I happened to be able to see Kid Cudi when he performed on Tulane’s campus. Think about that for a moment. Kid Cudi, in New Orleans, on the stage inside of an auditorium. Not exactly the presence that you think Kid Cudi would make, with the audience relegated to chairs and stadium style seating, but it made for an extremely unique experience that I’m glad to have in my books.

This was a few years ago when he had yet to take off for his BRK / WZRD career, so it was much more of a rap experience than the rock solo guitar style that he’s been breaking into lately. While I’m sure there will be a little bit of both performances available for your viewing pleasure at BUKU, if you’re expecting the Kid Cudi of yonder who only raps about living life to the fullest and doing things At Night, then you might just be disappointed.

There’s certainly something to be said for his dedication and craft, without question. The intimacy of the Tulane auditorium may have shaped the overall experience to be more personal, but the fact that he was up there giving 110% without having a screaming audience at his feet made me respect him that much more. The feedback that a perform gets from the crowd is critical, and for him to have been able to channel that without the immediate response was inspiring.

He rolled from hit to hit on Man on the Moon: The End of Day, his newest album at the time, including songs like: Pursuit of Happiness and Sky Might Fall. For all the criticism that most rappers get regarding singing, he had a fantastic voice that sounded unassisted and raw – perfect accompaniment to the lyrics of his songs. His DJ had a few technical errors throughout the show, as to be expected, and he had no problem punching through the tension with jokes and banter to keep the spirits high. At one point the lull in music led to him singing I Do My Thang, a then unreleased track, a capella. A unique experience, to say the least.

If you’re looking to have a show to let loose and be carefree about, while still enjoying a fantastic sound, Kid Cudi is one that you won’t want to miss.