KiD CuDi is the Man on the Moon

By Michelle Keenan

In a world where over-produced hip hop MC’s tend to steal the limelight, KiD CuDi (aka Scott Mescudi) is all about cool and simplicity.  As down to earth as you can get, KiD CuDi loves cheeseburgers and beer, not designer kicks and bling.

Choosing Australia for his first international tour, KiD CuDi played alongside Ro Sham Bo at La Campana in Sydney’s Spanish district. DJ’s Jimmy Sing, Spruce Lee, Moriarty and Sleater Brockman (Ro Sham Bo) played both before and after KiD CuDi on the night. 

The small, low-key venue enabled KiD CuDi to play a chilled and laidback gig. A few chants of ‘KiD CuDi’ and ‘Fool’s Gold’ began his set. His music was a mixture of RnB, hip hop and rock, and with diverse musical influences including Al Green and Queen, KiD CuDi is a breath of fresh air in the hip hop industry. The song ‘CuDi Spazzin’ was quick and fun. ‘Dat New New’ was a more mellow choice, and the audience seemed to enjoy his style. This continued with his other songs. ‘Maui Wowee’ was cruisey, while his own version of M.I.A.’s Paper Planes was playful and cheeky.

His songs are personal, with catchy and smooth melodies. When he sings, there is a realness and calmness about him, which is echoed through his lyrics.

Some of his lyrics are even haunting. His song ‘Day N Nite’ received the biggest crowd reaction, due to its recent popularity. ‘Day N Nite’ stands apart from other current hip hop songs about bling and bitches. It is about loneliness, being restless and finding hope:"The lonely stoner seems to free his mind at night/He's all alone, some things will never change" and "I look for peace but see I don't attain…Madness the magnet keeps attracting me."

Originally from Cleveland, KiD CuDi moved to Brooklyn 3 years ago. After meeting G.O.O.D Music A&R figure Plain Pat (who has worked with Kanye West), he was eventually signed to Fool’s Gold, also home to Cool Kids and Kid Sister. There is a definite mid-west flavour to his music, mixed with his adopted NYC style. It is an interesting combination, but it works. 

It works so well that he has been described as an artist to look out for in the “Best Indie Hip-Hop” category in Rolling Stone’s “Best of Rock 2008” magazine. Magazines like Fader and URB have also given him positive reviews.

Towards the end of the La Campana performance (with Latino beats going on next door), he stepped off the small stage into the audience. True to his easy-going nature, he sang amongst the crowd, and thanked and hugged them.

He didn’t sing ‘Love Stoned Freestyle’ but it was definitely a solid, intimate night of music. No fan fare, just good music and a good sound. That’s what indie hip hop is all about.

KiD CuDi is currently working on his LP Man on the Moon.