Saturday, November 6 was a long-awaited night for the hundreds of people who scrambled to get a hold of KiD CuDi tickets just weeks earlier. Tickets for the concert sold out within minutes both to Cornellians and to the general public. Whether people paid the selling price of $20 or up to $100 or more for tickets just to see the show at our very own Barton Hall, it seemed that Cudi fans reached a unanimous decision: it was worth it.

The show started out with an opening act not on the bill, a producer who spit some beats, but it seemed the crowd was only waiting for the next act to arrive bringing them one step closer to Cudi. Finally, Cee-lo Green entered the stage and the crowd welcomed his distinct high-pitched wail and happy demeanor. The rapper/singer started out his set with a few Gnarls Barkley classics like the hit “Crazy,” sans his counterpart DJ Danger Mouse, but the audience received him just as well. After transitioning his songs into raps, Cee-lo ended his performance with his latest hit “F*ck You” which had the audience singing along and breaking out their cameras. After dedicating the song to ex-partners who didn’t love you back or treat you well, Cee-lo exited the stage, leaving the audience waiting in anticipation for Cudi.

The crowd that night was restless. The performers seemed to take forever to get on stage and the fans did not respond well. The crowd on the floor frequently pushed each other in every direction out of anxiousness for Cudi to take the stage, almost sparking a few quarrels. As I overheard one girl in the crowd say, “This is the closest I’ve ever been to someone, and I don’t even know you!” But I guess being too close for comfort was just a sacrifice you had to make to get as near as possible to Kid Cudi himself, aside from the $100 dent in your wallet if that was the case.

When the lights finally turned off, the crowd burst into shrieks and screams of excitement. With the smell of smoke and sweat in the air, Cudi started his set. A good bunch of the audience were devoted Cudi fans, while others waited for him to perform his singles, but nevertheless, I’d say the pounding bass and soothing vocals of the artist satisfied all. Some rappers talk about girls in their songs, some about sex, and some like Cudi just like to write songs about…other things that brought most of the audience together that night as smoke wafted through the high ceilings of Barton Hall.

Scott Mescudi, better known by his alias, even had a few giveaways for some lucky audience members. He made conversation with his audience throughout the show, even giving them advice and reassurance to do whatever it is that makes them happy. While some people wanted to hear him rap and sing rather than talk, I’d say his message was very uplifting telling the students to do what they want even if others tell them otherwise. The song, “Pursuit of Happiness”, appropriately followed his spiel. Of course Cudi performed other hits like a snippet of “Day N’ Nite,” “Up, Up, & Away,” and even his part of his featured track with Jay-Z, “Already Home,” but it seemed that Cudi was looking for his real fans whose favorite songs were not just his singles. He performed new songs, songs yet to be released, old classics, and catchy beats that all enjoyed in their infatuation with Cudi. Strangely enough, there was no encore for the artist, but he expressed true appreciation for his fans, astonished at the peak of his success that they have brought him thus far. Kid Cudi left his loyal fans with these hopeful words: “I’ll be back whenever you want me.”

Judging by the positive reception Cudi received at Cornell, I’m sure we will expect to meet Kid Cudi again very soon.