Kid Cudi has got the internet buzzing with the surprise release of his new album Satellite Flight: The Journey to Mother Moon. So we figured, why not do this week’s Tracks You May Have Missed on a classic Cudi track? Here it is: ‘Man On The Moon (The Anthem)’. The song comes off his 2008 breakout mixtape A Kid Named Cudi. If you haven’t heard it, be sure to click through the link and download it (it’s amazing).
Nosaj Thing crafted a beautiful, laid-back sound for Cudi to drop equally smooth and introspective bars. The track features him singing and rapping. It’s an early insight into his Man On The Moon persona. Cudi reflects on his early struggle to find mainstream acceptance due to his unique style. “I guess if I was boring they would love me more/ Guess if I was simple in the mind/ Everything would be fine”.
One of the most memorable sections is when Cudi plainly speaks, “Feels like I, imma play all my stuff for everybody/ You know, and all my people give me feedback/You know, and they be like, ‘Yo, yo, why, why your shit sound so different?’/ You know what I’m sayin’?/ ‘Why your, why your, why your shit like on another, why’s, why’s it sound so different?’/Like it’s a bad thing./ And I be like like, “Why not, nigga”? From the begining Kid Cudi ventured to be different and the song is one of the greatest displays of it.
In the many years since the release of the track, Cudi’s style and sound has evolved greatly, alienating some fans while attracting new ones and pleasing long-time followers. Whether or not you’re feeling his new work, you’ve got to respect him for doing what he wants to do (as he always has). Since Cudi surprised fans this week, we’ve got a surprise for you: a bonus track below off A Kid Named Cudi. It’s the next song on the mixtape and they really need to be played back-to-back. Enjoy the music and don’t forget to get that tape if you haven’t already.
