Kid Cudi New York Listening Session, Album Details
Last night, Universal/Motown gave a private listening session for select writers/bloggers in the New York area to have a taste of Kid Cudi’s debut album Man On the Moon: The End of Day.
Rumors swirled prior to the event that Jay-Z [click to read] would be in attendance to announce Kid Cudi to the stage, but neither Jay nor Cudi were present. However Executive Vice President of Universal, Sylvia Rhone was, and she described the album as “seminal” and one that will “change the game.”
Man On the Moon: End of Day is laid out in the form of a Five-Act play, narrated by Common [click to read]. The album features the hit single “Day N Nite”, as well as the Lady Gaga sampled “Make Her Say” with Kanye West and Common. New songs such as “Cudi Zone,” “Pursuit of Happiness” (featuring MGMT & Ratatat), and “Enter Galactic (Love Connection Part 1)” bring a new side of Kid Cudi, incorporating elements of House and Dance into his production.
At the close of the listening, Rhone expressed her strong desire to have Kid Cudi on her roster. “We fought hard for this deal,” she explained, comparing the Cleveland rapper to the likes of Jimi Hendrix in their similar pursuit of changing the face of music. Man On the Moon: End of Day hits stores on September 15.
Rumors swirled prior to the event that Jay-Z [click to read] would be in attendance to announce Kid Cudi to the stage, but neither Jay nor Cudi were present. However Executive Vice President of Universal, Sylvia Rhone was, and she described the album as “seminal” and one that will “change the game.”
Man On the Moon: End of Day is laid out in the form of a Five-Act play, narrated by Common [click to read]. The album features the hit single “Day N Nite”, as well as the Lady Gaga sampled “Make Her Say” with Kanye West and Common. New songs such as “Cudi Zone,” “Pursuit of Happiness” (featuring MGMT & Ratatat), and “Enter Galactic (Love Connection Part 1)” bring a new side of Kid Cudi, incorporating elements of House and Dance into his production.
At the close of the listening, Rhone expressed her strong desire to have Kid Cudi on her roster. “We fought hard for this deal,” she explained, comparing the Cleveland rapper to the likes of Jimi Hendrix in their similar pursuit of changing the face of music. Man On the Moon: End of Day hits stores on September 15.
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Comments 22 posts
LuckSun:
Yall crazy if u think cudi is wak. He been doin his thing bringing good music out all the time.
top 5 right now (no specific order)
Wayne
Drake
Cudi
Kanye
J. Cole
cisco92:
to all you haters out there: stop judging cudi when you havnt even heard his music. go listen to his mixtape then youll see why he has so many fans. and if you dont give his music a chance then your just ignorant.
hiphoppothead:
is this bitch stupid
how u gonna compare cudi to hendrix
dude is aiight ok at best
but where that nigga ben at since day n nite
hiphopincarnate:
lmao at the cudi fans on here how can you like this guy when he doesnt even rap? drake is nicer than him and he's ass. i swear hiphop fans trip me out niggas think cudi is "different" when the nigga just sucks. call me a hater really who cares but you? niggas need to fuck with the nigga Blu and stop the hypocrisy i dont care who you are or what you like but if the nigga aint rappin its not hiphop.
Rampzie:
@ Sylvia Invented Industry Rule 4080
You need to chill man. How can you say 'CLEARLY' when it's not fact. Some people will feel some cats and others won't. End of story. Don't hate cos' the dude has fans, if you don't like him cool, i respect your opinion (provided it's backed up with some form of legitimate reason) and we move on. Me personally i'm not feeling him (his rap-singing stuff is not my thing) but when people start stating shit like it's fact it pisses me off cos' that's some ignorant shit.
If y'all don't have something constructive to say step the fuck off and stop typing irrelevant shit.
RMP.
Sylvia Invented Industry Rule 4080 . fuck cudi cuz he booty:
@Ralphdc STFU. No one is hating.
Just because a lot of people can see CLEARLY that dude is wack, does NOT mean we are hating. Learn when and how to use that goddamn phrase correctly.
Im "old school" and I personally love to see the culture evolve. Cudi isn't going down as a legend, a great, or even noteworthy. If Joe Buddens is the "ball sack of Hip Hop", then Cudi is like the at the big toe. Nothing about dude says "future of HipHop". Thats not hate, that's simple real talk.
What the fuck has he done of relevance outside of Day N Nite? (Dont even mention "Make Her Say") And even then Jim Jones (who Im not a big fan of) made Day N Nite popular!
Ralphdc:
Their's been mad cheese in hihop for a while. Cuddi is not cheese his creative son.
