain-jeans/ |title=Kid Cudi Writing & Directing Short Film For "Balmain Jeans" |website=XXL |date=May 11, 2014 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref>

=== 2015–2016: ''Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven'' ===
{{Main|Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven}}

In a January 2015 interview, at the [[Sundance Film Festival]], Kid Cudi expressed the possibility of releasing another album before the release of ''Man on the Moon III'': "I'm always making music. The beauty in that is that I have a lot of material. And I'm actually thinking that it would be good to release something in the meantime, before ''[[Man on the Moon III]]'' comes out. Another Kid Cudi album, it's just kind of along the lines of what I did with ''Indicud'' or ''Satellite Flight'', which is just its own standalone thing but still a Kid Cudi album. The ''Man on the Moon III'' album is something that's gonna take some time but I know the fans are gonna be patient and I really appreciate that guys, thank you for your patience. But ''Man on the Moon III'' is coming, there may be an album before that just to tide you over."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.themaskedgorilla.com/kid-cudi-planning-to-release-album-before-man-on-the-moon-3/ |title=Kid Cudi Planning To Release Album Before Man On The Moon: III |website=The Masked Gorilla |date=January 30, 2015 |access-date=February 22, 2015 |archive-date=June 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625054740/http://www.themaskedgorilla.com/kid-cudi-planning-to-release-album-before-man-on-the-moon-3/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://hitsonhits.com/kid-cudi-planning-to-release-new-album-before-man-on-the-moon-iii/ |title=Kid Cudi Planning To Release New Album Before Man On The Moon: III |website=Hits On Hits.com |access-date=February 22, 2015}}</ref>

On March 3, 2015, Cudi officially released his first song since his album ''Satellite Flight'', was put on the market. The song, which is titled "[[Love (Kid Cudi song)|Love]]", was originally recorded for ''Satellite Flight'', and samples Ratatat's "Sunblocks" and has been received with positive reviews.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2095432/kid-cudi-cheer-up-love/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150304080241/http://www.mtv.com/news/2095432/kid-cudi-cheer-up-love/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 4, 2015 |title=Kid Cudi Wants You To Cheer Up And Listen To 'Love' |first=Nadeska |last=Alexis |date=March 3, 2015 |work=MTV News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://hollywoodlife.com/2015/03/03/kid-cudi-love-new-song-listen-amazing/ |title=Kid Cudi's 'Love' — Listen To Hot New Song |first=Shira |last=Benozilio |work=Hollywood Life |date=March 3, 2015 |access-date=March 9, 2015 |archive-date=March 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150306041432/http://hollywoodlife.com/2015/03/03/kid-cudi-love-new-song-listen-amazing/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On April 4, 2015, Cudi announced via Twitter that he would be releasing a new album titled ''[[Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven]]''. On August 1, 2015, Cudi released "[[Confused!]]", the lead single from his fifth album. On October 27, 2015, Cudi announced the new album will be released on December 4, 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rap-up.com/2015/04/05/kid-cudi-announces-new-album-speedin-bullet-to-heaven/ |title=Kid Cudi Announces New Album 'Speedin' Bullet to Heaven' |date=April 4, 2015 |work=Rap-Up}}</ref> He also leaked two songs off the project, "Wedding Tux" and "Judgemental Cunt".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ballerstatus.com/2015/10/27/kid-cudi-announces-release-date-speedin-bullet-to-heaven-december/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20151108122137/http://www.ballerstatus.com/2015/10/27/kid-cudi-announces-release-date-speedin-bullet-to-heaven-december/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 8, 2015 |title=Kid Cudi Announces Release Date For "Speedin' Bullet To Heaven" |website=BallerStatus.com |date=October 27, 2015 }}</ref> In November 2015 Cudi announced an ''Especial Tour'', that will bring the rapper to various theaters all across the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.musictimes.com/articles/54435/20151113/kid-cudi-especial-tour-speedin-bullet-to-heaven.htm |title=Kid Cudi Announces 'Especial' Tour Supporting 'Speedin Bullet To Heaven' |date=November 13, 2015 |work=Music Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rap-up.com/2015/11/12/kid-cudi-announces-especial-tour/ |title=Kid Cudi Announces 'Especial' Tour |date=November 12, 2015 |work=Rap-Up}}</ref> On December 1, 2015, Cudi announced the cancellation of his ''Especial Tour'', due to various reasons, such as production and personal issues.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kid-cudi-cancels-especial-tour-news.18927.html |title=Kid Cudi Cancels "Especial" Tour |first=Kevin |last=Goddard |date=December 2, 2015 |work=HotNewHipHop}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/detroit/index.ssf/2015/12/rapper_kid_cudi_cancels_tour_t.html |title=Why Kid Cudi says he cancelled his entire concert tour |date=December 2, 2015 |work=MLive.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://hypebeast.com/2015/12/kid-cudi-cancels-especial-tour |title=Kid Cudi Cancels 'Especial' Tour |date=December 2, 2015 |first=Hasse |last=Lemola |work=Hypebeast}}</ref> To make up for postponing the concert tour, Cudi released the album's [[wikt:title-track|title-track]] as the second single.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2618448/kid-cudi-speedin-bullet-2-heaven-song-cancels-tour/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151203222701/http://www.mtv.com/news/2618448/kid-cudi-speedin-bullet-2-heaven-song-cancels-tour/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 3, 2015 |title=Kid Cudi's New Single Will Remind You To Smile About Your Falls |first=Adam |last=Fleischer |date=December 2, 2015 |work=MTV News}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/6784804/kid-cudi-cancels-especial-tour-speedin-bullet-2-heaven |title=Kid Cudi Cancels 'Especial' Tour, Releases 'Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven' |first=Adelle |last=Platon |date=December 2, 2015 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref>

===2016–2018: ''Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin{{'}}'' and ''Kids See Ghosts''===
{{Main|Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin'|Kids See Ghosts|Kids See Ghosts (album)}}
In March 2016, Kid Cudi performed at McDowell Mountain Music Festival in [[Phoenix, Arizona]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.musicfestivalwizard.com/festivals/mcdowell-mountain-music-festival-2016/ |title=McDowell Mountain Festival 2016 |website=The MFW Music Festival Guide.com |date=March 13, 2016 |access-date=December 19, 2016}}</ref> In an early April 2016 interview with ''Billboard'', when asked about ''Man on the Moon III'', Cudi responded with: "I came up with ''Man on the Moon'' when I was a young man. People change their vibe! We can follow the same template and do the five-act split. Sonically, I'm still going to be where I'm at. Honestly, I was ready to live up to the obligation and do ''Man on the Moon III''. I haven't been dicking around. I was planning on doing it after ''Speedin' Bullet''. But the ''Speedin' Bullet'' response tore me up. It made me realize what's most important. I'm getting back on the bike again and doing what I do best: me."<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Brad |last=Wete |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/magazine-feature/7341594/kid-cudi-reveals-struggle-with-drugs-and-depression-working-with-kanye-west-new-music |title=Kid Cudi Reveals His Struggle With Drugs and Depression |magazine=Billboard |date=April 22, 2016 |access-date=December 19, 2016}}</ref> On April 22, 2016, Kid Cudi announced he would be releasing a new studio album, slated for a summer unveiling.<ref>{{cite tweet |author=The Chosen One |user=KiDCuDi |number=723625184016519169 |date=April 22, 2016 |title=New album this summer |language=en |access-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410050256/https://twitter.com/KidCudi/status/723625184016519169 |archive-date=April 10, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On May 11, 2016, amidst rumors that he was set to release ''Man on the Moon III'', Cudi revealed the title of his sixth solo album would be ''[[Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin']]'', through online mobile video-sharing and social networking service [[Instagram]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Low |first=Carver |url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kid-cudi-reveals-title-for-his-upcoming-album-news.21568.html |title=Kid Cudi Reveals Title For His Upcoming Album |website=HotNewHipHop.com |date=May 11, 2016 |access-date=December 19, 2016}}</ref> On June 1, 2016, Cudi announced that he had two upcoming albums. One set to be released in the summer, while the other would be released in the fall. He added that one of them was complete.<ref>{{cite tweet |author=The Chosen One |user=KiDCuDi |number=738062240000049153 |date=June 1, 2016 |title=So my plan is to release 2 albums this year. One for the summer and another for the fall. I finished this new one already. Fine tuning now |language=en |access-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108122613/https://twitter.com/kidcudi/status/738062240000049153 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.hiphopearly.com/kid-cudi-releasing-one-album-this-summer-another-in-the-fall/ |title=Kid Cudi releasing one album this summer and another in the fall |website=HipHopEarly |access-date=June 2, 2016 |archive-date=June 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603234542/http://news.hiphopearly.com/kid-cudi-releasing-one-album-this-summer-another-in-the-fall/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On September 26, 2016, Kid Cudi unveiled the track-list for ''Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin{{'}}'' via Twitter, which revealed guest spots from [[Travis Scott]], [[André 3000]], [[Pharrell Williams]] and [[Willow Smith]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Darville |first=Jordan |url=http://www.thefader.com/2016/09/26/kid-cudi-passion-pain-and-demon-slayin-tracklist |title=Here Is The Tracklist For Kid Cudi's Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin' |magazine=The Fader |date=September 26, 2016 |access-date=December 19, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |author=The Chosen One |user=KiDCuDi |number=780556578579701760 |date=September 26, 2016 |title="Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin" Sept. 30th https://t.co/CQaeCfevBz |language=en |access-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108141151/https://twitter.com/KidCudi/status/780556578579701760 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Although there was a discrepancy between him and [[Kanye West]], West later made an offer of peace and a song featuring him and Cudi subsequently surfaced online.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2939187/kanye-west-kid-cudi-newly-surfaced-collab/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005105305/http://www.mtv.com/news/2939187/kanye-west-kid-cudi-newly-surfaced-collab/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 5, 2016 |title=Kid Cudi and Kanye West make song against haters |last=Roth |first=Madeline |website=[[MTV]] |date=October 3, 2016 |access-date=October 3, 2016}}</ref> ''Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin{{'}}'' was announced to be issued first via digital distribution on December 16, 2016, with the physical release on December 23.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/nz/album/passion-pain-demon-slayin/1440866929 |title=Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin' by Kid Cudi on Apple Music |website=iTunes.com |date=January 30, 1984 |access-date=December 19, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |author=The Chosen One |user=KiDCuDi |number=804357268242169856 |date=December 1, 2016 |title=PASSION, PAIN & DEMON SLAYIN' DEC 16 digital DEC 23 physical https://t.co/Aje5MXjNUN |language=en |access-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211170601/https://twitter.com/KidCudi/status/804357268242169856 |archive-date=December 11, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> Cudi has also shared the song "[[Baptized in Fire]]", which features Travis Scott (with whom Cudi collaborated extensively with on 2016's ''[[Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight]]'').<ref>{{cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Danny |url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kid-cudi-baptized-in-fire-feat-travis-scott-new-song.1972096.html |title=Kid Cudi - Baptized In Fire Feat. Travis Scott |website=HotNewHipHop.com |date=December 1, 2016 |access-date=December 19, 2016}}</ref> On March 1, 2017, Kid Cudi performed the song "Kitchen", with a [[string orchestra]], live on ''[[The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://consequence.net/2017/02/kid-cudi-and-a-string-orchestra-perform-kitchen-on-fallon-watch/ |title=Kid Cudi and a string orchestra perform "Kitchen" on Fallon — watch |date=February 9, 2017 |work=Consequence of Sound |access-date=April 5, 2017}}</ref> On August 15, 2017, Cudi announced a national concert tour by the name of Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin' Tour; with the first date on September 30 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7905033/kid-cudi-passion-pain-demon-slaying-tour-dates |title=Kid Cudi Announces Dates for Passion, Pain & Demon Slaying Tour |magazine=Billboard}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2017/08/kid-cudi-passion-pain-demon-slayin-tour |title=Kid Cudi Announces Passion, Pain, & Demon Slayin' Tour |first=Nerisha |last=Penrose |date=August 15, 2017 |website=Complex}}</ref>

In 2018 Cudi and [[Kanye West]] formed a duo known as [[Kids See Ghosts]], and produced an album titled ''[[Kids See Ghosts (album)|Kids See Ghosts]]'', which was released on June 8, 2018.<ref name="spin-kayne">{{cite web |title=Kanye West Announces New Album With Kid Cudi |url=https://www.spin.com/2018/04/kanye-west-kid-cudi-album-kids-see-ghosts-release-date/ |website=Spin |access-date=April 19, 2018 |date=April 19, 2018}}</ref> On October 23, 2018, in response to a fan on Twitter, Cudi revealed he had begun working on his seventh solo album. Although he said he would be taking his time to create his forthcoming LP, Cudi projected a 2019 release.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8481417/kid-cudi-new-album-details |title=Kid Cudi Says He's Started Working on His Next Album, Teases Upcoming Features |website=Billboard.com |date=October 23, 2018 |access-date=March 21, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2018/10/kid-cudi-new-album-announcement/ |title=Kid Cudi Is Working on a New Album for 2019 |website=XXL |date=October 23, 2018 |access-date=March 21, 2020}}</ref>

=== 2019–2022: ''Man on the Moon III'' and ''Entergalactic'' ===
{{main|Man on the Moon III: The Chosen|A Man Named Scott|The Boy Who Flew to the Moon, Vol. 1|Entergalactic (TV special)|Entergalactic (album)}}
[[File:Austin 279 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Cudi in 2022]]
In July 2019, Kid Cudi announced his next album would be titled ''[[Entergalactic (soundtrack)|Entergalactic]]'', which he revealed would soundtrack an upcoming [[Netflix]] "adult-focused animated music series" co-created by himself and [[Kenya Barris]].<ref name="Enter">{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/kenya-barris-kid-cudi-set-animated-music-series-at-netflix-1225981 |title=Kenya Barris, Kid Cudi Set Animated Music Series at Netflix |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |last=Goldberg |first=Lesley |date=July 22, 2019 |access-date=July 23, 2019}}</ref>

On April 14, 2020, Kid Cudi released "Leader of the Delinquents" as a single via Republic Records.<ref>{{cite web |author=Lars Brandle |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/kid-cudi-entergalactic-leader-of-the-delinquents-9357548/ |title=Kid Cudi Returns With 'Entergalactic' Track 'Leader of the Delinquents': Stream It Now – Billboard |website=Billboard.com |date=2019-09-13 |access-date=2022-05-08 |archive-date=2021-05-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527201536/https://www.billboard.com/amp/articles/news/9357548/kid-cudi-entergalactic-leader-of-the-delinquents |url-status=live }}</ref> The song, which Cudi had first performed in 2012,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/kid-cudi-leader-of-the-delinquents/ |title=Kid Cudi: "Leader of the Delinquents" Track Review |website=Pitchfork.com |date=2020-04-14 |access-date=2022-05-08 |archive-date=2022-04-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426000054/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/kid-cudi-leader-of-the-delinquents/ |url-status=live }}</ref> was later released in a limited edition pressing of the track on 7" vinyl, 12" picture disc, and cassette.<ref>{{cite web |author=Tommy Rodriguez |url=https://bleumag.com/2020/05/20/kid-cudi-announces-leader-of-the-delinquents-merch/ |title=Kid Cudi Announces "Leader Of The Delinquents" Merch - Bleu |website=Bleumag.com |date=20 May 2020 |access-date=2022-05-08 |archive-date=2022-03-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331002442/https://bleumag.com/2020/05/20/kid-cudi-announces-leader-of-the-delinquents-merch/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On April 24, 2020, Cudi collaborated with Travis Scott under the collective name the Scotts, to release a song titled "[[The Scotts]]". It was hinted that the duo would be releasing more music in the future.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/travis-scott-and-kid-cudi-announce-new-single-the-scotts-2652760 |title=Travis Scott and Kid Cudi release new single 'The Scotts' |date=April 24, 2020 |website=[[NME]] |access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref> The song debuted atop the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart, becoming Cudi's first number-one hit single in the US.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9370930/the-scotts-kid-cudi-travis-scott-number-one-hot-100 |title=Travis Scott & Kid Cudi's 'The Scotts' Debuts at No. 1 on Hot 100, Megan Thee Stallion's 'Savage' Soars to Top Five |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |last=Trust |first=Gary |date=May 4, 2020 |access-date=May 4, 2020}}</ref>

Later on April 24, Cudi also revealed that he was still working on new music for a future WZRD release, joking that "we take a decade off between albums."<ref>{{cite tweet |author=The Chosen One |user=KiDCuDi |number=1253547829215154178 |date=April 24, 2020 |title=WZRD aint over either. We take a decade off between albums haha |language=en |access-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001033812/https://twitter.com/kidcudi/status/1253547829215154178 |archive-date=October 1, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> On July 9, 2020, Cudi's daughter Vada, announced via social media that he would be releasing a song with multiple Grammy Award-winning artist [[Eminem]], called "[[The Adventures of Moon Man & Slim Shady]]" the coming Friday.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kid-cudi-and-eminem-announce-new-song-the-adventures-of-moon-man-and-slim-shady/ |title=Kid Cudi and Eminem Announce New Song "The Adventures of Moon Man and Slim Shady" |date=July 8, 2020 |first=Matthew |last=Strauss |website=Pitchfork}}</ref> The song was released on July 10, 2020 and also saw success as a hit, as it debuted in the Top 40 of the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kid-cudi-eminem-the-adventures-of-moon-man-and-slim-shady-song-1026077/ |title=Hear Kid Cudi, Eminem's New Song 'The Adventures of Moon Man and Slim Shady' |first=Althea |last=Legaspi |date=July 10, 2020 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref>

On October 26, Cudi released a teaser video on his official Twitter account for ''Man on the Moon III'', the final installment in his [[#2009–10: ''Man on the Moon'' and ''Man on the Moon II''|''Man on the Moon'' series]], after a decade between releases. The album title and release date were not shared with the video,<ref>{{cite web |last=Curto |first=Justin |title=Kid Cudi Teases Man on the Moon III, a Decade After II |url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/10/kid-cudi-teases-man-on-the-moon-iii.html |website=Vulture |access-date=October 26, 2020 |date=October 26, 2020}}</ref><ref name="manonmoonIII">{{cite magazine |last=Blistein |first=Jon |title=Kid Cudi Releases Teaser for Long-Awaited 'Man on the Moon III' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kid-cudi-man-on-the-moon-three-teaser-1081311/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=October 26, 2020 |date=October 26, 2020}}</ref> however on December 7, Cudi announced the album would be titled ''[[Man on the Moon III: The Chosen]]'', with a release date of December 11, 2020. The [[concept album]]'s theme follows Cudi overcoming his darkness, but fighting to win his soul back from his alter-ego "Mr. Rager".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2020/12/kid-cudi-release-date-cover-art-tracklist-new-album-man-on-the-moon-iii |title=Kid Cudi Reveals Release Date, Cover Art, and Tracklist for New Album 'Man on the Moon III: The Chosen' |work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] |last=Cowen |first=Trace William |date=December 7, 2020 |access-date=December 7, 2020}}</ref>

''Man on the Moon III: The Chosen'', received mostly positive reviews from music critics, who praised Cudi's songwriting and generally favored the latter two acts, though some found it derivative of Cudi's earlier albums. It debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, earning 144,000 album-equivalent units of which 15,000 were pure sales, marking Cudi's fifth top 10 album in the US.

