In an upcoming Amazon Prime Video documentary, Kid Cudi is giving us a glimpse into his rise to success and how the journey affected his mental health.
The 37-year-old rapper took off in 2009 upon the release of his debut album, Man on the Moon: The End of Day. The record was a relatable and groundbreaking foray into rap that featured intimate lyrics about Cudi’s depression, loneliness, and anxiety.
Arriving on November 5, A Man Named Scott documents the rapper’s mental health as he learns to grapple with fast fame and being an idol to millions of fans.
The film’s description explains that the film “explores Cudi's journey over a decade of creative choices, struggles, and breakthroughs, making music that continues to move and empower his millions of fans around the world."
"Creating something new and helping people, it's always been an escape for me, and it's freeing," he says in a trailer for the movie. "Everything I make has to help people in some way."
The artist, who was born, Scott Mescudi has dropped eight albums throughout his career. The rapper is beloved by fans who have been grateful for his candid lyrics surrounding mental health struggles. Many fans have credited his music for helping them cope with their own mental health trials and tribulations.
Earlier this year, Saturday Night Live star, Pete Davidson shared that he feels he “wouldn’t be here,” had Man on the Moon not debuted.
The rapper has shared the he “just had a hard time dealing with the adjustments from being Scott to being Kid Cudi."
“People look up to me, but I'm not a happy person. I felt like a fraud. That's what drove me to escape from reality. I sacrificed the privacy of my life and put my story out there to help others. That's always been my mission. I'm not done yet."
In 2016, Cudi checked into rehab to seek treatment for depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Two years after rehab treatment, the rapper told Billboard, “I have so much joy that I don't feel like I'm fighting anymore. It was this year, around my birthday [ late January]. I'm the best I've ever been in my life. I realized I was genuinely happy, and there's nothing really going on in particular… Creating is making me happy again."
Watch the official trailer for A Man Named Scott below.
Audacy is committed to supporting the health and success of the communities that are the heart of its business. I’m Listening aims to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to understand they are not alone. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741-741. You can also find more resources here.
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