I don’t want to start counting how many times Kid Cudi’s forthcoming second studio album, Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager, has been delayed.  OK, I think it’s been three times.  And you know what?  For all we know these changes haven’t been delays, per se; everything is labeled rumor until the record label makes the official call.  Although the label didn’t make the call this time around, it is the first time Cudder acknowledged a release date.  He sounded pretty confident about a November 9 release date when he announced it during a performance at the University of Buffalo.  He explained the push to November saying that he’s being working so hard on the songs that he forgot to put much effort into the “other [important] sh-t”, like the album artwork.  He wants to “bring art on all levels…musically and visually with the packaging.”  He promises that another movie poster and DVD footage will be included with the album.  Regular and deluxe versions will be available to purchase.

Cudi continued the conversation with his fans by revealing that another album is in the works.  He will be collaborating with longtime partner Dot Da Genius (Day N Nite) and he plans on releasing it alongside MOTM2 so that we will have “a sh-t ton of Kid Cudi music to listen to” for the foreseeable future.  Right on!  Lastly he says he’s working on mastering “Dose of Dopeness“, a track that he performed for an audience back in 2008.

Look after the break to hear all this news straight outta Kid Cudi’s mouth.

[Via DatNewCudi] (Click here for more…)

After dropping “REVOFEV” and “Erase Me” on his blog it turns out rapper Kid Cudi has decided to make the less edgy but more rocker track the official first single off his upcoming album Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager.  “Erase Me” (Featuring Kanye West) is now available to download at iTunes.  MOTM2 is due out October 26.  (And don’t forget another track outted by Cudder called “Mojo So Dope.”)

[Via DatNewCudi]

Kid Cudi recently performed his first single “REVOFEV” off his upcoming sophomore album Man on the Moon: The Legend of Mr. Rager at the BAPE clothing store in NYC.  He teamed up with YouTube to have a VEVO crew follow his journey to the store.  The best part of the collaboration is that the video is in HD and the audio is perfectly audible.  Don’t have much time?  Scrub to timestamp 1:37, that’s when the song actually starts.  Remember you can download the track here.

Moving on to some important news regarding the release of MOTM II… According to Rap-Up, Cudder’s new album has been delayed twice in the same week.  Last Thursday it broke that the album would not drop on September 14 (aka G.O.O.D. Music Day) but instead be pushed back two weeks to September 28, the same date T.I. and Young Jeezy are expected to drop King Uncaged and TM 103, respectively.  Then two days ago it was reported that his label Universal Motown decided to delay the record by nearly another month.  Though this is all up for speculation, sources say that MOTM II is now expected to drop October 26.  Bum-mer.

In the meantime, you have “REVOFEV”, “Erase Me”, and now “Mojo So Dope” to enjoy.  “Mojo” found its way onto the ‘Net a few weeks ago in snippet form, but early this morning the full, tagless version was let loose into the wild and it’s hella good.  Its got this hazy, retro, dream-like vibe to it–Cudi’s signature stamp if you ask me.  Take a listen below and click the download link for keeps.  The wait is worth it, the wait is worth it.  You gotta keep saying that to yourself..

Download: Kid Cudi – “Mojo So Dope”

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[Via KWBlog]

Converse (yes, the sneaker company) brought together Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast, Rostam Batmanglij of Vampire Weekend, and rapper Kid Cudi to create a collab track for their “Three Artists, One Song” campaign.  The song was released first (download it here), and a fun music video followed (watch above).  The song matches our current season pretty well, what with its upbeat tempo and catchy verses.  Say, don’t those papercraft heads look mighty familiar?

[Via DatNewCudi]

September 14 is the expected release for four big albums that are signed under Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music label: Big Sean’s debut album Finally Famous, Kanye West’s Good Ass Job, Kid Cudi’s Man On the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager, and Consequence’s ConsTV.  In an interview with HipHopDX, rapper Consequence was asked about the supposed G.O.O.D. Music Day.  Read the excerpt from said interview below.

DX: So on September 14th you, Kanye West, Kid Cudi, and Big Sean are all droppin’ your respective projects. But just to play devil’s advocate, you sure you wanna do that? It’s hard enough getting folks to cop one album let alone four albums on the same day.

Consequence: Well…the idea for doing the G.O.O.D Music Day emerged between me and Sylvia Rhone, just to be quite honest. I’m very communicative with Sylvia Rhone on everything that I do. We had actually met with Kanye one night, and as me and her left the meeting, we left together and I was like, “Yo, we need to really get this paper right now.”

