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Kid Cudi was born on January 30, 1984 in Shaker Heights, Ohio, USA. He is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He has widely been recognized as an influence on several contemporary hip hop and alternative acts. His lyrics are often autobiographical and describe his childhood hardships of depression, loneliness and alienation, his struggle with alcohol and drugs into adulthood, as well as themes of spirituality, heartbreak, dissipation and celebration. Cudi has been active in the music industry since 2008 following the release of his first official full-length project, a mixtape titled A Kid Named Cudi, which caught the attention of American musician Kanye West, who subsequently signed Cudi to his GOOD Music label imprint by late 2008.
Cudi's musical style has been described as "an atmospheric take on melodic rap, with a dollop of charming, off-key singing". He has also been called "introspective, with the ability to lay his insecurities on record and expose his fallibility. Cudi first gained recognition after the release of his first official mixtape, "A Kid Named Cudi" in 2008.
In 2009, his popularity increased with the release of his second mixtape, "Man on the Moon: The End of Day". The album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In 2010, he released a rock music-inspired album called "WZRD". He has collaborated with artists such as Kanye West and Jay-Z. He has also worked on several video games including "Kingdom Hearts 3" and "NBA 2K15."
Influences
Kid Cudi is one of the most influential hip-hop artists of this generation. He has been a major influence to artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, Drake, Kanye West and more. His impact on the hip-hop world is undeniable; it can be seen in their lyrics and their style of music. Cudi's earliest influences include alternative hip hop groups such as The Pharcyde, A Tribe Called Quest and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. Cudi has also credited fellow Ohio native Camu Tao, as an influence. In 2010, he began experimenting with rock music; rock acts that inspired Cudi include the Electric Light Orchestra, Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, the Pixies and Pink Floyd. kid cudi merch also credits English singer-songwriter David Bowie as a "huge inspiration." 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.