A Kid Named Cudi
A Kid Named Cudi | ||||
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Mixtape by | ||||
Released | July 17, 2008 | |||
Recorded | 2007–2008 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 49:35 | |||
Label |
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Producer | ||||
Kid Cudi chronology | ||||
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Singles from A Kid Named Cudi | ||||
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A Kid Named Cudi is the debut mixtape by American rapper Kid Cudi, released on July 17, 2008 by New York City streetwear brand 10.Deep, in conjunction with independent record label Fool's Gold Records.[2][3] Considered his breakout project, the mixtape marked Cudi's first official full-length release, issued prior to his seminal debut album Man on the Moon: The End of Day (2009).
Production was handled by Plain Pat and Emile; samples range from the likes of Outkast to Paul Simon and N.E.R.D to Band of Horses. The mixtape allowed a new progression of Kid Cudi with the release catching the ear of Kanye West, founder of GOOD Music. Cudi would ultimately be signed to GOOD Music later that year. Notably the album contains the song "Day 'n' Nite", Kid Cudi's commercial debut single, which reached number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Reception
- Rapreviews wrote: "We've already learned from Lil Wayne and Kanye West that the public is willing to embrace the martian—if accordingly entertaining. Fortunately, Kid Cudi isn't short in that respect, and will no doubt only improve upon his stellar debut given proper management and artistic liberation."[4]
- Pinpoint Music wrote "A Kid Named Cudi blends styles, beats and even genres. From a Mims-esque 'This Is Why I'm Hot' beat in the single 'Day ‘N’ Night', to the slowed down tracks 'Man on the Moon' and '50 Ways to Make a Record' that will remind you of something by Gym Class Heroes. Heavy-hitting tracks 'T.G.I.F.' and 'Cleveland Is the Reason' finish the mixtape strong with clear influences from Mr. West on both tracks."[5]
- Ian A. of Teen Ink wrote "His work has changed my persona on rap music greatly. Everyone out there who thinks rap is stupid, just listen to some of Kid Cudi’s music and hopefully you will change your mind."[6]
- 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 broke through with 2009’s 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."[7]
Re-release
In 2021, Cudi revealed plans to upload the mixtape on to streaming services in the US.[8] The early 2020s saw several mixtapes from the late 2000s be reissued on platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music, including Cudi's Republic Records label-mates Lil Wayne with No Ceilings and Nicki Minaj with Beam Me Up Scotty.[9] In January 2022, Cudi gave an update on the process citing sample clearance issues.[10] On March 9, 2022, during a performance on Encore, the virtual concert app Cudi launched earlier in February, Cudi announced that the mixtape would be coming to streaming platforms “very soon” and would also receive a vinyl release.[11]
On July 4, 2022, Cudi announced that the mixtape would be officially issued to streaming services on July 15, just two days shy of the 14th anniversary of it's original release.[12][13] Cudi also revealed the he recorded a new intro, and that all the songs have been remastered.[14] On July 10, Cudi revealed the re-issue would feature new cover art.[15]
Track listing
No. | Title | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Intro" | Plain Pat & Emile | 0:50 |
2. | "Down & Out" | OutKast | 4:09 |
3. | "Is There Any Love?" (featuring Wale) | Emile Haynie | 3:31 |
4. | "CuDi Get" | J Dilla | 2:20 |
5. | "Man on the Moon (The Anthem)" | Nosaj Thing | 3:27 |
6. | "The Prayer" | Plain Pat | 3:39 |
7. | "Day 'n' Nite" | Dot da Genius | 2:48 |
8. | "Embrace the Martian" | Crookers | 3:26 |
9. | "Maui Wowie" | Grind Mode | 2:24 |
10. | "50 Ways to Make a Record" | Plain Pat & Emile | 2:55 |
11. | "Whenever" | André 3000 | 2:04 |
12. | "Pillow Talk" | Bernard Jackson | 3:24 |
13. | "Save My Soul (The CuDi Confession)" | Danger Mouse | 2:03 |
14. | "T.G.I.F." (featuring Chip tha Ripper) | The Kickdrums | 2:23 |
15. | "CuDi Spazzin'" | The Neptunes | 3:06 |
16. | "Cleveland Is the Reason" | Dot da Genius | 3:46 |
17. | "Heaven at Nite" | Ratatat | 3:17 |
- Sample credits
- "Down & Out" samples "Chonkyfire" by Outkast.
