True Kid Cudi fans know that Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven was both a necessary step in the artist's creative journey and an arguably ahead-of-its-time dabble in free-flowing experimentation that, still to this day, doesn't get the widespread praise it so clearly deserves.
Upon its release in late 2015, critics—the bulk of whom have likely never in their lives created a piece of art they could call their own—were quick to pounce by way of unjustly dismissing the 26-track album.
Now, thanks to a fan's tweeted appreciation of the album as a "classic," Cudi has shared some personal reflections on this era of his career and given his take on artists' responsibility to seek out the new in favor of simply retreading the same tired ground over and over again.
During the writing and recording of the album, Cudi said Thursday, he was going through "some real shit" that he now recognizes as some of his "darkest" times. "I just wanted to scream and yell and make angry songs," he said. "It was the only I could express what I was feeling at the time."
Cudi later added that he doesn't spend energy pondering shit like sales, noting that—while he of course wants his albums to do well—he's still making music he can be proud of either way.
And perhaps most quotably and inspiringly, Cudi detailed the job of the artist.
"That's always been my mission," he explained. "To provide new experiences. I always hoped people would see that."
It's not the first time Cudi has looked back at the album and the negative reviews it received. Back in 2016, Cudi called the project "the most important album right now."
Speedin Bullet 2 Heaven is the most important album right now in existance. In 5 years, maybe sooner, ull see its impact.
Earlier this month, a fan who got Cudi to sign his arm at ComplexCon had the autograph turned into a full-blown tattoo. Fuck yeah.
