Music Heals. Cudi Healed.

Back in September 2009, I was just starting out in University, attempting to figure out how to grow up. Just as school started, an album came out that changed my life forever.

Kid Cudi’s Man on the Moon: The End of Day was one of the realest, rawest albums that I had ever heard, and immediately struck a chord unlike anything before. Cudi spoke of the struggles of growing up, drinking and doing drugs, and trying to fit in in a society of misfits. The second song “Soundtack 2 My Life” describes just how MOTM was to me: it was a soundtrack so fitting, so aligned with where I was, that it played non-stop, all day, every day. It was definitely the soundtrack to my life at the time. The platinum single “Day ‘N’ Nite” was the anthem.

I've got some issues that nobody can see, and all of these emotions are pouring out of me. I bring them to the light for you, it's only right. This is the soundtrack to my life.

 

Each song tells a story, a segment of Cudder’s life, a cross-section of emotions and unanswerable questions. The overarching concept of the project was Cudi’s emotional struggles, coping with them, overcoming them, and moving forward. From start to finish the theme is clear, and you are taken on a journey deep into Cudi’s mind. He amazingly didn’t just tell you the story, but brought you along for the ride.

We see a clear progression from darkness, to uncovering and understanding, to triumph – albeit temporary. Or, in Cudi-speak: nightmares, to trips, to a new beginning. Common provides meaningful narration of Cudi’s journey, taking us through the album’s five acts: Nightmares, Rise of the Night Terrors, Taking a Trip, Stuck, and A New Beginning.

At the end of the day, my momma told me that you'll never break me. At the end of the day, my momma told me nobody ever could stop me. At the end of the day you can't regret it if you were tryin: At the end of the day I'm walking with the heart of a lion.

Classifying MOTM as hip hop is an requires an extra-large asterisk. The album is one of the most experimental ‘hip hop’ albums ever released, period. It encompasses sounds that were never heard before in the genre, and redefined the boundaries of all genres, thanks in part to appearances by MGMT and Ratatat.

The sound was so different, and so was Cudi’s delivery, that it was hard not to listen again. Cudi slows to a speech during several songs, and perhaps this is how he is able to build such and intimate connection with listeners.

I'mma zone out till I lose feeling. Remember, I'mma be gone way past November. Even stay up there, floatin' hopin' I could find peace somewhere.

*  *  *

Recently, my grandfather passed away. It was the first time I had lost anyone close to me that I can remember well, and I had never dealt with anything like it before. I didn’t know how I would deal with it, but as I do whenever I have a lot on my mind, I put on my music.

I went right to MOTM, almost without thinking. While I basked in it, all the feelings I had when I first heard it immediately came back. It reminded me of all it did for me when it came out. It helped me think of all the good things in life, all the great memories I had with Zaida, and that all I could do was cherish those memories, and look forward to creating new ones.

I'm on the pursuit of happiness and I know, everything that shines ain't always gonna be gold. Hey I'll be fine just once I get. I'll be good.

It’s hard to explain why, but music has an incredible healing power. Everyone has that artist, that song, that album, that speaks to them. It’s inexplicable why this happens, but it does, and it is something to embrace, something beautiful.

For me, Man on the Moon will always be that album. Its shine will never tarnish, its effect will never wear off, and it will never become over-played. Scott Mescudi was able to take me on his journey, and prepared me for mine.

KG

I'll be up, up, and away; up, up, and away. Cause in the end they'll judge me anyway, so whatever.

“Day ‘N’ Nite” – KiD CuDi (Man on the Moon: The End of Day)

KG Fall/Winter 2013

This past week I had to do a “Personal Branding” assignment for Advertising.  Rather than just talk about myself, I decided to make myself into a clothing brand: KG.

KG Clothing Co.

The logo is a metaphor for how as a society we put power on a pedestal , and think its unattainable – but it is.  Also, if you flip it sideways: it says KG.  I know, right.

