10 Essential Kid Cudi Tracks

When having a conversation about an artist like Kid Cudi, there are a multitude of aspects, both musically motivated and culture concurrent that factor into developing the full picture of who he is as a musician and an icon. Scott Mescudi is not only the voice of a lost generation, he is also a pioneer and innovator in modern music and a major influence within the industry. He's been an innovator literally since he first dropped as his debut mixtape A Kid Named Cudi was  one of the first of its kind to be released in collaboration with a streetwear brand like 10 Deep. And throughout a career just a few years shy of a decade, he has continued to be a trailblazer and break molds in addition to creating them.

For instance, take into account his beloved Man On The Moon albums, which  embody an eclectic fusion of passionate and timeless music that has both fueled his star power and solidified his prowess as a taste maker, while also simultaneously creating several sub genres from the music itself that helped open doors for a new wave of artists. Tracks like "Day N Night" and "Mr. Rager" gave a voice to the voiceless and melted the status quo of what a rapper could be and or sound like. Even more so, Kid Cudi has made it his mission to not be defined by the music industries categorical lanes and has turned his habitual line-stepping into longevity despite road blocks like drug addiction and label issues. His collaborative rock album with producer Dot Da Genius debuted at No. 1 on the Top Rock Albums and Top Alternative Albums charts in addition to nabbing the No. 3 spot on the the US Billboard 200. Then in 2013 just before the release of his third studio album Indicud Kid Cudi shocked the world when he announced his departure from Kanye West's GOOD Music record label. Much uncertainty surrounded his decision to part ways with the label and many had doubts about whether or not he would be able to deliver on this release. Yet once again, Cudi broke down barriers and wowed the world once again with the incredible body of work Indicud is, and managed to debut at the No. 2 spot on the charts.

And now, several months after the release of his long awaited fifth studio album, following the commercially unsuccessful release of his Alternative Rock album Speedin' Bullet To Heaven, Kid Cudi has defied the odds once again and is back on top and in place to make a truly legendary run. With that said, this list will present to you 10 of the most profound and meaningful Kid Cudi tracks. 

DISCLAIMER: In order to make this list work, we have to snub classic, fan favorite songs like "Day N Nite" or "Marijuana" or "Just What I Am" so that we can unbiasedly delve into the dark, yet illuminating and twisted brilliance of Kid Cudi. So without further adieu, we kick off this list with "The Prayer" from Kid Cudi's debut mixtape A Kid Named Cudi. This selfless ode of artistry and diligent display of secular faith is tentatively speaking, one of Kid Cudi's purest tracks sonically. 

I mean, we get the whole thang on this track. He's harmonizing, he's spitting those staggered effervescent bars filled with next level references in addition to the genuine sense of emotion and empathy he is known and celebrated for.

 There's really no title more fitting for this track that the current because Cudi really does spazz on this shit. Just as "The Prayer" is one of Kid Cudi's most well-rounded appearances, "Cudi Spazzin'" is one of his most fierce flows. As much as Cudi is known for being moody, he is too often overlooked for his expert lyricism and entertaining delivery.

Flat out, this song is dope and thus, it thrives on this list. Again, while it's hard to cover each base with only two tracks from each project, we've included a short collection of noteworthy tracks from each release. So enjoy "Cudi Spazzin'" along with key tracks like "Cleveland Is The Reason" "Save My Soul" and more.

Just as his debut mixtape broke its own waves, Kid Cudi's monumental Debut Album Man On The Moon - The End Of The Day  created a shockwave of counter cultures that celebrated the misfits of society and gave them something to be proud of themselves for. Tracks like "Heart Of A Lion" seamlessly synergizes the energy of the entire project, which is essential is a frequency championing the resilience of the human spirit. The hook on this track alone is motivation as he proclaims;

At the end of the day, day
My momma told me don't let no one break me
Let no one break me
At end of the day, day,
Nobody, nobody, ever could stop me
Ever could stop me
At the end of the day, day
You cant regret it if you were trying
If you were trying
At the end of the day, day
I'm walking with a heart of a lion, yea

Plus, the production on this track is superb, so, shout to Free School for the instrumental dope.

