Kid Cudi's latest album, INSANO, plunges headfirst into the abyss, and nowhere is that darkness more palpable than on "X & Cud," a haunting collaboration with the voice of the late XXXTentacion.
Ghosts in the Machine: X's Haunted Vocals Steal the Show
X's presence on "X & Cud" is no mere cameo; it's a spectral possession. His vocals float through the track, dripping with the despair and disillusionment that defined his music. Lines like "Smiling faces, hidden agendas / Loyalty's a myth, I guess I'm over it" echo through the sparse soundscape, a chilling reminder of X's tragic reality. Cudi, ever the adept navigator of emotional shadows, seamlessly complements X's anguish with his own introspective murmurs.
Sonic Desolation: A Soundtrack for Broken Trust
"X & Cud" is a sonic mirror reflecting the shattered remains of trust. Sparse piano chords and echoing synths create a sense of emptiness, punctuated by the ghostlike shimmer of electronic flourishes. It's a minimalist arrangement that amplifies the raw vulnerability of the vocals, leaving the listener awash in a tide of melancholic introspection.
Beyond the Hype: A Respectful Collaboration or Exploitative Cash Grab?
With posthumous collaborations becoming increasingly common, the ethical considerations surrounding their creation loom large. "X & Cud" navigates this delicate terrain with commendable care. The track feels like a genuine artistic exchange, not a shameless exploitation of X's legacy. Cudi doesn't try to imitate X; instead, he allows his own darkness to mingle with X's, creating a shared space of emotional desolation.
A Haunting Echo in the INSANO Landscape
While "X & Cud" stands out on INSANO for its sheer emotional intensity, it's not the only song worth exploring. The album itself is a journey through Cudi's own personal labyrinth, grappling with anxiety, depression, and the ever-present shadows of the past. "X & Cud," however, serves as a potent reminder that these shadows sometimes take on unfamiliar shapes, whispering cautionary tales through the voices of lost souls.
"X & Cud" is not for the faint of heart. It's a song that confronts the darkest corners of our human experience, offering no easy answers but instead amplifying the raw emotions that reside there. For those willing to face the abyss, the song offers a hauntingly beautiful glimpse into the depths of despair, where hope flickers faintly but stubbornly perseveres.
Lyrical Analysis:
The overall tone of the lyrics is a bittersweet blend of despair and defiance. X's intro opens with a raw cry of existential pain and yearning for an end to the suffering. Cudi picks up the thread in the first verse, painting a picture of internal struggle and isolation within a "maze" of his own thoughts. Despite the hopelessness, there's a flicker of resilience in his determination to "amend" and find solace in memories of his father.
However, the bridge with X brings back the stark disillusionment with "fake friends" and the heavy burden of facing one's demons alone. Cudi returns in the second verse, channeling a Cleveland-born grit and hustle, refusing to "cower" and pushing on with his rap game even amidst internal turmoil. The references to smoking and "poppin' them pills" hint at self-destructive coping mechanisms in the face of emotional pain.
Throughout the song, the image of Cudi running his "mission" while feeling "bummy" and yearning for comfort with a blunt and a gun captures the conflicting desires for success and release. The final lines about filming Reels and popping pills suggest a numbness and dissociation from the pain, a bittersweet coping mechanism in the face of an uncertain future.
Ultimately, the lyrics offer a glimpse into the complex emotional landscape of artists grappling with mental health and external pressures. While laced with sadness and negativity, there's also an undercurrent of determination and a search for solace in one's passions and personal connections.
Listen to X & Cud
You can stream X &Cud below:
Kid Cudi - X & Cud Lyrics:
[Intro: XXXTENTACION]
The pain in my heart just won't end
The words that I find just don't seem to compare
Awaitin' my death in the end
Alone, I must seek out the end to begin
[Verse 1: Kid Cudi]
Mine is the maze thinkin' 'bout what I can't change
Devil's on my head and I don't want to worry, my friends
They told me, "Say somethin'," don't think they'd understand
I'ma choose the goods with my daddy left wounded, amend
Livin' out a life surrounded by lines, I try, I know
Sayin' goodbye, but you stuck in my mind, the sun done went away, oh
Haven't seen the hoes I tried, burn this blunt of mine, oh, with teary eyes
Search and you will find you, yeah, ay-oh
[Bridge: XXXTENTACION]
So nobody wants death 'cause nobody wants life to end
I'm the only one stressed and the only one tired of havin' fake friends
Faced my fears, can't keep love at all
[Verse 2: Kid Cudi]
Will he cower? Never, ever, Cleveland City
Born a grinder, watch him rippin', can't stop him
Came in filthy, double R, what? Rappin' for him
Keep the flow up, bumpin' camp low, a color genie
Born in Greedy City, this nigga had his weedies on
Runnin' my mission up and God, hella thot
Them niggas lunchin', dawg, don't care about y'all
See, I'm off and I'm finished, so I'm goin' high up
You can't tell me nothin', you could never
In my Varcity sleeves leather, know I'll do it better
And it stings, it seems, proper bummy ever leaves
So I just need my blunt and my gun to cuddle and love
I'm done with the deal, got Nikes back on my heels
Call up my nigga, see you while tourin', pack up, we kill
And it's pictures on Reels, we get to poppin' them pills
You see they jockin' 'em still, nigga, I'm doin' it ill
X & Cud Meaning
The song's overall tone is a bittersweet blend of despair and defiance. X's intro sets the stage with a raw cry of existential pain and yearning for an end to suffering. Cudi picks up the thread in the first verse, painting a picture of internal struggle and isolation within a "maze" of his own thoughts. Despite the hopelessness, there's a flicker of resilience in his determination to "amend" and find solace in memories of his father.
X & Cud Specific Lyric Analysis:
"The pain in my heart just won't end / The words that I find just don't seem to compare": X expresses his deep emotional pain and feels like he can't adequately express it in words.
"Mine is the maze thinkin' 'bout what I can't change": Cudi feels trapped in a cycle of negative thoughts and struggles to find a way out.
"Devil's on my head and I don't want to worry, my friends / They told me, 'Say somethin',' don't think they'd understand": Cudi feels isolated and misunderstood by his friends, even though they encourage him to talk about his problems.
"Livin' out a life surrounded by lines, I try, I know": Cudi feels trapped and restricted by the expectations placed upon him as a successful rapper.
"Faced my fears, can't keep love at all": X has confronted his demons but finds it difficult to maintain meaningful relationships.
"Will he cower? Never, ever, Cleveland City / Born a grinder, watch him rippin', can't stop him": Cudi exhibits defiance and determination, refusing to give up despite his hardships.
"I'm done with the deal, got Nikes back on my heels": Cudi expresses a desire to break free from the music industry and reclaim his individuality.
"And it stings, it seems, proper bummy ever leaves": Cudi acknowledges the emotional toll of his lifestyle and the sadness that always lingers.
"So I just need my blunt and my gun to cuddle and love": Cudi turns to unhealthy coping mechanisms to numb his pain.
"X & Cud" is a raw and emotional song that offers a glimpse into the darkness and light of living with mental health struggles in the public eye. The song is a powerful testament to the human spirit's capacity for resilience and hope, even in the face of unimaginable pain.