Although ''Entergalactic'' was originally set for a 2020 release, it was pushed back due to Cudi releasing his long-awaited ''Man on the Moon III'' album instead. In January 2021, when asked by a fan on Twitter why ''Entergalatic''{{'}}s new release date says 2022 on Netflix, Cudi responded, "[Because] that's when it drops. I just gave y'all an album y'all gotta chill and be patient fr{{sic}} man I'm not doin an album every year."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dailyrapfacts.com/19996/kid-cudis-entergalactic-album-series-arrive-2022/ |title=Kid Cudi's 'Entergalactic' Album and Netflix Series will Arrive in 2022 |website=Daily Rap Facts |last=Mwachia |first=Timothy |date=January 29, 2021 |access-date=March 22, 2021}}</ref>

Cudi was the sole musical guest on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' in April 2021, having previously featured alongside Kanye West and [[070 Shake]] in "[[Ghost Town (Kanye West song)|Ghost Town]]" in 2018. He played "[[Tequila Shots]]" and "[[Sad People]]" with both performances in tribute to [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]] frontman [[Kurt Cobain]]. "Sad People" showcased Cudi in a floral dress designed by [[Virgil Abloh]] in a nod to Cobain.<ref name=SNL>{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/kid-cudi-wore-dress-snl-tribute-kurt-cobain-n1263758 |title=Kid Cudi wore a dress on 'SNL' in a tribute to Kurt Cobain |website=[[NBC News]]|date=April 11, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Daly |first=Rhian |date=2021-06-26 |title=Kid Cudi on wearing a dress on 'SNL': "I knew it would piss some people off, but I love that" |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/kid-cudi-wearing-dress-snl-2978868 |access-date=2021-10-26 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In June 2021, [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]] enlisted Kid Cudi for ''[[Prime Day|Prime Day Show]]''; a three-part musical event also featuring [[Billie Eilish]] and [[H.E.R.]] Cudi's performance included a mission to establish a new community on the moon, while performing with the [[International Space Orchestra]], a new group composed of space scientists from [[NASA Ames Research Center]], the [[SETI Institute]] and the [[International Space University]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/amazon-prime-day-show-billie-eilish-her-kid-cudi-1177958/|title = Billie Eilish, H.E.R., Kid Cudi Tease Performances in Amazon Prime Day Show Trailer|magazine = [[Rolling Stone]]|date = June 14, 2021}}</ref>

''[[A Man Named Scott]]'', a documentary film directed by Robert Alexander, was announced in October 2021 via Prime Video. The film was produced by [[Mad Solar]], Complex Networks and Film 45, set for release in November 2021, and billed as a look at Cudi's journey "over a decade of creative choices, struggles, and breakthroughs."<ref>{{cite web |title=Watch the New Trailer for Kid Cudi's Amazon Documentary 'A Man Named Scott' |url=https://www.complex.com/music/kid-cudi-a-man-named-scott-documentary-trailer/ |access-date=2021-10-26 |website=Complex |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2021-10-26 |title=Kid Cudi Shares Trailer for New Documentary A Man Named Scott |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kid-cudi-shares-trailer-for-new-documentary-a-man-named-scott-watch/ |access-date=2021-10-26 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref>

During his headlining performance at the Rolling Loud music festival, Cudi revealed intentions on releasing two full-length projects in 2022, with plans of releasing an album prior to ''Entergalactic'' "I have ''Entergalactic'' coming in the summer, and I wanna drop another album before that. I got some tasty surprises and I'm really excited about all this new shit, this new music, to give to you guys," he said before playing a recording of a song that has since been dubbed "Freshie". "That's why I'm teasing this shit now because it's coming out soon."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thefader.com/2021/12/13/kid-cudi-new-albums-2022-entergalactic |title=Kid Cudi says he's releasing two new albums in 2022 |website=The FADER |access-date=December 26, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kid-cudi-rolling-album-album-teaser-1270856/ |title=Kid Cudi Teases Album Ahead of 'Entergalactic': 'I Wanna Drop Another Album Before That' |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=December 13, 2021 |access-date=December 26, 2021}}</ref>

On December 3, 2021, a collaboration between Cudi and American pop singer [[Ariana Grande]], titled "[[Just Look Up]]" was released in promotion for the [[black comedy]] film ''[[Don't Look Up]]'', in which they both star in. That month, ''Man on the Moon III: The Chosen'' broke the record for biggest vinyl sales week for both a male artist and a rap album in [[MRC Data|Nielsen]] history.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.complex.com/music/kid-cudi-thanks-fans-charts-success-of-motm-iii-vinyl|title=Kid Cudi Thanks Fans After Massive Charts Success of 'MOTM III' Vinyl: 'This Is All Because of You'|website=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]] |last=Cowen |first=Trace William  |date=December 29, 2021|access-date=December 30, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.66805/title.kid-cudi-man-on-the-moon-3-vinyl-sales-record |title=Kid Cudi Makes History As 'MOTM III' Smashes Vinyl Sales Records: 'This Is HUGE'|website=[[HipHopDX]]|last=Bustard|first=Andy|date=December 29, 2021|access-date=December 30, 2021}}</ref>

On April 9, 2022, Cudi performed a [[Medley (music)|medley]] of "[[Stars in the Sky]]" (the lead single for the soundtrack to the film ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (film)|Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]'') and "[[Pursuit of Happiness (song)|Pursuit of Happiness]]" at the [[2022 Kids' Choice Awards|Kids' Choice Awards]] for the first time.<ref name="KCAperformers TFC-PR">{{cite press release|url=http://thefutoncritic.com/video/2022/03/31/grammy-award-winning-multiplatinum-kid-cudi-and-multiple-grammy-award-nominated-jack-harlow-to-perform-at-nickelodeons-kids-choice-awards-2022-811410/20220331nickelodeon01/|title=Grammy Award-Winning Multiplatinum Kid Cudi and Multiple Grammy Award-Nominated Jack Harlow to Perform at "Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards 2022"|publisher=[[Nickelodeon]]|via=[[The Futon Critic]]|date=March 31, 2022|access-date=March 31, 2022}}</ref><ref name="KCAperformers Billboard">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/kids-choice-awards-performers-kid-cudi-jack-harlow-1235052539/|title=Kid Cudi & Jack Harlow to Perform at 2022 Kids' Choice Awards: Exclusive|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|author=Paul Grein|date=March 31, 2022|access-date=March 31, 2022}}</ref> On June 24, 2022, a collaboration between [[Dot da Genius]], [[JID]], [[Denzel Curry]], and Cudi, titled "[[Talk About Me]]", was released, along with a music video directed by [[Cole Bennett]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Powell |first=Jon |date=June 24, 2022 |title=Dot Da Genius recruits Kid Cudi, Denzel Curry, and JID for "Talk About Me" |url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2022-06-24/176181/dot-da-genius-recruits-kid-cudi-denzel-curry-and-jid-for-talk-about-me/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626113638/https://www.revolt.tv/article/2022-06-24/176181/dot-da-genius-recruits-kid-cudi-denzel-curry-and-jid-for-talk-about-me/ |archive-date=June 26, 2022 |access-date=June 26, 2022 |website=[[Revolt (TV network)|Revolt]]}}</ref> In June, Cudi announced his first arena tour with [[To the Moon World Tour]], set to begin in Vancouver on August 16, 2022 and conclude in Milan on November 22, 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/now/kid-cudi-announces-moon-2022-132228067.html|title=Kid Cudi Announces To The Moon 2022 World Tour|website=[[Yahoo!]]|date=June 21, 2022 |access-date=June 21, 2022}}</ref>

On July 4, 2022, Cudi announced a compilation album, ''[[The Boy Who Flew to the Moon, Vol. 1]]'', to be released on July 8, along with the re-release of his debut mixtape ''A Kid Named Cudi'' on July 15.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) |first=Yohance |date=2022-07-06 |title=Kid Cudi Announces Release Date For 'The Boy Who Flew To The Moon, Vol. 1' |url=https://allhiphop.com/news/kid-cudi-announces-release-date-for-the-boy-who-flew-to-the-moon-vol-1/ |access-date=2022-07-06 |website=AllHipHop |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Legaspi |first1=Althea |date=2022-07-05 |title=Kid Cudi's 2008 Debut Mixtape to Stream for the First Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kid-cudi-a-kid-named-cudi-mixtape-streaming-release-1378057/ |access-date=2022-07-06 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref> The compilation features "[[Love (Kid Cudi song)|Love]]", a bonus track which was previously unofficially released due to sample clearance issues.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bustard |first=Andy |date=2022-07-06 |title=Kid Cudi Reveals 'The Boy Who Flew To The Moon Vol. 1' Tracklist & Cover Art |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.71522/title.kid-cudi-the-boy-who-flew-to-the-moon-vol-1-tracklist |access-date=2022-07-06 |website=HipHopDX}}</ref> On July 6, American fast food chain [[McDonald's]], announced the line-up for their 2022 Camp McDonald's virtual experience, led by headliner Kid Cudi. The virtual camp took place over four weeks only available through the McDonald's app.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/kid-cudi-headline-camp-mcdonald-181526369.html | title=Kid Cudi to Headline Camp McDonald's Virtual Music Experience | date=July 6, 2022 }}</ref>

Upon ''[[Entergalactic (album)|Entergalactic]]''{{'}}s release on September 30, the album debuted at number 13 on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart, earning 22,480 [[album-equivalent units]] (including 1,791 copies in pure album sales) in its first week.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.freshhiphoprnb.com/album-sales-week-40-2022-tory-lanez-kid-cudi-freddie-gibbs-yg-more/ | title=ALBUM SALES (Week 40, 2022): Tory Lanez, Kid Cudi, Freddie Gibbs, YG & more! | date=October 7, 2022 }}</ref> Its visual component [[Entergalactic (TV special)|''Entergalactic'']] received an average rating of 8.20/10 on the review aggregator website [[Rotten Tomatoes]], with 96% of 28 critics' reviews being positive.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/entergalactic | title=Entergalactic | website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] }}</ref>

In October 2022, on an episode of ''[[Hot Ones]]'', Cudi revealed that he didn't know how much longer he would continue making music and that he had an alternative career path in mind. The rapper said he was "kinda nearing the end on all things Kid Cudi". He quoted other rappers including Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, Eminem and more, saying he didn't think he would have the same longevity at these artists.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/kid-cudi-says-hes-nearing-the-end-of-his-music-career-3325050 | title=Kid Cudi says he's "nearing the end" of his music career | website=[[NME]] | date=October 7, 2022 }}</ref> On November 6, Cudi announced on Twitter he only has one more album left on his recording contract with Republic. He revealed it would not be released in 2023 and that he does not know what he will continue to do following the release.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/kid-cudi-promises-one-more-album-of-all-new-music-3343890 | title=Kid Cudi promises one more album of "all new music" | website=[[NME]] | date=November 7, 2022 }}</ref>

Kid Cudi's 2010 single "Pursuit of Happiness" was [[List of best-selling singles in the United States|certified diamond (10 million units)]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]] in December 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-17 |title=Kid Cudi's Breakout Song 'Pursuit of Happiness' Earned Diamond Status |url=https://uproxx.com/music/kid-cudi-pursuit-of-happiness-diamond/ |access-date=2022-12-18 |website=UPROXX |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== 2023–present: ''Insano'' ===
{{main|Insano (album)}}

On February 27, 2023, Cudi announced his last contractual album with Republic Records would be released in late 2023; adding that the rollout for the album would begin mid-year, with singles to be released.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=KiDCuDi|number=1630089957800026113|title=Album this Fall. First singles this summer. The new chapter has begun.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/637994-kid-cudi-teases-his-next-album-ur-not-prepared | title=Kid Cudi Teases His Next Album: "Ur Not Prepared" | website=HNHH | date=February 27, 2023 }}</ref> ''Insano'' would be released on January 11, 2024. Only a month later, Cudi would release a follow-up titled ''[[Insano (Nitro Mega)]]'' on February 23, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Magazine |first=FAULT |date=2024-02-23 |title=Kid Cudi Shares New Album - INSANO (NITRO MEGA) - Listen |url=https://fault-magazine.com/2024/02/kid-cudi-shares-new-album-insano-nitro-mega-listen/ |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=FAULT Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Acting career ==
===2010–2019: Early venture and minor roles===
In 2010, Kid Cudi made a guest appearance on American television drama ''[[One Tree Hill (TV series)|One Tree Hill]]'', starring as himself and performing his ''Man on the Moon II'' single "[[Erase Me (song)|Erase Me]]", during the episode.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bain|first=Becky|date=December 1, 2010|title=Kid Cudi Plays Himself On 'One Tree Hill', Becomes The Most Convincing Actor On The Show|url=http://www.idolator.com/5704761/kid-cudi-one-tree-hill|access-date=August 9, 2014|website=Idolator.com}}{{Dead link|date=June 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In 2010, Kid Cudi also began starring in the [[HBO]] comedy series ''[[How to Make It in America]]'', as part of the main cast, being credited by his birth name Scott Mescudi, until its cancellation after two seasons.<ref>{{cite web|author=HBO|author-link=HBO|title=Kid Cudi in ''How to Make it in America''|url=http://www.hbo.com/how-to-make-it-in-america/cast-and-crew/domingo-brown/bio/scott-kid-cudi-mescudi.html|access-date=March 7, 2010|archive-date=August 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822180622/http://www.hbo.com/how-to-make-it-in-america/cast-and-crew/domingo-brown/bio/scott-kid-cudi-mescudi.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> On October 31, 2010, Kid Cudi released a [[short film]], directed by [[Shia LaBeouf]], in which he and fellow American rapper [[Cage (rapper)|Cage]], star as [[French language|French]]-speaking [[serial killer]]s. The short film, titled ''[[Maniac (2011 film)|Maniac]]'', was inspired by Cudi's song "Maniac" from his 2010 album ''Man on the Moon II'', and is an homage to the 1992 [[Belgium|Belgian]] [[black comedy]] crime mockumentary, ''[[Man Bites Dog (film)|Man Bites Dog]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Rao|first=Mallika|date=November 1, 2011|title='Maniac' By Shia LaBeouf, Starring Kid Cudi (VIDEO) (NSFW)|website=Huffington Post|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/01/maniac-shia-labeouf-kid-cudi_n_1070546.html|access-date=January 9, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|date=October 31, 2011|title=Video: Kid Cudi "Maniac" (Directed by Shia LaBeouf) + Bonus Interview|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2011/10/video-kid-cudi-maniac-directed-by-shia-labeouf|magazine=Complex|access-date=January 9, 2014}}</ref> In May 2012, [[Kanye West]] premiered a short film he directed, titled ''[[Cruel Summer (film)|Cruel Summer]],'' at the [[Cannes Film Festival]]. According to [[MTV]], Kid Cudi is the lead character, playing a "car thief who falls for a blind Arabian princess". The film was shown on seven different screens that turned on and off, giving various angles of each shot.<ref>{{cite web|date=May 24, 2012|title=Kanye West's Cruel Summer Film Premieres at Cannes, Starring Kid Cudi|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/46635-kanye-wests-cruel-summer-film-premieres-at-cannes-starring-kid-cudi/|access-date=January 9, 2014|website=Pitchfork}}</ref>

In October 2012, it was announced Cudi would star in an [[Independent film|indie]] [[romantic comedy]] titled ''[[Two Night Stand]]'', alongside [[Lio Tipton|Analeigh Tipton]]<!--- per [[Template:Infobox_film/doc#Credits]] – "credited by the name they were using professionally at the time " ---> and [[Miles Teller]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Kit|first=Borys|date=October 15, 2012|title=Kid Cudi Joins 'Two Night Stand' Romantic Comedy|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/474646/kid-cudi-joins-two-night-stand-romantic-comedy|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 9, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=October 16, 2012|title=Kid Cudi To Star In Rom-Com 'Two Night Stand'|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1695641/kid-cudi-two-night-stand-movie.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017162731/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1695641/kid-cudi-two-night-stand-movie.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 17, 2012|access-date=January 9, 2014|website=MTV}}</ref> Also in 2012, it was revealed Cudi would star in an indie [[thriller film]] titled ''Tacoma'', alongside [[Patricia Clarkson]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Kid Cudi Breaking In Feature Film Acting w/ Roles In 2 Indies (Apocalyptic Comedy & Thriller)|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/kid-cudi-breaking-in-feature-film-acting-w-roles-in-2-indies-apocalyptic-comedy-thriller|access-date=January 9, 2014|website=Indiewire.com|archive-date=December 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219125006/http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/kid-cudi-breaking-in-feature-film-acting-w-roles-in-2-indies-apocalyptic-comedy-thriller|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Kid Cudi Cast as Yanni in "Tacoma" Thriller Film Due Out in 2013|url=http://datnewcudi.com/2012/07/29/kid-cudi-cast-as-yanni-in-tacoma-thriller-film-due-out-in-2013/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219122934/http://datnewcudi.com/2012/07/29/kid-cudi-cast-as-yanni-in-tacoma-thriller-film-due-out-in-2013/|archive-date=December 19, 2013|access-date=January 9, 2014|website=Dat New 'Cudi'}}</ref> In 2013, Cudi guest starred in the animated TV series ''[[The Cleveland Show]]'', [[Voice actor|voicing]] a character named Devon, in the Season 4 episode "Brownsized".<ref>{{cite web|title=Kid Cudi Guests on 'The Cleveland Show'|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2013/03/04/kid-cudi-guests-on-the-cleveland-show-full-episode/|access-date=January 9, 2014|website=Rap-Up.com}}</ref> In 2013, he also guest starred on the [[Fox Broadcasting Company|FOX]] comedy series ''[[Brooklyn Nine-Nine]]'', where he played a criminal named Dustin Whitman.<ref>{{cite web|date=November 5, 2013|title=Kid Cudi Will Appear On 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' Tonight|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/2013/11/kid-cudi-will-appear-brooklyn-nine-nine-tonight/|access-date=January 9, 2014|website=XXL}}</ref> In 2013, it was revealed Cudi would then star in ''[[Goodbye World]]'', alongside [[Adrian Grenier]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Montanez|first=Eric|date=June 13, 2013|title=KiD CuDi Stars in 'Goodbye World' Trailer|url=http://hypetrak.com/2013/06/kid-cudi-in-goodbye-world-trailer/|access-date=August 9, 2014|website=Hypetrak}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=October 21, 2013|title=Adrian Grenier's 'Goodbye World' Acquired by Samuel Goldwyn, Phase 4 Films|url=https://www.thewrap.com/adrian-greniers-goodbye-world-acquired-samuel-goldwyn-phase-4-films/|access-date=August 9, 2014|website=TheWrap}}</ref>

