Last month, famed Ohio emcee Kid Cudi checked himself into rehab following an emotional letter to Facebook in which he explained to fans he was battling “depression and suicidal urges”. Going on to say that he was a “damaged human swimming in a pool of emotions everyday of my life”, it’s amazing to hear good news so soon after from the man himself.

https://www.facebook.com/kidcudi/posts/10154706102758586

Taking to Facebook once again, Cudi posted another heartfelt letter thanking his friends and fans who stuck with him through his hardest times, in particular artists such as Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, Travi$ Scott, A$AP Rocky, Wiz Khalifa and a bunch more.

“I wanted to let yall know it meant the world to me. I have nothing but love for you. Words can’t really express how much it made my heart glow.”If that doesn’t put a smile on your face, we don’t know what will. To make things even better, Cudi closed the letter in a wholly positive outlook, saying “I look forward to better days. Feelin’ great and brand new”

This all comes soon after Kid Cudi joined Travis Scott at Complex Con, and Kanye West on stage on his Saint Pablo tour. Definitely a warm return following the last troubling few weeks. Read his full letter below!

https://www.facebook.com/kidcudi/posts/10154866920633586

Image: Just Random Things

Kanye West has ended a show in Sacramento, California very early on Saturday November 19. The Life of Pablo artist apparently arrived on stage more than an hour late, played just a handful of songs, embarked on a 15 minute rant, and abruptly ended the concert.

According to the folks over at Twitter, the show started well, albeit late. West and Kid Cudi have had a mighty on-again off-again beef recently, but he brought out the former protege on stage for Father Stretch My Hands Pt 1, bringing what is hopefully a permanent end to the drama. Alongside further digs to and from Drake, the bitter beef included tweets, live insults on stage, and even disses in songs, with one particularly unceremonious dig at Cudi’s mental health coming from Drake late last month.

Check out some footage of Cudi on stage with ‘Ye:

https://twitter.com/NickiLoscav/status/800225722325344256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

https://twitter.com/NickiLoscav/status/800225950000525313

West has also been using his stage time for extensive rants, most recently delivering a controversial political sermon, in which he stated that he didn’t vote, but if he had, he would have voted for president elect Donald Trump. According to XXL, tonight’s Sacramento show included another rant, this time about his contemporaries. He reportedly begged Jay Z to contact him, saying, “I know you got killers, don’t send ’em at my head. Just call me.”

https://twitter.com/DerrickNtheCity/status/800235535105134592

He also went on to diss radio stations for playing “the same bullshit over and over,” citing the overplaying of Drake and the apparent lack of attention Frank Ocean is receiving. “We love Drake, Drake is great, he’s a great artist… but Frank Ocean is great too!” Kanye’s love for Frank has not gone unnoticed; during another recent concert rant, he stated that he would boycott the Grammys if Blonde and Endless aren’t nominated (even though they weren’t eligible because Frank specifically chose to not take part.)

Much to the dismay of thousands of fans in the audience, West’s rant turned out to be the end of the show. After being on stage for just 30 or 40 minutes he announced that it was over.

https://twitter.com/TinaSaad82/status/800238024969728001

https://twitter.com/DrewAbsher/status/800238471054913536

https://twitter.com/GoGetter909/status/800236515620028416

We hope everything’s okay, Kanye. Maybe it’s time to take a little break and let yourself unwind.

Read more: Kanye West and the problem of armchair diagnosing

Image: Rolling Stone

Kingswood – Creepin

The first single off their forthcoming sophomore album, Creepin is an uplifting yet melancholic anthem. Featuring their signature gritty guitar riffs, slapping drumbeats, and captivating vocals, this is a bold return from the boys. The video itself is also weirdly enchanting, featuring a range of ballet dancers who are accompanied by a freakishly face-painted ‘creep’.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSDvchLmqnI

Torii Wolf – Body

Torii Wolf has released a seductive and meditative banger titled Body, produced by araabMUSIK. With her smooth and sultry vocals gliding through the track, the video builds upon these sentiments, but showcases the emptiness and longing one has for a past lover.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=151&v=Ge1JUaXjULc

Danny Brown – Pneumonia

Detroit’s Danny Brown has released yet another visual accompaniment from his fourth studio album Atrocity Exhibition. This time with a haunting clip for Pneumonia, the kind of horrifying experimental track sees Danny tied up in chains and flailed through the air. While we don’t entirely get what’s going on, it definitely does a good job of keeping your eyes glued to the screen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs-Dc3_eiV8

Pusha T – H.G.T.V.

