Kid Cudi, the king of humming, has returned stronger than ever. 

“Leader of the Delinquents” is the latest piece of music from Kid Cudi since his collaborative album, KIDS SEE GHOSTS, with Kanye West back in 2018. It also marks Kid Cudi’s most recent solo material to date since 2016’s Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin’. 

Returning to his roots, Cudi opens the song with his classic and melodic hums, as well as bringing back his nineties-style rap flow. On the other hand “Leader of the Delinquents” finds Cudi exploring new territory, namely with the track’s sound progression. The single ditches his traditional electronic-based beats, instead incorporating string arrangements, light piano riffs, and more natural sounding drum beats. 

This single acts as a callback to themes found within his earlier works, such as 2008’s A Kid Named Cudi and 2009’s Man on the Moon. Lyrics of adolescence, depression, and solitude are consistent throughout Cudi’s discography. 

These two albums connected Kid Cudi to a generation that felt misunderstood by society, ultimately leading to him becoming a voice and an influential figure for those who felt lost in the world. “Leader of the Delinquents” serves as a true affirmation of why so many gravitated to Cudi in the first place. 

Hopefully Kid Cudi will continue to expand his sound while still staying true to his lyrical roots on his upcoming 2021 album, Entergalactic. 

You can find “Leader of the Delinquents” on KCPR’s eclectic Spotify playlist, titled MOON.

Alex Cambra is a Cal Poly History freshman and KCPR staff member. Image credit to Kid Cudi.