Kid Cudi Feels "Slept On As A Rapper" & Talks Pop Smoke Collab On "MOTMIII"

BY Erika Marie 6.5K Views
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Kid Cudi, Pop Smoke, Skepta, Man On The Moon III, Show Out, Lyricist
Cudi explained why he felt it was necessary to take risks on his latest project.

By now, many of you have already streamed Kid Cudi's Man On The Moon III: The Chosen. A core goal for Cudi on this project was to showcase his lyricism; something that he was motivated to do following a conversation with Travis Scott while they were recording the collaborative single, "The Scotts." Cudi recently spoke with Zane Lowe about his latest project and said he chose to drop more bars this time around because he doesn't feel he gets respected in the industry as a rap artist.

"I felt like, in Hip Hop, I'm slept on as a rapper," said Cudi. "As a lyricist. I really wanted to elevate my whole sh*t on that front on this project. I did that with the rapping and the singing. Everything has kinda evolved and the added little sprinkle of ad-libs. Something I've never really done before, either. I was able to do it in my own little way so it remains authentic."

MOTMIII boasts a collaboration with Skepta and the late Pop Smoke on his track "Show Out." It is the first time Cudi has had a posthumous appearance on one of his albums. "It was powerful," Cudi said. "I talked to Steven Victor about this when he first recorded this song. He had thought of me on it. Steven had thought of me on it." After hearing the track, Cudi knew that he needed the song because it's a sound the world had never heard him tackle as an artist. "Skepta sounds amazing, Pop Smoke sounds amazing. This would be so unexpected. I think I can be on this and I could hold it down and do my thing."

Check out Cudi and Lowe's must-watch interview below and listen to Cudi, Pop Smoke, and Skepta's "Show Out."


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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