10 of the Best KiD CuDi Songs
Even though I have been disappointed by Scott in recent history, that can't erase all of the great music he's given us in his career.
So let's try to forget all past transgressions and get back to that time in my life where I could look forward to KiD Cudi music and not fear what I might read in the headlines about him. For your listening pleasure, here are 10 songs that'll take you back to when it was easy to be a KiD CuDi fan!
Song/Rank:
#10- "Pursuit of Happiness (Extended Steve Aoki Remix)" (ft. MGMT & Ratatat) [Single 2012]
Why, Though:
The original is great, but there is something about the Steve Aoki remix that reminds me of great times traveling and partying with the drummer from Sick,Wicked&Nasty. It is a sonic trigger that takes you right to club where you're just letting go and having a great time!
Song/Rank:
#9- "Memories" (ft. David Guetta) [One More Love 2010]
Why, Though:
Much like the song above, the memories associated with this song probably give it an unfair advantage over some of the songs you (and I) probably think could have made this list instead! The way the piano loops and the beat thumps, THO! It's a great way to get me back to my younger days of partying.
Song/Rank:
#8- "Make Her Say" (ft. Kanye West & Common) [MOTM: The End of Day 2009]
Why, Though:
Yes, the Lady Gaga sample is part of the charm of this song. But more, importantly it's the drums and how Cudi seems to be in that sweet spot between his rapping and singing modes. It's all good because Ye and Common actually spit bars to round out the track. It's a rare upbeat track by CuDi that clearly is a radio play but still feels natural.
Song/Rank:
#7- "REVOFEV" [MOTM II: The Legend of Mr. Rager 2010]
Why, Though:
Another great piano loop on this track! It's also a song that makes me like the guitar riff. That doesn't happen often for me on Hip Hop songs. I know this song is good because before the album came out someone just looped the first couple of lines of the song for 3 minutes and I still thought the track was dope if not a bit repetitive. It turns out that actual song is still pretty repetitive but hey, ISSA VIBE!
Song/Rank:
#6- "Is there Any Love" (ft. Wale)
Why, Though:
MIXTAPE CUDI IS THE BEST CUDI! Plus the song has a guest spot by one of the better rappers from the DMV! Wale and KiD CuDi were it for me! When they came out on that Freshman cover together I instantly thought they'd be my favourites. This track has both of them spitting and easing off the sing song ways of recent times. I hope they're still friends.
Song/Rank:
#5- "Girls" (ft. Too $hort) [Indicud 2013]
Why, Though:
If you've seen my take on the best West Coast rappers you might have noticed I'm not really into Too $hort so I wasn't really expecting what this track ended up being. I love singing along to this song's hook and I used it to promote Better Than Me! I should mention though, I don't mind Too $hort on this song but... I feel like he heavily benefits from the goodwill built up from the minutes that preced his verse.
Song/Rank:
#4- "Man on the Moon" [MOTM: The End of Day 2009]
Why, Though:
Another track from the Mixtape days and there is something about this track that makes me feel kind of melancholy while also kind of inspired. It's a trip. I guess this is also a song I attach to fond memories of writing Better Than Me so it has that going for it too!
Song/Rank:
#3- "Dat New New" [Single]
Why, Though:
Another great hook with dope verses to keep the train moving! I don't actually know when this song came out but it is part of that beautiful time called Cudi's Mixtape phase. It's definitely a song that leans more into Hip Hop than singing so that's why I place it so high. But! Let's not sleep on how well put together this song is. It's probably the song that locked KiD CuDi into "one of my faves" status.
Song/Rank:
#2- "Ashin' Kusher" [MOTM II: The Legend of Mr. Rager 2010]
Why, Though:
Today this song is number two but there are days when I would swear it's number one. This song is my alarm on my phone, it's my ringtone, it's on my Gym playlist (which reminds me... I gotta get back there). I mean I hear it a lot and every time I hear it it's like the first time all over again. I love this song! It's got a great hook the beat is all the way Hip Hop... it's just great!
Song/Rank:
#1- "Soundtrack 2 My Life" [MOTM: The End of Day 2009]
Why, Though:
I went with the first true love on this list. When I got to this track on Cudi's debut album I fell in love with this song and never turned back. Like Ashin' I never get tired of it, I love singing along to the hook and I think it's a great way to sum up what's great about KiD CuDi in less than 4 minutes. I'd look at you kinda funny if you claimed to be a fan and didn't like this song even a little bit.
-YG