Kid Cudi’s first performance on Saturday Night Live sends a powerful message
Content warning: This article contains references to depression, anxiety, addiction, and suicide.
This past weekend, rapper Kid Cudi performed for the first time on Saturday Night Live, fresh off the release of his latest album Man on the Moon III: The Chosen One.
The entire album, like much of Cudi’s career, is a meditation on his experience living with depression and anxiety. Cudi has been open and vocal about his mental health since he checked himself into rehab in 2016 for suicidal ideation.
Cudi performed two songs from the album, “Tequila Shots” and “Sad People” which reflect the rapper’s personal journey and dedication to mental health awareness. But many took notice of Cudi’s fashion choices in both performances, and the larger message they sent.
During Cudi’s first song, “Tequila Shots” he wore a fuzzy green cardigan over a Chris Farley t-shirt before wearing a white, floral spaghetti-strap sundress during “Sad People.” While Cudi has always had fun with fashion, his choices for SNL were intentional.
Both outfits honored Kurt Cobain, the legendary Nirvana musician who died by suicide 27 years (the age Cobain was when he died) ago last week. Cudi’s Chris Farley shirt also sends a message about a gone-too-soon legend who suffered from addiction.
It's been 27 years since Kurt Cobain died. Which as of last week is now longer than he was alive.
— Aaron Vallely (@Vallmeister) April 11, 2021
Respect to @KidCudi for using his platform & @nbcsnl appearance to pay tribute to Kurt's legacy of struggle, authenticity, creativity for freedom, vulnerability, & individual style. pic.twitter.com/BItMNmKkMw
While many ignorant reply guys on the internet–don’t read the comments–have assumed Cudi’s dress was some sort of performative gender moment (which, if that’s the case, that’s fine, too!), the rapper himself politely clarified his intentions.
Virgil designed the dress for me. I told him I wanted to show love to Kurt w a floral print sundress and this man made a masterpiece. Thank You @virgilabloh ur a fuckin genius!! Love you man we did it!!!
— The Chosen One (@KiDCuDi) April 11, 2021
Overall, Kid Cudi’s debut showing on Saturday Night Live was a showstopper. Considering the rapper’s connections to Pete Davidson and friend of the show, Timothée Chalamet (and Chris Redd!), it’s shocking he hasn’t been on Saturday Night Live before.
Thus, it’s likely Cudi will be back, next time to host, especially since he has an entirely separate career as an actor, most recently in Luca Guadagnino’s We Are Who We Are. Needless to say, the Kid’s going places.
dark. Next. Olivia Rodrigo responded to Saturday Night Live using “drivers license”!
What did you think of Kid Cudi’s performance on Saturday Night Live? Tell us in the comments below.