This is easily one of the best songs from the album, possibly ever as well, but that's a conversation for another time. To make a long story short, this project, like any other project from Kid Cudi, hits the lowest of lows in the most relatable way and it often feels personal as you listen. But then again, there are gleaming instances of love and joy and celebrations of the individual spirit and that is exactly what "Up Up And Away" is.

More Importantly though, this is one of the first times that we get to experience the Kid expirementing with  Alternative Rock while also blending in the world of Hip Hop.

For the record, Kid Cudi is the only artist known to man that can harmonize with Mary J. Blige, without even really knowing how to sing, while simultaneously addressing issues of mental health and reminiscing about the first time he smoked weed from a Black & Mild. This song is so special for the reasons listed above and so many more, and it's because of records like this that Man On The Moon, Vol. II: The Legend Of Mr. Rager is such a great album.

This track exudes the type of raw, blunt, simplistic and creative truth that Kid Cudi brings into each of his releases, plus Kid Cudi and Mary J. Blige is such a cool collab. They also killed it on "These Worries" which was a very close runner-up for this spot on the list.

Almost eight years after the release of this album, "Ghost" is still as bone chilling, mind numbing and perplexing now as it was then. This song is so fucking legendary and quintessential to any library and or any conversation about Kid Cudi. Of course, all of the typical emotionally transparent moments are intact with this song, but what really makes this song essential is not only its reflectivity, but the insatiable reactivity we fell due to the prose of this track. Cudder lyrically weaved a basket case of passion, indifference, optimism and dopeness within the lines of this record. What an exceptional way to end a roller coaster of an album.

And producers No I.D and Haynie utterly destroy the production of this track. Whoever's idea it was to sample from 70s psychedelic The Freak Scene, kudos to you and thank you for this experience, many of us are forever grateful.

Indicud came at a point in time when Kid Cudi was evolving from both a business perspective and an artistic perspective. So while we received dope rap records like "Just What I Am" and "King Wizard" we also received obscure, but very good, experimental tracks like "Young Lady." There is a lot to like about this track, whether it's Cudi's cadence or the off kilter soul of the Father John Misty sample, and this record represents the album well because it's a chance taken with a beautiful end result. That is the essence of this album.

This particular track, this whole album really, but this record from within it is like a a Mythological Pheonix rising from the ashes.

Element of the surprise
Such a spectacular thing I cannot, lie
So many things people wanna limit you to be
I show you a glimmer inside the spectrum of the wizard

Kid Cudi made it very clear with both this track and this album that you cannot and will not marginalize his excellence. He has proved time and time again that his musical mobility is vastly never ending and this record is just one of the many examples to prove that.

Passion Pain & Demon Slayin is as refreshing as it is a reminder. It's refreshing to hear Kid Cudi completely removed and free from his tustles with mental health and drug addiction. It's also a reminder that Scott Mescudi is a living legend and that his brand of auditory artistry is second to none.

This song is pretty self explanatory because it is basically a flex, a much needed flex at that.

For the final entry on this list there is no song that is more fitting. From the "No, no, no, no, no, no, no, yeah, yeahhh" Man On The Moon reminiscent woops of the hook to the crashing production and gripping lyrical performance from Kid Cudi, this song is everything.

And as we dawn on a new chapter in Kid Cudi's career, it's so exciting to see him in complete control and commanding the surfs.

Each of these records adds immeasurable value to Kid Cudi's discography. "Wasting My Minutes" is the quirky and humorous Kid Cudi of the past that won over our hearts. "Teleport 2 Me" is the spirit of the experimentalist Cudi that not long ago put us on to a completely new wave. "Too Bad I Have To Destroy You Now" is very evocative of Kid Cudi in the present tense, back and better than ever with a bone to pick.

No matter if these songs are commercial hits or favorites on your playlist, they represent the place this guy came from, the road he carved out for himself and the staunch and relentless mantra he has maintained throughout a storied and accomplished career. This honor mention is as much an ode as it is a thank you.