In January 2013, Cudi was cast in the film adaptation of ''[[Need for Speed (film)|Need for Speed]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr. |date=January 14, 2013|title=DreamWorks Revs 'Need For Speed'; Rap Producer Scott 'Kid Cudi' Mescudi Cast|url=https://deadline.com/2013/01/dreamworks-revs-need-for-speed-rap-producer-scott-kid-cudi-mescudi-cast-404414/|magazine=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=February 19, 2013}}</ref> ''Need for Speed'', which is Cudi's [[feature film]] debut, was released by Touchstone Pictures on March 14, 2014.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Vilanova|first=John|date=March 7, 2014|title='Need for Speed': Kid Cudi reveals 'Breaking Bad' bromance|url=https://ew.com/article/2014/03/07/need-for-speed-kid-cudi-interview/|access-date=October 26, 2019|magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}</ref> In June 2013, it was revealed Cudi would appear in [[Mark Webber (actor)|Mark Webber]]'s film ''[[The Ever After]]'', alongside [[Teresa Palmer]] and [[Melissa Leo]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last=McNary|first=Dave|date=June 6, 2013|title=Teresa Palmer, Melissa Leo Starring In 'The Ever After'|url=https://variety.com/2013/film/news/teresa-palmer-melissa-leo-ever-after-1200493601/|magazine=Variety|access-date=December 19, 2016}}</ref> On November 10, 2014, Cudi guest starred on the [[CBS]] American television series ''[[Scorpion (TV series)|Scorpion]]'', as Peyton Temple, a musical prodigy who created a controversial [[algorithm]] that generates the perfect hit pop song, who later helps Scorpion investigate the murder of his friend who was a music industry blogger.<ref>{{cite web|date=November 7, 2014|title=Watch This Exclusive Kid Cudi 'Scorpion' Clip For His Acting And The Well-Timed Macklemore Joke|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1991236/exclusive-kid-cudi-scorpion-clip/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112002832/http://www.mtv.com/news/1991236/exclusive-kid-cudi-scorpion-clip/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 12, 2014|access-date=February 22, 2015|website=MTV}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Abrams|first=Natalie|date=September 29, 2014|title='Scorpion' enlists Kid Cudi, Method Man as rivals|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2014/09/29/scorpion-kid-cudi-method-man-cbs|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=February 22, 2015|archive-date=February 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210023325/http://www.ew.com/article/2014/09/29/scorpion-kid-cudi-method-man-cbs|url-status=dead}}</ref> In February 2014, it was announced Cudi would appear in ''[[Entourage (film)|Entourage]]'' (2015), the film adaptation of the popular HBO series [[Entourage (U.S. TV series)|''Entourage'']].<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Fleming|first=Mike|date=February 20, 2014|title='Entourage's Ari Gold Finds His New Lloyd: It's Kid Cudi|url=https://www.deadline.com/2014/02/entourages-ari-gold-finds-his-new-lloyd-its-kid-cudi/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301161133/http://www.deadline.com/2014/02/entourages-ari-gold-finds-his-new-lloyd-its-kid-cudi/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 1, 2014|magazine=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Kyles|first=Yohance|date=February 24, 2014|title=Kid Cudi Joins The Cast Of "Entourage" Movie|url=http://allhiphop.com/2014/02/24/kid-cudi-joins-the-cast-of-entourage-movie/|access-date=August 9, 2014|website=AllHipHop.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Serafino|first=Jason|date=February 21, 2014|title=Kid Cudi Is Set To Play Ari Gold's New Assistant In The "Entourage" Movie|url=http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2014/02/kid-cudi-cast-in-entourage-movie|magazine=Complex|access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref>

On April 11, 2014, it was announced Cudi would star in a film titled ''[[James White (film)|James White]]'', alongside [[Christopher Abbott]] and [[Cynthia Nixon]]. In addition to starring in the film, it was revealed Cudi would also be curating the [[Film score|film's score]] as well.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Serafino|first=Jason|date=April 11, 2014|title=Check Out the Kickstarter for "James White," Starring Kid Cudi and Christopher Abbott|url=http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2014/04/james-white-kickstarter|magazine=Complex|access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref> In January 2015, Cudi revealed he played a [[homosexual]] character in ''James White'': "This was way different than anything else I've ever done. It was dope to do that. I felt like I had a responsibility to present a different walk in life from that world." Although his character's sexuality is not outwardly discussed during the film, the original script included a coming-out scene and a kiss between Cudi and a male friend, played by David Call: "I didn't flinch. I'm secure with mine," Cudi told an audience after the film's premiere. "I'm an artist—it's all about playing characters that are intriguing and stimulating."<ref>{{cite web|date=January 25, 2015|title=Kid Cudi Is Bummed His Gay Kissing Scenes Were Cut From 'James White'|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2058980/kid-cudi-gay-kissing-scenes-cut-james-white/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150127061016/http://www.mtv.com/news/2058980/kid-cudi-gay-kissing-scenes-cut-james-white/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 27, 2015|access-date=February 22, 2015|website=MTV}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Kid Cudi Dishes on His Deleted Male-on-Male Kissing Scenes in New Film James White at Sundance|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/events/sundance-2015/6450862/kid-cudi-dishes-on-his-deleted-male-on-male-kissing-scenes-in-james-white-sundance|magazine=Billboard|access-date=February 22, 2015}}</ref>

Also in January 2015, Cudi revealed he had just finished filming a movie titled ''[[Vincent-N-Roxxy]]'', alongside [[Zoe Kravitz]] and [[Emile Hirsch]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Vena|first=Jocelyn|date=January 17, 2015|title=Kid Cudi Wraps Movie With Zoe Kravitz|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6443646/kid-cudi-wraps-movie-with-zoe-kravitz-Vincent-N-Roxxy|magazine=Billboard|access-date=February 22, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=January 19, 2015|title=Kid Cudi Set To Star In Movie With Zoe Kravitz & Emile Hirsch|url=http://allhiphop.com/2015/01/19/kid-cudi-zoe-kravitz-emile-hirsch-movie-vincent-n-roxxy/|access-date=February 22, 2015|website=AllHipHop}}</ref> When speaking on ''Vincent-N-Roxxy'', Cudi said: "this movie that I have coming out soon that's my first [[villain]] role. It's very violent and very disturbing [...] I play kind of like a [[drug lord]]."<ref>{{cite web|date=November 17, 2015|title=After Playing A Gay Man In 'James White', Kid Cudi Readies For A More "Disturbing" Role|url=http://www.vibe.com/2015/11/kid-cudi-plays-gay-scores-james-white/|work=Vibe}}</ref> Cudi took over the mic duties for [[Reggie Watts]], on [[IFC (U.S. TV network)|IFC]]'s television series, [[Comedy Bang! Bang! (TV series)|''Comedy Bang! Bang!'']] on July 10, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=Comedy Bang! Bang! Passes the Mic to Kid Cudi|url=http://www.ifc.com/shows/comedy-bang-bang/blog/2015/02/comedy-bang-bang-passes-the-mic-to-kid-cudi|access-date=February 22, 2015|website=IFC.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=December 10, 2015|title=Scott Aukerman Talks 'Comedy Bang! Bang!': Interview|url=http://uproxx.com/tv/2015/12/scott-aukerman-comedy-bang-bang-interview/3/|work=UPROXX}}</ref> As the in-house [[disc jockey]], Cudi crafted original music for the show and appeared in several [[Sketch comedy|skits]] throughout season four.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Bacle|first=Ariana|date=December 2, 2015|title=Reggie Watts: Kid Cudi taught art of band-leading in Comedy Bang! Bang!|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2015/12/02/comedy-bang-bang-reggie-watts-kid-cudi-clip|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-date=May 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200504131213/https://ew.com/article/2015/12/02/comedy-bang-bang-reggie-watts-kid-cudi-clip/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The December 10 Christmas edition of ''Comedy Bang! Bang!'', marked the season finale and Cudi's final episode as bandleader.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hughes|first=Josiah|date=December 11, 2015|title=Kid Cudi Exits 'Comedy Bang Bang'|url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/kid_cudi_exits_comedy_bang_bang|access-date=December 11, 2015|work=Exclaim.ca}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Last Night's 'Comedy Bang! Bang!' Finale Was Kid Cudi's Last Episode|url=http://splitsider.com/2015/12/last-nights-comedy-bang-bang-finale-was-kid-cudis-last-episode/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151214133628/http://splitsider.com/2015/12/last-nights-comedy-bang-bang-finale-was-kid-cudis-last-episode/|archive-date=December 14, 2015|access-date=December 12, 2015|work=Splitsider}}</ref>

In July 2016, it was announced Cudi would join the cast of FOX's ''[[Empire (2015 TV series)|Empire]]'', debuting in the third season of the series as "an independent musician who is a rival to [[Hakeem Lyon|Hakeem]] ([[Bryshere Y. Gray|Bryshere "Yazz" Gray]]) both in the studio and in life."<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Stack|first=Tim|date=July 18, 2016|title=Empire: Kid Cudi to play Hakeem's rival in season 3|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2016/07/20/empire-kid-cudi-season-3|access-date=December 19, 2016|magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=July 20, 2016|title=Kid Cudi Joins the Cast of "Empire"|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/66957-kid-cudi-joins-the-cast-of-empire/|access-date=December 19, 2016|website=Pitchfork}}</ref> Cudi later left the project due to creative differences.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Harling|first=Danielle|date=September 2, 2016|title=Kid Cudi Leaves "Empire" Over Creative Differences|url=http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.40256/title.kid-cudi-to-be-replaced-by-romeo-miller-on-empire|magazine=HipHopDX|access-date=December 19, 2016}}</ref> In 2017, Cudi appeared in the comedy film ''[[Killing Hasselhoff]]''.

In 2019, Cudi had small roles in ''[[Drunk Parents]]'', directed by [[Fred Wolf (writer)|Fred Wolf]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Cudi|first=Kid|date=February 20, 2016|title=Did a cameo in the film "Drunk Parents" last month, worked w the always awesome Salma Hayek & Alec Baldwin. Can't wait for you all to see|url=https://www.facebook.com/kidcudi/posts/did-a-cameo-in-the-film-drunk-parents-last-month-worked-w-the-always-awesome-sal/10154041791113586/|access-date=October 11, 2019|website=Facebook}}</ref> and ''[[Jexi]]'' directed by [[Jon Lucas]] and [[Scott Moore (screenwriter)|Scott Moore]], the latter of which he played himself.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rocha|first=John|date=October 11, 2019|title=Adam Devine on 'Jexi', 'The Righteous Gemstones', and a Potential 'Workaholics' Movie|url=https://collider.com/adam-devine-jexi-righteous-gemstones-interview/|access-date=October 11, 2019|website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]}}</ref> That year he also had a recurring role in [[science fiction|sci-fi]] [[Western (genre)|western]] and [[dystopian]] series ''[[Westworld (TV series)|Westworld]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kid-cudi-stars-in-westworld-season-3-trailer-watch/ |title=Kid Cudi Stars in "Westworld" Season 3 Trailer: Watch |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |first=Jazz |last=Monroe |date=May 20, 2019 |access-date=January 13, 2020}}</ref>

===2020–present: Recognition and directorial debut===
In 2020, he co-starred in ''[[Bill & Ted Face the Music]]'', directed by [[Dean Parisot]], opposite [[Keanu Reeves]] and [[Alex Winter]].<ref>{{cite web|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=June 13, 2019|title='Bill & Ted Face The Music' Grooves With Grammy Winner Kid Cudi|url=https://deadline.com/2019/06/kid-cudi-joins-bill-ted-face-the-music-movie-keanu-reeves-1202632169/|access-date=June 13, 2019|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref> In 2020, Cudi also starred in ''[[We Are Who We Are]]'', an eight-episode [[miniseries]] for [[HBO]] directed by [[Luca Guadagnino]], alongside [[Chloë Sevigny]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Goldberg|first=Lesley|date=July 18, 2019|title=Exclusive:Chloe Sevigny, Alice Braga, Kid Cudi to Star in HBO Drama From 'Call Me By Your Name' Director|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/chloe-sevigny-alice-braga-star-hbo-drama-call-me-by-your-name-director-1224786|access-date=October 11, 2019|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> In January 2021, Cudi revealed he would potentially be partnering with TV producer and fellow American rapper [[50 Cent]], for an upcoming series.<ref>{{cite web|date=January 31, 2021|title=Kid Cudi & 50 Cent Have Big Plans on the Horizon|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kid-cudi-and-50-cent-have-big-plans-on-the-horizon-news.125778.html|website=HNHH}}</ref> In 2021, Cudi served as an executive producer on the award-winning drama film ''[[Malcolm & Marie]]''.<ref name=mmep>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/malcolm-and-marie-trailer-zendaya-john-david-washington-netflix-1234837478/|title = Zendaya and John David Washington's Romance Blooms in Netflix's 'Malcolm & Marie' Trailer|date = January 8, 2021}}</ref><ref name=mmep2>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/07/zendaya-john-david-washington-secret-movie-malcom-and-marie-during-coronavirus-shutdown-1202980360/|title = Reopening Hollywood: How Zendaya, John David Washington & 'Euphoria' Creator Sam Levinson Started & Finished a Secret Movie During the Pandemic|date = July 8, 2020}}</ref>

In early 2021, Kid Cudi appeared in ''[[Crisis (2021 film)|Crisis]]'', directed by [[Nicholas Jarecki]].<ref>{{cite web|last=N'Duka|first=Amanda|date=April 3, 2019|title=Sam Worthington, 'GOTs' Indira Varma, Kid Cudi Join Gary Oldman In 'Dreamland'|url=https://deadline.com/2019/04/sam-worthington-indira-varma-kid-cudi-gary-oldman-dreamland-1202588081/|access-date=October 11, 2019|website=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref> In late 2021, Cudi appeared in the [[ensemble cast]] of ''[[Don't Look Up]]'', where he also performed an original song for the film alongside fellow American singer [[Ariana Grande]]. Cudi starred in [[Ti West]]'s slasher film [[X (2022 film)|X]], released in March 2022 to critical acclaim.<ref>{{Citation |title=X (2022) - IMDb |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13560574/ |language=en-US |access-date=2022-04-09}}</ref> Soon after, it was announced that Cudi was cast in his ''X'' co-star [[Brittany Snow]]'s directorial debut, ''September 17''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/kid-cudi-brittany-snow-september-17-1235203487/ |title=Kid Cudi Cast in Brittany Snow's Directorial Debut 'September 17th' (EXCLUSIVE) |first=Selome |last=Hailu |date=March 13, 2022 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] }}</ref> Cudi is also set to star in [[Disney]]'s upcoming sci-fi film ''[[Crater (film)|Crater]],'' which will be released exclusively on the streaming service, [[Disney+]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=May 19, 2021|title=Scott Mescudi Joins Sci-Fi Pic 'Crater' For Disney Plus and 21 Laps|url=https://deadline.com/2021/05/kid-cudi-sci-fi-pic-crater-for-disney-plus-and-21-laps-1234759815/|access-date=May 19, 2021|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=May 19, 2021|title=Kid Cudi Joins the Cast of the Disney+ Sci-Fi Film "Crater"|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kid-cudi-joins-the-cast-of-the-disney-sci-fi-film-crater-news.132229.html|website=HNHH}}</ref>

Later in March, Cudi revealed he would be making his feature directorial debut with the Netflix film, ''Teddy'', a project he's also written and in which he'll star. Cudi announced the news in a social media post, noting that he'd been working on the project since 2013. Musicians Jay-Z and [[Jeymes Samuel]] will serve as executive producers, while being co-produced by Bron Studios and Cudi's Mad Solar banner.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/kid-cudi-diectorial-debut-netflix-teddy-1235211559/|title=Kid Cudi to Write, Direct and Star in Netflix's 'Teddy,' Produced by Jeymes Samuel and Jay-Z|date=March 22, 2022}}</ref> 

