Kid Cudi: The Pursuit Paid Off

Summary

Call Her Daddy Podcast Summary: Episode Featuring Kid Cudi – "The Pursuit Paid Off"

Release Date: August 13, 2025

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Introduction

In this compelling episode of Call Her Daddy, host Alex Cooper sits down with renowned artist Kid Cudi (real name Scott Mescudi) to delve deep into his personal journey, struggles, and triumphs. The conversation offers listeners an intimate glimpse into Kid Cudi’s life beyond his music, highlighting his resilience and continuous pursuit of happiness.

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Identity and Personal Branding

Alex Cooper opens the discussion by addressing Kid Cudi's potential shift in identity, questioning whether he might drop the "Kid" from his moniker to embrace a new phase in his career.

• Alex Cooper [05:20]: "What should I call you today?"
• Kid Cudi [05:21]: "You can call me Scott."

Kid Cudi contemplates the possibility of rebranding as "Scott" to differentiate his personal life from his public persona, indicating a desire for authenticity and evolution in his artistry.

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Fashion Evolution

The conversation transitions to Kid Cudi’s unique fashion sense and how it has evolved over the years.

• Kid Cudi [06:48]: "Since I turned 40, I've been trying to find a balance of just, like, real casual, but, like, rock star."

He discusses his shift from vibrant hair colors and bold outfits to a more subdued yet distinctive style, emphasizing his love for vintage clothing to maintain uniqueness.

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Friendships and Genuine Relationships

A significant portion of the episode highlights Kid Cudi’s friendship with actor Timothy Chalamet, showcasing the depth and authenticity of their bond.

• Kid Cudi [10:13]: "The best quality about Timmy is that he's super genuine. Timmy is always Timmy with me."

Cudi shares heartfelt anecdotes about their friendship, illustrating how it transcends industry connections and is rooted in mutual support and genuine care.

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Memoir and Early Life

Kid Cudi provides insights into his forthcoming memoir, "Becoming Kid Cudi," where he reflects on his childhood, the impact of his father's death, and his journey through fame and personal struggles.

• Kid Cudi [18:22]: "Before my father died when I was 11, I was a really happy kid."
• Kid Cudi [22:18]: "I felt that it was perfect because it was set the tone for the book."

He recounts memories from his early years, the influence of his parents, and the pivotal moment of losing his father at a young age, which profoundly affected his emotional development and outlook on life.

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Relationship with Family

Cudi delves into his relationship with his parents, particularly the respectful yet distant relationship with his father, and the close bond with his mother.

• Kid Cudi [23:50]: "The divorce didn't rock me because I saw my mom and dad still have respect for each other, which is rare."

He explains how these familial dynamics shaped his understanding of love and relationships, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and support.

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Rise to Fame and Its Challenges

Discussing his transition from a struggling artist to a successful musician, Kid Cudi reflects on the unexpected nature of fame and its impact on his personal life.

• Kid Cudi [46:58]: "I wasn't prepared for that energy. I wasn't at the time built for it."

He shares experiences of early fan interactions that left him feeling uncomfortable and isolated, contributing to his struggles with substance abuse as a coping mechanism.

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Struggles with Addiction and Mental Health

A candid discussion unfolds about Kid Cudi’s battle with addiction, his use of cocaine as a means to manage the pressures of fame, and the dark period leading up to his rock-bottom moment.

• Kid Cudi [61:27]: "The first time I tried cocaine, it felt like nothing I had ever felt before. It was fucking magical."

He narrates his descent into substance abuse, the impact on his life and career, and the eventual realization that led him to seek help and enter rehab.

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Recovery and Rehabilitation

Kid Cudi speaks openly about his time in rehab, the therapeutic processes he underwent, and the transformative effect it had on his mental health and personal growth.

• Kid Cudi [70:58]: "It was freeing for me. I was able to be nicer to myself."

He describes how therapy sessions helped him confront and release long-held anger, fostering self-acceptance and paving the way for a healthier outlook on life.

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Marriage and Personal Fulfillment

The episode takes a joyous turn as Kid Cudi shares the heartfelt story of meeting his wife, Lola, their unique courtship, and their memorable wedding.

• Kid Cudi [82:19]: "We met while I was doing a fitting at Virgil Abloh's first Louis Vuitton show in Paris. I saw her, approached her, and knew she was the one."

He recounts the proposal in Kyoto, emphasizing the love and commitment that Lola brought into his life, transforming him into a more complete and peaceful individual.

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New Album: "Free"

Concluding the episode, Kid Cudi discusses his latest album, "Free," which embodies his journey towards joy and self-acceptance while reflecting on past struggles.

• Kid Cudi [95:15]: "It's really just bringing people into where I am now at this place in time, the joy I feel, but also talking about reflecting on past struggles and how I overcame them."

The album is described as a blend of love songs inspired by his wife and anthems celebrating overcoming adversity, marking a new chapter in his musical career.

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Conclusion

Alex Cooper wraps up the interview by expressing admiration for Kid Cudi's transparency and growth, reinforcing his status as an inspiring figure for many.

• Alex Cooper [98:26]: "Thank you for coming on Call Her Daddy. It was truly a pleasure."
• Kid Cudi [99:11]: "Thank you so much for having me."

The episode serves as a testament to Kid Cudi’s resilience, his journey through darkness to find happiness, and his continuous evolution both personally and artistically.

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Notable Quotes

• Kid Cudi [06:48]: "I'm trying to find a balance of just, like, real casual, but, like, rock star."
• Kid Cudi [23:50]: "The divorce didn't rock me because I saw my mom and dad still have respect for each other, which is rare."
• Kid Cudi [61:27]: "The first time I tried cocaine, it felt like nothing I had ever felt before. It was fucking magical."
• Kid Cudi [70:58]: "It was freeing for me. I was able to be nicer to myself."
• Kid Cudi [82:19]: "We met while I was doing a fitting at Virgil Abloh's first Louis Vuitton show in Paris. I saw her, approached her, and knew she was the one."

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This episode of Call Her Daddy offers a profound exploration of Kid Cudi's life, providing valuable lessons on overcoming adversity, the importance of genuine relationships, and the pursuit of personal happiness. Through his honest and heartfelt narration, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the man behind the music.

Transcript

[Alex Cooper]

Hi, Daddy gang, it is your father. I am so excited that Caller Daddy has officially joined the Sirius XM family. I cannot wait to talk to new guests and continue to share my crazy personal stories and experiences with you every single week. If you want to hear new episodes ad free, subscribe to Sirius XM podcasts plus on Apple Podcasts or visit siriusxm.com podcastsplus to start your free trial today. Haagen Dazs is made to be savored and enjoyed slowly introducing new Haagen Dazs Belgian Waffle Cones, a completely new experience that's worth slowing down for. I don't know about you guys, but, like, I grew up on Haagen Dazs, okay? Every single night, my mom and I would make ourselves a bowl of Haagen Dazs. We would sit down and we would turn on Gray's Anatomy, and it has not changed. With four delicious flavors to choose from, it's hard to pick a favorite, honestly. But summer berry flavor is giving main character energy. Picture a crispy Belgian waffle cone full of Haagen Dazs smooth strawberry ice cream topped with white and milk chocolate curls and finished with raspberry sauce at the bottom. Yeah. Yeah, that's what I'm gonna have. That's. That's what I want right now. I need to stop talking and go get that. The strawberry ice cream screams summer, and the raspberry sauce is like a little surprise treat at the end. I personally am obsessed with the summer berry Belgian waffle cone. I am someone that probably wants to have ice cream twice. I sometimes, you know, keep it to one, but if I could, I would just keep it going and have it for every meal. So, Daddy gang, I love a good summer berry. What do you like? New Haagen Dazs Belgian waffle Cones, available at retailers nationwide. Call Her Daddy is brought to you by Tinder. Meeting new people just got way more fun. Because now you don't have to do it alone. With Tinder's new Double date feature, you and your bestie can match together. Tap the double date icon to see profiles built for two. When two pairs match, the group chat kicks off. Scope the profiles, send memes, keep the chat fun, hype each other up, flirt a little, maybe plan a hangout. You guys, this is the new way to do it. Try the new Tinder double date. Explore all the possibilities. Tinder. It starts with a swipe. Download Tinder today. Call Her Daddy is brought to you by Uber Eats. Okay, Daddy gang, we all know Uber Eats has The best selection of local restaurants, but did you know they also eat when it comes to a whole range of delivery services? Now, that might be a lot to take in, so let me break it down for you. Uber Eats isn't just for poolside poke bowls or late night pizza on the patio. When you can't make it to the store, you can get just about anything you need delivered straight to your door. With Uber Eats right now, you could be checking off your whole shopping list. Okay. I am so excited to have friends over for summer on pool days. And you know what? The last thing I want to do is when the UV is a 10 outside, go to the grocery store. Okay. That's not my to do list. Okay. I love that on Ubereats, I can get tequila for the margaritas. I can get meat for the barbecue and sunscreen when I realize that my tan is unfortunately turning into a burn. Okay. And when it gets too hot in L. A. To be running outside doing errands, I'm just like, oh, I need to be inside. I love that I can sit in my sweats on my couch and the freezing air conditioning and get everything I need delivered without ever having to step outside. Okay. The goal is to never leave my house. So get grocery alcohol and everyday essentials in addition to the restaurant food you love. So in other words, get almost, almost anything. With Uber Eats, order now for alcohol, you must be legal drinking age. Please enjoy responsibly. Product availability varies by region. See app for details. What is up, daddy gang? It is your founding father, Alex Cooper, with calm. Call Her Daddy, Kid Cudi. Welcome to Call Her Daddy.

