Kid Cudi is an artist that has been active since 2003. Real name Scott `Mescudi, he has delved into genres such as alt hip hop, alt rock and is even accredited to be influential for the creation of the emo rap genre. Although associated with many mainstream acts, Kid Cudi's music throughout his career has been challenging of conventions of society, normalising conversation about drug use and depression and finding ways to overcome them. Formerly being signed to Kanye West's "G.O.O.D Music" label, Cudi is now signed with Republic records, both parent companies of UMG (Universal Music Group).
Pursuit of happiness is a song with a narrative focusing on a person going on a downward spiral influenced by drugs and alcohol, and how lonely the pursuit can turn out to be. The song has influences of alt hip-hop and Neo-psychedelia with the song featuring neo-psychadelic group MGMT.
The music video follows a basic narrative of the antagonist (Kid Cudi) at a party in a hotel room seemingly having the time of his life, however at the end of the video he stumbles into the bathroom of the venue where he has hallucinations of himself passed out on the floor and standing up.
The video follows genre conventions such as partying and having cameos from other celebrities such as drake. There are also some enigma codes such as the constant use of everything around cudi slowing down as he performs the song. Everyone at the party seems t be conventionally attractive and young, well dressed in usual party attire for successful people. Cudi however is wearing a jacket and a beanie through most the video apart from when he sees himself at the end.
The video compliments the lyrics to some degree, with images of drinking and partying, along with the consequences for the excessive partying.
The song can be both a party anthem and a song to relate/ be conscious about, appealing to the audiences.
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