As the first fifteen seconds play a familiar melodic tune from Scott Mescudi’s first album ‘Man on the Moon: The End of Day’ I can’t help but feel a sense of utter nostalgia. Scott Mescudi, better known for his stage name Kid Cudi has once again taken the hip hip genre and turned it into something completely different. His fresh blend of dark undertones mixed with his own special ingredient of ingenuity make ‘Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager’ a entirely fresh start.
While keeping with the continuity of his own style and flair he brings us a fantastic sequel to his first album that really ups the ante. With Mary. J Blige lending her vocals to a couple of the tracks this album proves to be a very different album that sets a darker tone then the previous album. Released on November, 9, 2010 the album hit the number three spot on the US Billboard 200 chart and sold 169,000 copies in the first week.
The evolution of Cudi as a individual is poured out onto these seventeen tracks and really shouts out at the struggles he has faced this past year. Earlier in 2010 Kid Cudi was arrested and charged with a felony for criminal mischief and possession of cocaine. After spending a night in jail he apparently reflected and decided to change his drug abuse habit. Since then he has kicked the habit and has been more fueled then ever to “prioritize shit” as he stated in a interview earlier this year. No longer letting his emotions take a backseat to his coke addiction, Kid Cudi has shelled out his greatest work yet.
Opening up with a battle like title “Scott Mescudi Vs. The World” Cudi sets the stage for the audience by asking “What up? How is everyone doing?”. With Cee-Lo Green adding his voice to the track, it becomes certain and soon a mere fact that his new album is chalk full of emotion. Track two “REVOFEV” begins to play and blasts you with the usual Kid Cudi introductory. The music is getting you ready for his trek into sadness, pain and hurt. He sprays the audience the entire time with his demons and doesn’t beat around the bush about his drug addiction.
With the album picking up a faster pace with “Don’t Play This Song” and joined with the saucy voice of Mary. J Blige, Kid Cudi urges the audience “Wanna know what this sound like when I’m not on drugs?/please please don’t play this song r-r-r-r-right r-right r-right right righ/.
With the upbeat tempo and deep lyrical quality, it is obvious Cudi has dealt with emotional instability. The short but sweet “We Aite (Wake Your Mind Up)” is only getting you pumped up for his next track “Marijuana”. As if whispering sweet nothings to a women, Cudi talks about his absolute love for that “pretty green bud”. It’s rather apparent that despite being able to overcome his coke addiction, his love for Mary Jane has not weathered in the storm.
Picking up with his “Mojo So Dope” Cudi drops it rather hard in this emotional gas guzzling song saying “Yes I really drink/ I really do rage my demons at the cage /by most of the day before I became the age to even wage /I was drowning them sorrows with some more E nigga/“. The tune is mysteriously taking it much darker here with a lower tune as well as Cudi laying it down with his lyrics. Kayne West cameos in “Erase Me” for a enjoyable song reminiscent to “Day ‘n’ Nite”. Being one of the first singles Cudi put out, it met with much success.
As I could go over all of this new albums songs and describe all the fantastic lyrics attached them, you will have to check out this great album for yourself. It is a must listen for all hip hop fans as well as anyone wishing to branch out to a whole new kind of music. It’s distinct taste of beats as well as the emotional investment put forth by Kid Cudi makes this one of the best hip hip albums to come out this year.
Check out our other review on the album here.
‘Man on the Moon II: The Legend Of Mr. Rager’ was released on November 9th, 2010