[Kid Cudi]

Thank you for having me.

[Alex Cooper]

How are you doing today?

[Kid Cudi]

I'm fantastic. I feel really good. It's been crazy the past couple months. I've been filming. I filmed this movie that is really gnarly. And. And I just wrapped last week. And, yeah, so now I'm like, back into work mode on the album and in the memoir I was about to.

[Alex Cooper]

Say, I'm like, wait, now you're throwing another curveball. I'm like, you're so busy. I like, you've had the most insane summer. You're going to continue to have an insane summer. You got married.

[Kid Cudi]

Yes.

[Alex Cooper]

Congrats.

[Kid Cudi]

Thank you.

[Alex Cooper]

So we have a wedding, we have an album, and we have a memoir.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

Do you sleep? Like, what's going on?

[Kid Cudi]

I do find time to sleep. I do. People. People don't understand when I do, but I do.

[Alex Cooper]

Right. It happens. At some point, we'll never know.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

What do people close to you. Call you, like, are people calling you Cudi? Are people calling you Scott?

[Kid Cudi]

No, I introduce myself to people as Scott.

[Alex Cooper]

Does your wife call you Scott?

[Kid Cudi]

We have pet names. She never says Scott.

[Alex Cooper]

Actually, give me one pet name.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah, it's always Babe or Booski or something like that.

[Alex Cooper]

Booski. Oh, that's cute. Okay. What should I call you today?

[Kid Cudi]

You can call me Scott.

[Alex Cooper]

Scott.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah. You know, I feel weird introducing myself as Cudi.

[Alex Cooper]

Have you thought about. Would you ever drop the kid?

[Kid Cudi]

I have thought about that. I have thought about that.

[Alex Cooper]

Talk to me about it.

[Kid Cudi]

You know, I. I was thinking a couple weeks ago, I was talking to my good friend Jean Baptiste, and I was like, man, you know, it would be so cool if I just, like, started a band, like, and just did, like, alternative, trippy, psychedelic, okay? Like, real experimental and just, like, it. It was just me and some other dudes in the band. And, you know, I went by Cudi rather than Kid Cudi.

[Alex Cooper]

You know, what if you went full off the reservation and went, scott.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah, Scott.

[Alex Cooper]

You're like, what's up, everyone? It's Scott.

[Kid Cudi]

I don't know how cool Scott sounds.

[Alex Cooper]

You know, it's a little different than Cudi.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

But, like, you could make it have a ring to it. I agree it's a departure, but maybe one day you'll come out with a band.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah. Or maybe I'll go by Scotty or.

[Alex Cooper]

Something, because I feel like you have to have a little bit of differentiation between your home life and the people that know you and get to call you Scott.

[Kid Cudi]

Yes.

[Alex Cooper]

You have really good fashion. I feel like everyone kind of knows that. Talk to me about your fashion. Like, how it's kind of evolved.

[Kid Cudi]

Oh, man. I feel like now, you know, because I say maybe last year in the. From 2020 to 2024, I was just really big on, like, colors and, you know, dyeing my hair different colors and stuff like that. I'm pretty sure everybody saw that I was dyeing my hair every. Every two weeks in different colors. And. And now since I turned 40, I've been, like, trying to find a. A balance of just, like, real casual, but, like, rock star.

[Alex Cooper]

I see this all.

[Kid Cudi]

You know what I'm saying?

[Alex Cooper]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Kid Cudi]

And then, like, my shoes are all dirty and, like, you know, not so polished and. And I love buying vintage. I don't really go and buy new shit because I hate, like, wearing something and then seeing another motherfucker in it. And, you know, and, you know, like, with. With rappers, it's all about, like, who has it first. You know what I mean? So they do these fit pics on their ig and it's, like, such a thing, you know? And, like, I just, you know, I love, you know, buying vintage because you can kind of be unique. And also, when you're shopping and you're buying vintage, like, it's like you never know what's going to fit you, you know? And that's how I really get lucky with these other jackets. Everywhere I go, it's like, I can find one that's, like, really good, you know? And I have a secret spot in Paris that I get all my leather jackets from.

[Alex Cooper]

Wow. You're gatekeeping over here.

[Kid Cudi]

I'm tell you off the air.

[Alex Cooper]

Okay, fair.

[Kid Cudi]

I'll tell you off the air.

[Alex Cooper]

Come on. Thank you.

[Kid Cudi]

Thank you.

[Alex Cooper]

Come on. Lola would approve. What is your biggest fashion mistake? Like, what did you use to wear that you're like, what the was I doing?

[Kid Cudi]

I don't think I've had any fashion mistakes. I'm pretty. Like, when I see old fit pics of me and stuff like that, I'm kind of like, oh, that was a good day.

[Alex Cooper]

You're proud.

[Kid Cudi]

You know.

[Alex Cooper]

How do you feel about the fedoras? Would you ever bring it back?

[Kid Cudi]

I might.

[Alex Cooper]

Really?

[Kid Cudi]

Because it's. That's actually a good. That's. Oh, that's a good idea. It might be nice to bring back the fedora.

[Alex Cooper]

You think, though, it could.

[Kid Cudi]

I could pull it off. I could wear anything.

[Alex Cooper]

That's fair. Do you think your wife would like the fedora look?

[Kid Cudi]

I think she would be into it.

[Alex Cooper]

Okay.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah. Because she trusts me.

[Alex Cooper]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Kid Cudi]

You know, I mean, you're not going to make it. Yeah. She knows I'm always going to show up and, like, show out.

[Alex Cooper]

I agree with you. There's some people that can literally put anything on, and they just, like, have the aura that they can pull it off. Some men in a fedora, Scott, it wouldn't. It wouldn't attract the ladies. Do you know what I mean? Do you know what I mean? It wouldn't make them feel like, ooh, I want to get that. So I agree with you. Like, maybe you can pull it off, and maybe you'll bring it back.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah. I would do it in a way where, like, even if I had a fedora on, with this outfit, it could work. You know what I mean?

[Alex Cooper]

With the joint.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

With the Solomon.

[Kid Cudi]

I mean. Cause this was my look back in, like, 2008, 2009. Like, I used to wear the fedora all the time. That was, like, my thing.

[Alex Cooper]

You're gonna bring it back. Talk to me about. Obviously, the Internet is absolutely obsessed with you and Timothy Chalamet's friendship. They're, like, obsessed with you guys being friends. It's actually very cute. What is his best quality as a friend to you?

[Kid Cudi]

You know, the best quality about Timmy is that he's super genuine. Timmy is always Timmy with me. Not the Timothy that people know and they see in the movies, you know, like, when he's with me, we'll be sitting sometimes and, like, he's such a fan that he'll like. Like, you remember this? And start playing some shit that I released in, like, 2008. Like, this is a freestyle you put out. And I'll be like, damn, I haven't heard this in 15 years. And, like, he's. He just supports me and, you know, acting and music, and he's just a good listener. And, like, I remember one New Year's, like, 2020, he came over my house and. And it was just me and him, and we just rang in a new year together, you know, just, like, it was so. It was so dope. And, like, he's just a really good dude, you know? And I don't have a lot of, like, people in the business that I'm that close with, you know, I. It's just over the years, I realized that, okay, these are industry friendships, and. And I have real friendships, and. And. And Timmy is not an industry friendship. Like, we are real friends. I've been to his childhood crib, like, met his dad, you know, like, hung out, like, saw his old bedroom that he grew up in. You know what I mean? Like, he still had everything in the same place.

[Alex Cooper]

So many women are like, I'm so jealous of you right now, Scott. God damn it. Oh, that's really cute.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah. But he was like, this is why I listen to man on the Moon one. And I sat on at this desk and just listened day in, day out. And it was so cool to just kind of see, you know, his world and. But he's just a. A really good friend, and he's always been there for me. And, you know, I like to send him. I just send him records before I release them, right? And, like, I sent him this one. He was in Italy, so this is. This is how cool of a friend he is. He came to Italy to visit me when I was shooting We Are who We Are with Luca, right? And he stayed at the villa. I had an extra room, so he stayed with me at the villa, right? And I got played him, like, some songs for my album Intergalactic, like, maybe like, a year before it came out. And I played him Willing to Trust, and he just started balling, like, he was, like. It made him so emotional, you know, and that. And, you know, Timmy always likes my stuff, but there's a range in, like, his reaction. Like, sometimes he'll be vibing and be like, oh, this is dope. This is dope. And then sometimes he'll just get the fuck up and just really be going crazy and like, oh, shit, I. Shit. You know what I mean? So this was another one of those moments where I. I knew. And that song is probably the illest song from Intergalactic, you know.

[Alex Cooper]

Well, it's cool to hear you talking about industry relationships and obviously publicly, it could look like an industry friendship. And then hearing you say you have a personal relationship that's way beyond, just, like, a industry relationship is cool, because I know. Which I want to get to with your memoir. Like, through your childhood, you had a lot of, like, lonely moments. And even hearing you say, like, you don't have that many friends in the industry, I usually think is a big positive sign when I meet someone. Because I think if you're just, like, kind of whoring yourself out to everyone and you're like, a man of the people, I feel like it's like, how is that genuine? And how do you invest that much time in that many people? Exactly. Back up. Why now? And why did you want to write this?

