Kid Cudi’s SNL Episode

4.12.21

Kid Cudi, SNL Performance 2021

Over the weekend, Kid Cudi made an appearance on Saturday Night Live, and it surely has the people talking. As most guests do, Kid Cudi made a cameo in one of the Saturday Night Live skits throughout the episode, and then stuck around for a memorable performance at the end of the show. While his inclusion all around was questioned by many, because of the way it was executed, there seems to have been a bigger meaning to all decisions made for this episode.

Kid Cudi’s cameo involved himself, Pete Davidson and Chris Redd in a music video called Weird Little Flute. Already a bit strange, what is so weird about the flute, other than them making it so extremely weird? The flute as an instrument may seem like the ugly duckling, who cares about a tiny little flute. Especially in the genres of hip-hop, rock-and-roll, etc., where you anticipate hearing drums, bass, guitar, percussion and more deep sounding instruments. However, the flute does make appearances from time to time, and I believe the point of the video is to call out how interesting the flute is when you do hear it in songs.

The music video calls out several songs in which were a huge hit that included the flute, such as Big Pimpin by Jay-Z, Shore Shot by the Beastie Boys, and, Mask Off by Future. These examples are just the beginning. Jay-Z and the Beastie boys have use the flute in their tracks a multitude of times. Some other examples are Drake and Travis Scott’s Portland, A$AP Rocky’s Skepta, Flip Dinnero’s How I Move, Young Thug and Gunna’s Hot, and what is the most impressive, is Lizzo and her music, as she plays the flute herself.

It makes sense that Kid Cudi’s skit was around a trending topic in music, being an artist himself that has always played with different beats, sounds and autotunes. What I personally loved to see in the music video, was how much fun he was having. Kid Cudi did go on a multiple year long hiatus from music, dealing with anxiety and depression, which many artists go through and do not speak on. His comeback to music, was incredibly important to some die-hard fans, but for the new generation, this was interesting to see what it would mean to some people. Even though the lyrics and music video were crazy, everyone using the flute in the most obscene ways, it was hysterical, and I love watching Kid Cudi be fun and goofy with the set. Since we usually see someone so serious or in pain when it comes to his music, it was very refreshing to see him having so much fun.

His performance is another example of his being his full true self, and not really caring about the opinions of others. It is true, Kid Cudi did wear a white, long, floral dress to his SNL Performance. The dress was Off-White, designed by Virgil Abloh specifically for Kid Cudi and his SNL Performance. For his performance, Kid Cudi performs hit singles Sad People and Tequila Shots from his album Man On The Moon III which dropped in December. The stage is completely fogged out at the bottom with blue LED lights all up and down the stage. The fog appears blue because of this, while we cannot see any footwear, the dress is crystal clear, and obviously many were confused by the choice.

It was addressed that Kid Cudi had chosen the dress look, to pay homage to Kurt Cobain wearing something similar back in his day. Kurt Cobain would wear a white graphic tee, with a floral button up dress over the tee to complete the look. Nothing like feeling free in a dress, Virgil took the floral print and made it quite on par for Kid Cudi’s one-of-one. You can never please anyone, but to be happy in our own skin, especially after what we have heard Kid Cudi to go through, is a beautiful thing to me. I would have preferred the bodice to be a different, just because it looks a bit tight for Kid Cudi, but maybe that is what he wanted to make himself look buff or something.

In his earlier performance, he wore a Chris Farley graphic tee, green sweater, and some Travis Scott sneakers. Obviously Chris Farley is a late SNL legend, and this graphic tee and green cardigan sweater has been referenced to additional Kurt Cobain images. The references and ideas of what Kid Cudi were to do with his performance are super clear, and pay respect to some of his favorite artists. It was also important to address suicide prevention and awareness.

Finally, though the dress was made a one of one, that does not mean it has to be the only one, forever. Kid Cudi had previously announced a collaboration in the works with Off-White, and took to Twitter to say that the dress will be included. Off-White is already within the luxury price points, so I am sure this one will be going for a lot. However, it will be an absolute masterpiece to have included in your collection.