After teasing the tune just days ago, King Push has finally released the new track H.G.T.V alongside it’s new video. Shot entirely in portrait orientation (maybe grab your phone), the simplistic, sub bass centred beat sees Pusha T flexing his vocal skills to the max. Just goes to show, with over 20 years in the game, Pusha has still got it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s63y_kfWt4

Kid Cudi – Frequency

Following the previously released All In, Cudi has returned with a new video for his upcoming project. An enchanting mix of auto-tune laced choruses and in-depth rap verses, catchy is an understatement. Frequency is actually directed by Cudi himself and follows him as he traverses through a mysterious and eerie jungle like setting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzvywmVRWAo

Glass Animals – Season 2 Episode 3

Dropping the visual accompaniment to one of their recent album’s favourites, the video game inspired single has now gotten a video game inspired clip! Centring around a disinterested, couch-bound girl, she is soon pulled into a psychedelic video game world at the flip of a button. It’s an incredible interpretation of the video game sounds used within the tune, and if that couldn’t get any better, this game will soon be playable by fans!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2Kwos_oWSc

The Weeknd – False Alarm

For his second music video of the album, The Weeknd has certainly gone all out. Matching the fast paced and intense nature that the single presented, the clip follows a group of bank robbers as they make their heist and getaway. It’s an incredibly violent and cinematic film for something as simple as a music video, but the result is something utterly unique and head turning in every way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW5oGRx9CLM

The Lumineers – Cleopatra

Is there anything more pure than a classic On Tour style music video? Probably not. There’s just something about them that’s both exciting and nostalgic and Denver outfit The Lumineers have just unveiled their version. Filled with behind the scenes footage from stadiums through through the front window of a van en-route to a show, to shots of fans and crowds, Cleopatra’s got a bit of everything and gives a glimpse into the day to day touring life of a band during the a whirlwind that is a World Tour.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClvG58Igo9o

Hayley Kiyoko – One Bad Night

Content Warning: transmisogynistic violence
Disney-actor turned singer Hayley Kyioko has never shied away from representation of people and experiences. Her new video for the synthy and guitar driven pop-centric One Bad Night is no exception. The clip sees Donald (played by Birth of a Nation actor Kelvin Harrison Jr.) and Amber (played by trans YouTube activist Erin Armstrong) each go through a particularly rough night. After stealing a car from his valet parking job, Donald witnesses an attack on Amber and intervenes, the two strangers ending up their night together in a diner. Like her previous videos, One Bad Night is directed by Kyioko and places her LGBT+ activism at the forefront of her art.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_wXWFnTjxU

Archivist – Everything is Wanted

Ahead of the release of their upcoming EP Memo, London electro-indie act Archivist have unveiled the video for their song Everything is Wanted. Cutting between colour and black and white, the jumpy nature of the clip fits perfectly with the song as frontman Ed Begley journeys through city and forest in an almost escapist nature. Particularly good are the slow shots of a gently wild sea, slowing things down for contemplation before urgently restarting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u15NmuWnBtE&feature=youtu.be

Seekae – Turbine Blue

If the location for the latest video from Sydney trio Seekae seems super familiar, that’s probably because you’ve watched Grease and/orTerminator 2 a few too many times. Directed by Kris Moyes, the video was the last to be shot at the iconic location before it was demolished and follows seven people with very different dancing styles. It’s a somewhat unexpected approach a fresh vibe and lots of super pleasing, crisp blue tones.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2klcVENrEnQ&feature=youtu.be

Words by Ruby-Rose Pivet-Marsh and Martin McConnell

Image: Supplied

In a genre where bragging about your masculinity is a considerable requirement, hip-hop has often used words like “fag” or simply “gay” to describe a lack of manhood or weakness. However, in the wake of Sunday’s massacre in Orlando, Kid Cudi vows to change the hip-hop communities homophobic views and attitudes.

Cudi took to Twitter after hearing that a gunman opened fire at Pulse, a club i nOrlando, in what is being called the ‘worst of its kind’ leaving at least 49 dead and 53 others injured.