[Kid Cudi]

Man, I feel like I just went through a transformation in my life, and I was at this place where it was like, eight years. I had been kind of on the lighter side of life, and I had learned so much. And I know, you know, the fans really want to know my story, and they know bits and pieces because I've done interviews throughout the years and talked about my past and things like that. But there's so much that is in the book that I'm sure no one knows about.

[Alex Cooper]

The book is incredible.

[Kid Cudi]

Thank you.

[Alex Cooper]

Super vulnerable. Like, I love how you go all the way back to childhood. You talk a lot about your rise to fame, and you talk about some of the absolute darkest moments of your life. Yeah, I want to get into a lot of it today. Okay, let's go back to the beginning where your book starts. Talk to me about what you were like as a kid in general. All Her Daddy Is brought to you by Claude from Anthropic Daddy Gang. You know about the Pocket AI Bestie Claude from Anthropic by Now. And he is, you know, he's such a supportive king. We love that. Chat about life, get help, organize your thoughts, bounce ideas off of him. He really listens. Claude just gets it when it comes to empathy and emotional intelligence. But here's what's game changing. Clawd just had some major upgrades. First, you can literally talk to Claude now. Like actual voice conversations where you're getting ready or you're walking to work. Second, Claude connects to all your tools. Gmail, Calendar, Google Docs, even Notion and Canva. So when you need help with your work presentation, Claude has all the context and the research capabilities. Chef's kiss. Claude can do deep lives on anything. Like whether that new supplement is actually worth the hype. And because your daddy gang, Claude is hooking you up with 50% off clawed pro for three months, go to Claude. AI/chd. That's c l a u d e dot a I slash church h d. Call Her Daddy is brought to you by hellofresh. Okay, daddy gang, we've all heard of hellofresh, but this summer they made their biggest menu upgrade yet. Hellofresh is now bigger, healthier and tastier. They literally doubled their menu. So now you can choose from 100. Yes, you heard that right. You can choose from a hundred delicious options each week, including new seasonal dishes and high protein and veggie packed recipes. Here's the thing, your girl likes flavor. Okay? Every time I'm getting my hellofresh, I'm like, I noticed this one. Oh, I noticed this one. So the fact that they now are like, oh, you won't even notice because we are just hitting you with boom. New options left and right. I'm in. Like, thank you. Hello Fresh. You're making my life easier. I come home from work, I don't want to stress. I don't want to stress. Boom. I've got my hellofres ready to go. Also, I'm sorry, but like, this is probably honestly how Matt fell in love with me. I don't really know how to cook. I need someone to walk me through it. AKA hello Fresh. Hello Fresh. You made Maddie fall in love with me because when I was cooking in that kitchen, he was like, damn, baby. Anyways, daddy gang, you know what? You want a man to fall in love with you or you're just on your solo dolo mission and you want to make your life easier. Boom. The best way to cook just got better. Go to hellofresh.com/call her daddy10fm now to get 10 free meals plus a free item for life, yes. One per box with active subscription. Free meals applied as discount on first box. New subscribers only. Varies by plan. That's hellofresh.com/call her daddy10fm to get 10 free meals plus a free item for life. Daddy Gang, go hook yourself up. Talk to me about what you were like as a kid in general.

[Kid Cudi]

Well, before my father died When I was 11, I was a really happy kid. You know, like, we didn't have much, but my mom, you know, was a great mom, and my dad was great. He was there for me. They divorced when I was three, so I don't really remember, like, even living in the house with him, but he was still active in my life, and I saw him frequently. And, you know, I. I was a happy kid. I was goofy. I was the baby of the family, you know, and it was like that for a while. But it wasn't until I was 11, when I lost my father, where there became a change in me, you know, and, you know, I feel like that pain that I. That I endured when I was 11 stay with me and well into my early 30s.

[Alex Cooper]

You know, when you talk about your relationship with your dad and that shift at 11, I thought it was interesting in the book how you talk about you as a child. You like to spend time alone, right? And there was a shift pre his death and post his death of what that alone time felt and meant to you. Can you talk to me before your father passed about, like, what did you like about hanging by yourself and being in your room? Like, what were you doing when you were alone?

[Kid Cudi]

I was just dreaming. Dreaming about what I would do in the future. Whether it was because for a while I wanted to be a cartoonist. So thinking about that and, you know, even thinking about being an actor, that was an early dream of mine.

[Alex Cooper]

In the book, you write a lot about how, like, school kind of forced you to come to terms with the way that you were different than some kids. Can you talk about what you meant by that?

[Kid Cudi]

Man, I felt that, like, around when I turned 15 or 16, when I was in high school, it was kind of like I lost interest with school altogether. And I started to think, or kind of know, like, I had this feeling that I was like, I don't need algebra, like, I'm gonna be a rapper one day, you know, I mean, like, what am I doing here? You know? I mean, just sitting in class, like, this is a waste of time. Sixteen, you know, I mean, And I always felt like I would watch other kids and see them focus on the test and see them studying and I'll just be like, like, what am I doing here? You know? And like I just, you know. And also I was very like, I was the class clown. Like that was. I was goofy as. And that's kind of how I, you know, camouflage the. Some of the hurt and pain that I had inside me was to kind of be silly, you know, in some way.

[Alex Cooper]

It's interesting because a lot of times on the show I ask people, like, what is your earliest core memory that you can think of in childhood? And you obviously mentioned it and you wrote about it in your memoir of this.

[Kid Cudi]

I've always known it vividly.

[Alex Cooper]

Which is so crazy because you were three, right?

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

So you're three years old, you're in this car and you remember like your parents are shouting and they're going to get a divorce.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

Three is so young. But obviously something in your body like brings you back to that moment and you can remember it and those feelings, like, can you talk a little bit about when you were writing that, like what that brought up for you and why you chose to put that in the book?

[Kid Cudi]

Man, I felt that it was perfect because it's. It was set the tone for the book because maybe some people's first memory is like something pleasant. And this was not like. Though in the moment, I didn't know that they were getting a divorce, but I saw my mom and dad like yelling at each other for the first time in my mind that I can remember and like not understanding it, but being scared. And from there it was like, you know, I kind of. I felt like it set the tone for what you were gonna read, you know, I mean, and. And there was a lot of dysfunction in my family, you know, I mean, between my brother's antics and. And you know, when I lost my dad and just being angry, an angry kid and. And my brother getting in trouble and stuff like that, me getting in trouble in school. And I kind of wanted to set the tone with that. And I felt like that the book had to start with my first memory. I thought it was important to just bring people in on that because some people don't even. Can't even remember their first memory that. That young. Three years old.

[Alex Cooper]

How do you think your parents relationship kind of shaped your early ideas of love?

[Kid Cudi]

Well, the divorce didn't rock me because I saw my mom and dad still have respect for each other, which is rare. Right. You know what I'm saying? Like there was a respect there, you know, like he didn't. I never saw Other than that first memory, I never really saw my dad and my mom get into it after the divorce. Like, there was always a respect. Like, if my dad didn't come, come and see us for two weeks, my mom would be calling him, like, yo, get up off your fucking couch and come see these kids. And he'd be like, all right, I'm on my way. You know what I mean? Like, you know, and they did. He just had a respect for it, and it was. It was. So I always look for that, you know, in relationships, and I don't think I always had that. Like, you know, some relationships I did, and there were other problems we had. But that's like, the core thing that I look for is, like, man, like, just seeing my mom take care of my dad when he was dying. Like. And my dad had three wives. My mom was the third. You know what I mean? So, like, nobody else came to take care of him. Nobody checked in. You know, we paid for the funeral, you know, And I just thought I was like, man, that's what I want. Like, I want to ride or die, you know? I mean, somebody that's going to take care of me, you know, no matter what, you know, So I always kept that in mind. And. And, yeah, I just thought that was a real powerful thing to see as a kid.

[Alex Cooper]

Reading that, that was, like, nice to see for you that you had that vision of, like, oh, it can be amicable and it can just be family. You don't need to be in love and together. But at least we're all still riding for each other and showing up for each other.

[Kid Cudi]

Right.

[Alex Cooper]

After the divorce, you lived with your mom.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

Your relationship with your mom sounds incredible and lovely. Can you talk about, though, growing up when you were young, what it was like?

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah, man. Me and my mom were very close. I was like her little partner in crime. She went to go run errands. I was there. So you want to come meet the grocery store? I'm like, yeah, sure. Like, just hanging around. I was that kid. And then when people would come like, oh, my God, how old are you? I would just hide behind her leg. Like, no.

[Alex Cooper]

Why? Can I, like, literally picture that?

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah. Like, I was super shy, and, you know, my mom was like, tell them how old you are. And I'm like, five.

[Alex Cooper]

You're like, mom, who, like, is that weirdo?

[Kid Cudi]

Who is this person? I never wanted to meet strangers. I was always like, who is this? But, nah, like, we. We just. We've always. And I. My mom lived in LA from 2023 to. Just this weekend, she moved back to Cleveland. And it was so sad for me because. And I gave her a copy of the memoir and I signed it for her. And it was so sad for me. Like, I. I cried. I. I haven't, like, cried, like, in that way about, like, that. I felt like I really cherished her being in LA. I spent years, like, 15 years away from her, her living in Cleveland, me living in la, only seeing her on holidays, and she was out here and I could just drive 30 minutes to see her. And that's something I always wanted, was my mom to live in LA with me, like, and kick it. And, like, I just, like, nah. Like, it was. It was brief because then I thought about it. I was. Cause I was. It was coming from a place, from, like, this place of saying, like, I'm gonna be alone now. But then I realized, like, I'm married. Like, I have a wife that's gonna hold me down. You know what I mean? This is not like before, Scott, like, four years ago when you were living on your own and, like, you had no one around, like, you have a partner, you know, I mean, so I was like, oh, that's right. You know, I'm not alone. I'm not. What am I saying? You know?

