The Cudder is back! I've been a fan since Day n Nite back in the late 2000's. That song had an amazing UK Garage remix that was more popular than the original. The streets loved Cudi over here. His debut album went quadruple platinum in 2009 and his pursuit of happiness single went diamond (10x platinum)! At this point the Kid's influence covers music, movies, TV shows and fashion. With 9 studio albums in the bank and a list of accolades It's been one impressive career. 

I always appreciate an alternative rap style and would count Cudi as a pioneer. I know the likes of Bone Thugs came before him and they also hail from Cudi's home town. They obviously had an impact on him. But Cudi was more successful with his distinctive and harmonic rapping-come-singing cadence. I don't think there is a direct comparison to the Ohio native and I believe he helped pave the way for the melodic rap sub-genre that we have today. With that said, It's quite poetic that Insano features Travis Scott, Young Thug and Lil Yachty. All artists who must have been inspired by the Cudder.

There's also a collaboration with the late XXXTENTACION, which is something special purely because we won't be getting new music from X. On top of the younger generation being on board, Insano also has veterans like Pharrell Williams and Lil Wayne in attendance. As if the cast wasn't star studded enough already.

Production wise, Cudi works his magic behind the boards and collaborates heaviliy with Jean-Baptiste as well as a number of others. The result is a sound that is gloriously eclectic and flavoursome. For me, the Cudi brand is synonymous with fun. I could even go as far as saying he makes pop music and I don't think that's a reach especially when you consider his commercial success.

Considering the fact that Kid Cudi has mass appeal, Insano has some surprisingly hardcore elements to it. The decision to get DJ Drama doing adlibs is one that paid dividends for Tyler the Creator on his Flower Boy album. Drama works his magic once again, helping to give Insano an underground mixtape feel.

Keep Bouncin' makes me think of that nightclub scene in the Blade movie. The one with a packed crowd dancing to a thundering EDM track whilst blood sprinkles from the ceiling. A$AP Rocky spills his sauce (pause) on Wow and helps Cudi to make the kind of track you want to sing with a stranger at a festival as you try not to spill your beer. Electrowavebaby makes me want to roll one up and puff on a ziggy.

Insano is the sound of a master craftsman at work. Honestly, the music is so good this might just be in the conversation for album of the year! Use my link to sign up for an Apple Music subscription and cop that INSANO!