When we left we thought that this is where we need to take advantage of the situation. So…she got on the phone…made some boss calls, and then we got to it. At the time when [Big] Sean announced that [he was also dropping his album on September 14th] I didn’t know that he was in the mix of that, but it’s all good.

But initially, how that shit came about was me, Kanye and Kid Cudi. I just hadn’t announced it because I know we had things that had to be ironed out. And it got ironed out where it’s – ‘Cause actually at the end of the day, Kanye being the head of G.O.O.D Music had to approve that. And the approval was based on, “Let’s shake the game up.” Cudi got the kids, Cons got the streets, ‘Ye got the globe, so we all gon’ eat. [Laughs] (Added emphasis.)

With Tony Williams’ King or The Fool and John Legend’s Wake Up (produced by The Roots) expected to drop on or around the 9/14 date too, Sepember might just be the greatest month for music in 2010.  Yeah, I went there.

[Via HipHopDX; DatNewCudi]

Ahh yes. Rapper Kid Cudi has brought the goods.  Check out the first two singles off his sophomore album Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager.  The first is “REVOFEV” (pronounced Rev Of Ev, short for Revolution of Evolution) which is produced by Plain Pat with strings by Larry Gold.  Cudder officially released the mastered track on his blog.  The second is titled “Erase Me” and it features vocals by Kanye West.  The version that’s been let loose into the wild is only a radio rip, but it sounds great for a recording.

In “REVOFEV” Cudi asks, “Where will you be for the revolution?”  Yeah, because this album is going to be that good.  The track has a slow tempo and reminds me of many songs from MOTM, especially “Solo Dolo”.  It’s not nearly as dark but I definitely hear similarities in sound and style.  “Erase Me”, on the other hand, is starkly different from anything I’ve heard Cudi produce lately.  It’s a very cheery, upbeat song that uses drums, guitars, and echoing vocals that results in an extremely catchy pop-rock vibe.  And the fact that Mr. West makes an appearence is just icing on the cake.

MOTMII is expected to drop on G.O.O.D. Music Day, September 14 that is.  But for now, take a listen and download the tracks at the links below.

Kid Cudi – “REVOFEV”

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Kid Cudi – “Erase Me” (Featuring Kanye West) (Radio Rip)

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Update: The dirty CDQ version of “Erase Me” is out now.  Download it here.

[Via KidCudiBlog; 5starhiphop]

According to rapper Big Sean, September 14 is going to be a huge day for the G.O.O.D. Music crew.  In the form of a tweet, Big Sean announced that his upcoming debut album Finally Famous, Kanye West’s Good Ass Job, and Kid Cudi’s Man On the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager will all release on Tuesday, September 14.  If this were to actually happen it would be INSANE.  You must realize, though, that all of these albums likely will not simultaneously drop on the same day since almost every major rap album get the “delay treatment”.  Naturally I am skeptical about the whole thing.  However, if such a day does pass I’m positive it will prove to be a fantastic marketing ploy for the G.O.O.D. Music record label (which was founded by Kanye West in 2004).  I know I’ll be first in line to purchase all three of these anticipated releases.

Since Big Sean pushed out the tweet, more G.O.O.D. Music artists have decided to jump on the release date bandwagon.  Consequence (ConsTV) and Tony Williams (King or The Fool) have publically stated that their albums will also drop 9/14.  And the cherry on top?  Rumors are swirling that John Legend is working hard to finalize his next album Wake Up (produced by The Roots) in time for the September date.  With just about two months until the day, the anticipation is killing me.  No really, it is.

[Via 2dopeboyz; RapRadar; TheSmokingSection, Thanks Corey Z.]

Cudder and the Revolution of Evolution is no more.  Sadly.  What an awesome title, right?  In an unsurprising move, rapper Kid Cudi recently had a change of heart and decided to take a whole new direction with the album.  It will be called Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager.  He made the announcement on his blog:

i started making this project like a collab album, filled with fun and upbeat records that for the most part left you with jack shit when you were finished listening. i took a step back, went on tour, and realized im where im at because of the type of songs i write. every time i read a comment from someone saying ive touched their lives in some way is what made me want to stop fucking around and continue pouring my life into my music.  MOTM2 is dark by nature and instead of bringing you into my dreams like my first album, im bringing you into my reality.  good and bad. it will explain more of who iam aswell as pushing the envelope musically. this project will focus on many dark, fun, and ignorant moments in my life since ive been kid cudi in a exciting and cinematic nature continuing the MOTM theme.

