"Just What I Am" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Kid Cudi, released on October 2, 2012 as the lead single from his third studio album Indicud (2013). The song, produced by Cudi himself, features a guest verse from his frequent collaborator and fellow Cleveland-based rapper King Chip (formerly known as Chip tha Ripper). Complex named the song #40 of the best 50 songs of 2012.[1] As of January 26, 2016 "Just What I Am" has reached platinum status by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[2]
| "Just What I Am" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Kid Cudi featuring King Chip | ||||
| from the album Indicud | ||||
| Released | October 2, 2012 | |||
| Recorded | 2012 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:48 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | Scott Mescudi | |||
| Kid Cudi singles chronology | ||||
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| King Chip singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| Just What I Am on YouTube | ||||
Background and release
editInitially, an un-mastered version of the song was released by Kid Cudi via Complex on August 13, 2012, with the title stylized as "Just What Iam".[3] Kid Cudi announced the song's official mastered release on September 21, 2012. The official cover art for the iTunes release was revealed via Cudi's Facebook page on September 25, 2012.[4] The song was later included on Cudi’s first greatest hits album The Boy Who Flew to the Moon, Vol. 1 (2022).
Music video
editOn September 10, 2012 Cudi announced via his Twitter feed that he would be filming a music video for "Just What I Am" in Los Angeles. He also revealed he wanted his fans to be involved.[5] Kid Cudi later tweeted: "the video was designed to be watched on acid and/or shrooms."[6] The video, which marked Cudi's directorial debut, premiered November 6, 2012 on VEVO. The video features cameo appearances from Cudi’s contemporaries, fellow rapper Mac Miller and electrohouse DJ Steve Aoki.[7] The visual are seen in a baroque frame, Cudi explained on Twitter saying: "all my videos will be in a baroque frame. I create art, so it will be presented as such. ART IN MOTION"
In a 2013 interview with Complex, Cudi explained why he used certain imagery in the visuals for "Just What I Am":
"Yeah, it’s funny. People in my life know that I’m a fucking goofball. I’m a prankster and I clown a lot. In any moment in time, I’ll incorporate some jokes in my music or raps or whatever. And all throughout my career I’ve noticed that the main thing people try to point out is the Illuminati, Satanic symbols and references in music videos—specifically in my shit. And like, in no way shape or form am I the type of individual that will be ever thinking of that type of shit while we were working on these videos. But it’s so interesting to see how sure of themselves people are, talking about this. It’s like, 'No, I know it, I know it! He sold his soul to the devil! I know he’s friends with Satan! I can feel it.' You know what I mean? Niggas be knowing I guess. So my way of tricking everybody, being that I had that control, I was like, 'Oh man. Wouldn’t it be cool if we just threw a bunch of fucking Satanic devil-worship Illuminati symbols into the video, just like abruptly popping up all over the place and fuck people up?' Just to fuck with them and then not say anything, like wait months and not say shit. Just let ‘em trip out, just let ‘em talk. Ignore it if it comes up in conversation. It was an experiment, like we totally experimented with this. Right now as we speak, it’s still going on. Kids are so outraged."[8]
In other media
editIn 2020, the song was heavily featured in the Judd Apatow film The King of Staten Island.
Charts
edit| Chart (2012) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[9] | 32 |
| France (SNEP)[10] | 189 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[11] | 74 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[12] | 17 |
| US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[13] | 13 |
Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[14] | 2× Platinum | 2,000,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
edit| Country | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | October 2, 2012[15] | Digital download | Universal Republic |
| United States | October 30, 2012[16] | Rhythm/Crossover Radio | Universal Republic |
References
edit- ^ "The 50 Best Songs of 2012". Complex Networks.
- ^ ""Just What I Am"..." Facebook. 2012-09-21. Retrieved 2012-09-26.
- ^ "Premiere: Kid Cudi f/ King Chip "Just What Iam"". Complex. 2012-08-13. Retrieved 2012-09-26.
- ^ "Wall Photos". Facebook. Retrieved 2012-09-26.
- ^ "Kid Cudi Will Be Making a Music Video for "Just What Iam", Invites Fans to Participate". DatNewCudi.com. 2012-09-10. Retrieved 2012-09-30.
- ^ "VIDEO: KID CUDI F/ KING CHIP – 'JUST WHAT I AM'". Rap-Up. November 6, 2012. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
- ^ Depland, Michael (November 7, 2012). "New Video: Kid Cudi Featuring King Chip, 'Just What I Am' (NSFW)". MTV Music. MTV Networks. Archived from the original on October 15, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
- ^ La Puma, Joe (January 17, 2013). "Interview: Kid Cudi Talks Quitting Weed, Bossing Up, Illuminati Rumors, and "MOTM III"". Complex. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
- ^ "Kid Cudi feat. King Chip – Just What I Am". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
- ^ "Kid Cudi – Just What I Am" (in French). Les classement single.
- ^ "Kid Cudi Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
- ^ "Kid Cudi Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
- ^ "Kid Cudi Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
- ^ "American single certifications – Kid Cudi – Just What I Am". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
- ^ "Just What I Am (feat. King Chip) – Single by Kid Cudi". iTunes Store. Apple. Archived from the original on October 5, 2012. Retrieved October 3, 2012.
- ^ "FMQB: Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". www.fmqb.com. Archived from the original on 2005-12-23.