Kid Cudi: Puzzling (2011 Cover Story)

Do you still go out?
Like, party a bit?

Well not “party,” but do you go drink or—

I can still sip my whiskey but I control my intake of liquor. I just don’t like the way it makes me feel [to be out-of-control drunk]. The reason it was so easy for me to quit smoking weed was because I stopped liking the way it made me feel. I didn’t like being one foot in, one foot out of reality. Especially in this business where you’ve got to watch the snakes in the grass. I could be blitzed out of my skull and somebody might be plotting to snuff me in the club. I really like being more alert.

I go out every once in a while. Not as much as I used to. Particularly in L.A., it’s tough because of the paparazzi. Even though it’s not going to happen, they’re waiting to see me fucking stumble out of a club again.

Speaking of L.A., much of your attention recently has been on acting.
I’ve always been interested in acting, but it didn’t seem as realistic of a goal for me. It’s awesome how it came about organically. It came out of nowhere, and it’s dope that my music career and How to Make It took off at the same time. I feel ridiculously blessed to have this opportunity to do this show.

Your music is a personal expression, but with acting you’re channeling someone else. How does that compare, in terms of creative satisfaction?
I get the same thrills with acting that I do when I’m on stage. When I’m on stage I’m like this maestro all throughout the night. I’m more animated than how I am in real life. The same with acting. It just comes off natural because it’s literally just me thinking about people I knew when I was coming up in New York that are like Domingo. He has all these different hustles. You see him at parties. You don’t know what he does but he’s with all these models. He has all this positive energy all the time. And I envy people like that because when you meet those people it’s like, “Man, does this person ever have a rough day?” [Laughs.]

Acting, guitar, bingeing, sobriety, breakups, shake-ups—you’ve come a long way since your first Complex cover two years ago. Where do you think you’re gonna be two years from now?
I wanna be taking it easy. I wanna be hanging out with my daughter. I’ve been working, working, working since I got in this business. My mom tells me I work too much, and she could be right. I just want to be able to take a break and raise my kid.

I’m always going to be working on something because I have too many ideas. Every day I come up with some wild fucking idea, some type of scheme. I feel like I have a purpose and if I don’t create then I’m letting myself down. I’ve been given this opportunity for people to listen to me worldwide. I’m just gonna fucking keep rocking and keep rocking and keep rocking until I’m in a wheelchair somewhere.

ADDITIONAL CREDITS:
(PROP STYLING) Nanci Bennett. (PROP PHOTOGRAPHY) Cameron Priestley. (GROOMING) Cheri Keating/Wall Group. FIRST, FOURTH & SIXTH IMAGE: Jacket & Sweater by Dior Homme / Jeans by Balenciaga / Gloves & Cuff by Hermès / Watch by Rolex. SECOND IMAGE: Sweater by Louis Vuitton / Shirt by Surface to Air. THIRD, FIFTH & COVER IMAGE: T-Shirt by Dolce & Gabbana / Jeans by Balenciaga / Necklace by Ambush Design / Cuff by Hermès / Watch by Rolex.