I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say Kid Cudi is the voice of his generation. His career is one of particular interest for many. His ability to connect with his audience on an emotional level is unparalleled, and his empathetic skill is evident in all of his music. Today, Cudder is back with a brand new single, and he’s back in his bag again.
“Leader of The Delinquents” is a reminder that the era of classic-Cudi vibes is far from over. Speedin’ Bullet 2 Heaven and Passion, Pain, and Demon Slayin’ proved to be interesting projects, but perhaps a step in a different creative direction for Kid Cudi. I had heard many arguments that Kid Cudi‘s best music resided in his earlier projects. However, upon hearing this new release I was overjoyed at the apparent presence of trademark Cudi elements. It’s a major step in the right direction for one of the greatest talents of our lifetime and a sign that the best is yet to come. Upon checking the song credits on Spotify, I found that the song was produced by Dot Da Genius (a frequent Cudi collaborator) and Arkateqq (a low-key, yet majorly talented composer). This instantly made me wonder who this Arkateqq was- I had to reach out to him to learn more. Shortly after dm-ing him, I was granted a quick and friendly response. He explained that he had composed the beat nine years ago. After becoming acquaintances with Dot Da Genius, they gradually worked on the drums for years. During this quarantine, just last week, Kid Cudi decided to record over the beat and ultimately release it shortly thereafter. I think there couldn’t have been a more appropriate time for Cudi to release something new. In fragile and testing times like these, the world needs creative guidance. Last night, I was watching Dave Chappelle‘s award ceremony for the Mark Twain award on Netflix. One of his friends made a speech mentioning his role in the aftermath of the tragic Dayton mass-shooting, focusing on how important the role of creatives is in such a time. Dave had arranged a fundraising Hip-Hop show with some legendary acts, using his knack for music and connections to help give back. I can’t help but feel a connection in that notion to this new Kid Cudi release. He has always been a guiding light for our generation, and just like his fellow Ohio native Dave Chappelle, he has just demonstrated care and creative drive at a time where our community needs it most. Thank you Kid Cudi. Take a listen for yourself below, and enjoy!