[Alex Cooper]

Why is she leaving?

[Kid Cudi]

She just. She was here because she was dealing with some health issues, and I got her the best doctors in la, but her life is in Cleveland. She has all these friends there, and she doesn't really know anybody out here. And it was good because, you know, we needed to get her to some good doctors, you know, I mean, but we got it all set up in. In Cleveland now. And, you know, she just wanted to be back home with her friends. And, you know, she's trying to kick it, right?

[Alex Cooper]

You know, I got a life too, Scott.

[Kid Cudi]

I have friends. Like, I got a life, a whole life that I don't have anymore.

[Alex Cooper]

You're like, I'm your life mom.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah. No, I was. I was literally keeping her hostage. Like, I was like, you're not going back. You're staying here with me. But. But you know what was crazy? When I was a kid, I used to come up to my mom when I was, like, 4 or 5 years old, and I say, mom, when I get older, you're gonna live with me and my wife. And she would be like, boy, you ain't gonna want me to live in the house with you. So right when she moved in, I was like, didn't I tell you you was gonna live with me? One day, she just laughed. I was like, I wasn't playing games. I was dead serious.

[Alex Cooper]

I kept my word.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah. She's like, okay, you did say that. I was like, I told you, it's not a game.

[Alex Cooper]

She's now the one that's like, I'm leaving. Actually, it's cracked up to me. I'm getting the out of here. Okay, let's circle back to your father. I. We're going to talk, obviously, about the moment with his death and how it impacts you. I know we've kind of touched it, but before we get there, I do want to go back a little bit. Hearing your relationship with your mother growing up, you talk about your struggles with your relationship, growing up with your father. In the book, can you talk about. What do you think was preventing you guys from being close?

[Kid Cudi]

I think it was my age, like, really like, he. Because my older siblings kind of got a different side of him that I never got a chance to get because I was just so young, you know, And I think, like, sometimes he would open up to me and give me advice and stuff like that. But, you know, it wasn't like what my older siblings were getting, you know, the information, you know, like, even my sister Maisha, like, she has so many stories about, like, her and dad spending time together, and. And, like, you know, she told me this one story about how, like, they were in the backyard looking at butterflies and, like, catching butterflies. And he told her that, like, you know, if you sing to a butterfly, it'll come to you. You know, something really beautiful like that. And I'm just like, I don't have those memories with my dad. You know what I mean? Like, we just never. We never bonded in that way, you know? I mean, I know he loved me. You know what I'm saying? He was definitely loving and, like, caring and all that, but he was very. He was a very serious man. And when I think about my dad's life, you know, he was in World War II in the air Force. Like, he saw some. You know what I'm saying? And, like, he just was just a real serious dude. I mean, so he had a silly side sometimes, but it'd be very rare. You know what I mean?

[Alex Cooper]

When you look back, like, how do you feel the distance that you had from your dad growing up impacted you before his death? Like, whether it was your personality or the way that you would move at.

[Kid Cudi]

Home, it fucked me up because I would always hope getting older would bring me closer to my dad. And it. And it got ripped away from Me that possibility. You know what I mean? And, like, literally, I thought, like, who's gonna teach me how to be a man now? You know? Like, I thought that, like, at 12, 13, you know, like, who's gonna give me advice on women and, like, you know, things like that, you know?

[Alex Cooper]

Yeah. That's interesting, because it's like, you're saying in your core, you know, a big part of why you couldn't be as close is because of your age. Being the youngest, you're watching your older siblings have these different relationships, and in your head as a kid, all you obviously want is to be close to your parents and be loved by your parents. And so you're like, all right, my time is coming. My time is coming once I hit that age. And then your dad passes away when you're 11. How did you even, like, process that grief when it all happened?

[Kid Cudi]

Oh, I didn't, I didn't. Opportunity. Like, it didn't happen. Like, I, I. It was no time to really, you know, grief, because it's four of us, right? And my sister took it the hardest. She was 18 at the time, and, yeah, she took it the hardest. And, you know, I was that kid. Like, hey, I don't want to. I don't want to be an extra burden to anybody. Like, let me just kind of keep to myself and keep on chugging along and, you know, not worrying my mom. Just be cool.

[Alex Cooper]

That's what's so weird about family and sibling dynamics is, like, I'm also the youngest. And you kind of. You just have your dynamics where, you know, like, whether if the oldest is more introverted or extroverted or whatever, then the next one applies to, like, an acts, however, works with the one above. And it's all this. So hearing you be like, my sister was the most outwardly affected and upset.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

You obviously kept it inside and pretended like it didn't happen. Obviously, that level of grief is still in you.

[Kid Cudi]

Oh, yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

It just wasn't being shown, and you didn't know how to process it. Like, can you try to explain how losing your father started to show up a little bit in your life after he'd passed?

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah, I feel like it was like a immediate thing. Like, school became really less important, and I was getting in trouble and, you know, stressing my mom out more and acting out, because I was just an angry teen, you know, and that was pretty much my whole teens, my whole middle school, high school, you know, I was just not a good student. Didn't apply myself. And I say it was like, that even well into my career, like, once I got successful, I was just, you know, at the core of me was just anger, you know.

[Alex Cooper]

Yeah. Because it was, like you said, it was stripped from me. Like, yeah, my future of learning all these things and these memories, like, I don't have. And so then you kind of, like, dissociate and you just go about your life, and then it keeps seeping out. And you're saying, like, you were experiencing this anger. And I know you write, though, about, obviously, like, how now you are who you are. There was an outlet and that happened to be writing. Talk to me about how you started to lean more towards that and put your feelings into your writing.

[Kid Cudi]

Man. You know, it was like this thing.

[Alex Cooper]

Where.

[Kid Cudi]

I didn't have, like. Well, not saying I couldn't talk to my mom. I'm pretty sure she, you know, could have said something amazing to get me out of my funk. But I still felt like I needed to have these, like, private, you know, writings to myself with my thoughts. And it was. It was, like, important for me at the time to have some type of outlet to express myself. And a lot of the times I would just sit there and just write about, like, the pain I was feeling or, like, a memory that me and my dad shared, the funeral, what it was like, what I saw. And that kind of, like, informed the Kid Cudi stuff, too. Once I got going and writing music, like, being honest and telling my story and my talking about my feelings was like, key components to my earlier recordings.

[Alex Cooper]

I also think what you just said about your mom and you being like, I probably could have gone to her, but I really needed an outlet. Like, whether anyone is trying to get into music or not, I think that writing in general your feelings is. At first, it can feel foreign to some people because they're like, what the will I write? But when you're going to have a conversation, like you're with your mom or a friend or a family member, you're just now trying to basically say something and look for something back that will make you feel better. When you're pen to paper, sitting there alone, you're getting nothing back. So you're forced to just, like, keep going and going and opening up more and more and more. And then you're just realizing how much there is. And it's therapeutic in times it hurts. But it feels like that early Kid Cudi stage, like you said, there was a lot of anger. And it makes sense why, though, writing could be therapeutic to you because at least you were putting it Somewhere. Yeah, right.

[Kid Cudi]

There was some release. Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

You drop out of college and you decide to pursue music full time.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

How did you decide that was the right decision? And how did your mom feel?

[Kid Cudi]

My mom was. I mean, I tried. I wasn't really in it, you know, I hated the classes. Like, my grades there were terrible. My only class that I got good grades in was English.

[Alex Cooper]

There you go. See, Scott?

[Kid Cudi]

Like, English. I was on fire.

[Alex Cooper]

Yeah, you were.

[Kid Cudi]

You know what I'm saying? When it came time to write an essay, I was like, what is it about? How many pages? 10, 20? I got you. Like, I was the best essay writer. Like, my pen game was strong, of course, but, yeah, she, you know, understood it, you know, and. And I was passionate about music, and she had no choice but to support me, you know, that. She had to. She. What's she gonna do, like, leave me out there on my own in New York? You know what I mean? She had to, like, you know, honor me and. And. And let me go out and pursue my dreams.

[Alex Cooper]

Was there ever a point that you considered early days, giving up?

[Kid Cudi]

No, I was crazy. I was out of my mind. There was no. There was no. There was no glimmer of hope. There was nothing in the distance that would make me feel like this was going to happen. But I knew, Like, I was just like, this. This is. I dream it. And I can see it crystal clear in my mind. Like, I can see it. I can touch it. It's right there in front of me. I got to get there. And before I left Cleveland, I had this moment while I was smoking a cigarette, and I sat on my. On my Honda, right? And I looked up at the sky, and I was like, God, I know that this is the right thing to do, me moving to New York. I'm gonna do everything I can to get where I want to go. I just need you to meet me halfway. Like, if I'm doing the right thing, just give me a sign. And I looked up at the clouds. Of course, I didn't see anything, but I just, like, left, finished my cigarette, went back in the house, and I was just like. I had armor, you know? I mean, I had, like, armor on my back. I was like, oh, he got me, you know, he gonna hold me down, you know?

