Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic for HBO
Travis Scott has long cited Kid Cudi as a foundational inspiration for his music, but the influence goes both ways. In a recent interview with Esquire, Cudi reflected on the success of their recent collaboration, “THE SCOTTS,” and explained how working with Travis changed his approach to music.
“I was kind of nervous about doing a song with Travis,” Cudi said. “I was like, ‘Man, he looks up to me so much. What if I don’t show up on this song? What if I suck?’" After seeing “THE SCOTTS” reach No. 1, however, Cudi said he’s been inspired to make more upbeat music.
“Turn the beats up. Bring those BPMs up. Get the party f-cking started. That’s what I’m on now,” he said. “I think I’ve made all the mid-tempo, slow records I could ever make in my career, and now it’s all about f-cking turning up.”
“THE SCOTTS” became the first No. 1 hit of Kid Cudi’s career, a major milestone for the rapper with over a decade in the game. Cudi told Esquire that the moment was especially meaningful to him because it was a collaboration with Travis. “I don’t get anything out of this unless I’m working with my family; that’s when sh-t really means something,” Cudi said. “Seeing that I got my first number one with Trav, that means the most to me. It wasn’t just with some other person. It was with Trav.”
Earlier this year, Travis confirmed to GQ that “THE SCOTTS” was the first taste of a joint project with Cudi.
“Travis is hesitant to offer details, but he does confirm that they’ve been working on a joint album—apparently they’ve already cut a bunch of records together,” wrote GQ’s Gerrick Kennedy. “He hits play on one of the tracks. It doesn’t have a title yet, but it’s the craziest thing he’s played for me so far. ‘I know where I’m going / I know when it’s time,’ Cudi hauntingly croons over a smooth beat.”
Genius previously broke down the musical history of their relationship:
Read Kid Cudi’s Esquire interview here and catch up on all the lyrics to “THE SCOTTS” on Genius now.