In April 2022, Cudi was cast in the [[John Woo]]-directed action-thriller ''[[Silent Night (2023 film)|Silent Night]]'', starring alongside [[Joel Kinnaman]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Grobar|first=Matt|date=April 4, 2022|title=Kid Cudi Boards John Woo's Action-Thriller 'Silent Night'|url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/kid-cudi-boards-john-woo-action-thriller-silent-night-1234994005/|access-date=April 4, 2022|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref> Moreover, as announced in 2019, Cudi starred in his own [[Animation|animated]] TV special, ''[[Entergalactic (TV special)|Entergalactic]]'', at [[Netflix]], a companion piece to his [[Entergalactic (album)|''Entergalactic'']], release on September 30, 2022, in which he co-produced with [[Kenya Barris]], and wrote alongside Ian Edelman and Maurice Williams. In June 2022, the voice cast was announced; Cudi stars alongside [[Timothée Chalamet]], [[Macaulay Culkin]], [[Laura Harrier]], [[Jessica Williams (actress)|Jessica Williams]], and more.<ref name="entergalacticcast">{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2022/06/entergalactic-jessica-williams-timothee-chalamet-vanessa-hudgens-macaulay-culkin-kid-cudi-voice-cast-netflix-animated-series-1235040732/ |title='Entergalactic': Jessica Williams, Timothée Chalamet, Vanessa Hudgens, Macaulay Culkin & More Join Kid Cudi In Voice Cast Of Netflix Animated Series |first=Denise |last=Petski |date=June 8, 2022 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref> In April 2023, it was announced that Cudi was cast in [[Knuckles (TV series)|Knuckles]] show. <ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Bowenbank |first=Starr |date=2023-04-19 |title=Kid Cudi Tapped to Star in 'Sonic the Hedgehog' Spin-Off Series 'Knuckles': 'It's Lit' |url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/tv-film/kid-cudi-knuckles-sonic-the-hedgehog-spin-off-series-paramount-plus-1235310747/ |access-date=2025-05-17 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Artistry ==
=== Musical style ===
[[File:Kanye West&#039;s 808s &amp; Heartbreak @ The Hollywood Bowl - Night 1 (09-25-15) (21736815375).jpg|thumb|[[Kanye West]] and Cudi performing ''808s & Heartbreak'' at the [[Hollywood Bowl]] in September 2015]]
Cudi's musical style has been described as "an atmospheric take on melodic rap, with a dollop of charming, off-key singing".<ref name="spin"/> He has also been called "introspective, with the ability to lay his insecurities on record and expose his fallibility."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/is-rap-finally-breaking-its-mental-health-taboo-the-lancet-kendrick-lamar/ |title=Is Rap Finally Breaking Its Mental Health Taboo? |first=Ryan |last=Bassil |date=November 29, 2014 |work=Vice}}</ref> In 2015, Kris Ex of ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'', wrote "he's always been an emotional artist, dealing with expansive and nebulous feelings in acute and often destructive ways."<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/review/6792578/kid-cudi-speedin-bullet-2-heaven-album-review |title=Kid Cudi Grapples With Life's Lows on 'Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven': Album Review |first=Kris |last=Ex |date=December 8, 2015 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> Kid Cudi's sound is what inspired and led [[Kanye West]] to create his cathartic ''[[808s & Heartbreak]]'' (2008),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/overtones/9725-the-coldest-story-ever-told-the-influence-of-kanye-wests-808s-heartbreak/ |title=The Coldest Story Ever Told: The Influence of Kanye West's 808s & Heartbreak |first=Jayson |last=Greene |date=September 22, 2015 |work=Pitchfork}}</ref> with West later stating that he and Cudi were "the originators of the style, kinda like what [[Alexander McQueen]] is to [[fashion]].... Everything else is just [[Zara (retailer)|Zara]] and [[H&M]]."<ref name="2009interview"/><ref name="revisiting">{{cite web |url=http://hiphopdx.com/editorials/id.2724/title.revisiting-kid-cudis-man-on-the-moon-the-end-of-day-5-years-later |title=Revisiting Kid Cudi's "Man On The Moon: The End Of Day" 5 Years Later |date=January 30, 2015 |work=HipHopDX}}</ref> West also complimented Cudi by saying, "His writing is just so pure and natural and important."<ref name=Soul /> In March 2014, Cudi talked about wanting to provide guidance for young listeners with his music: "my mission statement since day one [...] all I wanted to do was help kids not feel alone, and stop committing suicide."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vibe.com/2014/03/kid-cudi-talks-suicidal-thoughts-state-hip-hop-arsenio-hall-0/ |title=Kid Cudi Talks Suicidal Thoughts & The State Of Hip-Hop On 'Arsenio' |first=Iyana |last=Robertson |date=March 15, 2014 |work=Vibe}}</ref>{{Listen|pos=right
|filename=Day n Nite.ogg
 |title="Day 'n' Nite"
|description=The debut single contains confessional, narrative lyrics. Cudi melodically raps introspective rhymes over [[Syncopation|syncopated]] drums and spacey, hypnotic [[synth]]s.
|format=[[Ogg]]
|filename2=Going to the Ceremony.ogg
 |title2="Going to the Ceremony"
|description2="Going to the Ceremony" is a mediation on [[addiction]]. The song is infused with [[arena rock]], being driven by [[guitar]] [[riff]]s. Kid Cudi's [[Flat (music)|flat]] singing features winding melodies punctuated by [[humming]].
|format2=[[Ogg]]
|filename3=Speedin Bullet 2 Heaven.ogg
 |title3="Speedin Bullet 2 Heaven"
|description3=A simplistic [[tone poem]], the moody track crawls menacingly with a [[psychedelic music|psychedelic]] [[Loop (music)|loop]], chugging [[acoustic guitar]] and low-end [[breakbeat]]s. The song harbors a meditative quality, with Cudi softly singing about [[manic depression]].
|format3=[[Ogg]]
}}In a 2013 article for ''The BoomBox'', the author wrote: "On [''A Kid Named Cudi''], Cudi raps and croons over samples and interpolations of [[Gnarls Barkley]], [[Paul Simon]], [[Band of Horses]], [[J Dilla]], [[Nosaj Thing]], [[N.E.R.D.]] and [[Outkast]]. He melded [[indie rock]], [[electronica]] and [[dubstep]] seamlessly with hip-hop without pandering or reaching. Before [[Drake (rapper)|Drake]] broke through with 2009's ''[[So Far Gone (mixtape)|So Far Gone]]'', rapping and singing over Swedish indie poppers [[Lykke Li]] and [[Peter Bjorn and John]], Cudi tweaked with multi-genre covers and seamless transitions between singing and rapping."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://theboombox.com/revisiting-kid-cudi-a-kid-named-cudi-mixtape-2008 |title=Revisiting A Kid Named Cudi |date=August 29, 2013 |work=The Boombox}}</ref> In a 2009 interview with [[HipHopDX]], when speaking on his debut album Cudi stated: "Well one thing I wanted to do was combine sounds that really bring out intense moods."<ref name="revisiting" />

His music has also been described as [[trip hop]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chscommunicator.com/a-and-e/2014/03/24/album-review-kid-cudi-satellite-flight/ |title=Kid Cudi, "Satellite Flight: The Journey to Mother Moon" |work=The Communicator |access-date=December 9, 2015 |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222152634/http://www.chscommunicator.com/a-and-e/2014/03/24/album-review-kid-cudi-satellite-flight/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/musicandnightlife/kid-cudi-shoots-for-the-moon-but-is-slow-to-lift-off-b9999110z1-224356971.html |title=Concert Review - Kid Cudi shoots for the moon, but is slow to lift off |date=September 19, 2013 |first=Piet |last=Levy |work=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.1562/title.kid-cudi-man-on-the-moon-ii-the-legend-of-mr-rager |title=Kid Cudi - Man On The Moon II: The Legend Of Mr. Rager |first=E. |last=Ortiz |date=November 8, 2010 |work=HipHopDX}}</ref> Furthermore, he is known for [[Harmonization|harmonizing]] and [[humming]] in his music, which helps formulate his signature sound.<ref name=hum>{{cite web|url=https://www.vinylmeplease.com/blogs/magazine/kid-cudi-hum-man-on-the-moon-vmp|title=The Impact Of The Kid Cudi Hum|website=Vinylmeplease.com|access-date=December 26, 2021}}{{Dead link|date=June 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://djbooth.net/news/entry/2016-11-23-why-im-thankful-kid-cudi-humming |title=Why I'm Thankful For… Kid Cudi's Humming |first=Andy |last=James |date=November 23, 2016 |work=DJBooth.net |access-date=April 5, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://uproxx.com/realtalk/travis-scott-kid-cudi-through-the-late-night-song-lyrics/ |title=Travi$ Scott Brings Out Kid Cudi's Good Side On 'Through The Late Night' |date=September 7, 2016 |work=Uproxx.com |access-date=April 5, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vashtie.com/blog/listen-kid-cudis-passion-pain-demon-slayin-hums/ |title=Listen To Kid Cudi's 'Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin{{'}}' With Hums Only |date=December 22, 2016 |work=Vashtie.com |access-date=April 5, 2017 |archive-date=March 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170326051117/http://www.vashtie.com/blog/listen-kid-cudis-passion-pain-demon-slayin-hums/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 2012's ''[[WZRD (album)|WZRD]]'' and 2015's ''[[Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven]]'', Cudi incorporated the use of [[screaming (music)|screamed vocals]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/21351-speedin-bullet-2-heaven/ |title=Kid Cudi: Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven Album Review |work=Pitchfork.com |access-date=April 5, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://consequence.net/2015/12/album-review-kid-cudi-speedin-bullet-2-heaven/ |title=Album Review: Kid Cudi – Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven |date=December 10, 2015 |work=Consequence of Sound.net |access-date=April 5, 2017}}</ref> and can be heard [[yodeling]] on his 2016 album ''[[Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin']]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/twitter-reacts-to-kid-cudis-passion-pain-and-demon-slayin-album-release-news.26414.html |title=Twitter Reacts To Kid Cudi's "Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin" Album Release |work=HotNewHipHop.com |date=December 16, 2016 |access-date=April 5, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://thepopbreak.com/2016/12/29/album-review-kid-cudi-passion-pain-demon-slayin/ |title=Album Review: Kid Cudi, 'Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin' |first=Dylan |last=Brandsema |date=December 29, 2016 |work=ThePopBreak.com |access-date=April 5, 2017}}</ref> Throughout the years he has also incorporated elements of [[Psychedelic music|psychedelia]], [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]], electronica, [[synthpop]], [[punk rock|punk]] and [[grunge]], in his music.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lyons |first=Patrick |url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/indie-cud-a-timeline-of-kid-cudi-s-indie-collabs-and-samples-news.14220.html |title=Indie-Cud: A Timeline Of Kid Cudi's Indie Collabs & Samples |website=HotNewHipHop.com |date=March 4, 2015 |access-date=December 19, 2016}}</ref><ref name="hiphopdx.com">{{cite web |url=http://hiphopdx.com/interviews/id.1408/title.kid-cudi-the-dark-side-of-the-moon |title=Kid Cudi: The Dark Side Of The Moon |first=Paul |last=Arnold |date=September 16, 2009 |work=HipHopDX}}</ref>

Cudi was gifted a guitar by his manager in 2011, encouraging Cudi to learn. Cudi [[Self-taught|taught himself]] how to play the guitar and used the instrument in his [[rock music]] throughout his career.<ref name=amns>{{cite AV media | people=Alexander, Robert (director) | date=November 5, 2021| title=[[A Man Named Scott]] | trans-title = | type=Motion picture | location=Various | publisher=}}</ref> Cudi is also a self-taught [[music producer]].<ref name=MP>{{cite web|url=https://hypebeast.com/2013/4/kid-cudi-lists-his-top-4-favorite-producers|title=KiD CuDi Lists His Top 4 Favorite Producers|date=April 19, 2013|website=Hypebeast.com|access-date=December 26, 2021}}</ref> In 2021, Cudi appeared on American TV talk show ''[[The Shop]]'', where he spoke on his writing and recording process. Cudi mentioned for his early albums he would sit down and write entire verses. However, while working on ''[[Kids See Ghosts (album)|Kids See Ghosts]]'' and ''[[Man on the Moon III]]'', he adopted Kanye West's writing process. Instead of writing to a beat, he records a reference track for himself, where he freestyles and hums his way through the beat to get a melody, and fills in the lyrics as they come to him.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hbo.com/the-shop/season-4/episode-2|title = The Shop - Episode 2|website=Hbo.com}}</ref><ref>''The Shop: Uninterrupted'', Episode 4-02, first aired 25 June 2021.</ref> In 2021, during ''Songwriter's Roundtable'' for ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'', Cudi called his music "[[space rock|space]] [[punk rock]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/video/the-hollywood-reporters-full-uncensored-songwriters-roundtable-with-kid-cudi-camila-cabello-anderson-paak-and-ron-and-russell-mael-of-sparks/|title=The Hollywood Reporter's Full, Uncensored Songwriters Roundtable With Kid Cudi, Camila Cabello, Anderson .Paak and Ron and Russell Mael of Sparks|first=Ciara|last=McVey|website=Hollywoodreporter.com|date=December 11, 2021|access-date=December 26, 2021}}</ref>

===Stage presence===
During his 2013 Cud Life concert tour, Cudi donned a custom made astronaut-esque suit that was designed by noted Hollywood costume designer Jose Hernandez. Officially dubbed the "Satellite Academy Space Suit", Joe La Puma of ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'' explained, "It's more than just an interesting clothing choice; the suit represents a transition in his mind-state back to the highly anticipated ''Man on the Moon III''."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/style/a/joe-la-puma/kid-cudi-spacesuit-interview|title = Interview: Kid Cudi Breaks Down the Custom Spacesuit He's Wearing on the "Cud Life" Tour| website=[[Complex Networks]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vladtv.com/article/175326/dumb-or-dope-kid-cudi-rocks-custom-space-suit-at-concert|title = Dumb or Dope? Kid Cudi Rocks Custom Space Suit at Concert}}</ref>

=== Influences ===
[[File:Snoop dog-02.jpg|thumb|Kid Cudi names [[Snoop Dogg]] (pictured) as one of his biggest influences.]]
Cudi's earliest influences include [[alternative hip-hop]] groups such as [[the Pharcyde]], [[A Tribe Called Quest]] and [[Bone Thugs-n-Harmony]].<ref name=Soul/><ref name="huffpost">{{cite web |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/cara-parks/kid-cudi-the-lonely-stone_b_295982.html |title=Kid Cudi: The Lonely Stoner Hits His Stride |date=November 23, 2009 |work=The Huffington Post}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |date=October 25, 2009 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbFoLa_XhVY |title=Myspace's My Favorite Videos: Kid Cudi |publisher=CLEVELANDmusic |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926064400/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbFoLa_XhVY |archive-date=September 26, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> Cudi also cites rappers such as [[the Notorious B.I.G.]], [[Tupac]], [[Jay-Z]], [[Snoop Dogg]], [[Run-DMC]], [[Kurtis Blow]], [[LL Cool J]], [[Salt-N-Pepa]], [[Queen Latifah]], [[Kid 'n Play]], [[N.W.A]], [[Naughty by Nature]], [[Onyx (hip-hop group)|Onyx]] and [[Public Enemy]], as his hip-hop influences while growing up.<ref name="hiphopdx.com"/> Speaking to ''Complex'' in 2012, Cudi named ''[[Doggystyle]]'' (1993) as one of his favorite albums of all time, revealing, "Snoop Dogg is my favorite rapper ever [...] It was the first time I was introduced to the man and I thought he was the coolest motherfucker alive. His whole cadence, his delivery, his swag—it was real. It was something that I never heard before."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://hiphophero.com/kid-cudis-favourite-rapper-of-all-time/ | title=Kid Cudi's favourite rapper of all time | date=February 10, 2022 }}</ref>

Kid Cudi has also credited fellow Ohio native [[Camu Tao]], as an influence.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/08/the-king-of-columbus-a-look-at-camu-taos-posthumous-king-of-hearts.html |title=The king of Columbus: A look at Camu Tao's posthumous 'King of Hearts' |first=Jeff |last=Weiss |date=August 23, 2010 |work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.11330/title.camu-taos-posthumous-king-of-hearts-to-release-peers-praise |title=Camu Tao's Posthumous "King of Hearts" To Release, Peers Praise |first=Jake |last=Paine |date=May 25, 2010 |work=HipHopDX}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/review-kid-cudis-speedin-bullet-2-heaven-news.19091.html |title=Review: Kid Cudi's "Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven" |first=Maxwell |last=Cavaseno |date=December 13, 2015 |work=HotNewHipHop}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/music/download-camu-taos-elvis-costello-borrowing-be-a-big-girl-sotc-premiere-6649530 |title=Download Camu Tao's Elvis Costello-Borrowing "Be a Big Girl" (SOTC Premiere) |first=Christopher |last=Weingarten |date=August 10, 2010 |work=Village Voice |access-date=December 17, 2015 |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222122430/http://www.villagevoice.com/music/download-camu-taos-elvis-costello-borrowing-be-a-big-girl-sotc-premiere-6649530 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/music/camu-tao-gets-his-due-6428542 |title=Camu Tao Gets His Due |first=Phillip |last=Mlynar |date=August 18, 2010 |work=Village Voice |access-date=December 17, 2015 |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222080314/http://www.villagevoice.com/music/camu-tao-gets-his-due-6428542 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He has also been inspired by the sounds of [[the O'Jays]], [[Ratatat]], [[MGMT]] and [[the Postal Service]].<ref name="huffpost"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2009/08/kid-cudi |title=Kid Cudi |date=August 3, 2009 |work=Complex}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://medium.com/i-m-h-o/a-look-at-kid-cudis-man-on-the-moon-cfd9bc0ffc99#.mapgxo7ru |title=A look at Kid Cudi's 'Man on The Moon' — I. M. H. O. |first=Addison |last=Todd |work=Medium |access-date=December 3, 2015 |archive-date=December 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208103047/https://medium.com/i-m-h-o/a-look-at-kid-cudis-man-on-the-moon-cfd9bc0ffc99#.mapgxo7ru |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2010, he began experimenting with [[rock music]]; rock acts that inspired Cudi include the [[Electric Light Orchestra]], [[Jimi Hendrix]], [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]], the [[Pixies (band)|Pixies]] and [[Pink Floyd]].<ref name="listeningsession"/><ref name="billboard">{{cite magazine |first=Chris |last=Payne |title=Kid Cudi, Dot Da Genius Preview 'WZRD' Album in NYC |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/photos/live/504442/kid-cudi-dot-da-genius-preview-wzrd-album-in-nyc |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=February 24, 2012 |access-date=February 26, 2012}}</ref> Kid Cudi also credits English singer-songwriter [[David Bowie]] as a "huge inspiration".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://emptylighthouse.com/kid-cudi-pays-respects-david-bowie-blasting-starman-960035364 |title=Kid Cudi Pays Respects To David Bowie By Blasting 'Starman' |first=Navi |last=Persaud |date=January 11, 2016 |website=Empty Lighthouse}}</ref> [[Hip-hop production|Production]] wise, Cudi has named [[Dr. Dre]], [[Swizz Beatz]], [[Timbaland]] and Kanye West, as his top four favorite producers; also naming Emile Haynie and Plain Pat, calling them "geniuses" for seeing his potential before he was even completely aware of it.<ref name=MP/>

==Other ventures==
[[File:Kidcudi (300dpi).jpg|thumb|Cudi performing in [[San Francisco]] in July 2009]]

===Fashion===
In September 2009, Japanese clothing company [[A Bathing Ape|BAPE]] printed Cudi's likeness on T-shirts.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.complex.com/style/2013/08/every-bape-collaboration/bape-kid-cudi |title=Kid Cudi - A History of BAPE Collaborations |magazine=Complex |date=December 14, 2016 |access-date=December 19, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Kan |first=Eugene |url=http://hypebeast.com/2009/9/kid-cudi-x-a-bathing-ape-tee |title=Kid Cudi x A Bathing Ape Tee |website=Hypebeast |date=September 3, 2009 |access-date=December 19, 2016}}</ref> In 2021, Cudi and BAPE collaborated on a series 20 pieces logos and other things.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hypebeast.com/2021/2/kid-cudi-bape-2021-capsule|title = BAPE Taps Kid Cudi for Largest Artist Collab Yet|date = February 19, 2021}}</ref>