Ralphdc:
Why hate?? You can't stand that this hip hop shit is evolving with out you so u got to hate?? Just like when Master P and Cash Money came in the game the hated. Juvenille was hated on for "ha" and look where the south is now?? When Jay-Z came out they hatted that he was riding Biggs coat tale. When De La Soul changed their style peeps hated. When 50 came out with How to Rob they hated. They always hate and the hate those not change anything. So stay behind and get old stay ignorant!!! Cudii is next accept it the game is evolving like it has always done.
this guy is a fuckin LOSER:
cudi is another reason why hip-hop is cheesing up, he is ruining the genre
Its Um:
What does the writers/bloggers say, because her input is like a mother saying how great her child is, it doesn't have much credit.
gasface:
KID CUDI IS A YOUNGER VERSION OF KANYE WEST
Sylvia Invented Industry Rule 4080:
For Sylvia Rhone to compare Cudi to Hendrix, shows how OUT OF TOUCH Sylvia Rhone is. Bitch is rich by raping and knowingly jerking artists.
Retire already. Live happy ever after in the sunset. You had your time.
fuck cudi cuz he booty:
over rated. that's why he didn't even show up.
NiggasBhaTin:
cudiiii is in a lane of his own... drakes bum ass should take notes.
slaughterhousefan:
Cudi's album will have house and dance music? fuck if i want to listen to that shit, i'll cope a david guetta album, i wanted to listen to a hiphop album from cudi and dance is what he will bring to the table? fuck!!
Scarlae:
He is Overrated..he dont even fuckin rap its like a singing-rappin hybrid and i dont fuck with it
Jf.Vigor:
ACT 1 - THE END OF DAY:
1. In My Dreams (Cudder anthem) (Produced by Emile)
The album begins with in an atmospheric haze, with brooding keyboard moans, bloopy synthesizers and alien keyboard trills flowing together as Cudi sings, "This is a dream come true" and that "Everything plays out exactly how I want it to." Common comes in at the end with his spoken word narration, stating, "This is a story of a young man that not only believed in himself, but his dreams, too. I introduce to you, the man on the moon."
- "Everyday is sunny here in my dreams" - "This is a dream come true, finding the perfect things to sing to you". This is similar to the live version you've all heard during the Great Hangover tour.
2. Soundtrack 2 My Life (Produced by Emile)
Sun-bleached synthesizers are the focal point of this sparsely instrumented groove, with Cudi singing, "I've got some issues that nobody can see / And all of these emotions are pouring out of me." There's not much to chew on in terms of orchestration, but this one's a genuine headknocker.
- Easily one of my Top 3 songs from this album after one take, very powerful song. My notes on this one consisted of EPIC & AMAZING. ha, yah I like it that much.
3. Simple As... (Produced by Plain Pat)
This one begins with a hypnotic vocal line that repeatedly moans "A-B-C" before launching into a thwacking, nasty groove. A reverberated echo trails every line of Cudi's vocals, wrapping up with another spoken word interlude from Common before beginning the next Act of the album.
- This is one of the few songs with a sample on this album (3 to be exact). Commons interlude here consists of him talking about "our hero dreams of peace" but has "nightmares so intense he can't tell what's reality".
ACT 2 - RISE OF THE NIGHT TERROR:
4. Solo Dolo (Nightmare) (Produced by Emile)
Spooky, spiderish violin plucks kick off this song, bare yet hearty with its haunted, cerebral beat. Cudi sings, "Try and do right, do right / Soaring through paradise while closing my eyes / I'm Mr. Solo Dolo." One of the most affecting, ghoulish tracks on the album, "Solo Dolo (Nightmare)" positions Cudi as an outsider.
- Similar to the song that was leaked but almost exact to the version he has performed during the tour. Easily the darkest song on the album. With the addition strings "Solo Dolo" is that much better.
5. Heart of a Lion (KiD CuDi Theme Music) (Produced by Free School)
The tempo picks up on this song, throwing a dash of house into the mix with its rapid drums. But while the track pummels along, it's offset by Cudi's deliberate delivery, which plays against the rhythm as languid piano chords repeat beneath his coos. Disorienting, but fit for the dancefloor.
- Not much to say, great song here. Upbeat and similar to what you've all heard live but longer and with improvements (additional vocals & keys throughout)
6. My World Feat. Bill Cravens (Produced by Plain Pat and Jeff Bhasker)
We'll call this one the audio equivalent of a thunderstorm. Industrial snares pockmark the beat, with twinkling piano keys jolting like tiny stabs of lightning as Cudi again distances himself from the outside world. After Bill Cravens gets his rock on on the chorus, Cudi sings, "None of y'all really knew about me," adding, "I guess I'm all you see."
- "This will be my world...I told you sooo". One of my favorites from this album.
ACT 3: TAKING A TRIP
7. Day N Nite (Produced by Dot Da Genius)
The song that put Cudi on the mainstream radar (this joint has racked up over 21 million views on YouTube). In context of the album, it works beautifully, playing like the version we've all come to know and love before devolving into an outro that chops and screws the song for a few seconds. This ushers in the escapist feel of this act, where Cudi seems like he's being chased, delivering each song with urgency.
- Day 'n' Nite, its the song we all love to hear and hate to hear remixed. This song definitely seems like the start of those dream-like journeys thats inspired the album.