[Alex Cooper]

And then day and night.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

Absolutely. Changed your life.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

Tell me about how you wrote that song and how it came to you, because it is kind of like you looked up at the sky, and maybe there wasn't a sign then, but you kind of write about It. In your memoir. Like, it eventually happened.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah. Like, so the melody just came to me one day just around me and my cousin Richie. My family out in Brooklyn in New York, we would always joke around and make songs, silly songs and like that. And I had essentially the day and night melody as, like, a silly song that we would do and sing together.

[Alex Cooper]

Like, what were you saying?

[Kid Cudi]

Like, we were singing, like, the day and night melodies, but, like, you know, it didn't have lyrics or anything. It was just like. And I was just like, it, right? So I had this melody, like, in my head for months, for months. And I finally get in the studio with Dot, and I'm like, bro, I got this joint. I really think it's fire. I think I need you to just make this beat. I'm gonna give you the melody, and we're gonna put it together. And, like, we. We cooked it. It took about two days, and it was just magic. It was the. Because the melody just came to me out of nowhere. The universe just downloaded this melody into my head. And, like, I don't know where it came from, but it just stuck in my head. And it never happens to me. It's not like, I get melodies and they stay with me for months, you know, it never happens. I always forget it, like, minutes later. I'm like, fuck, what was that melody? If I don't put it in my phone, it's gone, you know? So, like, for some reason, I don't know if this is before the drugs got me. This is before the drugs got me, so my mind was a little bit stronger. But stay away from cocaine. But.

[Alex Cooper]

But kids, you're watching.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

And there it was.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

Did you realize immediately, once it was live, that your life was about to change forever?

[Kid Cudi]

Oh, yeah, I knew. Like, I knew it, but I've been crazy this whole time. I've been crazy for. For a while now at this point. So it's like I had nothing to lose. I had to lose. I don't even think at that point, I had a job. Like, I have nothing to lose. I was out there in New York. I had a place to stay that was. That's the one thing people are worried about, you know, where they're gonna stay. I had a place to stay. I had a collaborator. I was. I. I was building a rapport with that. We had crazy chemistry. Like, I had nothing to lose. I believed in Dot like he believed in me. And it was. It was pure magic. It was pure magic. Like, how I found that, how we became. Like, I worked At Amber Crabbing Fitch. I met Rilla One in the stock room where we were folding clothes freestyling together. He said, yo, I got a producer you should meet. It's my dude, Dot. He's real fucking dope. Met up with Dot, got in the studio with him, cooked three records in one night. And I was like, oh, this dude is like, he ill. And plus, Dot is like classically trained, like crazy pianist, you know, I mean, like. And yeah, it was just. That's something. That's. The angels brought us together, man.

[Alex Cooper]

When you even explain that story, like, I can see you physically lighting up. Because obviously that time in your life was probably feels worlds away. And also, like, it was yesterday maybe. But what does it make you feel for, like, young Scott working at Abercrombie? I love how, like, so random Abercrombie. Love that shout out Abercrombie. It all went down.

[Kid Cudi]

The soundtrack in the store was just intense. It was this one song that they did. I used to come every time I came on. I ran out to the floor to listen to it. It was this one remix of if you're going to San Francisco. Like, it came on and I'll just be out there like, oh, hey, jamming. Every time. It was me and a couple other people who really liked the song too.

[Alex Cooper]

They're like, scott, back to the desk. Yeah, what the are you doing?

[Kid Cudi]

They'd be pissed coming me coming out on the floor and I'm not bringing out clothes. But nah, like, just how that happened, you know, like, me just getting. And I was so happy about getting the Abercrombie job because I was like, oh, I can. There's so many young people there. Yeah, I can meet people my age, make friends. I didn't really have any friends at.

[Alex Cooper]

This time, but that was something that I thought was really interesting. You wrote about how this happens, but then you're still going to that job. And I remember one of the lines you write. You're like, I'm standing there. People are like, oh, my God, Cudi. Like, your music is awesome. I'll take a size medium.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

And you were like, I need to get the out of here. Like, how did it feel when you started having your first fan interactions? Like, did. Were you cool with it? Was it starting to feel a little uncomfortable immediately?

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah, it was uncomfortable immediately.

[Alex Cooper]

Why do you think that is?

[Kid Cudi]

Because I don't think in my mind I was ready for that energy. Like, I was not prepared. And I don't think there's anything that anyone could have told me to prepare me, but I was not prepared for it. I wasn't at the time built for it, and it threw me off it. It. Because you spend, what, 24 years of your life just being a dude, you know, and then all of a sudden, you are the man. And then, you know, you can tell when people. When you meet people and they have interest in you only because of who you are. They don't know who you are. And you can see just looking in their face, looking in their eyes, you can tell when someone's being genuine, and they're always not. You know, it's always someone putting on a. A role, you know, I mean, and it was. It was very. Yeah, it me up, man. And that's what drove me to. To using hardcore drugs like cocaine. You know, I really just needed something to calm my nerves when I went out or, you know, just do certain things that like, even just really was leaving. Leaving the house, because if I didn't do cocaine, I'd be in the house all day long. But, like, if I did coke, then I was like, oh, now it's time to hit the streets and had energy. And it was. If I met fans, I'd. It'd be different because I, like, I'm just on the. So I'm just like, hey, what's up, man? What's up? I want to talk to everybody.

[Alex Cooper]

You know, I want to get to that. But I just had a thought when you were saying, you know, you weren't prepared for this, and I agree. Like, I don't know if anyone is, but I'm. I want your opinion on, like, in your personal life. I know. I wrote down. You had written, Becoming Kid Cudi was supposed to overhaul the entire world Scott had known. And then you get to fame and you're like, what the is this? You mentioned the relationships in your life. You starting to have to be like, are you here for the right reasons? Are you here for the. Can you recall, like, any specific moment in your life where you remember being like, oh, like, I'm completely. Whether it's being used or this is a fake relationship that I just didn't see, and they're in it because I'm famous.

[Kid Cudi]

There were definitely moments with, like, women, you know, you know, trying to navigate, you know, just being single in New York and successful is. Man, it's hard, you know, and is. It was just. It was like, hard and. And a lot of people that I was kicking it with, I. I usually party with. We just get up, you know, so it wasn't like anything good, it was all just rock and roll and madness. And, you know, it's just started to eat away at me. Like after a while, you know, I just. It's like, this is not serving me. It's not making me happy, you know.

[Alex Cooper]

You wrote about a few of your relationships in the book, one of them being Cassie. Obviously that is always going to be a big conversation online. And you were with her, obviously during a very dark time of what she was going through with Diddy. During that time, your house was broken into, your car was lit on fire. What do you just like, overall remember about that time and that relationship in your life? Call Her Daddy is brought to you by Airbnb. You guys, I feel like 2025 was the year of personal trips for me. I'm always traveling for work. But this year I really felt like I found time with Airbnb to find incredible good places to stay. Whether it was a romantic getaway, whether I was traveling for one of my friends weddings. That, and I really made sure that we were staying in Airbnbs. Because when I'm traveling, I want to feel comfortable. I want to feel like I have a piece of home with me. And as you guys know, I love my dogs, Henry and Bruce. Shout out if you're listening to this. I want to be with my dogs at all times. And so finding an Airbnb that can accommodate dogs really means a lot to me. An Airbnb is the best way to make your trip one to remember because you get to explore not only a new city, but a new space in that city. I personally love staying like a local because it really helps you immerse yourself in wherever you are as opposed to feeling like you're a tourist. You can grab groceries at local market, you can explore the neighborhood bars and the restaurants. And if you just want to go somewhere but you don't really know where yet, let Airbnb make the decision for you. Guest favorites might inspire you and perhaps even create a new tradition. My number one tip is to check out Airbnb first to find the perfect place to stay, because your accommodation can really make or break the trip. Call Her Daddy is brought to you by Shopify. When I was starting my business, I was understandably overwhelmed. A lot of times, sometimes I was isolating myself, feeling like I had to take it all on on my own. I felt like sometimes I didn't know the answers to certain things. I would just be trying to find a way to make things work. And that is why Shopify literally changed my Life. The beloved commerce platform Shopify is taking the guesswork out of launching and scaling a business. Daddy Gang, if you are someone who is trying to get your business off the ground, please, please, please listen up. Because Shopify literally changed my life all the way back in the day. If you guys remember, when I was first launching my own merch, when I left Barstool, I was like, how do I do this and what is my back end and who do I talk to? Shopify has basically a suite of AI tools that let you spend less time wondering and more time doing. Shopify's Sidekick literally acts as your AI assistant, guiding you through everything. Directions, reports, content, ideas, and so much more. It basically is like a executive assistant for you. Also, Shopify basically operates as your back office, replacing the need for a full staff to oversee your operation. So if you are a one woman show right now, just add Shopify to your life and you're going to be like, oh my God, I don't even need to hire more people. You can tag and sell your products globally and across all major social media platforms so that you can sell where your customers are. Let's be real. The Internet is changing people's lives and it's changing their businesses truly. So there's so much money to be made. Daddy Gang. I love working with Shopify. I think sometimes I can get overwhelmed thinking like, oh, do I have to have my hands on this? And Shopify throughout the years has literally proven to have my back. I don't need to be triple checking its work. It's all right there. They are so reliable. So if you are ready to build your own empire, whether it's merch products or the next big idea, get on shopify.com daddy and make it happen. That's shopify.com daddy daddy gang, this is your sign. Let's go start your business. You wrote about a few of your relationships in the book. One of them being Cassie. Obviously that is always going to be a big conversation right online. And you were with her obviously during a very dark time of what she was going through with Diddy. During that time, your house was broken into, your car was lit on fire. What do you just like, overall remember about that time and that relationship in your life?