In February 2011, Kid Cudi announced a collaboration with Parisian brand Surface to Air. In the fall of 2011, he released a leather jacket collection in collaboration with the fashion label.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.complex.com/style/2011/02/kid-cudi-surface-to-air-leather-jackets |title=Kid Cudi x Surface to Air Leather Jackets |magazine=Complex |date=December 14, 2016 |access-date=December 19, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Li |first=Arby |url=http://hypebeast.com/2016/9/10-non-music-kid-cudi-projects |title=10 Non-Music Kid Cudi Projects |website=Hypebeast |date=September 29, 2016 |access-date=December 19, 2016}}</ref>

In August 2014, [[Giuseppe Zanotti]] designed an exclusive sneaker inspired by Kid Cudi's style.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.highsnobiety.com/2014/08/18/giuseppe-zanotti-designs-a-futuristic-sneaker-inspired-by-kid-cudi/ |title=Giuseppe Zanotti Designs a Futuristic Sneaker Inspired by Kid Cudi |first=Brian |last=Farmer |date=August 18, 2014 |work=Highsnobiety}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.inquisitr.com/1425513/kid-cudi-high-top-sneakers/ |title=Kid Cudi Teams Up With Italian Designer Giuseppe Zanotti For High-Top Sneakers |first=Todd |last=Rigney |date=August 21, 2014 |work=The Inquisitr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/kid-cudi-just-out-kanyed-kanye-with-his-new-giuseppe-zanotti-sneakers/ |title=Kid Cudi Just Out Kanye'd Kanye With His New Giuseppe Zanotti Sneakers |first=Marissa G. |last=Muller |date=August 21, 2014 |work=Vice}}</ref>

In February 2019, Kid Cudi partnered with French fashion brand [[A.P.C.]] The capsule collection included denim, sneakers, and t-shirts.<ref>{{cite web|last=Groce |first=Nia |url=https://hypebeast.com/2019/2/kid-cudi-apc-collab-collection-release |title=Kid Cudi x A.P.C. Collaboration Available Now |publisher=Hypebeast |date=2019-02-21 |access-date=2022-02-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.papermag.com/kid-cudi-apc-collection|title = Kid Cudi is a Fashion Designer, Too}}</ref>

Kid Cudi announced a partnership with [[Adidas]] in March 2019.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gq.com/story/kid-cudi-adidas-bill-and-ted |title=Party On, Dudes: Kid Cudi's First Adidas Sneaker Is a Bill & Ted Collab |date=November 13, 2020 |first=Tres |last=Dean |website=GQ}}</ref> On December 10, 2020, Cudi unveiled his Adidas sneakers. They are the self-named VADAWAM 326's that were released on December 17, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/kid-cudi-adidas-vadawam-326-release-date-price/ |title=Kid Cudi x adidas Vadawam 326: First Look & Release Info |date=December 10, 2020 |website=Highsnobiety}}</ref>

On May 20, 2020, Kid Cudi announced he was partnering with American designer [[Virgil Abloh]], to release an exclusive "Leader of the Delinquents" t-shirt. The design on the black and white "PULLING STRINGS" t-shirt features Kid Cudi puppeteering a smaller version of himself, hence the name of the t-shirt release. The art is meant to reference Cudi's infamous [[TMZ]] moment from 2012, in which he posed like the puppet on the shirt. "Leader of the Delinquents" is written across the back of the t-shirt in text reminiscent of [[Jean-Michel Basquiat]]'s handwriting.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleumag.com/2020/05/20/kid-cudi-announces-leader-of-the-delinquents-merch/|title = Kid Cudi Announces "Leader of the Delinquents" Merch|date = May 20, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://hypebae.com/2020/5/virgil-abloh-kid-cudi-leaders-of-the-delinquents-merch-t-shirt-vinyl-cassette-release?amp=1|title = Kid Cudi Enlists Virgil Abloh to Design "Leaders of the Delinquents" Merch| date=May 19, 2020 }}</ref>

Just hours before releasing his long-awaited ''Man on the Moon III'' album, Cudi rolled out a small batch of merchandise in support of the album. The range was made in collaboration with [[Cactus Plant Flea Market]], and consists of short- and long-sleeve T-shirts, pullover hoodies, and sweatpants—all of which feature graphics that reference MOTM3 tracks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/style/2020/12/kid-cudi-cactus-plant-flea-market-man-on-the-moon-3-merch|title = Kid Cudi Connects with Cactus Plant Flea Market for 'Man on the Moon III' Merch|website = [[Complex Networks]]}}</ref>

In April 2021, Kid Cudi performed on ''Saturday Night Live'' wearing a floral-print sundress, created by Virgil Abloh. On April 11, Cudi confirmed that he would have an upcoming collection with Italian luxury fashion label [[Off-White (company)|Off-White]], with the floral dress serving as one of the pieces.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kid-cudi-reveals-floral-dress-is-part-of-his-upcoming-off-white-collection-news.130067.html|title=Kid Cudi Reveals Floral Dress is Part of His Upcoming Off-White Collection|website=HNHH|date=April 11, 2021}}</ref>

In late April 2021, it was revealed Kid Cudi had teamed up with the [[NFL]] to release a limited-edition [[Starter jacket]] commemorating the [[2021 NFL draft]], which took place in Cudi's hometown of Cleveland.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.complex.com/style/kid-cudi-nfl-starter-jacket-2021-draft|title = Kid Cudi Links up with NFL for Limited Edition Starter Jacket in Celebration of 2021 Draft |website=[[Complex Networks]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2021-04-30/nfl-draft-kid-cudi-jacket |title=NFL and Kid Cudi release limited-edition Starter draft jacket |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=April 30, 2021}}</ref>

In June 2023, Cudi collaborated with American art collective [[MSCHF]] to release sneakers, which Cudi previewed during his headlining performance at [[Lyrical Lemonade]]'s Summer Smash Festival in Chicago.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://hypebeast.com/2023/6/kid-cudi-mschf-super-normal-sneaker-collab | title=Kid Cudi Joins MSCHF for a Wavy Super Normal 2 Collaboration | date=June 26, 2023 }}</ref>

====MOTR====
On January 26, 2021, Kid Cudi announced on Twitter that he would be starting his own clothing line and the first pieces would be available sometime in 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.60259/title.kid-cudi-takes-credit-for-starting-the-skinny-jeans-trend-as-he-readies-his-own-clothing-line |title=Kid Cudi Takes Credit for Starting the Skinny Jeans Trend as He Readies His Own Clothing Line |date=January 27, 2021}}</ref> In February 2022, Cudi launched his very own clothing line called MOTR, pronounced "motor"<ref>{{cite tweet |author=The Chosen One |user=KiDCuDi |number=1603123051092066304 |date=December 14, 2022 |title=MOTR = Members of the RAGE Pronounced "motor". |language=en |access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref> and an acronym for "Members of the RAGE".<ref>{{cite tweet |author=The Chosen One |user=KiDCuDi |number=1605856436411432960 |date=December 22, 2022 |title=MOTR is Members of the RAGE. Pronounced Motor for short. All unisex. Pushing the boundaries of fashion. Debut in January during Paris Fashion Week 2023 |language=en |access-date=January 16, 2023}}</ref> The clothing line is described as a fusion of "90s grunge with the soul of hip hop and
elements from a distant future."<ref>{{cite web |last=Griffin |first=Marc |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kid-cudi-enters-street-fashion-with-nigo-designed-members-of-the-rage-news.147957.html |title=Kid Cudi Enters Street Fashion With NIGO-Designed Members Of The Rage |publisher=Hotnewhiphop.com |date=2022-02-18 |access-date=2022-02-22}}</ref> Its UFO logo was co-designed by Cudi and Japanese fashion designer [[Nigo]], while the retro-inspired website was designed by Cudi himself. The first piece that was issued was a t-shirt created in collaboration with Nigo's Human Made. Created for [[NBA All-Star Weekend]], the shirt comes in white and features the MOTR logo in Cleveland Cavaliers colors and the Earth replaced with a basketball.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/style/kid-cudi-members-of-the-rage-line-launches-first-drop |title=Kid Cudi's New Members of the Rage Line Launches First Drop |publisher=Complex |date=2022-02-18 |access-date=2022-02-22}}</ref> On September 21, 2022, Cudi announced that his MOTR fashion line, will debut at [[Paris Fashion Week]] 2023.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2022-09-22/211687/kid-cudi-reveals-members-of-the-rage-pfw-debut/ | title=Kid Cudi reveals Members of the RAGE PFW debut: "I'm comin' to f**k s**t up" }}</ref><ref name="motr2">{{Cite web |title=Kid Cudi Teases 2023 Plans for MOTR Line Including Paris Fashion Week and 'F*ckin' Clean' Sneakers |url=https://www.complex.com/style/kid-cudi-teases-2023-plans-motr-line-paris-fashion-week-sneakers |access-date=2023-02-25 |website=Complex |language=en}}</ref> He also revealed the line is all-[[Unisex clothing|unisex pieces]], produced "in Italy and parts of Europe"; additionally the line will also feature sneakers.<ref name=motr2/> After launching the line in Paris, ''[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]]'' wrote "hip-hop culture, retro-inflected futurism, [[Japanese street style|Japanese street fashion]] and a general embrace of [[grunge]] are all brewing in his extroverted, [[Gen Z]]-leaning lineup."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-20 |title="I Want People to Feel Like They're Walking on Stage When They're Wearing This Brand"—Kid Cudi Brings His Debut Collection to Paris |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/kid-cudi-debut-collection-paris-members-of-the-rage |access-date=2023-02-25 |website=Vogue |language=en-US}}</ref> On July 27, 2023,  Cudi launched MOTR at the London department store, [[Selfridges]]. At the release, he spoke with ''[[Highsnobiety]]'' about how the brand came together. Cudi says the late [[Virgil Abloh]] and his [[Off-White (company)|Off-White]] brand served as an inspiration for the effort.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/699387-kid-cudi-launches-clothing-members-rage | title=Kid Cudi Launches Clothing Brand, Members of the Rage | website=HNHH | date=July 30, 2023 }}</ref>

===Modeling===
In 2010, Cudi modeled for a campaign run by American fashion house [[Calvin Klein (company)|Calvin Klein]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soulbounce.com/2010/03/this_isnt_helping_our_pursuit_to_understand_kid_cudi_any_better/|title = This Isn't Helping Our 'Pursuit' to Understand Kid Cudi Any Better &#124; SoulBounce &#124; SoulBounce|date = March 10, 2010}}</ref> In January 2015, [[Coach, Inc.]] announced Kid Cudi as the new face of their brand, along with actress [[Chloë Grace Moretz]], to front its Spring campaign.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Raiss |first=Liz |url=http://www.thefader.com/2015/01/20/coach-taps-kid-cudi-for-their-spring-campaign |title=Crop Top Enthusiast Kid Cudi Is The New Face Of Coach |magazine=The Fader |date=January 20, 2015 |access-date=December 19, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Richy |last=Rosario |url=http://www.vibe.com/2015/01/kid-cudi-coach-dreamers-campaign/ |title=Kid Cudi Displays His Model Best For Coach's Dreamers Campaign |website=Vibe.com |date=January 21, 2015 |access-date=December 19, 2016}}</ref> In September 2021, Cudi partnered with [[Cadillac]], for the campaign for their 2023 [[Cadillac Lyriq|Lyriq]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.autoevolution.com/news/kid-cudi-gives-just-the-right-vibe-for-the-new-2023-cadillac-lyriq-168880.html | title=Kid Cudi Gives Just the Right Vibe for the New 2023 Cadillac Lyriq | date=September 8, 2021 }}</ref> In January 2022, Cudi modeled for the [[Levi Strauss & Co.]] campaign titled "The Number That Changed Everything".<ref>{{cite web|author=Morgan Smith |url=https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/levis-501-kid-cudi-tremaine-emory-campaign/ |title=Levi's 501 Campaign Lookbook, Starring Kid Cudi |publisher=Highsnobiety.com |date= February 6, 2022|access-date=2022-02-06}}</ref> In March 2022, Cudi was featured in a jewelry-focused campaign from French fashion house [[Louis Vuitton]]. The LV Volt campaign sees Cudi, [[Alicia Vikander]] and Jin Chen, modeling a range of pieces from the unisex collection.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/style/a/tracewilliamcowen/kid-cudi-featured-in-louis-vuitton-new-lv-volt-jewelry-campaign|title = Kid Cudi Featured in Louis Vuitton's New LV Volt Jewelry Campaign| website=[[Complex Networks]] }}</ref> In August 2023, American fashion house [[Calvin Klein (fashion house)|Calvin Klein]] officially launched its Fall 2023 campaign, adding Kid Cudi as one of their new ambassador features.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://hypebeast.com/2023/8/calvin-klein-fall-2023-campaign-jennie-jung-kook-kid-cudi-kendall-jenner-alexa-demie | title=Calvin Klein Unveils Star-Studded Fall 2023 Campaign Featuring Jennie, Jung Kook, Kid Cudi and More | date=August 14, 2023 }}</ref> Modeling for Calvin Klein, Cudi posted a picture of himself posing in front of a Manhattan [[billboard]] on Twitter, with the caption: "I always walked past this billboard and dreamed of being up there one day. This is unreal. I remember I mentioned I realllly wanted this billboard at the shoot and they told me, 'we'll see.' Thank u @calvinklein for makin another dream of mine come true."<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kid-cudi-calvin-klein-campaign-photos-1235393509 | title=Kid Cudi Strips Down for Steamy, Shirtless Calvin Klein Campaign: See the Pics | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/a44808954/kid-cudi-calvin-klein-campaign/ | title=Kid Cudi is Letting It All Go | date=August 14, 2023 }}</ref>

=== Dream On ===
Dream On was an American record label founded in 2009, by Cudi alongside his managers at the time, [[Plain Pat|Patrick Reynolds]] and [[Emile Haynie]]. In February 2011, Cudi announced the label had been dissolved. The label released the first two installments of Cudi's ''Man on the Moon'' series.

=== Wicked Awesome Records ===
Wicked Awesome Records is an American record label founded by Cudi in 2011. It is distributed by Republic Records. In a 2013 interview, Cudi said "Wicked Awesome was there officially when I did ''WZRD.'' That was the first project that I did on Wicked Awesome and it was an outlet for me to just branch out on my own, and creatively and business-wise take things to a different space for me. Wicked Awesome..where do I see it going? Right now it's just the music but who knows? Wicked Awesome is maybe gunna be beyond music it could be movies, it could be a lot of things, producing T.V. shows. Just the name I think is really dope it has a ring to it."<ref name=WA>{{cite web |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kid-cudi-discusses-asap-rocky-feature-plans-for-wicked-awesome-label-news.5130.html?_amp |title=Kid Cudi Discusses A$AP Rocky Feature, Plans For "Wicked Awesome" Label |first=Rose |last=Lilah |date=April 4, 2013 |website=HotNewHipHop.com}}</ref> Cudi continued, explaining the motivation behind his label. "The whole motivation is just bringing authenticity back to the forefront. Bringing real content, bringing real emotion [...] Wicked Awesome is about being a real human being, making real music, talking about real things that people deal with on a day-to-day basis."<ref name=WA/> In January 2021, Cudi [[tweeted]] that he is prepared to sign artists and producers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.60031/title.kid-cudi-is-ready-to-sign-artists-producers-to-his-wicked-awesome-label#|title=Kid Cudi Is Ready To Sign Artists & Producers To His Wicked Awesome Label|website=[[HipHopDX]]|last=Walker|first=Joe|date=January 13, 2021|access-date=May 31, 2021}}</ref>

=== Mad Solar ===

On November 17, 2020, it was revealed Cudi teamed with Dennis Cummings and Karina Manashil to found production and music management company Mad Solar, with the backing of [[Bron Studios]], which provides corporate back office and production support, including financing, marketing, and sales. In a statement Cudi said, "Beyond excited to be launching my production company Mad Solar and partnering with Bron, whose creative vision and storytelling has transformed the industry."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2020/11/kid-cudi-launches-mad-solar-production-music-management-company-bron-1234617263/ |title=Kid Cudi Launches Mad Solar Production & Music Management Company Backed By Bron |first=Nellie |last=Andreeva |date=November 17, 2020 |work=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref> Mad Solar has produced the Netflix animated special ''[[Entergalactic (TV series)|Entergalactic]]'', which Cudi co-created alongside Kenya Barris. Additionally, Mad Solar teamed with [[A24]] and Bron Studios on the horror film ''[[X (2022 film)|X]].'' Written and directed by [[Ti West]], ''X'' stars [[Mia Goth]], Cudi and [[Jenna Ortega]]. Cudi served as an executive producer on the film, which began production in early 2021.<ref name=bronx>{{cite web |url=https://www.hispanicallyyours.com/kid-cudi-launches-production-music-management-company-mad-solar/ |title=Kid Cudi Launches Production & Music Management Company 'Mad Solar' |first=Tom |last=Castaneda |date=November 18, 2020 |website=Hispanically Yours}}</ref>

=== Encore Music Technologies ===
In October 2020, it was announced Cudi teamed with screenwriter Ian Edelman and startup veteran Jonathan Gray to launch Encore Music Technologies, a [[Mobile app|mobile-based platform]] to help artists monetize their connections with fans. Earlier in 2020, Encore closed a $2 million seed round led by global investment firm [[Battery Ventures]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hispanicallyyours.com/kid-cudi-launches-mobile-app-encore-to-help-artists-monetize-their-connections-with-fans/|title=Encore Application|date=October 29, 2020|access-date=August 26, 2021}}</ref>

In 2022, it was revealed Encore Studio was backed by $9 million funding led by Battery Ventures along with investments from 468 Capital, Parade Ventures, Nomad Ventures, Moving Capital, Kayak Ventures, and [[Gaingels]].<ref name=e2/>

===Memoir===
In September 2022, Cudi revealed that he had begun working on his [[memoir]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.complex.com/music/kid-cudi-starts-writing-memoir | title=Kid Cudi Has Started Writing His Memoir: 'Tellin My Story in My Own Words is Scary' | website=[[Complex Networks]] }}</ref>

=== Comic ===
During [[New York Comic Con|New York Comic Con 2023]], it was revealed that Cudi would be teaming up with writer [[Kyle Higgins]] to make his comic writing debut with the series ''Moon Man.'' Cudi and Higgins write the series, with art and colors being provided by Marco Locati and Igor Monti respectively. A collaboration between Cudi's Mad Solar and Higgins' Black Market Narrative and published by [[Image Comics]], the series revolves around Ramon Townsend, an astronaut from [[Cleveland]] who, following a mission that almost killed him and his crew, begins to develop abilities and becomes the world's first superhero. The series was anticipated to launch in January 2024 and to be accompanied by a mixtape composed by Cudi.<ref>{{Cite web |title=KID CUDI TEAMS WITH BESTSELLING WRITER KYLE HIGGINS, ARTIST MARCO LOCATI, COLORIST IGOR MONTI & LETTERER HASSAN… |url=https://imagecomics.com/press-releases/kid-cudi-teams-with-bestselling-writer-kyle-higgins-artist-marco-locati-colorist-igor-monti-letterer-hassan-otsmane-elhaou-for-upcoming-comic-book-series-moon-man |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=Image Comics |language=en}}</ref>

