Kid Cudi has now decided to call it quits after his first (and in this case only) album drops. He posted this on his blog yesterday, which you can find on this link, www.kidcudi.com/news/ , under the title iam sorry. Yall know I have been critical about people pulling the retiring stunt, but in Cudi's case, I don't think this is some marketing ploy. For those that may not want/be able to read the blog, Kid Cudi said that he is retiring after he releases his debut album, which is supposed to be dropping in the summer, due to the stresses of the music industry. What he mainly touched on was people claiming that he had changed, turned on them, rumors being spread, etc. He wrote that he had accomplished everything that he originally set out to accomplish and that there are no regrets. He went on to say that he would put out a collaboration album that he is working on with Chip (which will be his final studio recording) and will then turn all of his attention toward a HBO show that he is currently working on along with other acting opportunities. He is also working on putting together a tour by himself. He ended by apologizing to all of the fans, but stated that this was needed for his mental stability.

I sympathize with Kid Cudi, however I fear that this question that I'm about to ask will only be an example of what he is talking about, but his blog just got me thinking, so don't think I'm hating. With that said, aren't entertainers, of all kinds, paid all the money and given all of the special treatments and luxuries that comes with being well known and famous because they have to deal with stresses that most people don't have to? Everybody has heard about the stress and pressure that comes with being an entertainer and performer. That is not to say that you will necessarily be prepared for it (I definitely wouldn't know about that), but I just want to know if people are "accepting" this (not that you have a choice, but yall know what I mean). And one other thing, is it a valid excuse, even though he will still be in the public eye by doing tv shows and movies? Is acting and music so different that most of the stresses he is dealing with will go away?

All that being said, some people just aren't made for the entertainment business, whatever the case may be. If Cudi does ever see this, I just want to say that I wish you the best. You music is incredible and I know I don't  speak for just myself when I say that we don't want to see you go, but you gotta do what you gotta do. I don't mean to add to your stress with this, just some thoughts on my brain. Anyway, let's hope that this album is successful and that we don't loose too many other talented artists to the turmoils of entertainment.

If you ask me, this is more of a loss for hip hop as a whole than anything else. We are finally getting a lot of fresh talent entering the game, really taking the art seriously, but some people aren't ready for what they will face once they gain the spotlight. Let's hope that nobody else feels as strongly about this as Kid Cudi. Maybe, just maybe he will decide to come back at one point (if it's within 5 months of the album coming out, then I'm going to think this was a ploy, but until that happens, I'm going to believe the reasoning).

That's it for me. What do you think? Are you buying Cudi's excuse? Sad to see him go? Let me hear it. I'll leave you with his incredible "Day n Night" video.  As always, leave your comments or hit me at straightouttahiphop@gmail.com.