Life can be incredibly beautiful, yet there are moments when its darker aspects emerge, forcing us to confront the sad realities that often lurk in the shadows. This became evident on the evening of Friday, April 21, when Kid Cudi took to social media to speak candidly about his struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts, issues he has previously addressed.
Once celebrated as an innovative artist who brought a fresh sound to music, Kid Cudi, born Scott Mescudi, had the support of prominent artists like Kanye West, who himself has drawn inspiration from Cudi’s work. However, Cudi later faced a challenging period marked by obscurity, battling depression and drug addiction. In his journey through these trials, he released Speedin’ Bullet 2 Heaven, his fifth studio album, which did not receive the acclaim of his earlier projects. Despite its lackluster commercial performance, the album was personally meaningful to him and connected deeply to his mental health. His revival came with the launch of Kanye West’s The Life of Pablo, where he contributed his signature, soulful hum—an experience that felt uplifting, even if momentarily.
Reflecting on his struggles, Cudi told Billboard that “Speedin’ Bullet was my last outing as the dark, depressing character that people place me as.” He shared how he once turned to substances like cocaine to cope with his mental health issues. “I needed to get that out of me and that was the only way I could do it.” The day after his Billboard interview was published, Cudi expressed his feelings of underappreciation on Twitter, revealing, “I think about blowin my brains out a handful [of] times a week, I fear no one. I gives no fucks. I’m a warrior in hell.”
Sharing such dark thoughts is not something most individuals dealing with depression feel comfortable doing; society often encourages the suppression of these feelings to avoid stigma. Intriguingly, much of the attention following Cudi’s tweet focused on his upcoming music rather than his mental health struggles. This societal tendency to hide our innermost feelings can lead to a sense of isolation. Occasionally, a celebrity uses their platform to shed light on these heavier topics, revealing the uncomfortable truths that exist for everyone, not just Cudi.