Cudi and Higgins debuted the first issue of ''Moon Man'' on January 31, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Moon Man #1 |url=https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/moon-man-1 |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Image Comics |language=en}}</ref> The comic series launched to immediate commercial success, with Image Comics reporting that the first issue had sold out to high demand and outpaced distributor supply, thus prompting an urgent reprint.<ref>{{Cite web |title=DEMAND FOR KID CUDI'S MOON MAN ECLIPSES DISTRIBUTOR SUPPLY, RUSHED BACK TO PRINT THIS WEEK |url=https://imagecomics.com/press-releases/demand-for-kid-cudis-moon-man-eclipses-distributor-supply-rushed-back-to-print-this-week |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Image Comics |language=en}}</ref> The second issue was released on April 17, 2024, and the third issue followed on July 10, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Moon Man #2 |url=https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/moon-man-2 |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Image Comics |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Moon Man #3 |url=https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/moon-man-3 |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Image Comics |language=en}}</ref> On the same day that the third issue released, Cudi also released "Dreams I See", a single intended to support the issue's launch.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Horowitz |first=Steven J. |date=2024-07-10 |title=Kid Cudi Debuts New Song 'Dreams I See' to Accompany 'Moon Man #3' Comic Series (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2024/music/news/kid-cudi-dreams-i-see-moon-man-comic-series-1236064370/ |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Public image==
Kid Cudi has been described by the media as a [[visionary]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thesource.com/2021/11/10/kid-cudi-launches-mad-solar-productions/ |title=Visionary Kid Cudi Launches Mad Solar Productions |publisher=[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]]|date= November 10, 2021|access-date=2022-08-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release | url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kid-cudi-releases-career-spanning-the-boy-who-flew-to-the-moonvol-1-out-now-301582837.html | title=Kid Cudi Releases Career-Spanning the Boy Who Flew to the Moon…Vol. 1 Out Now! }}</ref> and a [[fashion icon]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nicekicks.com/whats-wardrobe-kid-cudi/|title=How Kid Cudi Has Remained Rock Star Fresh for A Decade|date=September 15, 2019|website=Nicekicks.com|access-date=December 26, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/style/kid-cudi-most-memorable-outfits/|title=Man on the Moon: Some of Kid Cudi's Most Memorable Outfits|website=Complex.com|access-date=December 26, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://thehundreds.com/blogs/content/kid-cudi-an-unlikely-fashion-icon|title=KID CUDI :: An Unlikely Fashion Icon|website=Thehundreds.com|date=March 14, 2019 |access-date=December 26, 2021}}</ref>
In his early career, Kid Cudi received criticism in the hip-hop community for wearing [[skinny jeans]], before they became trendy after being worn by mainstream rappers, such as Lil Wayne and Kanye West.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rapradar.com/2009/07/15/kid-cudi-defends-his-skinny-jeans/|title=Kid Cudi Defends His Skinny Jeans|website=Rapradar.com|date=July 15, 2009 |access-date=December 26, 2021}}</ref> Cudi made headlines when he wore a [[kilt]] to a 2010 New Year's Eve party in [[Miami]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hellobeautiful.com/759472/kid-cudi-hm-real-men-wear-skirts/ |title=Kid Cudi + H&M: "Real Men Wear Skirts" |website=HelloBeautiful.com |date=January 21, 2010 |access-date=March 21, 2020}}</ref> In April 2012, he made headlines again in a now-infamous moment when he gave ''[[TMZ]]'' paparazzi [[the finger]], claiming they have never "posted anything to make him look good".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2012/04/video-kid-cudi-stunts-on-tmz|title=Video: Kid Cudi Stunts on TMZ|website=[[Complex Networks]]}}</ref>

In 2014, Cudi made headlines when he performed in a [[crop top]] at the annual [[Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1726160/kid-cudi-coachella-crop-top-hip-hop-fashion/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140824232220/http://www.mtv.com/news/1726160/kid-cudi-coachella-crop-top-hip-hop-fashion/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 24, 2014|title = Will Kid Cudi's Coachella Crop Top Start a New Hip-Hop Fashion Trend?|website = [[MTV]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/style/2014/04/twitter-reacts-kid-cudi-crop-top|title = Twitter Reacts to Kid Cudi's Crop Top at Coachella|website = [[Complex Networks]]}}</ref> In April 2021, he appeared as the sole musical guest on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'', where he performed "[[Tequila Shots]]" and "[[Sad People]]". Both performances were in tribute to [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]]'s late frontman [[Kurt Cobain]], however it was his performance of "Sad People" that made headlines because Cudi wore a dress as a statement against social norms much like his idol Cobain had done.<ref name=SNL/>

In September 2021, Cudi made headlines twice; first arriving at [[New York Fashion Week]] with electric blue hair, a Nirvana long-sleeve tee and a floor-length black skirt.<ref name=nyfwmg>{{cite web |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kid-cudi-hits-2021-met-gala-with-green-hair-louis-vuitton-skirt-and-a-massive-kaws-chain-news.139168.html |title=Kid Cudi Hits 2021 Met Gala With Green Hair, Louis Vuitton Skirt & Massive KAWS Chain |work=Hot New Hip Hop |last=McCloud |first=Taylor |date=September 14, 2021 |access-date=September 21, 2021}}</ref> A few days later, Cudi showed up to the [[Met Gala]] wearing fluorescent green hair and dark eye makeup. At the Gala, Cudi was in head-to-toe [[Louis Vuitton]] (LV), with a blue sweater, another floor-length skirt and blue-and-green LV sneakers.<ref name=nyfwmg/>

On November 10, 2021, Kid Cudi posed for photos at the [[CFDA Fashion Awards]] in a custom bridal gown, standing hand-in-hand with its designer, ERL's Eli Russell Linnetz, lace-gloved fingers interlocked, both wearing ''[[American Gothic]]'' expressions. On the red carpet, Linnetz lifted Cudi's veil. "Be yourself, be free, baby, yeah," Cudi said into a microphone, with a grin; he'd paired the dress with a white tux jacket, crystal-covered sneakers, grungy eyeliner, an icy Black Jesus pendant, and Manic Panic-pink hair. The dress was another homage to Kurt Cobain.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gq.com/story/kid-cudi-wedding-dress-cfda|title=Kid Cudi Wore a Wedding Dress For His Latest Kurt Cobain Tribute|first=Eileen|last=Cartter|website=Gq.com|date=November 11, 2021|access-date=December 26, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.65790/title.kid-cudi-channels-dennis-rodman-kurt-cobain-by-wearing-wedding-dress-be-free-baby|title=Kid Cudi Channels Dennis Rodman & Kurt Cobain By Wearing Wedding Dress: 'Be Free, Baby'|date=November 11, 2021|website=HipHopDX.com|access-date=December 26, 2021}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
===Drug use===
In a January 2013 interview, Cudi revealed that he had stopped smoking [[cannabis]] in 2011, both for the sake of his child and due to frustration with constantly being associated with the drug and [[Stoner culture#Cannabis subculture|stoner culture]].<ref name="DrugStop">{{cite magazine |url =http://www.complex.com/music/2013/01/kid-cudi-talks-quitting-weed-bossing-up-illuminati-rumors-and-motm-iii |title=Interview: Kid Cudi Talks Quitting Weed, Bossing Up, Illuminati Rumors, and "MOTM III" |first=Joe |last=La Puma |date=January 17, 2013 |access-date=August 2, 2013 |magazine=Complex}}</ref>

In a March 2013 interview, Cudi talked about how his initial sudden and unexpected fame drove him to alcohol and drugs:

{{cquote|For me, I just got to this point, and especially up until recently, I gave up liquor, I don't drink anymore, it's been five and a half months I've been sober. The booze was a new thing for me, I didn't realize I was an alcoholic all these years. I had a problem, I think with any addiction you have to be ready to make the choice, whether it's cigarettes or anything. You have to just commit and you just have to stick with it. I stopped everything [[cold turkey]]. When I had my cocaine problem I stopped cold turkey, I didn't go to rehab. I don't believe in these things. Some people need the extra help, not me. I wasn't a drug addict before this crap, I wasn't doing cocaine, I wasn't getting wasted every night because I didn't want to be alone. I wasn't this dark person before the madness, I was a whole other dude. I don't even think I smoked weed as much 'cause we couldn't afford it. You just have to make the choice and decide the person you wanna be and stick with it. You get to a certain age where the people around you are not gonna be on that rollercoaster all day long ready for you to go up, ready for you to go down, and stick with you through all the madness. People want you to be one person and stick with it and I chose to be clean and be sober and get my life together. For myself, for my health, for my daughter, for my family.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thefix.com/content/kid-cudi-reveals-how-he-beat-his-addictions |title=Kid Cudi Reveals How He Beat His Addictions |first=Bryan |last=Le |date=March 27, 2014 |work=The Fix}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.27973/title.kid-cudi-i-couldnt-deal-with-fame |title=Kid Cudi: "I Couldn't Deal With Fame" |first=Jay |last=Balfour |date=March 19, 2014 |work=HipHopDX}}</ref>}}

However, in 2022, Cudi tweeted about going to rehab for cocaine addiction in 2016:

{{cquote|I was in rehab when the "[[Frequency (song)|Frequency]]" video came out.  I shot it, then went on a 2 week cocaine run.  Edited the video sneaking into the bathroom to do bumps.  Then, I woke up one day and said, "Ima die if things dont change". So, I made sure things changed.<ref>{{cite tweet |author=The Chosen One |user=KiDCuDi |number=1603783789615861761 |date=December 16, 2022 |title=I was in rehab when the frequency video came out. I shot it, then went on a 2 week cocaine run. Edited the video sneaking into the bathroom to do bumps. Then, I woke up one day and said, "Ima die if things dont change". So, I made sure things changed. |language=en |access-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221216163346/https://twitter.com/kidcudi/status/1603783789615861761 |archive-date=December 16, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

===Mental health===
In a 2013 interview, Cudi revealed he had suffered an addiction to [[antidepressants|anti-depressant medication]], which had been prescribed to help him deal with an "[[emotional breakdown]]" after a failed relationship.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hollywood.com/general/kid-cudi-honoured-for-work-with-mental-illness-charity-59558884/ |title=Kid Cudi honoured for work with mental illness charity |date=April 25, 2014 |work=Hollywood.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/therootdc/post/breaking-hip-hops-silence-kid-cudi-speaks-on-mental-health/2013/01/17/257828fe-60b0-11e2-9940-6fc488f3fecd_blog.html |title=Breaking hip-hop's silence: Kid Cudi speaks on mental health |first=Rahiel |last=Tesfamariam |date=January 17, 2013 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> Cudi has been open about his addiction to pharmaceuticals in his music, namely the songs "[[WZRD (album)|Dr. Pill]]"<ref name="complexcover">{{cite news|author=Joe La Puma|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/01/kid-cudi-february-march-2013-cover-story?nocache=1|title=Kid Cudi: Life After Death (2013 Cover Story)|access-date=January 17, 2013|newspaper=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|date=January 15, 2013}}</ref> and "[[The Nothing (Kid Cudi song)|The Nothing]]".<ref>{{cite tweet |author=The Chosen One |user=KiDCuDi |number=672684317676404736 |date=December 4, 2015 |title="Can someone, anyone, give me candy? Someone, anyone, give me candy? Huh?" The Nothing is about addiction, the hauntings of it. Calling us. |language=en |access-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516042829/https://twitter.com/KidCudi/status/672684317676404736 |archive-date=May 16, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> In a 2014 interview, Cudi spoke on his struggles with [[Major depressive disorder|depression]] and [[suicidal ideation]]: "I've dealt with suicide for the past five years. There wasn't a week or a day that didn't go by where I was just like, 'You know, I wanna check out.' I know what that feels like, I know it comes from loneliness, I know it comes from not having self-worth, not loving yourself."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.27910/title.kid-cudi-says-he-wants-to-help-kids-not-feel-alone-and-stop-kids-from-committing-suicide |title=Kid Cudi Says He Wants To "Help Kids Not Feel Alone And Stop Kids From Committing Suicide" |first=Jay |last=Balfour |date=March 15, 2014 |work=[[HipHopDX]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.centrictv.com/entertainment/music/articles/2014/03/18/rapper-kid-cudi-admits-suicide-thoughts-why-men-are-at-risk.html |title=Rapper Kid Cudi Admits Suicidal Thoughts, Why Men Are At Risk |first=Gerren Keith |last=Gaynor |date=March 18, 2014 |website=CentricTV |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210222153/http://www.centrictv.com/entertainment/music/articles/2014/03/18/rapper-kid-cudi-admits-suicide-thoughts-why-men-are-at-risk.html |archive-date=December 10, 2015}}</ref>

In a July 2016 interview, Kid Cudi revealed he suffered from [[survivor guilt]]: "I didn't like that I had money and success and I had made it. Everybody I had ever met in my life, good people, weren't able to experience the same, and I wasn't able to truly enjoy my success. Even though I worked hard for it, it bothered me that I had just had so much and my friends didn't."<ref>{{cite AV media |date=July 9, 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7Z04NrffMw |title=OTHERtone on Beats 1 - Kid Cudi |publisher=iamOTHER |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111132152/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7Z04NrffMw |archive-date=January 11, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In October 2016, Cudi revealed on his Facebook page that he had checked himself into [[Psychiatric rehabilitation|rehabilitation]] for [[Major depressive disorder|depression]] and [[Suicidal person|suicidal urges]].<ref name="rehabsuicidal">Various sources:
*{{cite web |last1=Mallenbaum |first1=Carly |title=Kid Cudi: 'I checked myself into rehab' for depression, suicidal urges |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2016/10/05/kid-cudi-facebook-rehab-depression-anxiety-suicidal-urges/91588300/ |website=USA Today |access-date=October 5, 2016}}
*{{cite magazine |last1=Brandle |first1=Lars |title=Kid Cudi Checks Into Rehab: 'There's a Ragin' Violent Storm Inside of My Heart' |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7533351/kid-cudi-checks-rehab-depression |magazine=Billboard |access-date=October 5, 2016}}
*{{cite web |last1=Madden |first1=Sidney |title=Kid Cudi Checks Into Rehab |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2016/10/kid-cudi-rehab/ |website=XXL |date=October 5, 2016 |access-date=October 5, 2016}}
*{{cite web |last1=Setaro |first1=Shawn |title=Kid Cudi Checks Into Rehab for Depression, Shares Message for Fans |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2016/10/kid-cudi-rehab-depression |website=Complex |access-date=October 5, 2016}}</ref> In an August 2022 interview with ''[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]'', Cudi spoke on how two weeks after being admitted to rehab in 2016, he had suffered a [[stroke]], revealing the incident forced him to spend the next few months in physical rehabilitation.<ref name=esquire>{{cite web | url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/a40895903/kid-cudi-entergalactic-reborn/ | title=Kid Cudi is All Right | date=17 August 2022 }}</ref>

===Family===
On March 26, 2010, Cudi's daughter, Vada Wamwene Mescudi, was born.<ref name="daughter">{{cite tweet |author=The Chosen One |user=KiDCuDi |number=162638922600554497 |date=January 26, 2012 |title=Photo: Ladies and gentleman, I think its time you all meet the #1 love in my life. The lil lady thats kept... http://t.co/zQWrzUWy |language=en |access-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916111019/https://twitter.com/KidCudi/status/162638922600554497 |archive-date=September 16, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="bday">{{cite tweet |author=The Chosen One |user=KiDCuDi |number=162639923604750337 |date=January 26, 2012 |title=She'll be 2 March 26th....were gonna hit up a bar and celebrate :) |language=en |access-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916111007/https://twitter.com/KidCudi/status/162639923604750337 |archive-date=September 16, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Throughout 2012, Cudi was in a [[Child custody|custody]] battle over his daughter. Reports surfaced that Cudi gave up custody after his child's mother accused him of being an absentee father, as well as having violent tendencies and a "long history of consistent drug and alcohol abuse." These claims were disputed by Cudi and his attorney in a statement, which noted: "Cudi did not give up custody but reached an amicable agreement with the mother; that 'both parents are fit and proper persons to have custody of their child,' as stated in the final custody judgment; results came back negative for drugs in a drug test voluntarily taken by Cudi; and that the court acknowledged Cudi attempted to establish a relationship and visit his child since her birth and "voluntarily provided financial support, including child support, rent and other monthly payments, for his daughter since her birth until the time that a child support order was entered as part of the normal course of the case." Details of the official custody agreement remain private.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/11/kid-cudi-releases-statement-about-child-custody-battle |title=Kid Cudi's Attorney Responds to Child Custody Controversy |first=Andrew |last=Martin |date=November 20, 2012 |access-date=January 16, 2013 |magazine=Complex}}</ref> Cudi has since purchased a property in [[Chicago]] to be close to his daughter.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.3news.co.nz/Kid-Cudi-loses-custody-battle/tabid/418/articleID/277318/Default.aspx |work=3 News NZ |title=Kid Cudi loses custody battle |date=November 20, 2012 |access-date=November 19, 2012 |archive-date=January 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109022126/http://www.3news.co.nz/Kid-Cudi-loses-custody-battle/tabid/418/articleID/277318/Default.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Relationships===
In 2009, Cudi began dating entertainment attorney Jamie Baratta.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jamie Baratta|url=https://apps.calbar.ca.gov/attorney/Licensee/Detail/292912|website=The State Bar of California}}</ref> They were in an [[on-again, off-again relationship]], and were a prominent couple in the music industry.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.themoneytimes.com/node/117233 |title=Rapper Kid Cudi arrested for allegedly ripping woman's door off hinges |work=TheMoneyTimes |date=June 12, 2010 |access-date=March 18, 2013 |last=James |first=Natalie |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203000314/http://www.themoneytimes.com/node/117233 |archive-date=December 3, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.zimbio.com/photos/Kid+Cudi/Jamie+Baratta/Complex+Magazine+Music+Issue+Party+Kid+Cudi/-P9rkqFKlZi |title=Kid Cudi and Jamie Baratta » Photostream |website=Zimbio |date=September 24, 2011 |access-date=March 18, 2013}}</ref> They ultimately broke up in 2012, but not before Cudi dedicated a song to her titled "[[Teleport 2 Me|Teleport 2 Me, Jamie]]", which he recorded as a member of the alternative rock duo, WZRD.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rollingout.com/music/kid-cudi-goes-suicidal-for-provocative-new-complex-cover/ |title=KiD CuDi goes suicidal for provocative new 'Complex' cover |website=Rolling Out |date=January 16, 2013| access-date=March 18, 2013 |last=Robinson |first=Nicholas}}</ref> In 2020, Cudi wrote "Sept. 16", a song titled after the birthdate of his girlfriend at the time, costume designer and actress Raquel Deriane, to whom the song is dedicated.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uatrav.com/lifestyles/article_5f0ba034-3fe4-11eb-aa9a-5fa5f3c716fd.html|title = Kid Cudi Details Addiction, Recovery on 'Man on the Moon III: The Chosen'| date=December 16, 2020 }}</ref>

