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Kid Cudi released his first mixtape, A Kid Named Cudi, in July of 2008 as a free download sponsored by New York streetwear company 10 Deep, leading to an introduction and signing to Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music imprint, and in turn, to Cudi’s co-writing of four tracks on the platinum Kanye West album 808s & Heartbreak, including the Top 5 single, “Heartless” and stepping out in a featured vocal on “Welcome to Heartbreak.” He soon followed with his first official single, “Day 'n' Nite” which appears on this, his critically acclaimed debut album, originally released in 2009. "Day 'n' Nite" went on to receive Grammy nominations for both Best Rap Song and Best Rap Solo Performance, while additional single "Make Her Say" was also nominated in the Best Rap Performance By A Duo or Group category.
“Kid Cudi is at the vanguard of a game-changing new generation of artists,” said Universal Motown President Sylvia Rhone. “He crosses musical boundaries with an appeal that goes beyond genre, format, race, language, and culture. Cudi lives easily in the hip-hop, indie rock, pop, and R&B worlds, a diversity that shows in his innovative music and his all-embracing persona. He is a born storyteller who brings a positive, life-affirming message to his brilliant lyrical flow and compelling music. There are no clichés in what Cudi does. He is a breath of fresh air, a dynamic and important new voice, not only in the next phase of hip-hop, but as a groundbreaking trendsetter who represents the future. I am thrilled to welcome Kid Cudi into the Universal Motown family.”