WZRD

Though best known as rapper Kid Cudi’s rock endeavor alongside producer Dot da Genius, WZRD actually traces its roots to conversations that began years earlier. While Genius handled early demos and shaped the 2008 mixtape A Kid Name Cudi, the pair already discussed forming a rock-oriented outfit. The same partnership later delivered the hit single “Day ’n’ Nite,” which opened the door to Kid Cudi’s solo breakthrough. In 2010 the long-germinating idea finally took concrete shape, drawing inspiration from Electric Light Orchestra, Pink Floyd, Nirvana, and the Pixies. Listeners caught their first glimpse when “No One Believes Me,” still billed under Kid Cudi, appeared on the 2011 soundtrack for Fright Night. The following year brought the single “Teleport 2 Me” and the self-titled debut album, both issued through Universal.