I made 5 shirts displaying the 5 adjectives of my brand: witty, spontaneous, engaging, influential and fresh.  On the back of them were KG’s values, brand differentiation, vision and promise.  I also created a lookbook to showcase the brand to potential investors.

As you will see from the presentation, I took inspiration from a quote I have mentioned on here before from the homie Theophilus London.

“The clothes don’t make the man, it’s the man that makes the clothes.”

See the full presentation here!

       

KG Fall/Winter 2013

Hello, My Name is Anon.

Last night, in true procrastinator fashion I went out to get some last-minute things for my Halloween costume for tonight.  For my costume, I needed “Hello, My Name is _____” stickers.  These stickers were once a staple in every dollar store, but as I found out last night, they are a disappearing commodity.

I went to Dollar Tree, Dollarama and Superstore, and was unsuccessful in locating these seemingly ancient differentiation devices.  All I could find was blank white Adobe stickers.  While I was peeved that I couldn’t finish my costume properly, I couldn’t help but think about this on a symbolic level.

As people become more and more connected on the internet and in social media, we are becoming a less connected society on the true personal level.  You see people’s wedding pictures on Facebook, but would never congratulate them in person.  You like someone’s selfies from the bar on Instagram, and remember avoiding them when you were there.

There are plenty of people who I have met on the street, worked with, gone to school with (the list goes on) who I never bothered to ask their name.  I would recognize them on the street, but would never say hello.  It’s a shame, because some of them could have become good friends, but I was too interested in my business to get to know theirs.

The “Hello My Name is ____” stickers were popular at conferences, new workplaces, first days of school, but now they are mostly a memory.  People these days seem to care less and less about the people around them and are more caught up in themselves, so why would they need to know their name?

KG

Phil Ade – “Different World”

So SOLEful

Anyone who knows me, knows I like my shoes… and if you don’t its probably not too hard to tell.

I stumbled across this article that symbolically matches hip-hop artists to shoes.  They’re all prettty good but they dropped the ball on Mac Miller’s reasoning – “Nikes on my Feet” woulda done it!!

Also – make be sure to check out Drake’s shoe… it’s priceless!

Hip-Hop artists and their sneaker counterparts – sneakermob.com

KG

I’VE BEEN POOR OFF OF KARMALOOP

I have to admit, I have an addiction.  But it hasn’t always been this way.

When I was young I did regular kid things, like hanging out at the mall, going to work, and drinking in the park.  I wasn’t the most inncoent kid, but I wasn’t the worst either.  Everything changed one day in high school.

I discovered Karmaloop in grade eleven and I haven’t been off of it since.  The first time I tried it, it was amazing.  It was a rush that took over my whole body.  Now, as with many addictions, it definitely made me feel guilty after that initial high wore off, but… I was hooked, whether I liked it or not.

Clicking “check-out” brought a smile to my face every time, and still does.

For those of you who don’t know, Karmaloop is an online streetwear store.  Its selection is unmatched, with brands unheard of in Canadian stores, let alone Winnipeg.  It is where I first discovered my favourite brand, LRG.  I can bet with confidence that I was one of the first people in the city wearing it.  Karmaloop has something for everyone, and has spun off many other websites (including a few just for you, ladies!).

After spending most of my money travelling this summer, I got back and realized I had no clothes for the winter ahead.  Even though the cash flow was slim, I had to make a purchase.  Karmaloop is famous for its crazy sales, and 40% off sounded good to me.

I do have my weaknesses.  I have over 30 pairs of shoes and 8 watches, and have spent copious amounts of money on Karmaloop alone.

While the clothes you wear don’t define the whole you, they certainly give insight into who you are.

KG

**If you would like cop something off this site, use my repcode: freshGOLD for an awesome discount!!**

Just a taste of my last order

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“The clothes don’t make the man; it’s the man that makes the clothes”

Theophilus London – “I Stand Alone”