Right off the bat, I’m not diggin’ the name change since the first title was so awesome; it just rolls off the tongue, you know?  Hopefully he’ll save it for album #3.  Anyway, making his sophomore album a sequel to Man on the Moon makes sense due to its content.  The first album brought us inside Cudi’s dreams and nightmares.  MOTM2 will venture us into his “reality.”  If it’s anything like the first go-around, which it promises to exceed, expect greatness.

[Via DatNewCudi; KidCudiBlog]

On April 9 Kid Cudi visited Bucknell University in Pennsylvania, another stop on his nationwide college tour.  I was there, so naturally I took videos and pictures to share with you.  Cudder knows how to put on a concert.  He really draws in the entire crowd and interacts with some of them.  He feels the music when he’s performing and you can tell; that’s a special quality only few artists have.  If you get the opportunity to see him live, don’t miss out.

Cudi performed 17 songs total, including tracks from his debut album Man on the Moon: The End of Day and his mixtape A Kid Named Cudi.  He also performed Groovin’, an unreleased track he said we’ll find on his next album tentatively titled Cudder and the Revolution of Evolution.

The video below is Part 1 of 3; look after the break for Parts 2 & 3.  Or you can visit my YouTube page.  While you’re there, check out my coverage from this year’s Consumer Electronics Show at Las Vegas.  In June I’ll be traveling to Los Angeles to cover E3, the biggest video games trade show in the world, so be on the lookout for that.

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We’ve heard the song.  Now here’s the music video.  “That Tree” (Featuring Kid Cudi) comes straight off Snoop’s latest album More Malice.  The music video is pretty slick (with the cut-out animations) and the song is mighty catchy.  Good collab.

[Via DatNewCudi]

And it’s finally here.  The music video for arguably the most popular single off Kid Cudi’s debut album, Man on the Moon: The End of Day.  It’s not a music video in the traditional sense.  Rather than have Cudi sing throughout the video, director Jason Goldwatch and Decon Creative Group decided to splice together months of tour footage.  In a way “Soundtrack 2 My Life” gives us a look into the crazy life that is touring for Kid Cudi and it’s definitely a fun ride.  The tour footage used in this music video is part of a larger project that Cudder, Goldwatch, and Decon are putting together for fans.  We can all look forward to that.  And Cudder.

[Via DatNewCudi]

This here is an alternate version of the music video for Kid Cudi’s breakout single “Pursuit of Happiness.”  In my opinion this video is far superior to the original version.  It takes Cudder’s concept of dream sequences he raps about throughout Man on the Moon and runs with it, using tricky camera angles and trippy characters, costumes, and settings.  Oh, and guitarist Ratatat actually makes an appearence in this one during his solo.  Good stuff.

More Malice is the re-release of Snoop Dogg’s Malice N Wonderland, and “That Tree” is one of five new songs from it.  The re-release includes 5 songs from Malice N Wonderland, 5 new songs, 2 remixes, and a short film featuring Snoop as a hero named Malice.  It hits stores March 23.  For now, take a listen to “That Tree” (featuring Kid Cudi and produced by Diplo) below and snag a free copy here.

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[Via Complex; DatNewCudi]

Rapper Kid Cudi is one of 30 “Most Stylish New Yorkers” featured in the latest issue of Time Out New York.  If you’re interested in his inspirations, where he shops, and his favorite designers click here to read the interview.  Check out the gallery below for a crop of images from the photoshoot, and look after the break for a behind-the-scenes video from the shoot.

[Via DatNewCudi, here & here; KanyeBlog]

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“Memories” is the latest single (following “Sexy Bitch”) off David Guetta’s fourth album One Love.  iTunes has the album; the single; and a new Memories EP that features the single, an extended version, and a remix.  To be honest the music video is EH, but I’m diggin the track.

[Via DatNewCudi]

Check out Dan Black’s music video for the remix to his original single “Symphonies.”  The song is DOPE and the video lives up to it by combining retro and futuristic references, making for a visually unique partner for the track.  You can download “Symphonies” (Remix) and the music video at iTunes.

Black is a UK-based electronica artist whose first album was released digitally to iTunes this December in the States.  UN includes the original recording of “Symphonies” plus eleven other tracks including “U + Me =” and “Alone.”  It is expected to be made available in physical form on February 16.  Also starting this month Black will begin touring in the U.S. and Canada.

