#459: Kid Cudi, 'Man on the Moon: The End of the Day'
Dream On, 2009
Thoughts that come up with this album:
Why does this album seem to be the inspiration for a lot of my friends’ spiritual awakenings? This album is the soundtrack for a lot of my friends to move from traditional medicine to the anti-vax camp and the world of manifestations and entitlement to all of the universe’s blessings.
Self-discovery should increase the capacity to love others. It should not increase feelings of entitlement.
Alternative/new age spirituality with all of the crystals and manifestations does not give space for the marginalized or oppressed.
I dismiss the belief that we manifest everything that comes to us, the bad and the good. It is simply an excuse to keep the oppressed under foot because they “manifested” it and if they were only more spiritually in tune with the universe, they could manifest empowerment and earthly wealth. (Calling out the book, “You are a Badass”).
Creating a culture of gifting by the Universe removes any accountability by corrupt people in power and institutions.
I also dismiss the appropriation of Indigenous practices like smudging and rituals on sacred lands without permission nor guidance from Indigenous leaders.
Why was this album a catalyst for so many of my wealthy, white friends to join this spiritual movement popular in the American West?
If you disagree, I would love to hear it. I want to be challenged in this because I want to like this spiritual community. I keep tripping on the end goals of these beliefs, always landing on added wealth or status. I have yet to hear about people manifesting to bless their communities.
I want to really dive into this spiritual phenomena and write a longer piece on this – with the background of how this all started and why it is gaining in popularity throughout the west. I also want to be convinced that it is not toxic. I want Kid Cudi to inspire me to this spiritual plane but I think I need more research.
Top songs: Cudi Zone, Make Her Say, Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare), Hyyerr, Up Up & Away, Is There Any Love