Kid Cudi delivers a brand new album for all of us hip-hop heads to devour. Strap in & get ready, because this album is going to take you on a ride.
Track 1: "Scott Mescudi vs. the World" (featuring Cee-Lo Green)
The track begins with a clash of space-like sound effects meshing before the bass-heavy beat kicks in. From the get go, you know this is going to be one of those albums you really zone out to. Cudi’s flow on this track is classic and Cee-Lo’s vocals on the hook add that extra melody that gets this song stuck in your head.
Track 2: “REVOFEV"
As soon as I heard the first few seconds, I knew it was going to be dope. Cudi’s typical laidback flow is all over this one. Disclaimer: be careful when listening to this track in public because you WILL feel compelled to sing along during the alarmingly infectious hook.
Track 3: "Don't Play This Song" (featuring Mary J. Blige)
What happens when you get an R&B Veteran and new age rapper to collaborate? You get a super spaced out track that just takes your mind to other worlds. Cudi opens up a bit lyrically, referring to his mother & struggle in his pursuit of an “alternative” lifestyle. Certainly an interesting listen.
Track 4: "We Aite (Wake Your Mind Up)"
Sort of a filler track. The audience in the background makes you feel like you’re in a giant stadium.
Track 5: "Marijuana"
The title is a pretty accurate description of the lyrical content. Again, the electric guitar shows up and takes this instrumentation to a higher level. Super chill song.
Track 6: "Mojo So Dope"
Dope sampling & choir background vocals are what make this track special. Not to mention Cudi’s ridiculous flow. Anytime your hear choir vocals on a hip hop track, you know it’s a good listen.
Track 7: "Ashin' Kusher"
This one’s a head bopper. The accelated bassline on this track is tough and Cudi adapts by speeding up the pace of his normal flow. Another good listen.
Track 8: “Erase Me" (featuring Kanye West)
This one was clearly made for the radio. This is an extra funky track with melodies that will get stuck in your head for days. Cudi was definitely overshadowed by Kanye's on this one, in my opinion. Be prepared to rewind Ye’s verse about 20 times the first time you hear it. My personal favorite track.
Track 9: "Wild'n Cuz I'm Young"
I don’t know where Cudi finds the producers for some of these tracks, but WOW! Definitely a unique beat. Cudi rips it apart, though, & the hook is ridiculous.
Track 10: "The Mood"
This one didn’t particularly stand out to me. That’s not to say it’s bad, though. For me, the high point in this track is the drum-breakdown during the hook. Still worth a listen.
Track 11: "MANIAC" (featuring Cage and St. Vincent)
Another trippy song. The distorted vocals on the hook sound barely-human and continue the listener’s ascent into the depths of their imagination. Yet another good listen.
Track 12: "Mr. Rager"
Surprisingly, Cudi’s more prominent attempt at singing the hook goes over well. At this point in the album, you just expect every track to be hot. Cudi rips this one apart.
Track 13: "These Worries" (featuring Mary J. Blige)
The eerie electronic intro sets the mood for this heavy track. Mary J. Blige MAKES this song what it is. On her second appearance on the album, she really gets an opportunity to show off her legendary voice. Great listen.
Track 14: "The End" (featuring GLC, Chip tha Ripper and Nicole Wray)
This is one of those real bass-heavy, head bopping, boom-bap hip hop beats that we all love to play in our cars while speeding down the highway. The 3 collaborators on this track are actually an asset, with Nicole Wray adding a refreshing melody to the hook.
Track 15: "All Along"
This is where the album starts typing up it’s loose ends. Another super chill track, there is no bass kick prominent, rather a melodious, lyrical vibe laces this memorable song.
Track 16: "GHOST!"
The beat on this track has so many layers, it sort of took my head for a spin. It’s one of those “you’ll understand when you hear it” circumstances. Not my favorite.
Track 17: "Trapped in My Mind"
This is one of those times when Cudi is able to take you deep into his mind and express his unique vision of the world. The bouncy beat carries this track along well and ends the album on a good note.
This one was clearly made for the radio. This is an extra funky track with melodies that will get stuck in your head for days. Cudi was definitely overshadowed by Kanye's on this one, in my opinion. Be prepared to rewind Ye’s verse about 20 times the first time you hear it. My personal favorite track.
Track 9: "Wild'n Cuz I'm Young"
I don’t know where Cudi finds the producers for some of these tracks, but WOW! Definitely a unique beat. Cudi rips it apart, though, & the hook is ridiculous.
Track 10: "The Mood"
This one didn’t particularly stand out to me. That’s not to say it’s bad, though. For me, the high point in this track is the drum-breakdown during the hook. Still worth a listen.
Track 11: "MANIAC" (featuring Cage and St. Vincent)
Another trippy song. The distorted vocals on the hook sound barely-human and continue the listener’s ascent into the depths of their imagination. Yet another good listen.
Track 12: "Mr. Rager"
Surprisingly, Cudi’s more prominent attempt at singing the hook goes over well. At this point in the album, you just expect every track to be hot. Cudi rips this one apart.
Track 13: "These Worries" (featuring Mary J. Blige)
The eerie electronic intro sets the mood for this heavy track. Mary J. Blige MAKES this song what it is. On her second appearance on the album, she really gets an opportunity to show off her legendary voice. Great listen.
Track 14: "The End" (featuring GLC, Chip tha Ripper and Nicole Wray)
This is one of those real bass-heavy, head bopping, boom-bap hip hop beats that we all love to play in our cars while speeding down the highway. The 3 collaborators on this track are actually an asset, with Nicole Wray adding a refreshing melody to the hook.
Track 15: "All Along"
This is where the album starts typing up it’s loose ends. Another super chill track, there is no bass kick prominent, rather a melodious, lyrical vibe laces this memorable song.
Track 16: "GHOST!"
The beat on this track has so many layers, it sort of took my head for a spin. It’s one of those “you’ll understand when you hear it” circumstances. Not my favorite.
Track 17: "Trapped in My Mind"
This is one of those times when Cudi is able to take you deep into his mind and express his unique vision of the world. The bouncy beat carries this track along well and ends the album on a good note.
Overall, Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager is a SOLID album. Fortunately for us, the fame he’s garnered since his first album dropped has not changed him at all. Listening to Cudi spit again is like talking with an old friend. Not to mention, it’s clear that no one in the industry nowadays is on his level. He continues to mesh his unconventional flow with genre-mashing beats that appeal to an amazing array of people. I highly recommend you listen to this one straight though from start to finish. It’s a musical journey you won’t soon forget.
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