According to a 2023 lawsuit filed by [[Cassie Ventura]] against her former partner [[Sean Combs]], Ventura dated Cudi in or around 2012, resulting in Combs threatening Ventura that he would "blow up [Cudi's] car."<ref name="nytpuffy">{{cite web
	| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/16/arts/music/sean-combs-diddy-cassie-rape-lawsuit.html
	| title = Sean Combs Is Accused by Cassie of Rape and Years of Abuse in Lawsuit
	| last = Ben
	| first = Sisario
	| date = 16 November 2023
	| work = The New York Times
	| access-date = 17 November 2023
	| quote = In one incident described in the court papers, Ms. Ventura says that in early 2012, Mr. Combs grew so angry about her dating the rapper Kid Cudi that he said he would blow up the rapper's car. "Around that time," the suit says, "Kid Cudi's car exploded in his driveway." Through a spokeswoman, Kid Cudi confirmed Ms. Ventura's account that he had a car that exploded. "This is all true," he said.
}}</ref> Cudi confirmed that soon after this threat, his car had exploded.<ref name="nytpuffy" />

In 2024, Cudi announced via Instagram that he was engaged to designer Lola Abecassis Sartore.<ref>{{cite news |last=Speakman |first=Kimberlee |date=18 April 2024 |title=Kid Cudi Announces Engagement to Menswear Designer Lola Abecassis Sartore: 'She Is Everything to Me' |url=https://people.com/kid-cudi-engaged-to-designer-lola-abecassis-sartore-8635551 |work=People Magazine |access-date=15 May 2025}}</ref>

===Religious beliefs===
In a January 2013 interview, Cudi said that he believes in God but does not follow an organized religion. He considers himself [[spiritual but not religious]].<ref name="DrugStop" />

=== Political views ===
Cudi expressed solidarity with Palestine during the [[Gaza war]]. In November 2023, he signed an open letter calling for a ceasefire and an end to Israel's [[2023 Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip|blockade of the Gaza Strip]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Pulp and Lucy Dacus among thousands of musicians to have signed letter for Gaza ceasefire |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/pulp-and-lucy-dacus-among-thousands-of-musicians-to-have-signed-letter-for-gaza-ceasefire-3546651 |work=[[NME]] |date=November 22, 2023}}</ref> He called Israel's offensive in Gaza a [[Gaza genocide|genocide]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Meara |first=Paul |date=7 November 2023 |title=Kid Cudi Speaks Out on Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Calls for Peace and Palestinian Liberation |url=https://www.bet.com/article/r8obi6/kid-cudi-calls-gaza-ceasefire |website=[[BET]] |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109003034/https://www.bet.com/article/r8obi6/kid-cudi-calls-gaza-ceasefire |archive-date=9 January 2024}}</ref>

==Philanthropy==
On April 8, 2014, Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services announced that it would recognize mental health advocates Kid Cudi, [[Ronda Rousey]] and Natasha Tracy, during its annual Erasing the Stigma Leadership Awards on April 24, at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. Committed to helping depressed and suicidal youth through the power of music, Cudi joined Didi Hirsch's Erasing the Stigma Efforts as a Mental Health Ambassador.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.contactmusic.com/story/kid-cudi-honoured-for-work-with-mental-illness-charity_4170552 |title=Kid Cudi Honoured For Work With Mental Illness Charity |magazine=Contactmusic.com |date=April 27, 2014 |access-date=August 9, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/kid-cudi-ronda-rousey-natasha-174700028.html |title=Kid Cudi, Ronda Rousey and Natasha Tracy Take Center Stage at Didi Hirsch's 18th Annual Erasing the Stigma Leadership Awards |website=Yahoo! Finance |date=April 8, 2014 |access-date=August 9, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429061806/http://finance.yahoo.com/news/kid-cudi-ronda-rousey-natasha-174700028.html |archive-date=April 29, 2014}}</ref>
 
On February 7, 2015, Kid Cudi partnered with [[TED (conference)|TED]] to give a TED Talk at his former school, [[Shaker Heights High School]], to help inspire the students with his story, for the school's independently organized "TEDxSHHS" conference.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://shakerite.com/campus-and-city/2015/02/07/tedxshhs-awes-sold-out-audience/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208170540/http://shakerite.com/campus-and-city/2015/02/07/tedxshhs-awes-sold-out-audience/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 8, 2015 |title=TEDxSHHS Awes Sold-Out Audience |date=February 7, 2015 |website=Shakerite.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.andralemarie.com/Home-Blog/2015/12/Kid-Cudi-Delivers-Empowering-Speech-In-a-TED-Talk-to-His-Former-High-School |title=Kid Cudi Delivers Empowering Speech In a TED Talk to His Former High School |date=December 28, 2015 |website=AndraLeMarie.com |access-date=June 5, 2017 |archive-date=January 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170111165115/http://www.andralemarie.com/Home-Blog/2015/12/Kid-Cudi-Delivers-Empowering-Speech-In-a-TED-Talk-to-His-Former-High-School |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Kid Cudi has also been a volunteer for Musicians on Call (MOC), a [[Charitable organization|charity]] with the mission of bringing live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities.<ref name="MOC">{{cite web |url=http://www.musiciansoncall.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5393 |title=Kid Cudi's Kids: Rapper Hosts Events For Young Patients |website=Musicians On Call |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111219003819/http://www.musiciansoncall.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5393 |archive-date=December 19, 2011}}</ref> In December 2015, Cudi arranged a [[dance party]] for the teenage participants of the [[Montefiore Medical Center|Children's Hospital At Montefiore]]'s (CHAM) B-N-Fit program, in [[the Bronx]]. Kid Cudi also hosted a group of young patients and their families from CHAM, at his sold-out [[Roseland Ballroom]] shows in April 2016.<ref name="MOC"/>

In June 2016, 49 celebrities, including Kid Cudi, honored the 49 victims killed in the [[Orlando nightclub shooting]] in a video tribute.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2016/06/49-celebrities-honor-49-people-killed-orlando-shooting-video |title=49 Celebrities Honor 49 People Killed in Orlando Shooting in Moving Video |magazine=Complex |date=June 29, 2016 |access-date=December 19, 2016}}</ref>

In 2019, Kid Cudi teamed up with delivery service [[Postmates]] to deliver $10,000 worth of [[Popeyes]] takeout to the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission. Hundreds in need at the Indio shelter were presented with Popeyes' chicken, biscuits, mashed potatoes, and fries the evening before Cudi's second set at Coachella.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/kid-cudi-popeyes-coachella-homeless-shelter/|title=Kid Cudi Delivers $10K of Popeyes to Coachella Homeless Shelter|website=Highsnobiety.com|date=April 23, 2019}}</ref>

In June 2022, at an event organized by [[Tory Burch]], Brent Saunders, and [[Anna Wintour]], supporting the New York-Presbyterian Hospital's Youth Anxiety Center, Cudi led the conversation on youth anxiety, depression, and the importance of self-care and treatment.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ramzi |first=Lilah |url=https://www.vogue.com/slideshow/youth-anxiety-center-dinner-2022 |title=Kid Cudi Lead the Conversation at This Year's Youth Anxiety Center Dinner |publisher=Vogue |date=2022-06-07 |access-date=2022-06-13}}</ref>

== Impact and legacy ==
A number of publications have noted Kid Cudi's impact on contemporary hip-hop music since his mainstream debut in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kid-cudis-timeless-influence-news.135732.html|title = Kid Cudi's Timeless Influence|website = HNHH|date = July 21, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2019/09/kid-cudi-inspired-generation-of-creatives/|title=Kid Cudi's Influence On The World: 8 Creatives Share Their Stories|website=Complex.com|access-date=December 26, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.vinylmeplease.com/blogs/magazine/kid-cudi-hum-man-on-the-moon-vmp | title=The Impact of the Kid Cudi Hum | access-date=November 30, 2021 | archive-date=November 30, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130212128/https://www.vinylmeplease.com/blogs/magazine/kid-cudi-hum-man-on-the-moon-vmp | url-status=dead }}</ref> Luke Hinz of ''[[HotNewHipHop.com|HotNewHipHop]]'' said "Cudi has inspired a generation of young artists to be unafraid to explore a wide array of emotions, and many have sought to adapt elements of Cudi's music into their own. Never caring to fit into the conventional boundaries of music, Cudi became a voice for those who felt unrepresented and alone."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kid-cudis-man-on-the-moon-the-end-of-day-influenced-a-generation-news.47481.html |title=Kid Cudi's "Man On The Moon: The End Of Day" Influenced A Generation |website=HotNewHipHop |date=April 10, 2018 |access-date=March 30, 2019}}</ref>

In a 2015 article titled "KiD CuDi – A Forgotten Influence on Psychedelic Introspection in Hip-Hop", the author wrote "Cudi helped bring about a new era of [[Electronic music|electronic]], [[Psychedelic rap|psychedelic]] driven production. And his dark, drug-riddled approach to introspection has already taken hold in the up-and-comers in the hip-hop world."<ref name="Tremr2015" />  ''[[Uproxx]]'' stated "Compared to modern icons like [[Drake (musician)|Drake]], West, and [[Lil Wayne|Wayne]], Cudi doesn't have a boatload of sales, or a room full of accolades, but his weighty impact is reflected in adulation from the people, which is the intangible, everlasting achievement that most artists live for. He's one of the first artists to be unabashed about his depressive ruminations and did so in a melodically intriguing manner that progressed [[alternative rock]] aesthetics into the hip-hop world one cadence at a time."<ref name=uproxx/>

{{multiple image
| footer    = American rappers [[Travis Scott]] (left) and [[ASAP Rocky]] (right) both cite Kid Cudi as a major influence.
| image1    = Travis Scott February 2016.jpg
| alt1      = Travis Scott
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| image2    = A$AP Rocky performing at Hovefestivalen 2013.jpg
| alt2      = ASAP Rocky
|width2     = 183
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}}

Eric Diep of [[Complex (magazine)|''Complex'']] said "Cudi is an omnipresent figure in [[pop culture]] who has inspired many. He's a voice for young creatives who don't fit in. He's a therapeutic light for people who need a helping hand. He's a [[Fashion icons|fashion icon]]. He's more than a cool cameo in television and movies, but a full-fledged actor."<ref name=":0">{{cite web |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2019/09/kid-cudi-inspired-generation-of-creatives/ |title=They Reminisce: How Kid Cudi Inspired a Generation |first=Eric |last=Diep |date=September 12, 2019 |website=Complex |access-date=March 4, 2020}}</ref> [[Revolt (TV network)|''Revolt'']] writer Preezy Brown noted "His knack for displaying vulnerability and addressing bouts with [[mental health]] has made him an inspiration for a long list of artists including [[Juice Wrld]], [[Logic (musician)|Logic]], [[Lil Yachty]], and other leaders of the new school."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.revolt.tv/2019/2/28/20824380/7-influential-rappers-who-defined-hip-hop-over-the-past-decade |title=7 influential rappers who defined hip hop over the past decade |first=Preezy |last=Brown |date=February 28, 2019 |website=REVOLT}}</ref>

Paul Thompson of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' wrote Cudi has "dozens of stylistic children".<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/on-kids-see-ghosts-kid-cudi-has-an-opportunity-629249/ | title=On 'Kids See Ghosts,' Kid Cudi Has an Opportunity | magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] | date=June 7, 2018 }}</ref> Several artists have gone on to credit Kid Cudi as influence or inspiration, such as [[rapper]]s [[Kanye West]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/04/a-history-of-kid-cudi-and-good-music/the-originators-of-style |title=Kanye West Calls Himself and Cudi The "Originators of The [''808s''] Style" – A Timeline of Kid Cudi on G.O.O.D. Music |first=Lauren |last=Nostro |date=April 3, 2013 |work=Complex}}</ref> [[Travis Scott]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://theboombox.com/25-travis-scott-facts/ |title=25 Facts You Probably Didn't Know About Travi$ Scott |date=May 29, 2015 |work=The Boombox}}</ref> [[Kendrick Lamar]],<ref>{{cite AV media |date=December 31, 2010 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EphqeLMwPoI |title=Kendrick Lamar talks J Cole, XXL Freshmen, Kid Cudi, Human Music |publisher=hardknocktv |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006002933/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EphqeLMwPoI |archive-date=October 6, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Schoolboy Q]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/08/watch-the-first-episode-of-kendrick-lamar-and-schoolboy-qs-under-the-influence-of-music-tour-vlog |title=Watch The First Episode Of Kendrick Lamar And ScHoolboy Q's "Under The Influence Of Music" Tour Vlog |first=Daniel |last=Isenberg |date=August 14, 2012 |work=Complex}}</ref> [[Chance the Rapper]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/we-dug-up-chance-the-rappers-pre-acid-rap-material/ |title=We Dug Up Chance the Rapper's Pre-'Acid Rap' Material |first=Ryan |last=Bassil |date=November 6, 2013 |work=Vice}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://pigeonsandplanes.com/2013/07/chance-the-rapper-answers-reddits-questions-about-childish-gambino-frank-ocean-and-kid-cudi/ |title=Chance the Rapper Answers Reddit's Questions About Childish Gambino, Frank Ocean, and Kid Cudi |date=July 31, 2013 |work=Pigeons & Planes}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |user=chancetherapper |author=Chance The Rapper |number=242346541329821698 |date=September 2, 2012 |title=kid cudi fan}}</ref> [[Childish Gambino]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/childish-gambino-discusses-working-with-kid-cudi-video.21261.html |title=Childish Gambino Discusses Working With Kid Cudi |first=Nicolas |last=James |date=November 3, 2013 |work=HotNewHipHop}}</ref> [[Logic (rapper)|Logic]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2014/09/logic-breaks-down-under-pressure/influences |title=He wears his influences on his sleeve. – Logic Breaks Down 10 Things You Need to Know About "Under Pressure" |first=Insanul |last=Ahmed |date=September 22, 2014 |work=Complex}}</ref> [[ASAP Rocky]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/28/t-magazine/asap-rocky-sundance-dope-interview.html |title=A$AP Rocky on His Sundance Hit, Mourning A$AP Yams and Why He Rejects Those Tupac Comparisons |date=January 28, 2015 |work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://emptylighthouse.com/kid-cudi-encourages-individuality-fk-fitting-1661813969 |title=Kid Cudi Encourages Individuality: 'F**k Fitting In' |work=Empty Lighthouse Music & Arts Magazine|date=April 23, 2015 }}</ref> [[ASAP Nast]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://grantland.com/features/rap-and-the-influence-of-other-genres/ |title=It Might Blow Up, and It Will Go Pop |first=Sean |last=Fennessey |work=Grantland|date=February 25, 2014 }}</ref> [[Allan Kingdom]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://greenlabel.com/sound/allan-kingdom-glass-up-closed-sessions/ |title=Allan Kingdom: "Don't Sugarcoat Anything" |last=Marrack |first=Peter |date=January 28, 2015 |work=Green Label |access-date=January 15, 2016}}</ref> [[Kyle (musician)|Kyle]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2018/05/kyle-light-of-mine-interview |title=KYLE on His Debut Album 'Light of Mine' and Using Kid Cudi's Music as a Therapeutic Tool |work=Complex |date=May 18, 2018 |access-date=June 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613111802/https://www.complex.com/music/2018/05/kyle-light-of-mine-interview |archive-date=June 13, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Isaiah Rashad]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thefader.com/2016/10/09/isaiah-rashad-mental-health-tweets |title=Isaiah Rashad Speaks on Mental Health: "Don't Go Through The Problems In Your Head Alone" |work=The Fader |date=October 9, 2016 |access-date=June 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171101215806/http://www.thefader.com/2016/10/09/isaiah-rashad-mental-health-tweets |archive-date=November 1, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Raury]],<ref name="nobs">{{cite web |url=http://www.360nobs.com/2015/08/how-fetty-wap-vince-staples-and-dej-loaf-got-voted-into-the-xxl-freshman-10-list/ |title=How Fetty Wap, Vince Staples And Dej Loaf Got Voted Into The 'XXL Freshman 10 List' |date=August 10, 2015 |website=360Nobs.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811035257/http://www.360nobs.com/2015/08/how-fetty-wap-vince-staples-and-dej-loaf-got-voted-into-the-xxl-freshman-10-list/ |archive-date=August 11, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://trytattle.com/88/raury?r=twitter |title=Raury: 'I Probably Would Have Ended My Life if it Wasn't for Kid Cudi' |last=Rohn |first=Jake |date=August 2016 |work=TryTattle.com |access-date=November 16, 2016}}</ref> [[Two-9|Key!]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uproxx.com/smokingsection/key-when-i-tried-to-write-for-cudi-ep/ |title=Key! – 'When I Tried To Write For Cudi' EP |work=UPROXX|date=September 10, 2019 }}</ref> [[Denzel Curry]],<ref>{{cite AV media |date=March 29, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtEme1PjO6A |title=Talking to Denzel Curry |publisher=[[fantano]] |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412072315/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtEme1PjO6A |archive-date=April 12, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Kevin Abstract]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pigeonsandplanes.com/music/2014/07/stream-kevin-abstracts-free-album-mtv1987 |title=Stream Kevin Abstract's Free Album "MTV1987" |date=July 15, 2014 |website=PigeonsandPlanes |access-date=December 19, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/02/the-best-thing-kevin-abstract-ever-did-for-himself-was-run-away-from-home |title=The best thing Kevin Abstract ever did for himself was run away from home |date=February 3, 2016 |website=USA Today |access-date=December 19, 2016}}</ref> [[Saba (rapper)|Saba]],<ref name="Tremr2015" /> [[Baby Keem]]<ref name="Setaro">{{Cite web |last=Setaro |first=Shawn |date=July 31, 2019 |title=Baby Keem Has Arrived |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/shawn-setaro/baby-keem-interview-die-for-my-bitch |access-date=November 14, 2023 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}</ref> and [[Jaden Smith]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://notionmagazine.com/jaden-smith-pays-homage-to-kid-cudi-in-back-to-the-future-inspired-video-for-fallen/ |title=Jaden Smith pays homage to Kid Cudi in Back to The Future inspired new video |date=December 5, 2016 |website=Notion Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/jaden-smith-puts-on-for-kid-cudi-in-new-video-for-fallen-news.25951.html |title=Jaden Smith Puts On For Kid Cudi In New Video "Fallen" |first=Zakk |last=Feig |date=December 4, 2016 |website=HotNewHipHop |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161207094011/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/jaden-smith-puts-on-for-kid-cudi-in-new-video-for-fallen-news.25951.html |archive-date=December 7, 2016}}</ref> as well as singers [[Willow Smith]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vibe.com/2012/01/willow-smith-covers-kid-cudis-all-along |title=Willow Smith Covers Kid Cudi's 'All Along' |date=January 3, 2012 |website=Vibe}}</ref> [[Jhene Aiko]],<ref name="rap-up.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.rap-up.com/2012/08/21/rap-up-tv-jhene-aiko-talks-souled-out-debut-love-for-kid-cudi-and-tupac/ |title=Rap-Up TV: Jhené Aiko Talks 'Souled Out' Debut, Love for Kid Cudi and Tupac |date=August 21, 2012 |website=Rap-Up.com |access-date=January 30, 2014 |archive-date=February 2, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202104120/http://www.rap-up.com/2012/08/21/rap-up-tv-jhene-aiko-talks-souled-out-debut-love-for-kid-cudi-and-tupac/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Lissie]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.clashmusic.com/news/listen-lissie-covers-kid-kudi |title=Listen: Lissie Covers Kid Cudi |work=Clash Magazine}}</ref> and [[Tinashe]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tinashenow.tumblr.com/post/18292548247 |title=TINASHE |work=Tumblr.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222113728/http://tinashenow.tumblr.com/post/18292548247 |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> among others.