Another possible attack was intercepted in Los Angeles this weekend, a man was arrested for having guns and explosives on his person while on the way to LA Pride festivities.

Although admitting “I wish there was more I could do than tweet, build awareness and donate money. That’s not enough. Not for me.” Cudi is picking up a conversation that was started nearly 10 years ago, when Kanye West called for a ban on the word “fag”.

https://twitter.com/ifursure/status/742086939973718016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Other hip-hop artist including, Nicki Minaj, Lil B, A$AP Rocky, and Jay Z have all been longtime public supporters of gay rights. Perhaps Cudi will bring a few more like Ty Dollar $ign who echoed Cudi’s tweets.

https://twitter.com/KidCudi/status/742101765814767616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

https://twitter.com/tydollasign/status/742099362860371972?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

https://twitter.com/tydollasign/status/742105552839413760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

With hip-hop forever changing it is possible that we will see a change in homophobic attitudes in the genre. We can only hope others will follow the footsteps of Kid Cudi in raising awareness and putting the issue front and centre.

Image: Billboard

Kid Cudi has taken to Twitter to announce plans to release two albums this year, despite having only released his last full-length, the, uh, less-than-well-received Speedin’ Bullet 2 Heaven just over six months ago in December 2015.

Only a month removed from the release of his latest track, All In, produced by Mike Will Made-It, the man born Scott Mescudi has been extraordinarily active on Twitter in the last few months in speaking on the direction of his new music and enthusiasm for the very same.

And, just in case that weren’t more than enough to pique your most sincere excitement for the future with Kid Cudi, he signed off his latest Twitter stream of announcements with the following:

Is 2016 set to be Kid Cudi’s year? You be the judge.

You can find James Schofield on Twitter and Instagram.

Image Credit: Jimmy Kimmel! Live

After dropping his last project Speedin’ Bullet To Heaven in December to quite a disappointing reception, fans have eagerly been waiting the arrival of his next project. Sharing two new tracks in the past few months, The Frequency and All In, Kid Cudi has revealed a change from his past experimental project, and a restoration of his original sound. As more and more details have began to creep up, Cudi has today taken to Instagram to announce the release of his next LP, titled Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin’.

Teasing us with the handwritten announcement, as well as a snippet of an untitled track played over a scene from the new Star Wars film, the hype is real. Last month after stating he was a fan, thanks to Travis Barker on KROQ there were even reports that Andre 3000 of Outkast fame was in the studio with Kid himself, something which we definitely hope is true and comes to surface. Although we don’t have an official release date yet, Kid Cudi said over Twitter that the album will “most definitely” be out this summer. Fingers crossed we get an official date and single soon, in the meantime, checkout the announcement and teaser below.

And now, a snippet and the Millennium Falcon. Don’t tell Kanjiklub

A video posted by Willis (@kidcudi) on

My new album is titled…

A video posted by Willis (@kidcudi) on

Image: OWNC

When Kid Cudi dropped last year’s experimental rock album, Speedin’ Bullet To Heaven, he left people scratching their heads. The double album is a self-indulgent project that’s messy, confusing and above all, not very enjoyable. Credit to Cudi for trying something different, but he failed miserably. Thankfully the Cleveland mainstay has gone back to the well for impressive new single All In.

Announced via Jaden Smith’s Twitter account, All In follows on from last months excellent Frequency, a moody offering from Cudi and producers Mike Dean and Plain Pat. All In gives another hint at what we can expect from Cudi’s rumoured next album, the tentatively titled Man On The Moon III.

Collaborating with producer Mike WiLL Made-It, All In is vintage Cudi, with the melodic sound harking back to his debut album Man On The Moon: The End Of Day. Cudi details trying to repair a broken relationship and telling his partner he’s ready to commit, with his trademark vocal delivering the spacey hook, “All in, I’m all in / Whatever happens, happens.”

While it’s clear these are new tracks (All In is Cudi’s first collab with Mike WiLL), there’s still no word if they are from his new album or throwaways. Either way I’m glad to have the old Cudi back.

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Image: Rapfav

Kid Cudi has never attempted to hide his obsession with Star Wars, going so far as to even audition for the latest instalment The Force Awakens. Yet despite being tragically unsuccessful, like any devout fan, he’s doing his best to help edge the movie closer to the most successful of all time (not that it needs much help). On the weekend, he invited his fans to a private screening of The Force Awakens to fans who brought along some of his merchandise or a copy of his album.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmvU3urYQgI

“Do you love Star Wars?” he posted on Twitter. “Do you love me? Would you wanna see Star Wars: Force Awakens tonight with me, my treat?” 