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah, it was, it was crazy, man. Like, you know, man in the moment, it was just crazy. Like I have, I had a hard time understanding if it was reality. Like I was like, am I in a movie? What the is going on? And like it's so great. You have to. You read the book Right.

[Alex Cooper]

Yes.

[Kid Cudi]

I want you to listen to the memoir. I scored the memoir. I was just in the studio last night. I finished it up, right. So, like, I score a lot of different bits in the book, and in this moment, I scored a lot of different beats and it brings it to life. But it was, it was, you know, just chaotic and, and intense and, you know, I, I, I wasn't like, like I was already out of my mind dealing with my own personal. So I was. It, you know, like, I was, I just was willing to walk into the fire. And, and so it's just, it was just in my, I always thought about it before all this stuff happened and it came, came out again. I just, over the years, I just thought about it as like, just some wild. That happened in my, in my rock and roll life, you know what I'm saying? Like, just, I just, you know, it was just some crazy shit that happened, you know?

[Alex Cooper]

You testified in court.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

How did you feel going into that situation?

[Kid Cudi]

Oh, man, I felt, I was calm, you know, I, I was just, I was there because I had to be. Like, I, I first they asked, I said no. They asked again, I said no. Then I got subpoenaed and I was like, no. Then I'm thinking about, like, what do I wear, man? Do I have to be like, suit or something? I was like, man, this shit I'm wearing, this is what I'm wearing today. I'm going in this. I don't, I'm not dressing up for this, like wearing some hard bottoms to. I'm wearing some Solomons and I'm coming in there with my Levi's and my leather jacket and that's it, you know? But I hate, I hated every minute of it. Like, I, I did not want to do it, but then I thought about, you know, when I was up there, you know, I'm, I'm, I'm here to support Cassie and, you know, Cassie is my friend, you know, and, and, and I love her and I want to see her do well. When I saw her get married, I was so happy for her, you know, that she found someone, her person. When I saw that she was having kids, I was like, oh, this is so awesome. You know, I mean, like, like I've always just wanted to see her, you know, thrive and, and do well and be happy, you know, because I know she was living a nightmare, and I just was there to support her. That's what I, that's what kind of gave me peace with it when I, when I sat down in that Chair. It was just about, Damn, I don't want to do this to being like, oh, man, I gotta, like, hold homegirl down and, like, you know, look out for her, you know?

[Alex Cooper]

No, that's beautiful. Looking back, obviously not at everything that was done in court. When you actually were, like, living all of this as we described, where you were, like, it felt literally, like, otherworldly. I'm like, is this my life right now? How did that experience affect the way that you felt about people in this industry and just, like, what you had gotten yourself into in your career?

[Kid Cudi]

Oh, man, I already had a, like, like, I was already standoffish from the industry, so it just made me even more freaked out. Yeah. I was like, man, this is crazy, you know, So I was already kind of sheltered in my own little space with my small group of friends. But this is like. And that's kind of like the thing about la. It's like, if you see me somewhere, it's like they're seeing, like, a monk that they haven't seen in, like, a hundred years.

[Alex Cooper]

Honey, here.

[Kid Cudi]

He won't be nowhere. Like, you don't see me. I'm not out in these streets.

[Alex Cooper]

You just don't go out.

[Kid Cudi]

I don't go out.

[Alex Cooper]

You don't leave your house.

[Kid Cudi]

Like, I, well, I, I don't now, and I didn't in my 30s. Really.

[Alex Cooper]

Okay, so you just were, like, keeping to yourself for a while. Yeah, that's why I want to go to. I know you wrote in the book and you mentioned a couple times, but let's get more into it. You say that grappling with fame, essentially, is what kind of pushed you towards drugs.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

What do you remember feeling the first time that you tried cocaine?

[Kid Cudi]

100% happiness. It was like the feeling I got was nothing I had ever felt before. It was fucking magical. And. But I will say this. That's the only time it felt that, that all the other times after, I was just chasing that first high and it was never getting there. It never felt like that first time ever again in, like.

[Alex Cooper]

It's good to clarify.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah. So I just want to. I, I, I know kids might be watching this podcast. You know what I'm saying? I don't want to be, like, saying.

[Alex Cooper]

Like, no, no, no. I think it's part of your story. And I know we're getting to, like, obviously that was a huge part of, we'll get to rehab and recovery, but still, like, there was a part of your life where you were at a place where you were relying on drugs. And that's your story and that's. But you're also here today to tell the story. And I think there lot of people that don't have the courage to even say these type of things out loud and like, own that. And I think this another reason why again you are so successful is because you're connecting with people on real. Like, there's probably also a lot of people listening and watching today that have an addiction. So hearing you acknowledge that, like, I think it's. Thank you. Honestly. So you talk about how you only would do coke alone.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

Why was that?

[Kid Cudi]

I think I just. It was just supposed to be my little secret. Like, I didn't want it to be like a unknown thing that, like, I did coke around the industry that would have spread fast, you know, So I just like, kind of kept it to myself. Doesn't mean, like, people couldn't tell I was on it, you know, I mean, like, people could probably figure it out.

[Alex Cooper]

You know, you write about how your album, Speeding Bullet to Heaven, it was written essentially during one of the darkest times of your life.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

Can you talk to me about where you were at mentally while writing that album?

[Kid Cudi]

Oh, I wanted to die for sure. Yeah. I didn't wanna. I was like, it. I'm just gonna play the guitar and shred and. And I don't give a if people like it or not. This is what I. This is how I feel. I just feel angry as. And I just wanted an excuse to like, scream on records, you know, and express that. That anger.

[Alex Cooper]

You said essentially that you wanted that album to be your goodbye.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

Like you were planning on taking your life and you either wanted to do it during or after it released or you weren't sure, but, like, that was going to be your goodbye. Did anyone close you in your life know that you were struggling that bad?

[Kid Cudi]

I don't think so. I kept it because when I was around my friends, I was happy to not be alone. So I was like back to, you know, I mean, I could come. I could keep it to myself, you know, I never wanted to worry my friends. There's some people that deal with these things and they like to like, put it on other people. And I never wanted that to be. I don't want people to be. Oh, man, Scott calling me again. He's, you know, I mean, like, I was like, look, I'm gonna just deal with my by myself. Like, I'll be cool. I can maintain. I got a daughter. I want to be here for her, you know, I mean, like, just all the thoughts that I need to think to. To keep me from going down that dark path.

[Alex Cooper]

What was your rock bottom moment?

[Kid Cudi]

Man, I think it was, it was during that time. 2016 was bad, too. That's when I finally went to rehab because I, because I relapsed and started using again. I would say from 2015 to 2016, it was like the decline getting just darker and darker and darker, and suicide was on my mind, like, all the time. Like, I would, like, daydream about this, you know, And I just. When I finally. When I relapsed and I was, like, kind of faced with this reality, like, damn. Like, it's been six years since I've used this, and I thought I was past that, and I'm obviously not. Like, that was me up, you know, it was just kind of like, man, I don't want to go in circles. Like, I'm supposed to, like, be off this. I'm getting older. Like, I'm in my 30s. Like, people don't want to keep seeing you be a up. You got to get your life together, bro. You're not in your 20s no more. You're not just out here, you know, I mean, so it was kind of like this reality check I needed, and I wouldn't got help, help, you know, I, I, I, I, I'm glad I did at the time, at that time, because, you know, something would have happened for sure. You know, I mean, and ever since then, like, I haven't been like, yeah, I get down about some things, but then I get over it. Like, before would hit me for, like, weeks, something bad happens. I'm, like, in the house for weeks, just, like, miserable. But, you know, ever since 2016, I've been like, a thousand times better. Like, it's so funny because, like, Lola, we were hanging out one time, it was like, maybe two years ago, and she. We were, we were talking about 2010 for me and what I was going through and all this. And I told her I got arrested, you know, and they found drugs on me. And she was like, what? And I was like, all right, let me find the article and let you read this. So she's reading it, and she starts laughing. She's like, I don't know who this person is. She's like, all I know is the sweet Scott that I've known for, like, years now. Like, I don't know. This. This is so funny to me. Like, I'm not even concerned because I know you're past this point in your life. I know that enough to Know that, you know, and, like, she just looks at it like it's. It's a silly thing, you know? And then it made me kind of. In that moment, I found peace with it, because I always was kind of, you know, bummed out about that. You know, I thought that, you know, it was like, a dent in my armor a little bit, but that made me feel okay about it. I was like, damn, my. My girl's not even, like, judging me. She's, like, laughing, like, what the. Like, this is crazy.

[Alex Cooper]

Like, you know, that's really interesting, though, to, like, think about that. That you had. Understandably, you lived it. That was you. You. I mean, reading in the book, and everyone, please go read it. But there's, like, that really hard moment where you are, like, I literally took so much coke that I'm, like, laying on the floor. And then, like, I wake up and I'm like, it's a complete different day. And you were like, I'm on my back. And I'm like, I think this is it. Like, I think. And thinking about that version, thinking about that article version, all of this. And then your wife now is like, you're not that. That person, though, anymore. Sometimes it does take someone to pull you out because we've lived it and it's still a part of you, but it's not you anymore.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

And that's really beautiful that she was able to just be like, I got you. I got you. Okay. That's not you anymore. Okay. And you're like, oh, shit. I guess it's not.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah, exactly.

