Kid Cudi Signs to Universal Motown
G.O.O.D. Music recording artist Kid Cudi will rub elbows with the likes of Busta Rhymes, Akon, and Asher Roth, among others, at his new home on Universal Motown, the label announced today.
The rapper, born Scott Mescudi, is a “born storyteller who brings a positive, life-affirming message to his brilliant lyrical flow and compelling music,” according to label president Sylvia Rhone.
“[Cudi] crosses musical boundaries with an appeal that goes beyond genre, format, race, language, and culture. He is a breath of fresh air—a dynamic and important new voice, not only in the next phase of hip-hop, but as a groundbreaking trendsetter who represents the future,” Rhone said in a statement. “I am thrilled to welcome Kid Cudi into the Universal Motown family.”
A native of Ohio, Cudi first garnered worldwide attention with his multi-format breakout record, “Day ‘N’ Nite,” which will appear on his debut album, Man on the Moon: The Guardians. The project, set for release in late summer, will launch on G.O.O.D./Universal Motown, as well as the rapper’s own label, Dream On. The label is a joint venture with G.O.O.D. Music and is also headed by partners Emile and Plain Pat, who produced Cudi’s first mixtape, A Kid Named Cudi.
Fellow rapper and G.O.O.D. Music founder Kanye West also added his sentiments on Cudi’s latest accomplishment. “Cudi is a combination of constant inspiration, struggle, reality, and dreams put to melody!” West said.
“Day ‘N’ Nite” is currently No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100.
–Georgette Cline