The year is 2020. The Pandemic has shut down the planet, nearly all entertainment industries had come to a screeching halt. But on one December night, Scott Mescudi (Formally known as Kid Cudi) released the final chapter, of one of the most iconic trilogies in hip-hop with “Man On the Moon III: The Chosen”.

Speaking personally, this album came at a time in my life where I was in a very dark place. The pandemic had taken a lot out of me, and I had just overall felt drained. But then the album dropped. And it changed my life.

Kid Kudi has a unique gift that many artists strive to, but fail to achieve, which is to put physical emotion into songs. The second I finished that album, I felt seen. I felt like the emotions keeping me in such a bad place were validated. From that day forward, throughout all the chaos life threw at me, Cudi became a musical crutch. He gave me the inspiration to push forward and continue through life, even when it got harder and harder.

In honor, my next 3 articles will be reviewing the trilogy that saved my life. Starting with part one, “Man on the Moon: End of Day”

Part one of this trilogy was the one that kicked off the career of Cudi. Released on September 15th, 2009, the album came out to a blazing hot start in the US, peaking at #4 on the billboard charts upon release.

The album itself is a concept record, following the autobiographical story of Cudi as he strives to tell a story of “A lonely guy sitting in his room, dreaming of success” a reviewer called it. The record delves into dark themes of introspection, loneliness, anxiety and depression, separated into 5 acts, which tell the complete story.

Opening the record is a 1-2 punch that aims to set the tone, both for the rest of this record, as well as who Cudi is/what he’s up to. The opener “In My Dreams” features a monologue from the albums narrator, introducing us to the character who defines this album, The Man on The Moon, known as Kid Cudi.

Following, we get an introduction into Cudi’s personal life as he begins to get vulnerable, rapping about the work ethic of his mother, the death of his father, and the ensuing depression that would go onto consume him. It’s a preview of what’s to come and the story that is told with the pain, the loss, the feelings of insignificance, and the boundless introspection playing an intricate part in the track.

Moving past the 3 track intro, we get “Act 2” of the record where the following 3 tracks illustrate Cudi’s complacence in his own solitude, featuring themes of psychedelics, Marijuana, and other drugs. It’s here were we get into the deep and dark of the record, as Cudi outlines his deepest fears: being alone and unable to escape the bad decisions he’s made in his life. We get a truly deep and vulnerable version of Cudi here which is something I can appreciate from a songwriting standpoint

“Day N’ Nite” is the turning point of the record. Not only is it a switch from the pace of the previous act, but it symbolizes the halfway point, dividing the record into both day and night. The song itself is a transition from from the overall slow, dark and introspective section, to a section where the energy and over all vibe begins to pick up.

The back half of the record is one where Cudi starts to lean more into the positive side of his life at the time, and it moments where he doesn’t. he gets braggadocios about it. A perfect example of this is “Pursuit of Happiness”

This track goes into the psychology behind addiction. The lyrics acknowledge the fact that the high’s from the addiction are temporary, and you can only get so high. But despite this, Cudi is seemingly unable to escape the cycle than ends up in disappointment and failure.

The records closer “Up Up & Away” is a solid closer that goes back into the theme of drugs and psychedelics, but this time around, emphasizing the positives, telling how he’s at peace where he is in life, but feels ready to go up further and further, breaking free of the rough and yuckiness of someone’s heart and mind.

Overall, this is an incredible debut album. As well as an incredible way to kick off this trilogy that dives into this evolving autobiographical tale about Cudi and his story. It feels like the beginning of a great story, and a great piece of work.