“Why am I doing this? It’s Star Wars. Why not! And I thought it would be cool to start the year off watching a great film for the 3rd time with some great company.”

https://twitter.com/KidCudi/status/683523115310120960?lang=en

Fans were predictably thrilled, earning an opportunity to rub shoulders with the man himself, who also signed Kid Cudi merchandise – and even lightsabers. After the screening, fans took to Twitter to show their gratitude:

https://twitter.com/EvanSenane/status/683601710913208321?lang=en

https://twitter.com/gowherehiphop/status/683615712682721280?lang=en

https://twitter.com/Eloiis4/status/683593744738680832?lang=en

It’s not the first time Kid Cudi has reached out to his fans in such an unusual way. Late last year he held a heartfelt TED Talk in his hometown about his struggles with mental illness.

Kid Cudi is one of the most complex characters in music today. The Cleveland native has made no secret of his struggles with mental illness, and his dependence and addiction upon a plethora of different substances. Scouring through his social media accounts reveals a topsy-turvy, often passive aggressive insight into what is clearly a troubled world for the singer/rapper/songwriter.

Returning to his old high school stomping ground in Cleveland, Ohio, Kid Cudi has delivered an emotional and introspective TEDx Talk to hundreds of school students, detailing his own identity struggles and the problems that plagued him as a youth. The video itself features a heartwarming reunion on stage, as Cudi returns to an auditorium that he hasn’t visited in well over a decade.

The talk itself, entitled “Hi, I’m Scott” is a barebones and stripped back portrayal of the meaning behind Cudi’s music, and the fact that despite his own issues, his passion for music has remained a constant.

“At one point I didn’t feel like I was smart enough to pass that test. I didn’t feel like I was smart enough to go to this college. But with music, it was like, no one’s going to take that from me.”

Cudi also urged the audience to seek help for their own issues, and to ensure that they do not become a hindrance to the pursuit of passion.

“There were things that I was dealing with as a youth, at this school, this I didn’t talk to people about, that probably kept me from putting my best foot forward with my academics. The music was a platform for me to express myself and also realise that I’m not that crazy, that there’s other kids out there that might be depressed, lonely, or dealing with suicide.”

Cudi’s latest album Speeding Bullet To Heaven has been universally panned by critics and fans alike; the brooding, melancholic attempt at grunge has failed to satisfy those hoping for a return to the rapper who brought us Man on the Moon. Although it remains to be seen what musical direction Kid Cudi will take next, we can take solace in the fact that he remains an inspiration to his local community and is eager to discussion issues that are oft overlooked in hip-hop and society as a whole.

Embedding of the TEDx Talk has been disabled, so check it out here.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICaTsTkBPV8]

Kid Cudi has upset fans by announcing via Twitter that the 16-city ‘Especial’ tour will not be going ahead. This news comes less than a month after the tour’s announcement, with Cudi citing production troubles and personal issues as the reasoning behind its cancellation.

“By now I’m sure all of you have heard but for those who haven’t I’ve decided to cancel my tour,” he wrote. “Things weren’t together production wise and I need a bit to make some changes.”

“I got a lot I’m dealing with at this time in my personal life too and in order for the shows to be the best experience possible as well as keeping my sanity intact, I need to regroup”.

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Cudi also thanked the fans that had attended his Denver show on November 30th. The show was held at the Fillmore Auditorium, being the first, and now only stop of the tour. Despite this bad news, the artist made promises to reschedule the tour for ‘the top of the year’, all tickets will be honoured for next years shows.

Making up for the sudden cancellation, Cudi also dropped his newest track Speedin’ Bullet 2 Heaven, on SoundCloud. Produced by himself along with Plain Pat, the guitar-driven track signals a possible change in direction for Cudi’s music. It’s sound is not so exciting as it is ominous, but there are some strong ideas here.

Speedin’ Bullet 2 Heaven is the titular track for the upcoming two-disc album which is scheduled for release tomorrow. The album will be the follow-up from Satellite Flight: The Journey To Mother Moon, which was released early last year.

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