Emcees have always been known for their lyrical influence on inner-city and rural communities (and within the last 15 or so years, suburban communities as well). From KRS-One and Public Enemy to Nas and Black Star – fans throughout the world have been inspired, motivated and shaped through the words of rap lyrics.

Times change and the messages change – people (for the most part) development and grow to be better, stronger and wiser. Critics will argue that the days of the “conscience emcee” have long gone, but personal evaluations tell different.

Ohio native and 25-year-old Kid Cudi is obviously what the youngest hip-hop generation has been waiting for. In a detailed and intense interview, one of my 15-year-old students who was arrested for possession of marijuana, kicked out of Milwaukee Public Schools and discouraged by his community said, “Kid Cudi changed my life.”

“He made me realize that being different and living outside of the box is OK… He doesn’t talk about the same stuff every other rapper does. He doesn’t just talk about sex, cars and dope – he actually talks about real life.”

When asked to breakdown his thoughts, he said that real life is about more than just “money, cash, clothes and h*es,” but the exploration of your natural abilities – “the pursuit of happiness,” travel and dedication to your skill. He said that it was Kid Cudi’s Man On The Moon: The End Of Day which made change possible (for him).  He now wants to take his graffiti art skills and use them as a tool to, “… show the world the things unseen.”

It’s just incredible to know that music and urban culture can still motivate and inspire people to be progressive. So, I just wanted to say thanks to Kid Cudi for changing my student’s life. This child will no longer feel like a victim of his environment, because of you.

Outside of fashion, we can now embrace Cudi for his message.

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