[Alex Cooper]

But can you talk about rehab? Because I do think it's really interesting the way that you write about this moment, specifically about how it also kind of forced you going to rehab to process a lot of the trauma. Right? Like, you had not even thought about how to process your father, and now you're in rehab and you're starting to talk about your mental health for the first time. Like, can you share a little bit about what that was like for you, man?

[Kid Cudi]

It was. It was freeing for me. Me. There was a lot of things that, you know, I hadn't talked about ever. You know, and it was very frustrating at first, you know, just having some stranger ask you really personal questions about your life. And in. In. In rehab, the therapy is like, you know, some of the sessions can be kind of heavy. You know, just the. The approach that the therapist may take. But there's other therapists in there that are super cool. But, yeah, it was. It was. It was difficult at first, but then it got easier the more I felt comfortable with the people allowed me to open up about things that. That I was hurt about from long ago as a. As a kid that I didn't know, really affected me. And it was a beautiful thing because by the time I was. I was in there for a month. By the time I left, you know, I was feeling a whole lot better. You know, as you know, I had a stroke. So I was coming out of that. It was maybe like two weeks, and I was still, you know, I had had, you know, slow speech and. And, you know, I was doing kind of therapy every week with this lady that kind of played these little games and, like, where they, like, show you a picture of a dog or a cat or something, and you have to, like, say dog. And, like, I would just look at a picture of a dog and be like, I couldn't say it, you know? That was scary, man. I. I was like, man, I don't know. I was like, dear God. I was like, please let me bounce back from this. That was super scary. But all throughout that, even though I was dealing with the. The. The stroke stuff, you know, I was still very much happy. Like, I was on. I was in the light, you know, and I just felt brand new. All of a sudden, I just felt brand new. It was crazy.

[Alex Cooper]

You mentioned you talked through a lot of things. Eventually, as you started to feel comfortable in rehab, that you were like, okay, I had kind of been carrying this that I didn't realize I was carrying it. Like, do you have anything you could share that was something you were able to kind of let go of that you realized had been really weighing you down for so long?

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah, I think it was really, truly my anger. I was a hothead for a long time. A long time. And that was my main issue. And whether it's being mad at ex girlfriends or. Or mad at my mom about something or, you know, just angry at life itself. Like, I. I was able to kind of overcome that, you know, and it was like, for me, that was what was secretly, like, weighing me down, holding me back, because I'm, like, in my core, what I realized is that, like, no, I'm. It's like, scott, you're a good dude. There's, you know, some shitty people, and you're not a shitty person, you know, so it was like, I had that, you know, And I, like, at times you would see this good dude. Like, if you. If me and you met when I was 28, you would have not known the difference. I mean, I would have Been high as a kite, but, you know, I still would have been chill and like, you know what I mean? But like, like, you wouldn't have walked away from the conversation, like, worried about me, you know what I mean? But like, yeah, it's all. Yeah, it's all different, you know?

[Alex Cooper]

Do you have any, from your experience, any words of advice to anyone listening who maybe is actually currently right now going through their rock bottom moment?

[Kid Cudi]

Man, I had a conversation with a good friend of mine, Omar, a month ago, and he was telling me, he was like, man, when you in your darkest moment, like, and you like, wondering why God is doing this, like, think that, like, maybe he's like, teach you a lesson, you don't might not get it yet, but there's a lesson here. He's trying to help you grow or something, understand something. Like, there's a message. This is not just happening for no reason, you know? And I think that that was one of the things, learning that, like hearing him say that because I was dealing with some stressful. And when he did that, I started like, oh, that's right, because I need to do this better. And like, get off that. And oh, oh, damn. Okay, I get it. You know, So I feel like think in life when you're dealing with something, just always take a step back. Always take a step back and, and think about the bigger picture. There's a lesson here, you know, and all these lessons, all the things you learn, will mold you into the human you're going to be in the future. If you're young, you know, I mean, in your teens, early 20s. Like, just keep this in mind. Like, you know, everything happens on purpose, you know what I mean? Like, it's, it's, it's meant to go that, that way, you know, I mean, it's all part of the design, you.

[Alex Cooper]

Know, And I think when you have that perspective, like you're saying, like, fuck, this is happening for a reason, it also then inherently gives someone hope if they have that perspective.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

Like someone in that situation right now listening to you is like, oh, there's. If he's up there and he's doing this for a reason, I'm learning there's a lesson in this. Like, it gives you hope that there's like another chapter coming.

[Kid Cudi]

Exactly.

[Alex Cooper]

You gotta just push through the discomfort and the pain and not saying it's easy, but it gives you something to look forward to. There is then a light that you can like, focus on and be like, okay, I got this.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

You write about how you saw this Shift in your life after learning to love yourself. Which sounds maybe simple to people, but I think there's a lot of people who don't. And it's actually a lot harder.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

Than it is to like yourself and then to love yourself is another step.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

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[Kid Cudi]

Oh, man. I think I was able to be nicer to myself. Like, that was. That was one thing. It was just like, scott, you're doing all right. Like, look at what you've accomplished. Even when you was dealing with, like, when you were your most depressed, you still made art, you know? I mean, and it's helping people, you know? I mean, like. Like, you're okay. Like, you're all good. And this is before Lola. I was thinking this way. Way. So I was alone. Didn't really have nothing going on. I was on and off again with this one girl, but I knew that wasn't gonna work out. And, you know, but it was different. Like, I. I was, like. I was in love with myself for the first time in my life, you know?

[Alex Cooper]

Let's talk about your wife.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

Yeah. You need to tell me the story of how you guys met.

[Kid Cudi]

Okay. So I walked in Virgil Ablo's first Louis Vuitton show in Paris. And we met while I was doing a fitting, and she took pictures of me for the board. And I'm just sitting there, and I'm just looking at this. I'm standing there, and I'm looking at this girl, and I'm like, yo, who is this little cutie, like, with these glasses? Like, she's so cute. And she takes my picture. She's like, okay, thank you. I'm like, okay. About her business. I like that. Not tripping on me. Cool. Cool, man. If I see her again, I'm gonna ask for her number. You know what I mean? And literally, right after this show, all I could think about was. Was meeting the girl with the glasses. Like, I was just running around. Like, that was, like, the only thing on my mind. And I saw her. She was, like, standing right there talking to one of her homegirls. And I went up. I didn't even introduce myself. I didn't even ask her name. I just was like. Because I had to leave. I had to get changed, and. And. And I don't know if I changed or if I was still in the outfit from the show, but I was rushing to get to my crew so we could leave. And I just came up on her and I was like, hey, excuse me. Can I ask you a question? She's like, yeah. I was like, do you have a boyfriend, Scott? I just would cut straight to the chase because I don't want to waste my time, man. I was like, I don't want to get my hopes up, you know, like. Like being thirsty about this girl. She got a man. You know what I mean? So I just wanted to get straight to the point. She said, no. I was like. In my head, I was like, perfect. And I was just like, can I have your number? And she was like, yeah. And she gave me your number. Put her name in the phone as Lola, because I didn't even ask her name. Oh, my God. Such a goof. And we hung out that night at the after party. And it's so funny because I had on this Tom Ford suit, this three piece tomorrow suit. And it was. It was. I was too clean. I was too clean. And she always says. She was like, you tricked me. I was like, what you mean? She was like, first time we hung out, you was in this fly ass suit. I ain't see you in a suit since. I was like, you're right.

[Alex Cooper]

Really? God damn it. She thought she was getting one thing, you know, in my Solomons with my ripped jeans. God damn it. I'm sorry. I love you, babe.

[Kid Cudi]

I know. I know.

[Alex Cooper]

So real.

[Kid Cudi]

I told her I'm gonna get back to the suits, though. I'm. I'm. I'm trying to get there. I got this thing with YSL going, so, like, you know, I'm trying to get back to my suits.

[Alex Cooper]

Yeah, you're coming. You're coming back. Coming back. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay, wait, so did you guys hit it off immediately, though? Or was it a slow burn? Like, did you guys start dating?

[Kid Cudi]

No, no, no. We were friends for a couple years. Few years. Yeah. And, you know, she. She always told me. She was like. When we first started talking, I always, always. Me and my friends were just like, what does he want from you?

[Alex Cooper]

Wait, I'm upset. That's so. Girls being like, what the does he want? Like, what's his agenda?

[Kid Cudi]

She said I would text and be like. And she would be like, scotty, just text me. And like, what does he want? Like, what. What? What the. Like, if people would not understand it. And like, I was like, babe, like, let me tell you something. Something. I really liked you. Like, I was like, vibing with you. Like, if, like, we. I with you, your energy, you know? I mean, and I'M I'm, I'm real, you know what I'm saying? And like, so that's one of the reasons why like I would hit her up because I wanted her to let her know, like, hey, like I want to keep in touch, like I, with you, like, you know what I mean? Like, like. And she would always respond back and we would talk and it was just like really organic. So by the time we ended up dating, it was easy because we already knew each other and, and it was just. We were hanging out more days at a time now. Before it was like two days here when I was in town or like that, but now we like, like, or really kicking it, we're in Tokyo spending New Year's or like hanging out for two weeks and, and you know, it was, it was great. It was, it kind of build, build really easy. And that's kind of one of the things that I loved about it because I don't think, you know, I've connected with someone so easy before in like, like in this way, you know. And you know, it wasn't until she made a few trips to, to la where I was kind of like just seeing it like the full picture. She's in my house. Like I see, I see it. All right? And, and, and then I just, I just asked her, I was like, hey, would you ever think about moving to la? And she was like, yeah, I could do that. And I was like, shut the fuck up. I was like, are you serious? And she was like, yeah, I could do that, why not? And I was like, oh, it's on now. As soon as she said that, I was like making plans to get the ring. I was doing all the things. Like, I was like, yeah, I was like on it. It, I was on it.