8. Sky Might Fall (Produced by Kanye West/Co-Produced by Kid Cudi)
This one's been out for a minute, too. "Sky Might Fall" is the album's renegade get-'em-up anthem, complete with sour synths and an anxiety-inducing beat. It's safe to call this one the darker version of Kanye's "Champion."
- Similar to the early leak with additional changes as well as the addition of the orchestra and a 3rd verse "I keep runnin, gotta keep runnin, yeaaahhhhhh".
9. Enter Galactic (Produced by Mat Friedman of ILLFONICS)
Disco is the word on this dancefloor-ready jam, popping with its steady backbeat, squiggly synths and strobe-light fervency. If this joint was rocking in the club (where it will be right at home), this would best be taken with a hit of Ex. Just sayin'.
- ha pretty much on point. Definitely the most upbeat and club ready song on the album for me. "I dreamed of peace, until I found you. I dreamed of love, until I found you" - "Get ready, pop it, lets gooo, get ready to go intergalactic, you and me".
ACT 4 - STUCK
- Commons narration - "Our hero falls into a psychedelic state, falls into a peace, a sanctuary of his wildest dreams".
10. Alive (Nightmare) Feat. RATATAT (Produced by RATATAT)
Common comes back into the fold before this track begins, announcing that this is the part of the album where Cudi gets "stuck in a place of his wildest dreams." Soon, those familiar Ratatat synths kick in, with a beat that lacks the intensity of a Ratatat track but hits with a snapping snare. "I'm a beast in the night," Cudi raps, adding "I hope she saves me from the curse I have to beat" and "I watch the sun collapse."
- "Every time the moon shines, I become aliveee". RATATAT production on this song is fantastic, this will probably be one of the fan favorites.
11. Cudi Zone (Produced by Emile)
It's surprising to know that Kanye didn't produce this one, considering that Emile ripped a few pages out of the 808s & Heartbreak songbook for the beat. But on the epic track, Cudi plays against trance-like synths on the '80s-influenced number, with something felt like its held back in spite of its monstrous beat. Cudi sings, "I'm feelin' alright, forgot all about it." Epic stuff.
- Great song, even better hook. Improved song compared to the recent leak which is months old. "My Gaurdians protect me"
12. Make Her Say (Produced by Kanye West)
Another joint that already heated up the net ahead of the album release. Still haven't gotten tired of this one, and it sounds even fresher wedged in the middle of the disc. Lady Gaga gets a bit more shine from her performance, with an extended clip of her "Poker Face" joint wedged at the back of the track.
- For me, it just stands out production wise and is a bit of a step out of the dreamworld. It's not out of place, just something feels off for me. BUT I know many people won't agree with me on this one so take that with a grain of salt.
13. Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare) Feat. MGMT & RATATAT (Produced by RATATAT)
This song is exactly how you'd expect it to sound. Before reading that "Nightmare" was included in the title, it already ended up on my notepad, because that's precisely how it translates. MGMT adds a psychedelic flair to the mid-tempo track that rides on a thick, paced groove, singing on the chorus as the song rides on a base piano line. Ratatat throws in their signature flair, mingling with MGMT's tie-dyed synths with sharp, electrified guitars of their own. And as for Cudi? He carries the track with lyrics that are based in the now, singing, "If I fall, if I die, know I lived it to the fullest" and "Tell me what you know about dreams." Lyrically of-the-moment, the song isn't the boldest on the album, but it fits right in.
- This is going to be a great 3rd single. MGMT is on the hook along with Cudi. As I mentioned before this is probably the song with the most melody then actually rapped verse, but its a great song. "Tell me what you know about dreams, tell me what you know about nightmares, nothin"
ACT 5 - A NEW BEGINNING
14. Hyyer Feat. Chip The Ripper (Produced by Crada for Motion Music)
This is the babymaking shit right here. Featuring swelling orchestral lines and a clicking snare, this bedroom-ready track could easily be an old John Legend cut (we're talking "Live It Up" type music), nostalgic in sentiment and soulful in spirit. "Hyyer" is the gushiest track on the album - and that's a good thing.
- Cudi does a brief bit of intro/narration to start. Being in the "A New Beginning" act is fitting as it's a nice look into what we can expect from the Almighty Gloryus duo that Cudi & Chip have teamed up to create. They take turns throughout the song on the hook and verses. The most mellow and slow pace on the album with the most hip-hop like production.
15. Up Up & Away (Produced by Free School)
Cudi saved one of the hypest tracks for last. "Up Up & Away" begins with stabbing electronic guitars that give way to a racing acoustic romp, almost parallel to a Nelly Furtado-esque chugging groove (circaFolklore days, none of that Loose garbage). Cudi rounds out the album with a "I don't give a..." sentiment, singing, "I'll be up and away / Up, up and away / They gon' judge me anyway / So whatever." Common closes out the album by saying, "The machine and the ghost are dead. This is the journey of the man on the moon." What a journey it was.
- Saving the best for last? Possibly. The leaked version everyone has heard is only the hook, at first I didn't recognize that it was the same song and my thoughts were this is amazing and then it ran into the chorus and it just got even better.