In 2009, Canadian recording artist [[Drake (musician)|Drake]] shared his admiration for Cudi on Twitter with a picture of him holding both his and Cudi's respective projects, stating "We are rarely proud when we are alone. But to have another artist who pushes me and inspires me is a blessing."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/a178232/drake-kid-cudi-plan-collaboration/ |title=Drake, Kid Cudi 'plan collaboration' |last=Minaya |first=Marcell |date=September 20, 2009 |website=Digital Spy |access-date=June 3, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |author=Drizzy |author-link=Drizzy |user=Drake |number=4017878703 |date=September 16, 2009 |title=http://twitpic.com/hvqdc - We are rarely proud when we are alone. But to have another artist who pushes me and inspires me is a blessing ... |language=en |access-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902232054/https://twitter.com/Drake/status/4017878703 |archive-date=September 2, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In a 2010 interview with ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'', Kanye West called Cudi his "personal favorite artist in the world right now. His whole take on the game is just unfiltered, uncensored artistry."<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/951795/kanye-west-discusses-kid-cudi-jay-z-for-president |title=Kanye West Discusses Kid Cudi, Jay-Z For President |first=Mariel |last=Concepcion |date=November 4, 2010 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=December 19, 2016}}</ref> In 2016, Kanye West called Cudi "the most influential artist of the past 10 years".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.people.com/article/kid-cudi-kanye-west-end-feud |title=Kanye Ends Feud with Kid Cudi with Onstage Compliments |first=Jordan |last=Runtagh |date=September 21, 2016 |website=People.com |access-date=December 19, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2016/09/kanye-west-shouts-out-kid-cudi-most-influential-artist-past-10-years |title=Kanye West Shouts Out Kid Cudi, Calls Him the "Most Influential Artist of the Past 10 Years" |magazine=Complex |access-date=December 19, 2016}}</ref>
 
[[West Coast hip-hop]] duo [[Audio Push]] have also praised Cudi, in 2016, saying "The thing I love about Cudi is he's unapologetically real. He birthed so much of, not even the new generation of artists, but a lot of [your] favorite artists wouldn't be [your] favorite artists if it wasn't for Cudi."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/audio-push-speak-on-kid-cudis-twitter-shoutout-and-influence-news.24341.html |title=Audio Push Speak On Kid Cudi's Twitter Shoutout & Influence |last=Schwartz |first=Danny |date=September 26, 2016 |website=HotNewHipHop.com |access-date=December 19, 2016}}</ref> In November 2016, [[Atlanta]]-based rapper [[OG Maco]], who has cited Cudi as a major influence on several occasions,<ref name="nobs" /> released an [[Extended play|EP]] titled ''For Scott'', as a tribute to Kid Cudi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefader.com/2016/11/07/og-maco-for-scott-ep-kid-cudi|title = OG Maco Made an EP Dedicated to Kid Cudi Called for Scott| date=October 28, 2016 }}</ref>

In October 2018, American musician and high-profile producer [[Pharrell Williams]], spoke on his collaborations with Cudi in an interview with ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]],'' saying: "He's so inspiring, and I'm only as good as my collaborations anyway. I love the stuff that we did. Love, love [...] So to me, Cudi is a GOAT. His melodies and his concepts—he's a timeless alien."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2018/11/pharrell-interview-kanye-west-kid-cudi-solar-hu-adidas |title=Pharrell Williams Talks Kanye West, Kid Cudi, Adidas, and More |website=Complex |access-date=May 2, 2019}}</ref> In another interview with ''Complex'', Williams also stated "When they say Cudi is the [greatest of all time], they're talking about the consistency of his convictions and how that's played out into the choices that he makes, the taste that he has, and the tone that he takes with everything that he does. That's my idea of Cudi."<ref name=":0" />

American comedian and actor [[Pete Davidson]], who called Cudi "the best musician that's ever lived" in a 2019 interview on ''[[The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon]]'', has also shared his own struggles with his mental health and claims Cudi's music has saved his life.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7556772/pete-davidson-snl-kid-cudi-interview |title='SNL' Cast Member Pete Davidson Says Kid Cudi's Music Saved His Life |first=Dominique |last=Redfearn |date=October 25, 2016 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |date=April 19, 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPcBED-82VE |title=Pete Davidson Got Stuck Paying for Kid Cudi's Birthday Dinner When Kanye West Crashed |publisher=[[The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon]] |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221230092218/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPcBED-82VE |archive-date=December 30, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> Houston-based rapper Travis Scott, whose stage name is derived from Cudi's first name, has also claimed Cudi's music saved his life and has a tattoo of the word "[[Mr. Rager|rager]]" in honor of Cudi.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/travis-scott-talks-working-with-jay-z-and-kid-cudi-on-hot-97-new-video.38500.html |title=Travis Scott Talks Working With Jay Z & Kid Cudi On Hot 97 |first=Trevor |last=Smith |date=September 7, 2016 |website=HotNewHipHop}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8509852/travis-scott-kid-cudi-rager-tattoo |title=Travis Scott Gets Matching 'Rager' Tattoos With Kid Cudi at His Birthday Party |first=Michael |last=Saponara |date=May 2, 2019 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> American musician [[070 Shake]] shared with ''[[Pigeons & Planes]]'', "All my life I grew up listening to [...] Kid Cudi. I've cried to their music. They've definitely changed my life, and saved me from a lot of stuff."<ref>{{cite web|last=Corrigan|first=Graham|url=https://pigeonsandplanes.com/interviews/2018/06/070-shake-interview-kanye-west-ye-ghost-town|title=An Interview With 070 Shake, the Breakout Star of Kanye West's 'ye'|work=[[Complex (magazine)#Complex|Pigeons & Planes]]|date=June 4, 2018|access-date=June 5, 2018}}</ref> [[Brockhampton (band)|Brockhampton]]'s [[Kevin Abstract]] has said "I love how he incorporated melody into his raps," Kevin explained. "A kid like me would say, like, Kid Cudi saved my life."<ref name="CSML">{{cite web |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2018/04/travis-scott-praises-kid-cudi |title=Travis Scott on Kid Cudi: 'Some People Think Jay Z Is the Best Rapper, I Feel Like He Can Compete With That' |first=Joe |last=Price |date=April 26, 2018 |website=Complex}}</ref>

American rapper [[Logic (rapper)|Logic]], who has [[interpolation (popular music)|interpolated]] Kid Cudi's records in his own songs, has also spoke about how Cudi's music inspired him to open up about mental health in his own music. "He was the dude that was like, 'It's okay to be sad. It's okay to talk about these things, and go through these things.'"<ref name="CSML"/> In a 2019 interview, then-up-and-coming rapper [[Baby Keem]], cited Cudi as a major influence: "I was inspired by Cudi's [[cadence]]s and shit like that. Kid Cudi's one of my favorite artists."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2019/07/baby-keem-interview-die-for-my-bitch |title=Baby Keem Has Arrived |first=Shawn |last=Setaro |date=July 31, 2019 |website=Complex}}</ref>

In an interview with New York City radio station [[Hot 97]], [[Jaden Smith]] spoke on Cudi's influence on him: "Cudi would always say things that just would, like, change my life [...] I thought it was just me and my brother for a while. Then I got older and started going to [[Music festival|festivals]] and then I realized, oh man, everybody has felt that from Cudi. Everybody says that Cudi saved their life. [...] Everybody had that same experience listening to Cudi. If someone listened to Cudi, you knew something about them. You could tell certain things about them."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/jaden-smith-kid-cudi.html/ |title=Jaden Smith Just Revealed His Favorite Musical Artist of All Time |first=Aramide |last=Tinubu |website=Cheatsheet.com |date=November 13, 2020}}</ref>

American-French actor [[Timothée Chalamet]] considers Kid Cudi to be one of his biggest inspirations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 27, 2024 |title='Dune: Part Two' Cast Test How Well They Know Each Other - Vanity Fair |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMtjaS4VsPw |website=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]}}</ref> Chalamet would later star alongside Cudi in ''Entergalactic'', the documentary ''[[A Man Named Scott]]'', and as members of the ensemble cast of ''Don't Look Up''.<ref name="Petski">{{Cite web |last=Petski |first=Denise |date=2022-06-08 |title='Entergalactic': Jessica Williams, Timothée Chalamet, Vanessa Hudgens, Macaulay Culkin & More Join Kid Cudi In Voice Cast Of Netflix Animated Series |url=https://deadline.com/2022/06/entergalactic-jessica-williams-timothee-chalamet-vanessa-hudgens-macaulay-culkin-kid-cudi-voice-cast-netflix-animated-series-1235040732/ |access-date=2022-06-08 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |archive-date=June 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617142557/https://deadline.com/2022/06/entergalactic-jessica-williams-timothee-chalamet-vanessa-hudgens-macaulay-culkin-kid-cudi-voice-cast-netflix-animated-series-1235040732/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Rindner |first=Grant |date=November 5, 2021 |title=The Most Interesting Moments in Kid Cudi's ''A Man Named Scott'' Documentary |url=https://www.gq.com/story/kid-cudi-a-man-named-scott-documentary-amazon-prime-interesting-moments |url-status=live |magazine=[[GQ]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111160756/https://www.gq.com/story/kid-cudi-a-man-named-scott-documentary-amazon-prime-interesting-moments |archive-date=January 11, 2022 |access-date=May 20, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=October 14, 2020 |title=Leonardo DiCaprio, Meryl Streep, Jonah Hill, Timothée Chalamet, Ariana Grande, Cate Blanchett, Others Join Jennifer Lawrence In Netflix's 'Don't Look Up' For Adam McKay |url=https://deadline.com/2020/10/netflix-adam-mckay-jennifer-lawrence-dont-look-up-leonardo-dicaprio-meryl-streep-jonah-hill-timothee-chalamet-ariana-grande-among-others-to-join-ensemble-1234596652/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014200533/https://deadline.com/2020/10/netflix-adam-mckay-jennifer-lawrence-dont-look-up-leonardo-dicaprio-meryl-streep-jonah-hill-timothee-chalamet-ariana-grande-among-others-to-join-ensemble-1234596652/ |archive-date=October 14, 2020 |access-date=October 14, 2020 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]]}}</ref> In a [[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]] interview, Cudi revealed he met 17-year-old Chalamet at a concert in [[Montreal]] and later become friends with him after a phone call. In 2022, Cudi stated that he considers Chalamet and Jaden Smith as "the little brothers I wish I had."<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 16, 2022 |title=Kid Cudi On New Netflix Show, Virgil Abloh & Mentoring Timothee Chalamet - Esquire |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2YEVl0eDBM |website=[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]}}</ref>

== Discography ==
{{Main|Kid Cudi discography|list of songs recorded by Kid Cudi}}

<!-- Studio albums here only. Separate collaborative albums as they are not part of an Cudi's main chronology and were not released under his name -->
'''Studio albums'''
{{div col}}
* ''[[Man on the Moon: The End of Day]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager]]'' (2010)
* ''[[Indicud]]'' (2013)
* ''[[Satellite Flight: The Journey to Mother Moon]]'' (2014)
* ''[[Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven]]'' (2015)
* ''[[Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin']]'' (2016)
* ''[[Man on the Moon III: The Chosen]]'' (2020)
* ''[[Entergalactic (album)|Entergalactic]]'' (2022)
* ''[[Insano (album)|Insano]]'' (2024)
* ''[[Insano (Nitro Mega)]]'' (2024)
{{div col end}}

'''Collaborative albums'''
* ''[[WZRD (album)|WZRD]]'' {{small|(with [[Dot da Genius]] as [[WZRD (band)|WZRD]])}} (2012)
* ''[[Kids See Ghosts (album)|Kids See Ghosts]]'' {{small|(with [[Kanye West]] as [[Kids See Ghosts]])}} (2018)

== Awards and nominations ==
{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by Kid Cudi}}

== Filmography ==
{{main|Kid Cudi filmography}}
Kid Cudi has appeared in several [[feature film]]s and [[television show]]s. He is often credited by his birth name Scott Mescudi.

== Concert tours ==
[[File:Monster-ball-poker face acoustic.jpg|thumb|[[Lady Gaga]] and Cudi performing a piano version of "[[Poker Face (song)|Poker Face]]" and "[[Make Her Say]]" on [[The Monster Ball Tour]] in November 2009]]
'''Headlining'''
*The Great Hangover Tour {{small|(with [[Asher Roth]] and [[B.o.B]])}} (2009)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1613186/asher-roth-and-kid-cudi-hitting-the-road-for-great-hangover-tour/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122173254/http://www.mtv.com/news/1613186/asher-roth-and-kid-cudi-hitting-the-road-for-great-hangover-tour/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 22, 2015 |title=Asher Roth And Kid Cudi Hitting The Road For Great Hangover Tour |first=Gil |last=Kaufman |date=July 3, 2009 |work=MTV News}}</ref>
*The Cud Life Tour (2011, 2013)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.myspace.com:80/kidcudi/blog/542666634|title=Upcoming Shows by KiD CuDi on Myspace|work=Myspace |date=August 15, 2011|access-date=July 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807001946/http://www.myspace.com/kidcudi/blog/542666634|archive-date=August 7, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.myspace.com:80/kidcudi/blog/542839830|title=More Cud Life Tour Dates by KiD CuDi on Myspace|work=Myspace |date=May 4, 2011|access-date=July 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522044239/http://www.myspace.com/kidcudi/blog/542839830|archive-date=May 22, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kid-cudi-announces-the-cud-life-tour-with-big-sean-tyler-the-creator-and-logic-news.6427.html |title=Kid Cudi Announces "The Cud Life Tour" With Big Sean, Tyler, The Creator & Logic [Update: Full Dates Added] |first=Rose |last=Lilah |date=July 22, 2013 |work=HotNewHipHop}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.rap-up.com/2011/04/25/win-tickets-to-see-kid-cudi-on-tour/ |title=Win Tickets to See Kid Cudi on Tour! |work=Rap-Up.com |access-date=November 15, 2018}}</ref>
*The Especial Tour (2016)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kid-cudi-shares-new-especial-tour-dates-news.19649.html |title=Kid Cudi Shares New "Especial" Tour Dates |last=Schwartz |first=Danny |date=January 15, 2016 |access-date=January 23, 2017 |work=HotNewHipHop |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202012403/http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kid-cudi-shares-new-especial-tour-dates-news.19649.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin' Tour (2017)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kid-cudi-announces-tour/ |title=Kid Cudi Announces Tour |first=Amanda |last=Wicks |date=August 15, 2017 |website=Pitchfork}}</ref>
*[[To the Moon World Tour]] (2022)

'''Supporting'''
*[[Glow in the Dark Tour]] {{small|(with [[Kanye West]])}} (2008)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://vimeo.com/2324714 |title=Kid Cudi, Mr Hudson, Consequence [Glow In The Dark Interviews] |author=DJ Semtex |date=2009 |access-date=January 23, 2017 |work=[[Vimeo]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/jan/19/kid-cudi-interview |title=Kid Cudi: 'I've always been ahead of the curve' |first=Archna |last=Sawjani |date=January 20, 2009 |access-date=April 5, 2017|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>
*[[The Monster Ball Tour]] {{small|(with [[Lady Gaga]])}} (2009)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spin.com/2009/10/lady-gaga-taps-kid-cudi-monster-ball-tour/ |title=Lady Gaga Taps Kid Cudi for "Monster Ball" Tour |date=October 15, 2009 |website=Spin |access-date=April 5, 2017}}</ref>
*[[Red Hot Chili Peppers 2022–2024 Global Stadium Tour|Global Stadium Tour]] {{small|(with [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]])}} (2024)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://pitchfork.com/news/red-hot-chili-peppers-add-2024-tour-dates-with-kid-cudi-ice-cube-and-more/ | title=Red Hot Chili Peppers Add 2024 Tour Dates with Kid Cudi, Ice Cube, and More | website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] | date=December 4, 2023 }}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Kids See Ghosts]] 
* [[WZRD (band)|WZRD]]
* [[List of artists who reached number one in the United States]]
* [[List of American Grammy Award winners and nominees]]
* [[List of neo-psychedelia artists]]
* [[List of alternative hip-hop artists]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Commons category|Kid Cudi}}
{{Spoken Wikipedia|En-Kid Cudi.ogg |date=April 26, 2011}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{YouTube|c=UCoNPsL8j28yfKRu6e7YUhPA}}
* {{AllMusic}}
* {{Discogs artist}}
* {{IMDb name}}
* [https://open.spotify.com/artist/0fA0VVWsXO9YnASrzqfmYu Kid Cudi] on [[Spotify]]
* {{Twitter|id=kidcudi}}
* {{Bluesky|kidcudi.bsky.social}}

{{Kid Cudi}}
{{Kid Cudi songs}}
{{Kids See Ghosts}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance}}

{{Authority control}}

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