ATEC396: New Artists - Kid Cudi and Little Boots

Artist 1: Kid Cudi

Kid Cudi, born Scott Ramon Seguro Mecsudi, is a 25 year old Midwest rapper/actor from Shaker Heights, Ohio. His debut album Man on the Moon: The Guardian will be released in summer 2009 on Universal Motown Records. Cudi describes himself and his music as “awesomely dope, different, deep, passionate, fun, and abstract.” (myspace) Though his music is primarily categorized as hip hop, it has traces of alternative rock, R&B, electro, and dance music. His lyrics reference his life and daily struggles in a very realistic, non-gangsta fashion and he prides himself on writing songs that everyone can relate to; and if they can relate, they can at the very least see and understand his perspective. This rings most true with his break out single, Day n Nite. This song has catapulted him into the mainstream even before his debut album has hit the shelves. He attempts to create next-level music and Day n Nite is just that. It deals with very basic daily struggles that many can relate to but the lyrics and beats come across so right that no one can deny them. The video takes it even further, creating a undeniable piece of art.

Kid Cudi released his first piece as a mixtape that was given away free in collaboration with an NYC clothing company called 10.Deep. This lead to Kanye West discovering him and signing him to the GOOD Music record label. Through this he got many opportunities such as an appearance on Snoop Dogg’s new show Dogg After Dark, a couple featured slots on Kanye West’s new album, 808’s and Heartbreak, and a VMA (MTV Video Music Award) performance in 2008 with Travis Barker and DJ AM.

He most recently worked on a project with Common, Kanye West, A-Trak, and Lady Gaga. It’s a remix of the Lady Gaga song, Poker Face entitled, I Poke Her Face.

Day n Nite – Kid Cudi

Day 'n' Nite - Kid Cudi from DP on Vimeo.

Artist 2: Little Boots

Little Boots, born Victoria Hesketh is a 25 year old vocalist/musician from Blackpool, Lancashire, England. Little Boots went to the University of Leeds and earned her honors degree in Cultural Studies. She wrote her dissertation on “The concept of originality in the music of Jamie Cullum”. She was first recognized at age 16 when she made it through several rounds of the ITV talent show called Pop Idol before getting eliminated. She later formed a Jazz Trio, toured Europe with a big bangd, and then formed a band called Dead Disco.

Little Boots got her nickname after taking a liking to a movie called Caligula, which is Latin for “little boot”.

She is just now getting noticed by the masses, partially due to Carson Daly dedicating an entire Last Call show to her in early March 2009. She also made it out to South by Southwest, where she performed alongside Kid Cudi doing a rendition of Day n Nite.

Day n Nite – Kid Cudi feat Little Boots