After announcing his “retirement” in late 2022, Kid Cudi has experienced an artistic resurrection.
Finding new motivation in his music, the Man On The Moon rapper has revealed his upcoming studio album, INSANO, will drop in January 2024, will feature 40-plus tracks and “multiple deluxes,” according to Cudi 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, Cudi shared the album’s latest single “At The Party” featuring Pharrell Williams and Travis Scott (Nov. 3). Trav and P’s last link-up “Down In Atlanta,” seems to mirror their dance-floor performance on “At The Party” — fitting for the occasion. P’s production is the star of the show, as his opening verse lends to sounds that sees THE SCOTTS in their spacious element.
Prior to this, he dropped the atmosperhic “ILL WHAT I BLEED” (Oct. 27). Followed by his stunning performance on Lyrical Lemonade’s “Guitar In My Room,” the track is a whirlwind of astro-Cudi sounds. Commanded by producer and frequent collaborator Dot Da Genius — who boasts a rather prolific catalog with Cudi (“The Scott’s,” “Leader of the Deliquents” etc.) — “ILL WHAT I BLEED” sees Cudder take on his signature spaceman vibes, employing heavy auto-crooning that covers his atmospheric vocals. He keeps it robust and “simple,” garnering greater hype for INSANO by droning off multiple “Insano boy” ad-libs as the track opens.
Dropping its lead single “PORSCHE TOPLESS” on June 2, Cudi initially confirmed that both Scott and Young Thug will be featured on the record, which is reportedly headed by DJ Drama. Also set to include Pusha T and A$AP Rocky, INSANO was initially slated for release on Sept. 15, but has since been delayed to January 2024. Cudi explained that he wants to make sure the album is “perfect” for longtime fans.
Following his verse on UTOPIA’s “LOOOVE,” Cudi went on to mention that he and Travis’ collab album THE SCOTTS is still in the works. “It’s def happening at some point,” he said on X. “Don’t even trip.” Along with Travis, Pharrell and Thug, A$AP Rocky, Wiz Khalifa and more will also be featured on INSANO.
Fans also asked Cudi if “Solo Dolo IV” with Playboi Carti will 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.
After fans voiced their “opinions” on the “FLEX” teaser, Cudi switched gears entirely — dropping the album’s lead single “PROSCHE TOPLESS” with Working On Dying producer BNYX. The Yeat collaborator is hinted to have a large role for Cudi’s forthcoming LP, as “PORSCHE TOPLESS” is a true summertime jam, and more notably a rare pop deviation for the trap experimentalist BNYX.
With INSANO in sight, Cudi headlined Lyrical Lemonade’s fifth annual Summer Smash festival in Chicago this past June. Following MOTM3 and his hybrid ENTERGALACTIC project-Netflix series, it seems likely that Cudi will still retire from music after this album, 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
With a departure from music still looming, long-time Cudi fans will certainly relish in the rapper’s (potentially) final studio album at the top of 2024.
This story will be updated.
Check out “INSANO” below!