[Alex Cooper]

Wait, how did you propose?

[Kid Cudi]

So we took a trip to Kyoto. Cuz she loves it there. I've never been. And she hadn't been there in a while, so I was like, oh, let's go to Kyoto. And I, I planned this thing where we went to go on this tour of temples and one of the temples I had shut down where there was nobody there and like, oh my God.

[Alex Cooper]

That'S good, that's good.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Like, it's funny because I've, I've talked to her about this afterwards. Like if she knew that I was going to propose or like did she see things that were weird? And she was like, well, there was one thing, there were two things. First, your security follows us everywhere. And they stopped and they didn't follow Us in. And I thought that was weird. And then she said, like, you're like, fucking.

[Alex Cooper]

Damn it.

[Kid Cudi]

And then she said that, like, because I had had two, like, lanterns up with our names in English and in Japanese underneath, right? So once it's Scott, one said Lola, right? And she was like, what the. Like. Like, why does he have our names up on the. What is he doing? Right? So she was kind of like, not. She did not know the proposal was coming, but she was kind of thrown off, like, thinking it was weird that I had these things planned.

[Alex Cooper]

You're like, lola, it's part of the plan, sweetie. Shut up for a second.

[Kid Cudi]

We get there, it was so funny, man, because, you know, the. The proposal went great, and everything was magical, but I didn't. Like, I. I had my photographer and my videographer fly out there to capture the footage, but they were like. Didn't know when to come out. We didn't plan it. And, like, they fucking came out. They were taking pictures, but I was, like, behind a big bush. So all you see is, like, my. My knee bent down. You don't see the proposal at all. And, like, so we came out, and they came on afterwards like, hey. And it was kind of cool because I felt like if they came out before I proposed, Lola would have been like, why are there cameras here? What. Why do you. Why is, like, like, you know, Brett here?

[Alex Cooper]

Brett, what the are you doing here? And you're like, oh, you're proposing. Right? Right. It almost worked out better.

[Kid Cudi]

So it worked out better. And then so the pictures we have are just us kind of standing on because we were in, like, this garden, this really beautiful garden, and in this temple. And so we got pictures just, like, hugging and stuff.

[Alex Cooper]

I'm obsessed that he took a picture, and you can see your kneecap. You're like, thanks, Brett. You're fire.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah. I was like, oh, man. I was all, bro.

[Alex Cooper]

Okay, but your wedding photos, they came out dope, right? So good. Oh, so you were in a suit?

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

Okay, Lola. See, he's making a comeback.

[Kid Cudi]

Come. I've tried. For the wedding, I was thinking about pajamas, but I did the suit. I didn't want to embarrass you.

[Alex Cooper]

Bare minimum, put on a suit for your wedding. What was your favorite moment? If you had to say. I know there's probably so many. Many.

[Kid Cudi]

My favorite moment was seeing her walking down like that. Me up like, I was crying before she even got to the. To the little altar part, you know, I was like. I was like, this. My wife. I was just so I was so geeked. I was like, man, and just seeing, and seeing her walk and she looks so beautiful, you know, that's the first time you see the dress. And like, you know, she kept saying, like, I hope you like it, I hope you like it. And like, Lola has amazing taste, man. So I was never, I was never worried. And. And the person who made her dress, Alan Paul, he's a genius, an amazing designer. So, you know, I. I trusted them. I knew, I knew I was gonna love it, but seeing it was just, just, oh, it was beautiful. I. It was. Oh, man, it was such a moment. And we filmed everything, so I can't. We're waiting to see like the footage from. Because the dude is editing it up and. But I can't wait to see just that moment again. Cuz my face, like, I literally went like, I couldn't do it. I was like, I was like, you're gonna ball.

[Alex Cooper]

When you watch it again, I already know, like, you're gonna be. So.

[Kid Cudi]

I'm prepared. I'm prepared. I was trying to. I was trying to keep it together, but then it was just like, man, oh man. You know, it just happened. I, like, I was trying to hold back, but then, because I know she was gonna cry and I didn't want us to both be up there, like, hysterical. So.

[Alex Cooper]

No, Scott, the worst would be if you're like, stone cold face like, come on down.

[Kid Cudi]

Hurry up.

[Alex Cooper]

Yeah, let's go. No, I mean, you see the movies when everyone like, turns to look at, like, what the guy's face is. And like, I literally said to my husband, I was like, if you don't cry, I don't want to marry you. What the. And thank God he was sobbing too. Like, I would be a little scared if it was just like.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah. So I was just like, is that. Hurry up.

[Alex Cooper]

Okay. Wait, did you guys write your own vows?

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah. Yeah. And we wrote. And we literally pinned the paper, wrote them down. And I told her to forgive me because my handwriting is just all over the place. But I was like, really, like, being patient with every letter and like, you know, to make sure she could read it, you know. But yeah, it was great. It was great. And we saved them too, so we're going to frame them.

[Alex Cooper]

Oh, it's amazing. How has Lola ultimately made you a better man?

[Kid Cudi]

Oh, man. I thought I was happy before, but she just put a little extra sauce on it, you know, I feel totally complete and at peace, you know, because before her, it was. There was something missing, you know, it was always something Missing. I was happy. Right. We talked about that journey from rehab and whatever, so I was happy, but I always felt that something was missing. And I've always been, like. It's always been my dream to, like, be married and have more kids and, like, build a little. A little posse of children and, like, you know, and to have someone that, you know, wants that and respects you and, you know, uplifts you in your darkest moments when you're not feeling confident about work or whatever it may be, like, that's there for you and is a real best friend, you know?

[Alex Cooper]

It's beautiful, because I was gonna say, I feel like, you know, throughout your life, you've been on this pursuit of happiness, no pun intended, and you think you found it.

[Kid Cudi]

Oh, yeah, definitely. Definitely.

[Alex Cooper]

We have to talk about your album Free. What is the inspiration behind it?

[Kid Cudi]

Man, I think it's. It's really just kind of like, bringing people into, like, you know, where I am now at this place in time, the joy I feel, but also talking about, you know, reflecting on past struggles and how I overcame them, you know, and you get that. You get kind of both sides of the album with these first two singles. You get kind of the love song with Neverland, and you get this kind of, like, anthem to overcoming your engrave, you know, and that's kind of like the two. It kind of bounces it between those two vibes on the album. Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

What is your wife's favorite song?

[Kid Cudi]

Brave. Yeah, it was her idea to drop it as a second single. I mean, this. This whole album is like. She was the. She. Lola was the main inspiration behind this album. You know, I mean, like, she. The first round of songs were all love songs, you know, I mean, like, different love songs to her.

[Alex Cooper]

I mean. I mean, I just saw. Listening to this album the whole time, it's definitely.

[Kid Cudi]

It's. It's. It's cute because it's like. It's these true feelings that I have for this woman, like, and I'm singing them to her, you know, and even at the wedding, I performed Neverland and Grave, and I was singing it to her, and she was just watching me and just, like, so happy and, like, it's. It's. It's great, man. Like, I've. You know, having her throughout this whole process was. Was great, you know, and she would come to the studio, too.

[Alex Cooper]

You need to tell me what. What is your favorite song on the album? And it can't be the two that have been.

[Kid Cudi]

My favorite song on the album. I got two. Can I say Two.

[Alex Cooper]

You can say two.

[Kid Cudi]

There's this song called Opiate that I really. And then Saltwater, which is the final song on the album. And there's more. There's more. But I just wanted to say Opiate for sure, because it's. It. It's so groovy and like. Yeah, people are gonna love it.

[Alex Cooper]

I'm really excited.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah. Yeah. It's a lot of. It's a lot of bops on there. Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

Because it's pop, right?

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

Yeah. Which is exciting for you, right? It's, like a little different.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah. I mean, it. That's the thing that people notice is, like, it is different. It's a whole new thing. But it still feels like Cutty. Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

I'm so happy I got to know you today. I. You never know what you're like. I'm sure you didn't know what you were going to expect sitting down with me. Right. You walked in, you literally looked at me. You're like. Like, I don't know. I'm nervous. I was like. But, like, how do you feel? Like, I think we had a great conversation. I thought that was lovely.

[Kid Cudi]

Yeah, it was fantastic. I feel great.

[Alex Cooper]

Again, like I said earlier, getting to know an artist, we know so much about you through your music, but to hear you talk more in depth about your life story and what's made you. You and what's made you. Scott, Kid Cudi is awesome. But the layers that you've allowed us all to see, I think has only made. Made me personally a bigger fan because I've been a fan for a while, but now knowing even more about you, I'm like, you've been through so much, and I know everything you put into your music now, it's just that much more relatable. It has that much more soul and passion. And I just. I'm really excited for you in this next chapter of your life because you're crushing. And thank you for coming on Call Her Daddy. It was truly a pleasure.

[Kid Cudi]

Thank you so much for having me.

[Alex Cooper]

We did it.

[Kid Cudi]

And I gotta come back.

[Alex Cooper]

Back, dude. And I. I didn't ask you any inappropriate sex questions. Were you. Did anyone prep you for that? You were fine.

[Kid Cudi]

They. They. I was a little nervous about that. I was a little nervous. I know. You get a little salsa with it.

[Alex Cooper]

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