Kid Cudi was born in Cleveland, Ohio and lived in the diverse upper class suburb of Shaker Heights. Just prior to receiving his GED he attended Shaker Heights High School in Shaker Heights, Ohio and also Solon High School in Solon, Ohio. Cudi first began rapping towards the end of high school, inspired by alternative hip hop groups such as The Pharcyde and A Tribe Called Quest. He moved to Brooklyn, New York to pursue a music career. In July 2008, Kid Cudi released his first mixtape, A Kid Named Cudi, in collaboration with New York street wear brand 10. Deep as a free download in 2008. The mixtape has had so much continued success that on May 18, 2009 10.Deep announced they were going to be doing a re-release of the "Up There" t-shirt and hard copies A Kid Named Cudi mixtape in their webstore on May 20, 2009 at 12:00 PM EST. Shortly after the shirt went up for sale the server crashed due to heavy traffic of fans wanting to buy the t-shirt and the mixtape.
Kid Cudi has a guest feature on Kanye West's 2008 album, 808s & Heartbreak, singing with him on the track Welcome to Heartbreak, providing additional vocals on Paranoid with Mr Hudson and helped with songwriting on the second single Heartless. A music video has been made and released for Welcome to Heartbreak with him in it. He also featured on the song Welcome 2 the World with Kevin Rudolf from his album In The City, and on 88-Keys debut album The Death of Adam on the track Ho' is Short for Honey.
He has been featured in many medias such as XXL and BBC News's Sound of 2009 poll of up-and-coming acts. He has also been featured in Vibe, Complex, The Source, Rolling Stone, URB and Interview magazine.
Kid Cudi first appeared on shows in 2008, when he performed at the 2008 VMA's alongside Travis Barker and DJ AM. On February 17, 2009, Kid Cudi made his TV debut on Snoop Dogg's new MTV talk show Dogg After Dark, performing Day 'n' Nite at the end of the show. Two days later on February 19, 2009, Cudi appeared on BET's 106 & Park with Kanye West to debut the video of Day 'n' Nite . On March 16, 2009 Kid Cudi performed on mtvU's 2009 Spring Break special. On March 17, 2009 Cudi appeared on Last Call with Carson Daly where he performed three songs. Kid Cudi has also made cameo appearances in Solange's video for her song T.O.N.Y. and in the Black Eyed Peas video for I Gotta Feeling.
Kid Cudi, along with Emile, produced an exclusive single called "Switchin Lanes" for the video game Midnight Club: Los Angeles, part of its "South Central Premium Upgrade" Downloadable Content (DLC) which came out March 19, 2009 for the PlayStation 3 and March 27, 2009 for the Xbox 360. He contributed to the soundtrack for Capcom's Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition. The game was released on June 24 2010.
Sky High
Kid Cudi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Back up in the blahs like a poppin' nigga should be
Never ever was a shoulda coulda woulda type
I am controlling what the people say they like
And no not the label this is dream on
Play my songs so you can witness what I'm on
Besides 808’s ok now wait
When you hear my album it won’t be hard to get a date
The product of a suburb is stonecold thorough
Very well ride and most people don’t know though
Hey is that diddy in that photo? (Hell yeah)
Back home they don’t know what I have went through to get to you, ya’ll, everybody!
G.O.O.D. music up in the party
Paparazzi need not bother nobody
The lyrics in Kid Cudi's song "Sky High" are an assertion of the rapper's confidence and a challenge to anyone who doubts his ability. The chorus "Look it I'm G-double-O-D Good, Back up in the blahs like a poppin' nigga should be" is a declaration of Kid Cudi's return to the top of the rap scene, and a statement that he is living up to his reputation as one of the best in the game. He acknowledges that he has control over what people like and reject, and his music will always be a reflection of his beliefs.
Kid Cudi also mentions his unfaltering resolve in his craft with the line "Never ever was a shoulda coulda woulda type, I am controlling what the people say they like", highlighting the fact that he knows his worth and potential and is determined to achieve all he wants. In addition, he claims his success with a matter-of-fact tone: "When you hear my album it won’t be hard to get a date," indicating that he has every confidence in his work and the impact it will have on listeners.
At the end of the song, Kid Cudi pays homage to the team that helped him achieve his success: "Back home they don’t know what I have went through to get to you, ya’ll, everybody! G.O.O.D. music up in the party," acknowledging that he could not have done it alone. The closing line "Paparazzi need not bother nobody" is a sign of his desire for privacy and a reminder that, despite his fame, he is just another human being trying to make his way in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Look it I’m G-double-O-D Good
I am confident in myself, I have high standards for myself and I am good at what I do.
Back up in the blahs like a poppin' nigga should be
I am back in the music industry and doing well, just like any successful artist should be.
Never ever was a shoulda coulda woulda type
I don't regret any of my choices, always moving forward and making the best decisions for myself.
I am controlling what the people say they like
I am dictating what's popular in the music industry, being innovative and creating my own style.
And no not the label this is dream on
I am not doing this for the record label, this is my own dream and passion.
Play my songs so you can witness what I'm on
Listen to my music to understand and witness my unique talent and style.
Besides 808’s ok now wait
Everyone is obsessed with the 808 beats, but just wait and see how creative my music will be.
When you hear my album it won’t be hard to get a date
My music is so good that people will flock to it and want to go on dates with me.
Yes M dub it, I’m Kickdrums strummin', hummin'
I am proud of the music I create, with a unique sound and rhythm that I have created myself.
The product of a suburb is stonecold thorough
Growing up in the suburbs has given me a tough exterior, making me more determined and dedicated to my music.
Very well ride and most people don’t know though
I have overcome many obstacles to be where I am, although most people are unaware of my true struggles.
Hey is that diddy in that photo? (Hell yeah)
I have reached a level of success where I am now respected and even taking photos with other famous artists such as Diddy.
Back home they don’t know what I have went through to get to you, ya’ll, everybody!
People from my hometown are unaware of my struggles and what I have gone through to achieve this level of success.
G.O.O.D. music up in the party
My music is being played at the party and is giving people a good time.
Paparazzi need not bother nobody
I don't need the paparazzi bothering me, I am doing well on my own.
Contributed by Jason O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ray Man
Always randomly rapping this. I think it's my favorite Cudi verse.
déjà vu
please never delete this
joe doe
Thank you for uploading this. The LV’s and Autotune tapes are so hard to find these days. This shit takes me back man. ❤️
PR!V
Took me 7 years of listening and stoning out to this without realizing his damn head is swaying in the pic
Diamond Gaming
Yo, I just realize that Cudi used one of the sounds in this song for MOTM3! My man using even his mixtapes as inspiration
Jorge Hernandez
Which sound
kokroche1
Dive?
Diamond Gaming
If you listen at the very beginning at the 0:08-0:10 mark, he uses a certain tone that's been used for the song 'Dive' for Man on The Moon 3: The Chosen One
kokroche1
@Diamond Gaming I thought I heard a little bit of Dive in there
Dk_0
@Diamond Gaming shoot i don't know if i'm just high or stupid, i can't seen to hear it