Unexpected worlds have certainly been brought together.
On the weekend of our 10-year anniversary, Kid Cudi and Lil Durk collide on the contemplative “Guitar In My Room” (Sept. 29). This is the second single off our upcoming compilation album, which follows “Doomsday” featuring Cordae and the late-Juice WRLD.
For those that know of Cole Bennett’s lifelong fandom and respect for Cudder, it’s fate that he appears on the album’s second lead track; and equally as fitting for Durk. “This moment means more to me than I can put into words,” Bennett wrote. “Thank you Durk, Cudi, and all the amazing people that poured their time into this project.”
Clad with dreamy guitar strums and ghostly background vocals, Durk and Cudi mesh their contrasting sounds seamlessly on the ever-transporting cut. Durkio leads with a moving sung-rap performance, infectiously pleading “accept me for me / Don’t judge me for my past life, no / I want you to believe,” among a trove of quotables.
Introspective lines like, “Inside the house starving, went to school to get lunch / Had to dress for funerals before I ever dressed for prom,” leave a lasting impression on listeners, alongside Durk’s reflections about battling his vices — unpacking emotional scars through it all. In true Cudi fashion, the rapper’s iconic hums and low-tone bars on the track’s back half send you to space. Devoid of any worry and draped in otherwordly grooves, Cudi details a love he saw in a dream before taking a trek to the moon. It’s an all-time verse from Mr. Rager, as Bennett brings out the absolute best in both emcees.
Prior to its release, Cudi was set to drop a new LP titled INSANO on Sept. 15. However, it was delayed to January 2024, and according to Cudi, he wanted to “make sure that everything lines up and I give y’all the best version of myself.” Cudi also appears on “All My Life” (a la Lil Durk) off 1017 ALYX 9SM’s new project COMPILATION V1. Both the Man On The Moon artist and Chicago native performed a set under the stars at Summer Smash, as the latter continues to ride high off his latest album, Almost Healed, and its viral track “All My Life” with J. Cole.
Not only does “Guitar In My Room” further flesh out our first full-length effort, but pulls back the yellow curtain (*hint hint*) slowly and surely. Stay tuned for more surprises, especially if you’re around Chicago on Sunday (Oct 1).
Watch “Guitar In My Room” below!