Culture

Kid Cudi Signs with Motown, Gets Own Record Label 'Dream On'

by Jarrett Martineau | April 16, 2009 at 12:54 pm

2040 views | 1 Recommendation | 4 comments

Talk about Day 'N Nite — not only is up-and-coming Cleveland, Ohio rapper Kid Cudi not retiring from music, he's going in entirely the opposite direction, having just signed a deal with Motown/Universal to release his debut album Man on the Moon: The Guardian later this summer.

But major labels are finding they need to sweeten the deal these days so, instead of simply offering to distribute Cudi's music, they've given him his own record label Dream On, from which he'll be able to put out his music with Universal's support.

Not a bad deal, by the sounds of it.

Universal/Motown President Sylvia Rhone revealed that Kid Cudi’s upcoming debut album Man on the Moon: The Guardian will be released through his label Dream On, in conjunction with Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music imprint.

Universal Motown will also distribute Dream On, a new joint venture between Kid Cudi, his partners Emile and Plain Pat and West’s G.O.O.D. Music

1 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

chrislee

at 11:51 on April 17th, 2009

I was shopping at Uniqlo in SoHo on vacation and had my camera with me to capture the daily sights. Lo and behold, I am checking ott the clothing rack right next to Kid Cudi! He was really nice and let me take a picture. The guy in the background that you see was yelling at me "NO PICTURES!" while I was getting my shot.

chrislee has contributed a photo to this story.

electropopwhore

at 11:27 on April 27th, 2009

Kid Cudi was a minor name last year but this year's South By Southwest had people screaming for more.

The picture here is taken from the Fool's Gold After Dark party. I encourage you guys to view more of my pictures at www.flickr.com/electropopwhore

electropopwhore has contributed a photo to this story.

josh sisk (not verified)

at 11:33 on April 27th, 2009

One of my pictures is also at the fools gold party, the other two are from the mad decent party, all from sxsw 2009

matthallatx

at 10:11 on May 1st, 2009

This show was mad ill son and it almost didn't happen. The bar manager takes the stage at about 1am to announce that Cudi cancelled. Ducking drinks as they fly by his head; he's trying to boot people from the audience, directing security to grab this one and that one. A freshly dress Cudi appears by my side and says "yo help me get up on the stage!" He had ran in the front door as his ride pulled around back to unload gear. He takes the stage and asks a favor of the audience. Obliged, we toss a fatty to him and he commences lift off. Great show! Thanks for the opportunity to share the photos! Hip hop lives!

matthallatx has contributed a photo to this story.