On Chicago rapper Kanye West’s last studio album, Yeezus, former G.O.O.D. Music emcee Kid Cudi can be heard on the album track, “Guilt Trip.” Months after the release of Yeezus and days after the release of Cudi’s own studio album, SATELLITE FLIGHT: The journey to Mother Moon, the Cleveland wordsmith has discussed his addition to Ye’s album.
While speaking with Complex magazine, Cudi revealed that he was unaware of the addition of his vocals on “Guilt Trip” until fans informed him of the record via Twitter. He says he was part flattered by his addition to the song, but expressed concern over being underused.
“The vocal that I did on that song was a couple years old,” Cudi said. “I forgot which session it was, but it was just a reference. I discovered that I was on the song via Twitter. I saw kids hitting me up, like, ‘Are you on ‘Guilt Trip!?’’ or saying ‘Great job!’ and I’m like, ‘What the fuck is everyone talking about?’ So I go on Twitter and then I hear the song and I’m like, ‘OK. I know the beat. I know the song.’ Then I’m like, ‘Oh man, OK.’ Part of me was flattered, like, it’s kind of cool that he thought of me. Then I started thinking about it more. It was like, Why not call me and have me come in there and give it? Why underuse me? Why put four bars of vocals to coax my fans into thinking this is a legitimate Kid Cudi feature on this song and it isn’t?
“Same deal with the G.O.O.D. Music album, the compilation,” he added. “Had I not given Kanye ‘Creepers’ my only presence would’ve been on that one song, that I can’t even remember the title for…I don’t know how to feel but I would’ve much rather been off that song. I don’t care to be on people’s songs like that. Unless it came from a legitimate session where we’re all vibing and have an idea.”
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Kid Cudi Denies Working With Justin Bieber
After a picture of Kid Cudi in the studio with Justin Bieber surfaced online in early January due to a picture the Canadian pop star posted on Instagram, rumors of a collaboration between the two musicians quickly circulated.
According to Cudi, Bieber merely came across him in the studio, asked to hear some of his new music, and requested a picture before departing.
“So I’m in the studio, it’s late—it’s like maybe one in the morning,” the Cleveland rapper said. “I’m sitting there and my head’s down and I’m kinda like vibing to the music and I feel somebody touch my shoulder. I look up and it’s Justin. In there, in the studio, just there. I said what’s up. It was actually the first time that we’ve had a real encounter. I mean I’ve seen him here and there, I’ve seen him around Jaden [Smith] but he’s never been in my space. He found out I was in there and wanted to say what’s up. So it was all cool. I let him sit there. We were hanging out and he wanted to hear a new song, wanted to hear some new shit. I played him Satellite Flight. He was into it. Then he played me a couple of his jams and that was it. There’s no song. He asked to take a photo before he left.”
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Kid Cudi Speaks On Connection With Hit-Boy
In addition to his work with Brooklyn-based producer Dot da Genius, Kid Cudi has begun to work heavily with California beatsmith Hit-Boy. Cudi even revealed that his relationship with Hit-Boy has become similar to his connection with Dot.
“Yes. Because it all starts from the beat,” Kid Cudi said when asked if Hit-Boy inspired him to rap again. “When I find someone that I connect with on a creative, musical level, it’s a marriage, instantly. That’s exactly what you have seen with me and Dot da Genius. I have been married in music to Dot for several, several years. We have continued to make great music together. I almost feel like I have a new connection like that with Hit-Boy, where there’s a musical understanding without having to say anything. Those are rare combinations because I’ve been in the studio with many people, some of the greats and it just didn’t connect…Doing records with Hit-Boy, his energy, his innovativeness—he’s exciting, just as exciting as Dot is for me.
“We have created some amazing work and it’s a testament,” he added. “From ‘Red Eye’ to this new joint I did with him and Audio Push called ‘Scorn’ or whether it’s ‘Old School Caddy.’ There is musical magic between me and Hit-Boy and we’re going to keep working at it and coming up with some jams to please the fans because we think we can change shit, so we all about that.”
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Kid Cudi’s interview with Complex comes on the week of the release of the rapper’s fourth studio album, SATELLITE FLIGHT: The journey to Mother Moon. Released unexpectedly, the LP consists of 10 tracks that are produced by both Kid Cudi and Dot da Genius. As of today (February 27), the album is expected to sell close to 90,000 units in its first week.
RELATED:Kid Cudi Calls “Satellite Flight” Album His “Best Work”
