A Kid Cudi album release just wouldn’t be the same without Cudi taking some time out to talk to Complex Magazine.In a follow up interview to his cover story from earlier this year, Joe La Puma hops on the phone with Cudi last night to talk about recording INDICUD, his state of mind right now, G.O.O.D. Music, talking to Jay-Z about his decision, the future of his music and more. 

I’m really happy with all my previous work. Those albums were supposed to bring you into the moment of that place in time I was at, my head state. I can’t listen to [my old] songs now. It was so real and open and raw that if I listen to them I start feeling bad for myself because that was such a sad, sad life I was living. I was really sad kid. It kind of bums me out. I don’t ever want to look back and listen to those records. At my shows is the only time I get into that space and think about those songs. I don’t dwell on what happened in the past. Those songs are out, those albums are out.

As usual, this is a great read so make sure to check out the full story.

READ – Born Again: Kid Cudi Interview with Complex

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KiD CuDi Covers Complex Magazine’s February/March 2013 Issue

Complex Magazine released the cover art and story for their latest issue featuring Kid Cudi on the cover in a spread titled “Born to Die”. This marks the 6th time Cudi has graced the cover of Complex Magazine.

Scott Mescudi is not your average villain. Here at Complex we’ve been following the rise of the artist who proudly calls himself “the bane of hip-hop” since 2007, and to tell the truth we still haven’t fully figured him out. With this fourth solo cover, plus one group cover as well as a digital cover, Kid Cudi now holds the record for the most ‘Plex cover appearances. There’s something about a guy who doesn’t just play by his own rules—he invents his own game, and finds a way to keep winning. Even when he seems to be down and out, this kid from Cleveland is always creeping on a come up.

READ: Complex – Kid Cudi – Born to Die

Rihanna takes a trip down memory lane with Complex. In honor of her seventh album Unapologetic, the “Diamonds” singer graces seven—count ‘em—magazine covers commemorating each era of her musical career.

The pop princess looks innocent as she takes it back to her 2005 debut Music of the Sun, gradually showing more skin as she moves into the Good Girl Gone Bad era. The Barbados beauty recalls a darker time on the Rated R cover, traveling into the future for the fun, yet playful Loud era. She rocks Chanel suspenders, earrings, and lots of attitude for Talk That Talk, ending with her current project Unapologetic, where she poses topless with only Polaroids covering her.

Rihanna X Complex Magazine Photoshoot & Interview 

Mentioning Chris Brown will bring the feisty side out of her. It may even make her end the interview
“It’s nobody’s business.” [If it’s truly nobody’s business, then why make a record about it?] “Pardon me?” she replies, her eyebrow slightly raised. Even after the question is repeated, she hesitates to answer. The hands that moved up and down throughout the conversation, suddenly fall flat. “It’s the truth. Remember?” she says, turning toward the other side of the table to gather her belongings. As she gets up to leave, she adds: “It’s a fun record that The-Dream wrote and we loved the lyrics. You’re still asking me questions about it so clearly you don’t know.”

She considers Unapologetic as her ‘I Don’t Give A F-ck’ album
“When I was making this record I had no intention except the truth. It’s raw. That’s why the album is calledUnapologetic. I held back before. I didn’tshowa lot of myself. I was very guarded. I needed to be open and free and fearless. Basically say, ‘F–k it.’ What’s the worst that can happen? They’ll hate me? They’ve done that before.”

“People take the little bit ofinformationthey’re fed, and they draw apicture ofwho you are. Most of the time it’s wrong.”

“Diamonds” Is Her Favorite Single Since She Released “Umbrella”
“It was so inspiring and uplifting. It was giving me hope, that song. I was tired of angrylovesongs.Lovedoesn’t always have to be about breakups, and ‘We’re never going to be together again.’ It could be sweet. It could be, ‘Hell yeah! We’re diamonds!’”

It was partially Jay-Z’s idea to have a Rihanna/Chris Brown duet on her new album
[Ty Ty says: ] “We don’t focus on the media, so it was never a question. It’s all about the music. Everything else doesn’t even play a part in the studio. […] The-Dream didn’t write it for them as a duet. Jay-Z and I were in thecartogether listening to the song, and we thought it would be a great duet. It sounds dope. It feels good. That’s how Chris ended up on the song.”

She knows Instagram Can Be A Bit NarcissisticBut She Has It Down Pat
“It’s narcissistic, but whatever—everyone does it. I’m capturing personality… Everybody has their thing they like or don’t like to see. It’s all in your head. That’s why people take their own pictures, because it’s difficult for someone else to capture what you seek.”

“Get a good light. Get a good angle on what’sworkingfor you that day. If it’s boobs, make sure you hit that. If it’s face, make sure it’s fierce.”

