After announcing his retirement in late 2022, Kid Cudi has seemingly experienced an artistic resurrection.
Finding new motivation in his music, the Man On The Moon rapper dropped his potential farewell solo album, INSANO, on Friday (Jan. 12).
Holding 21 tracks and set to feature “multiple deluxes,” star-studded collaborations from Travis Scott, Young Thug, A$AP Rocky, the late-XXXTENTACION, Lil Yachty and more outwardly fuel Cudi’s trap-inspired project.
Cudi previously alluded that the album would tout 40-plus tracks, according to posts on X. “There are 40+ songs on INSANO between the main album and deluxe(s). You’re welcome. 2024 the takeover begins,” he wrote. Cudi also shared four alternate album covers for INSANO, alluding to the multi-LP drop in mid-September.
Of the 40 supposed tracks, “At The Party” featuring Pharrell Williams and Travis Scott (Nov. 3) was a warm reminder of Cudder’s longstanding influence on rap’s current landscape. Trav and P’s last link-up “Down In Atlanta,” mirrors their dance-floor performance on “At The Party” — fitting for the familial occasion of sorts.
Following his verse on UTOPIA’s “LOOOVE,” Cudi went on to mention that he and Travis’ collab album is still in existence and in the works. “It’s def happening at some point,” he said on X. “Don’t even trip.” Travis also appears on the instant fan favorite “Get Off Me,” trading verses with Cudi as “THE SCOTTS” strike gold again. Perhaps it’s not the complete end of Cudi music, but a more selective and restrictive era could follow suit.
Of the many tracks that didn’t make INSANO’s official cut, the atmosperhic “ILL WHAT I BLEED” (Oct. 27) should find its way on the many deluxes Mr. Rager plans to put out.
Working with producers such as BNYX, Dot Da Genius and more, Cudi’s latest album is underscored by his appearance on Lyrical Lemonade’s “Guitar In My Room,” and headlining set at Summer Smash in Chicago last summer.
INSANO was initially slated for release on Sept. 15, but was delayed to January 2024. Cudi assured fans he wanted everything to be “perfect” before he dropped.
Fans also asked Cudi if “Solo Dolo IV” with Playboi Carti would land on the LP, and to their dismay, Carti won’t clear the song which Cudi views as “very weak.” It’s no issue for Scott, though, “because the sh** I have on the album f**king smacks and will your faces will melt,” he posted.
With MOTM3 and his hybrid ENTERGALACTIC project-Netflix series now behind him, it seems likely that Cudi will still retire from music — at least in a solo capacity — after INSANO’s rollout, focusing more on his efforts in film amid earning a lead role in the Disney+ Original Film, Crater.
“The Kid Cudi stuff, I think I want to put it on the back burner and chill out with that. I think, I want to be done with it. I think, I’m closing the chapter on Kid Cudi… I do not see me never making music, I’ll always fuck around in the studio, or make something here and there. But, as far as getting in the studio and working on an album, and then going and touring it, I just don’t have it in me.”
Kid Cudi on retirement, via Zane Lowe
Until then, enjoy INSANO boy in his element.
Check out “INSANO” below!