Kid Cudi indicated more albums with Kanye West are coming, along with a new TV show and A.P.C. collab in the works earlier this summer in a cover story with Billboard. Now, the revered Cleveland artist is under the spotlight once more, this time opening up about his music, mental health and life in a new profile with GQ, following his triumphant return with Kids See Ghosts back in June.
Read on a few takeaways from the conversation below, and for its entirety, head on over to GQ.
On Kids See Ghosts being a departure from his signature emo midwesterner tune...
"I chose to write the light. Me and Kanye both agreed that we wanted to create a spiritual album. I know kids are used to hearing me talk about darkness, but I'm living in the light now."
On harboring suicidal thoughts when struggling with depression in October 2016...
"I was thinking of ways to do it. It scared me straight. What scared me was that my mind was willing to go there. After all these years."
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, there are resources to help you. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free, and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones. You can call directly at 1-800-273-8255. In the UK, you can contact Samaritans at 116-123.
On his current emotional and physical state...
"I'm not battling any demons right now. Thank God."
On his 2016 single "Surfin'," from Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin' produced by Pharrell Williams...
"I don't know if Pharrell will work with me again, because those songs didn't do what they were supposed to do. The label didn't do the right thing."
On fatherhood...
"I'm the greatest fort builder ever. That's what my daughter says. I'm really good, and I pride myself on it... I can see my traits in her, but she's her own person. She's just a ball of love. She's always happy. That's a blessing, ya know?"
Cudder also shared the featured GQ story via Twitter and addressed a user's question, informing his loyal fanbase that he's currently working on a new album that will hopefully release sometime in 2019.
Now, in an accompanying GQ segment, watch Kid Cudi break down his most iconic tracks.
Also, Kid Cudi and Kanye West will be headlining Tyler, the Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw 2018, beginning November 10.