Catch the entire interview over at Complex.

Alicia Keys looks hot on the cover of Complex Magazine as she unveils a brand new Alicia, just in time for her Girl On Fire album release this month.  In the cover story, she reveals why her new track, “Brand New Me” means so much to her as well as why she continues to protect certain aspects of her life.  

Peep a few excerpts :

On Her Song ‘Brand New Me’
“Don’t be mad that I’m different,” Alicia explains about the song. “Don’t be mad that I’m changed. Don’t be mad that I’m grown. You can’t affect me the way you once did. You can’t be mad. Like, how could you be mad?”

“My favorite part of that song is the bridge. The bridge says, ‘If you were a friend, you’d want to get to know me again/If you were worth the while, you’d be happy to see me smile/I’m not expectin’ sorry. I’m too busy finding myself.’ All of us have had that type of realization: ‘You don’t control me. You might have at one time, but you don’t anymore.’ I love that song so much. It’s so freaking real.”

On Being Guarded
“I mean, what the hell?  The whole freaking world is looking at your s–t. It’s scary. I didn’t want to say every single thing because you don’t want people to know that. There’s personal and there’s public, and I deserve the right to have a personal space.”

On Feeling Caged vs. Feeling In Charge
“Becoming my new self, some people didn’t understand me anymore. Some people who I knew for years—we couldn’t be on the same page anymore. That’s OK because that’s part of growing, too. The hardest thing is to trust yourself, to know that what you’re feeling is valid. A lot of times we dismiss our feelings. I realized that I can trust myself and say, ‘No, I’m not comfortable with that.’ That was the toughest part. When I finally had the bravery to do that, that’s when I started to feel on fire.”

On Frank Ocean Coming Out
“That was super brave and I’m so glad that he wrote it,” she says. “He is the voice for so many people. We’re all boxed in to these stupid things that we’re taught is the way we’re supposed to be and it’s so ridiculous. There are so many people that need a champion to assure them that no matter who you are, you are a beautiful person. That doesn’t change the fact that you’re talented or intelligent. Thank God that we have come to this place where we can actually know and be more open to the fact that people come in all different ways. And that’s great because it’s a very boring world otherwise.”

On Staying Out of the Doghouse In A Relationship
“It’s real easy,” she says. “You stay outta the doghouse by not being a dog. You know what to do. That’s it. Life is real easy. You know what the key is? Honesty. OK, honesty isn’t easy. Honesty can be hurtful. It can be painful. It can be difficult. But honesty makes things easier. ’Cause then you don’t have to go back and do all types of other bulls–t. It’s just better. Trust me.”

On Naming Her Son Egypt
“I took an important trip for myself to Egypt. There were a lot of things that needed to change. I was not as experienced then, so I felt close to a breakdown. I went to Egypt, and I went alone. I sailed down the Nile and I saw the temples, the tombs, and the pyramids. It was powerful.” She adds with a laugh, “It was very Cleopatra.”

When we found out I was pregnant, my husband said, ‘Egypt was such an important time for you. That really changed your life.’ Wouldn’t that be amazing as a name?’ Once he said that, I was like, ‘Yes.’

t’s safe to say we’re all fairly excited about the release of Kid Cudi’s next album “Indicud” later this year and it looks like Complex agrees. From the first single “Just What Iam” to the albums expected features there is a lot to look forward too. Check out what Complex had to say on the upcoming album and why the ranked it #5 on their list. 

After a crossover into rock, Cudi’s back doing what he does best. We got our first taste of his next album with “Just What I Am,” his awesome solo effort on Cruel Summer, “Creepers,” showed that he’s still making incredible tracks. Indicud will be Kid Cudi’s fourth studio album, and he plans to produce and spit some “really serious raps” alongside some of the biggest artists in music, across all genres, not just rap. So, Indicud is essentially a Cudi-helmed compilation album. As someone who has proven time and time again that he has great taste, that sounds like a fantastic idea.

READ: The 50 Most Anticipated Albums For the Rest of 2012

Since covering his first issue of Complex Magazine in 2009, KiD CuDi has graced the cover of multiple magazines across the globe. From URB to LUSSW and Complex (5 times!) Cudi has his fair share of covers to show off. We’ve put together a history of all 12 covers for you to revisit, including the latest G.O.O.D. Music cover. 

“We’re not just writing raps. That’s what I was saying in the beginning. Ain’t no cookie-cutter shit. This ain’t no factory with robots running around, just spitting our raps. We’re there from the ground up creating magic, and that says something, man. If motherfuckers ain’t with it, they better get with it.”

“Luckily, everybody has their own vision. No one is lost. A lot of artists get lost. They drop an album, and then they go fucking blank. But everybody here sees their career10 years from now.” -KiD CuDi