Kid Cudi Talks Auto-Tune And ‘808s & Heartbreak’

Complex: How much have you contributed to Kanye’s album? Have you been helping write it or what?

Kid Cudi: It’s a collective effort. It’s not like; where like I’m sitting in a room writing songs. It’s more like brainstorming and, you know, helping out with the inspiration and creativity and putting words together. Making sure the stuff fits right.

Complex: What’s the hardest part about being a new artist?

Kid Cudi: Hate, hate, hate, and more hate. People just being one track-minded, and not trying to understand. Like, People hate on Kanye’s new shit, like, his new album or whatever. I’ve been reading some hateful remarks about it. It’s like 50/50; some people love it, some people hate the shit. This is my message to tell people: you can’t keep somebody from growing. To want to only hear Kanye West [sound] like College Dropout, Graduation, Late Registration, that’s selfish. If you’re a real fan of that artist, you want to hear that artists grow. If you listen to Graduation, if you listen to College Dropout, there’s a noticeable growth. You want to hear that growth. You want to be able to like see that shit. Just like watching TV, and a child star started off mad young in the show and like five seasons later they’re grown as fuck'you watch that person grow up on TV like you see me grow up through my music.

People be like, “Man, I don’t know about this singing shit. He need to start rapping again.” Like, fam, if you’re a real fan? You just fucking embrace it because it’s new, different, and refreshing. Why can’t we keep it moving? It’s all about the future. Even when we see artists doing the retro shit, it’s like retro-esque, but it’s still progressive. The next shit. There’s definitely inspiration from the retro shit in the '80s and all that stuff, but it’s still progressive, it’s still next level shit. And I really believe that fans should stop that and just really be open-minded. And be ready to embrace the next shit. Because especially with me, if you like my shit, you better be ready to hear some next level shit because I’m taking it there, and I’m not ashamed. I’m ready to take risks and that’s what life is all about. Love me or hate me, I’m here and I’m not going nowhere. That’s what it is.

Complex: When making music, you and Kanye both seem to be living by the mantra “less is more,” between the melodies and the words that you choose. Do you think that’s true?

Kid Cudi: I do think it’s important to make shit simplistic enough to make people to get it. If a doctor comes up to you explaining the condition that you have in all doctor terminology, and you’re not a doctor, you’re like, “What? Just tell me what’s wrong.” Don’t tell the technical, medical jargon. What’s wrong? That’s what I’m doing. Explaining to the people what’s wrong with my world. Where my thoughts are, and what I’m trying to accomplish in my life. Where I’m at, and where I’m trying to go, but in the realest way possible. Because I don’t care what anybody say, I consider myself a real dude. And not on like street, real. I’m like real overall. I’m just real with myself. I’m comfortable with who I am. And I never fake for anybody. What you see is what you get.

Complex: What was going on in your life when you were doing records like “Day N Night”?

Kid Cudi: Just a lot of personal hardships I was going through. I mean, you name it, I was dealing with it at that time. And it was dope to get all those feelings out. And I’m still going through stuff, you know? That’s why the album is coming along so good. Because the album is just built up with a lot of personal experiences and personal journeys that I’ve taken. And I think a lot of people would be able to reference with the shits that I’m talking about.

Complex: One last thing'you were recently spotted rocking a pair of Air Yeezys. Do you really have your own pair?

Kid Cudi: Those were borrowed and given back. [Laughs.] But I never asked him for a pair. I just asked to borrow ‘em. But Kanye is very cool and generous.

Complex: What do you think about the design?

Kid Cudi: I’m not lying'it’s probably the most comfortable shoe I’ve ever worn. Because it’s like so much cushion it’s just like…it’s comfortable as shit. I was actually surprised because it was a prototype. But they actually designed it like a real shoe and as far as like detail, the comfort, and the design to it…they were very, very comfortable.

Complex: Since they’re not out yet, do you have any feedback about how they could change them?

Kid Cudi: I’m just ready to do an Air Yeezy x Kid Cudi edition colorway. That’s what I’m talking about.

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