Kid Cudi Credits Kendrick Lamar as the Inspiration Behind New Album 'INSANO'

In a recent interview with Apple Music‘s Zane Lowe, Kid Cudi for an hour-long interview where he discussed the inspiration behind his newest album, INSANO.

Cudi explains to Lowe that Kendrick Lamar inspired him to make new music, specifically when he watched Kendrick perform on his Paris stop of The Big Steppers tour. The Cleveland rapper said, “I was really at a place where I had a goal. I was like, ‘Okay, I’ve done all these different types of albums, I’ve touched on all the different types of spaces creatively, sonically. What is the one thing that I haven’t accomplished?” He added, “And I was still in this place tryna figure out what that album would sound like. I was in Paris, I just finished my European run of tour and I go to see Kendrick. And this muthaf**ka, it blew my fucking mind.” Cudi reflected, “I’m sitting there, I’m watching the crowd reaction from the beginning of the show ’til the end. People were in it, party mode, singing every fucking word. I’m not saying this doesn’t happen at my shows, ’cause it does. But all the way through, I don’t have that experience. I had this moment where I was like, ‘You know what? This is the reaction I want.’ I want people to feel good and it to be a joyous occasion when I’m performing.”

Cudi said that Kendrick’s show gave him the clarity to look into a new direction for his music projects. He also called Kendrick one of his favorite artists and expressed how proud he was of their collaboration, “Solo Dolo Part II.” He said, “Kendrick has always been [in] my top three artists the world. I’m actually so proud of the record that we have. We got one record, ‘Solo Dolo Part II.’ So proud of it. I took that inspiration, got to the studio and said, ‘Let’s f**king get to work. We need to make something with some energy. I’m happy, I’m in a better place in my life. I’ve never made an album in this type of mode before. Let’s see what comes out of that.’ On his new album INSANO, Cudi affirmed, “So the album was truly designed for arenas, for the live show. I’m gonna have a hard time figuring out that setlist.”

Watch the portion of the interview above.