For only being the third week in January, two rappers have definitely made a splash already. Kid Cudi and 21 Savage have been carving their own lanes for a while now.
Cudi has been known to expand on the pro-mental health awareness alternative hip-hop from the late 2000s and early 2010s, while 21 Savage emerged from the blossoming Atlanta trap scene that became mainstream in the 2010s.
Both rappers have also evolved over the years — one more subtly than the other. Kid Cudi has favored more pop rap and trap beats and flows over the last three to four years.
21 Savage has been known for his trap bangers such as “a lot” and “Bank Account,” but lately has been collaborating with artists like Metro Boomin, which has caused his selection of flows and beats to be a lot more creative and unexpected.
Cudi has been teasing his newest studio release “INSANO” for a while now, but on Jan. 12, 2024, he released the massive 21-track, hour-long trap-inspired album.
21 Savage surprise-dropped his third solo studio album “american dream” on the same day as Kid Cudi’s with limited marketing up until the drop, instead relying solely on hype from his recent tour with Drake and a music video teaser starring Donald Glover — also known as Childish Gambino — and Caleb McLaughlin of “Stranger Things” fame.
Critically, Kid Cudi has fared better than 21 Savage, however I think that might change relatively soon because of these records. 21 Savage’s newest effort “american dream” is a fantastic example of how artists can get more personal and evolve over time without leaving behind what has made them hitmakers. Cudi’s album is… not that.
21 Savage starts out the record with an intro narrated by his mother Heather Carmillia Joseph over cinematic production which transitions into the track “all of me” — which was teased in the “american dream” trailer. The song is an instant classic 21 Savage cut with cutthroat verses and a clever chorus.
The third track “redrum” is going to be the trap anthem of early 2024 for sure. The song has smart, progressive production and 21 Savage’s flow on the track is at times mesmerizing.
Kid Cudi starts off “INSANO” with “Often, I Have These Dreamz,” an intro track narrated by DJ Drama — who is included on a lot of the songs as a 2000s-era mixtape hype man, a trend that has made a strong resurgence within the last five years.
The second track on the record “Keep Bouncin’” favors trap aesthetics sonically and lyrically, and while the energy from Cudi is there, the production and lyricism is too bland and at times soulless.
Tracks on “INSANO” like “Most Ain’t Dennis,” “Electrowavebaby,” “Cud Life” and “Getcha Gone” feature this vapid lyricism and empty vibe. Cudi, while evolving sonically as an artist, seems to have lost his insight into topics not really explored in conventional hip-hop anymore — like men’s mental health and the woes of drug use. Instead, Cudi opts for trap-inspired braggadocio.
The features on “INSANO” such as A$AP Rocky, Travis Scott, Young Thug, Pharrell Williams and Lil Wayne often overpower and outshine Kid Cudi.
21 Savage features a lot of the same artists like Scott and Thug. With more inclusions like Brent Faiyaz, Summer Walker, Lil Durk and Doja Cat, one would think that the same issue would plague 21 Savage However, he holds his own with these features and even creates synergy with artists he does not usually collaborate with.
Some highlights on “american dream” include “dangerous,” “née-nah,” “red sky” and “dark days.” Each track brings a uniquely confident energy with equally as bold production choices by Metro Boomin, London on da Track and Honorable C.N.O.T.E.
Overall, Kid Cudi’s overly long, soulless evolution is too little, too late, while 21 Savage subverts expectations and puts out a soulful and modern trap record.
Despite my disappointment with Cudi, his music has meant a lot to me in the past and helped with struggles I’ve had with my own mental health. I’m looking forward to what both artists have in store for the future.
Ratings:
“american dream” by 21 Savage: 3.5/5 stars
“INSANO” by Kid Cudi: 1.5/5 stars
