Kid Cudi is bringing his debut mixtape A Kid Named Cudi to streaming services for the first time this month, along with a greatest hits compilation.
On Monday (July 4), the Cleveland, Ohio native announced the release date for his long-awaited A Kid Named Cudi reissue, which is set to arrive on July 15. The remastered project will feature original fan-favorites such as “The Prayer,” “Man on the Moon” and “Heaven At Nite,” as well as a brand new intro.
Adding to the nostalgia, Cudi will recap his game-changing, 14-year career by releasing a “best of” collection called The Boy Who Flew to the Moon Vol. 1 on July 8. The cover art will be unveiled on Tuesday (July 5), followed by a tracklist on Wednesday (July 6).
“July 8th ‘The Boy Who Flew To The Moon Vol. 1’ (Best of) July 15th ‘A Kid Named Cudi,’” Cudi wrote on Twitter. “I love u. Ur welcome.”
He added, “‘A Kid Named Cudi’ dropped July 17th 2008. This official release is 2 days shy of the 14th anniversary. I am so damn excited u all get to enjoy it again, remastered, w all the jams that made people fans from jump. Also, did a new intro.”
July 8th "The Boy Who Flew To The Moon Vol. 1" (Best of)
July 15th "A Kid Named Cudi"
I love u. Ur welcome ☺️✌??
— The Chosen One : I ? YOU FRESHIE 4EVER (@KidCudi) July 4, 2022
"The Boy Who Flew To The Moon Vol. 1" artwork tomorrow, tracklisting comin Weds.
— The Chosen One : I ? YOU FRESHIE 4EVER (@KidCudi) July 4, 2022
Released through Fool’s Gold and 10.Deep, A Kid Named Cudi was a pivotal moment in Kid Cudi’s early career. Its lead single “Day ‘N’ Nite” built a buzz online and caught the attention of Kanye West, who later invited him to Hawaii to work on 808s & Heartbreak and JAY-Z’s The Blueprint 3.
Within 14 months of A Kid Named Cudi‘s release, Cudi had signed to Kanye’s G.O.O.D. Music imprint and dropped his now-double platinum debut album Man on the Moon: The End of Day, helping to usher in a new era in Hip Hop while solidifying his cult hero status among his fans.
“Even though it was a mixtape and a lot of the beats we used were revamps of existing songs, Cudi’s take on everything was so fresh that it felt like an album,” producer Emile Haynie told DJBooth on its 10th anniversary in 2018. “I knew he was going to change things and I was so happy to be along for it. We went on to make two more full albums together, but A Kid Named Cudi is the one I look back on with the most fondness.”
Cudi first announced plans to rerelease A Kid Named Cudi on streaming in 2021. During a virtual concert on his Encore app in March, he announced the reissued mixtape will gets its own vinyl pressing, too.
A Kid Named Cudi and The Boy Who Flew To The Moon Vol. 1 add to what’s shaping up to be another busy year for Kid Cudi, who’s dropping his eagerly-anticipated Entergalactic album and accompanying Netflix series on September 30.
The multi-faceted project — hailed by Cudi as his “greatest achievement” — will be supported by his To The Moon Tour, which journeys across North America, Europe and Japan between August and November. The September 17 date in his hometown of Cleveland coincides with his inaugural Moon Man’s Landing Festival, featuring performances from Playboi Carti, Pusha T, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony and more.
Combined with movie roles in X, Silent Night and September 17th, the release of his aforementioned Encore app and the launch of his Members of the Rage clothing line, King Wizard is looking to stamp his authority on the game in 2022.
Im goin for 2022 MVP
— The Chosen One : I ? YOU FRESHIE 4EVER (@KidCudi) July 4, 2022