- "Is There Any Love?" samples "Is there Any Love?" by Trevor Dandy.
- "Cudi Get" samples "Wild" by J Dilla.
- "Man on the Moon (The Anthem)" samples "Aquarium" by Nosaj Thing.
- "The Prayer" samples "The Funeral" by Band of Horses.
- "Maui Wowie" samples "I'm So High" by Grind Mode.
- "50 Ways to Make a Record" samples "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" by Paul Simon.
- "Whenever" samples "Pink & Blue" by Outkast.
- "Pillow Talk" samples "Happy" by Surface.
- "Save My Soul (The Cudi Confession)" samples "Who's Gonna Save My Soul Tonight" by Gnarls Barkley.
- "Cudi Spazzin'" samples "Spaz" by N.E.R.D.
- "Heaven at Nite" samples by "Tacobel Canon" by Ratatat.
Personnel
Credits for A Kid Named Cudi adapted from AllMusic.[16]
- Chip tha Ripper – featured artist
- Crookers – producer
- Dot da Genius – engineer, mixing, producer
- Emile Haynie – engineer, executive producer, keyboards, producer, synthesizer
- The Kickdrums – Producer
- Kid Cudi – vocals, art direction, design, director, executive producer
- Patrick "Plain Pat" Reynolds – executive producer
- Wale – featured artist
Release history
Region | Date | Label(s) | Format(s) | Ref |
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Various | July 17, 2008 |
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[17] | |
July 15, 2022 |
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[18] | ||
TBA | LP | [18] |
References
- ^ ""A Kid Named Cudi" Mixtape Trailer". 15 May 2008.
- ^ Shamz (July 17, 2008). "A Kid Named Cudi (Mixtape), Free Download". Okayplayer. Retrieved September 21, 2012.
- ^ "Revisiting A Kid Named Cudi". The Boombox. Retrieved 2018-08-11.
- ^ "Kid CuDi :: A KiD Named CuDi :: 10.Deep". www.rapreviews.com. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
- ^ "Kid CuDi :: A KiD Named CuDi – RapReviews".
- ^ "A Kid Named Cudi/The Prayer by Kid Cudi - Teen Music Review of rap/hip-hop". www.teenink.com. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
- ^ boombox-staff (29 August 2013). "Revisiting A Kid Named Cudi". The Boombox.
- ^ "Kid Cudi Announces "A Kid Named Cudi" is Being Added to Streaming Services". HNHH. 15 March 2021.
- ^ "Another Lil Wayne Mixtape is Coming to Streaming Platforms in January". Billboard. 10 November 2021.
- ^ @KidCudi (7 January 2022). "Workin on it!! Havin some issues w clearances. Im on it tho brother!!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Kid Cudi's 'A Kid Named Cudi' is Coming to Streaming Services "Very Soon"". 9 March 2022.
- ^ Kid Cudi [@KidCudi] (July 4, 2022). "July 8th "The Boy Who Flew To The Moon Vol. 1" (Best of) July 15th "A Kid Named Cudi" I love u. Ur welcome" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Kid Cudi to Bring 'A Kid Named Cudi,' Greatest Hits Collection to Streaming".
- ^ "Kid Cudi to Add 'A Kid Named Cudi' on Streaming Platforms". 6 July 2022.
- ^ https://twitter.com/KiDCuDi/status/1546018256527323136 [bare URL]
- ^ "A Kid Named Cudi - Kid Cudi - Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
- ^ "A Kid Named Cudi – Kid Cudi". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved September 21, 2012.
- ^ a b "Kid Cudi Says "A Kid Named Cudi" Will Hit Streaming Services This Month". HNHH.
External links
- A Kid Named Cudi at Discogs (list of releases)