Man on The Moon 3's astronomical success

By Tom Wickline, Comedy Editor

On Dec. 11, acclaimed musician Kid Cudi released the third installment of his Man On The Moon trilogy, “Man On The Moon 3: The Chosen.” With the previous MOTM project having been released nearly a decade previously, hype and expectations were high. The album delivered, giving fans nearly an hour of thought-provoking, diverse, and beautifully psychedelic music. From rap-heavy bangers to slower, introspective melodies, this album is a beautiful return to Kid Cudi’s alter ego: the Man on the Moon.

Cudi’s debut album, the original MOTM project, came with a uniquely vulnerable and real tone; in contrast to much of the rap scene, he spoke on the “dark side” of celebrity life: his depression, drug addiction, and deeply flawed personal relationships. He gained a following with many who identified with his struggle, and helped bring attention to mental health issues. His most famous song, “Pursuit of Happiness,” describes his use of drugs, alcohol, and partying as an escape, simply because it seems appealing. “Everything that shines ain’t always gonna be gold, hey.”

These themes of loneliness, drug addiction, and the pursuit of happiness are still the core of Man On The Moon III: The Chosen. The first and second acts bring high-energy, driving rap bangers that are meant to symbolize the partying spirit in him: “Mr. Rager,” as he calls it. In songs like “Show Out,” fr. Pop Smoke and Skepta, he showcases more hardened, aggressive flows than we’ve seen from Cudi in the past, showing new growth and ability. 

This aspect of his personality serves as a sort of antagonist in the third act, when he reflects on his emptiness and deep inner sadness that stems from this partying and running away from his problems. In “The Void,” he uses the void to symbolize the feeling of nothingness he gets from substance use: “I will fall in the void, fall in the void, just to avoid anything that can bring me down, or f**** with my flow…” At this stage, Cudi spends much more time singing than rapping, as a symbol of his more emotional side. 

Man On The Moon 3 is fantastic. It’s not only a beautiful return of the trilogy, but entirely different from the second or first installment. Cudi brings new rap elements, like ad-libs and drill, while adding his own spin to keep it unique. It tells a coherent story, all while maintaining the quality of each individual song. It’s a masterpiece, and a perfect end to such an impactful trilogy.