[Via DatNewCudi; Wiki]

BAPE recently announced they are dropping yet another Kid Cudi x Milo t-shirt.  This time it reads “Take another shot or you’re soft!  Rage!”  What’s different about this release is that it may actually be possible to snag one of ‘em.  You have two ways to purchase the $80 tee: you can wait in line at the NYC Soho BAPE store on Saturday, January 23 or you can order it online Wednesday, January 20 at noon.  UPDATE: You guessed it–all sold out online.  Good luck on Saturday!

[Via DatNewCudi]

At his latest show in Milaukee rapper Kid Cudi announced the “official” name of his sophomore collaborative album: Cudder and The Revolution of the Evolution.  I say “official” because Cudi is known for announcing an album title and changing it around a couple times before it releases.  His first album was originally called “Man on the Moon: The Guardians” and was changed to Man on the Moon: The End of Day.  We’ve know for quite some time that his next album was going to be titled “Cudder,” but now he has gone head and added “The Revolution of the Evolution” to it.  I can see this latest iteration potentially finalizing into “Cudder: The Revolution of Evolution” but we shall wait and see.  Looking forward to it.

[Via DatNewCudi]

Aw yeah.  Complex.com has placed Kid Cudi’s debut album Man on the Moon: The End of Day at the #1 spot on their top 25 best album of ’09 list.

Hip-hop’s lonely stoner threw the “debut rap album” blueprint out the window with his bold opening statement, a somber trip into the mind of Scott Mescudi. With producers Emile, Plain Pat, and Ratatat driving most of the music, Man On The Moon shows a remarkably fully-formed sound—dark, melodic, spacious—a feat that most unfocused artists strive for their entire career. Mixing the easy thump of hip-hop with the relentlessly introspective sensibility of indie rock, Cudi pushed the boundaries of both worlds, perfectly capturing 2009’s unapologetically creative spirit.

I wholeheartedly agree.  MOTM: TEOD was most definitely the best album of the year.  Congrats, Cudder.  Looking forward to what you have in store for 2010.

[Via DatNewCudi]

Bored?  Got nothing else better to do?  Have (a little) fun with this quick activity that involves your webcam and a piece of paper with a QR code on it.  First click here to view and print the special marker.  Then click here and scroll down to find a box that prompts you to allow access to your webcam.  Then hold up the printed market to the camera and let the fun begin!  Need help setting up?  Watch the video above as a guide to getting started.

[Via DatNewCudi]

Think of it as Entourage set in NYC.  How To Make It in America follows a group of twenty-somethings from Brooklyn chasing their dreams of breaking into the fashion industry in New York City.  It stars Lake Bell, Samaire Armstrong, Scott Mescudi (Kid Cudi), and Bryan Greenberg.  It’s even produced by Entourage‘s Mark Wahlberg.  Producer Rob Weis, also from the Entourage team, has his to say about the upcoming pilot: “This show is a fun ride through the downtown scene, examining the cross section of people and how they relate to the relevant subcultures in NYC.”  How To Make It in America premieres on HBO February 14.

[Via DatNewCudi; Observer]

Rapper Kid Cudi has collaborated again with Bape to create a new Kid Cudi x Milo t-shirt.  Same as before, the release is extremely limited and will only be available at one location.  If you want to get one of these, get ready to stand in line at the Bape store in Los Angeles on December 20 at noon.  Cudi will be there to sign autographs.  The t-shirt sports the same design as the NYC release, except that the cartoon Kid Cudi is now wearing a grey hoodie (from red) and a Baby Milo tee.  Also, the back of the shirt says, “General Cudder says…. Take another shot or you’re soft! Rage!”  If you are in the LA area and want to cop one of these, be sure to get there extra early; take it from personal experience, someone who just missed getting a copy at the NYC Bape store earlier this year.

Update: Sold out.

[Via DatNewCudi]

*MGMT & Ratatat are not in the video due to scheduling conflicts.  Cudi has stated that they may appear in a possible second music video for the song.

Sure, I’ve already posted the music video to Shakira’s “Did It Again” when it first came out.  But here’s a new version featuring Kid Cudi in the remix.  And look at it this way: this just gives you a reason to watch Shakira shake her hips and jump around on a bed again.  Win-win.

She Wolf is in stores now.

[Via KanyeBlog]