Many know Kid Cudi for his solo rap career. But some are unaware of the other talents that he’s recently exploring. Cudi has been busier than ever since his last trip to Madison in 2013. When he first came to perform, there was a lot of hype coming from his breakout on Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music label. Cudi had released Man On The Moon: The End of Day under this label, and went on to release Man On The Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager under Kanye’s label as well. Both albums had received the nation’s eyes and boosted his following dramatically. Though the breakout actually came after the release of his third studio album Indicud, this is where he began to transcend and thrive more on his own in a creative way. He looked for more than that of following just what pop culture wanted. So when he arrived in Madison at the Alliant Energy Center on Sept. 9, 2013 it was a big moment. The concert featured an up-and-coming rapper known as Logic, and the well-known rap collective Odd Future.
Since his last appearance here in Madison Cudi has been working on diversifying his profile. His acting career began to grow, and in 2013 he was cast in the film adaptation of “Need for Speed.” After this, Cudi was featured in a TV series, and appeared in the 2015 film “Entourage.” He has continued work with many artists and is featured on several albums. Most notable were his appearances on “Hero,” with Skylar Grey, and his appearance on Big Sean’s track, “First Chain.” Also, he is continuing to work with the rock band known as WZRD. He shows diversity in his instrumental intelligence along with his newer work in film composition. But, what everyone is always keeping an eye on is the music that is yet to come. With such a loyal fan base, Cudi has been able to continue to work on the much-anticipated Man On The Moon III. Now under his own label, Wicked Awesome Records within Republic Records, Cudi has been able to set deadlines and really develop the music before releasing it. With so much attention focused on the upcoming album many people were thrown for a loop when Cudi released Satellite Flight: The Journey to Mother Moon. This originally was said to be an EP, but after work he made it into a fourth studio album and said that it would be a bridge between Indicud and Man On The Moon III.
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After this unexpected twist, Cudi was not close to finished either. He had talked of yet another album coming before Man On The Moon III. This album has now emerged within the media and is set for release Dec. 4. When Cudi released the first track, “Confused,” Aug. 1 there was definitely some confusion for those who may not see the inner workings behind Cudi’s career. This fifth studio album under the title Speedin’ Bullet 2 Heaven has been described as a mix of alternative rock and grunge music. This is very much part of who Cudi is, and is definitely the purest from of his artistic self. Just two days before the release of the album, Cudi will be performing for a recently sold-out crowd here in Madison. Though the supporting act is still being determined, this performance is sure to be one of self-release and reflection.
