Early Life and Education of Kid Cudi: A Complete Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 22, 2025

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Kid Cudi. From birth to education, explore key events.

Kid Cudi (Scott Mescudi) is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, and fashion designer. He gained initial recognition with his song "Day 'n' Nite," which became popular online after being self-published on MySpace. This led to collaborations with producers Plain Pat and Emile Haynie, resulting in his first mixtape, A Kid Named Cudi (2008). The mixtape increased Cudi's popularity, earning him a fanbase and attracting the attention of Kanye West, who signed him to GOOD Music in 2008.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

2009: Founded Dream On Label

In 2009, Kid Cudi founded the Dream On record label alongside his managers, Patrick Reynolds and Emile Haynie.

March 26, 2010: Birth of Kid Cudi's daughter, Vada Wamwene Mescudi

On March 26, 2010, Kid Cudi's daughter, Vada Wamwene Mescudi, was born.

2010: Kid Cudi wears a kilt on New Year's Eve

In 2010, Kid Cudi wore a kilt to a New Year's Eve party in Miami, making headlines for his fashion choice.

February 2011: Dissolution of Dream On Label

In February 2011, Kid Cudi announced that the Dream On record label had been dissolved. The label released the first two installments of Cudi's Man on the Moon series.

December 26, 2011: Ben Breedlove's Death and Cudi's Response

On December 26, 2011, following the death of vlogger Ben Breedlove, who had mentioned Kid Cudi in a viral video about his near-death experiences, Cudi shared his emotional response on his Tumblr blog, expressing sadness and inspiration from Breedlove's story.

2011: Kid Cudi stops smoking cannabis

In 2011, Kid Cudi stopped smoking cannabis because of his child and the association with stoner culture.

2011: Gifted guitar by manager

In 2011, Kid Cudi was gifted a guitar by his manager, which inspired him to learn how to play. He taught himself and incorporated the instrument into his rock music later in his career.

2012: TMZ Puppet Moment

In 2012, Kid Cudi had an infamous TMZ moment, in which he posed like a puppet, which inspired the design of the "Leader of the Delinquents" t-shirt released in 2020 with Virgil Abloh.

January 2013: Kid Cudi discusses quitting cannabis

In a January 2013 interview, Kid Cudi disclosed that he had quit smoking cannabis in 2011 for his child's sake and due to frustration with being associated with stoner culture.

January 2013: Kid Cudi discusses religious beliefs

In a January 2013 interview, Kid Cudi stated he believes in God but does not follow any organized religion, considering himself spiritual but not religious.

2013: Cud Life Tour Astronaut Suit

During his 2013 Cud Life concert tour, Kid Cudi wore a custom-made astronaut-esque suit designed by Jose Hernandez, a noted Hollywood costume designer. The suit, officially named the "Satellite Academy Space Suit," symbolized Cudi's transition back to the highly anticipated Man on the Moon III.

2014: Kid Cudi performs in a crop top at Coachella

In 2014, Kid Cudi performed at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival while wearing a crop top, attracting media attention.

September 2021: Kid Cudi's fashion statements at New York Fashion Week and the Met Gala

In September 2021, Kid Cudi made headlines for his fashion choices. He arrived at New York Fashion Week with electric blue hair, a Nirvana long-sleeve tee, and a floor-length black skirt. Later in September 2021, he attended the Met Gala with fluorescent green hair, dark eye makeup, and a head-to-toe Louis Vuitton outfit, including a blue sweater, skirt, and blue-and-green LV sneakers.

November 10, 2021: Kid Cudi wears custom bridal gown at CFDA Fashion Awards

On November 10, 2021, Kid Cudi attended the CFDA Fashion Awards wearing a custom bridal gown designed by ERL's Eli Russell Linnetz, paired with a white tux jacket, crystal-covered sneakers, grungy eyeliner, an icy Black Jesus pendant, and Manic Panic-pink hair, as an homage to Kurt Cobain.

February 2022: Launch of MOTR Clothing Line

In February 2022, Kid Cudi launched his clothing line called MOTR (Members of the RAGE), described as a fusion of 90s grunge, hip hop soul, and elements from a distant future. The first piece was a t-shirt created with Nigo's Human Made for NBA All-Star Weekend.