Kid Cudi Talks Growth, New Single And Quitting Drugs

Kid Cudi doesn't care what you think about his music — he likes it and that's that! Last week, Cudders dropped his new Dot Da Genius-produced single, "Perfect Is the Word," and it was quite different from what some fans were used to getting from the Cleveland representative.

"I'm very proud of it; it's something that a year ago I wouldn't have ever imagined that I'd be able to do. It's different, I get that," Cudi told while on the set of his HBO show, "How to Make It in America." "Some people are going to get it, some people aren't. That's cool. I just don't really give a f--- who does and who doesn't. I mean, I care about the people that do, because that means, alright cool, there some people who have an open mind, who are smart and who get art."

The "Day N Nite" star has been transcending the lines of rap music with each new release, and on his latest song, Cudi goes for a distinctively dark rock feel. He is especially proud of the fact that he was able to play the guitar on the track and deliver something worth recording. "It's just some people who are very one-track minded. The world that I am coming from, hip-hop, is so regurgitated and repetitive that some people are used to that and they don't want change, they don't like change," Cudi maintained. "And I get that, that's cool. Luckily for me, I'm confident in myself as an artist where I can do what I want, and as long as I'm cool with it, I'm cool with it."

"Perfect Is the Word" is the first track from Cudi and Dot Da Genius' upcoming Wizard album, and while the song is different, it isn't the only change that the musician has exhibited this year. In February, the G.O.O.D. Music artist took to Twitter to announce that he was leaving the Dream On label, which he launched back in 2009 with partners Patrick "Plain Pat" Reynolds and producer Emile Haynie. He also assured fans that he was still with Kayne West's G.O.O.D. Music.

That wasn't all, though: In April, Cudi revealed that he'd quit smoking marijuana on his Tumblr page. The rapper, who used to call himself the Lonely Stoner, now is experiencing a bit of backlash, but he remains undeterred and is pleased with his new material. "There were a lot of write-ups where people were just sh--ting on it and there were a lot of people who were like, 'We liked you better when you were on drugs,' " he said with disappointment. "It's kinda like, 'Man, OK, well you weren't a fan to begin with so f--- you,' and I like myself better off drugs. So it's about me and it's about evolving and it's about change. It's about becoming a man; it's about becoming mature."

Ultimately, Kid Cudi just wants room to grow. "Ten years from now I'm going look at my discography and I'm gonna be proud of it," he said. "I don't want to be 10 years from now looking at my discography, like, 'Man, I was a f---ing knucklehead when I made that.' "

What do you think of Kid Cudi's post-marijuana work so far? Share your opinions in the comments.