Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi (born January 30, 1984), better known by his
stage name Kid Cudi ( , often stylized
KiD CuDi), is an
American recording artist and
actor from
Cleveland, Ohio. Cudi first gained major recognition following the release of his first official full-length project, a
mixtape titled
A Kid Named Cudi (2008). The mixtape caught the attention of American rapper-producer
Kanye West, who subsequently signed Cudi to his
GOOD Music label imprint in late 2008. Cudi has since gone on to launch his own record label imprints, the now-dissolved Dream On and current independent label, Wicked Awesome Records. Initially a
rapper, Cudi has since added
singer,
songwriter,
record producer,
guitarist,
music video director and
film composer, to his repertoire.