We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Cudlino. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Cudlino below.
Alright, Cudlino thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
The most meaningful project I worked on would have to be my debut full-length album called “W.I.T.S.” (Written in the Stars). I was working on my “California Dreamin’” EP when I was approached by a producer to participate in his contest of recording 15 songs using his instrumentals within 45 days. The winner would receive a cash prize, additional instrumentals of their choice, and studio time for their next album. I didn’t end up winning that competition, but I had 15 songs I could use in the future. There was a rush from my previous distribution company to get my EP completed and ready for distribution, so those 15 songs were “shelved”.
I promoted and toured my California Dreamin’ EP for about a year, which ended after my first son was born. I decided to take a break from performing because I didn’t want to miss out on being around for the first time he crawled, walked, and talked. I grew up without a father or father figure most of my life and didn’t want that for any of my children. As he got older it was time to begin getting back to music and performing.
At this point I revisited the 15 songs I created from the competition but was only satisfied with a few of the songs. I could have released them all as a mixtape but decided that I would rather release a full-length album instead. “Written In The Stars “was my favorite from the 15 songs, and the more I listened to it I realized that I wanted to create an album built around the concept of that song.
I purchased new instrumentals, rewrote my favorite unreleased songs, and wrote new songs that were influenced by life experiences of people I know and myself. I had a song I wrote while on vacation with my wife in Cozumel, Mexico that became my Caribbean influenced song “Live”. During the creation of this album my second son was born, which put me into another hiatus from performing and touring to be able to watch him grow. Being on the road away from my wife and sons inspired the creation of my song “Restless” featuring Constantine.
After the album was finally ready to move forward, I felt like it was missing a key song that connects all of the songs on the album. I wanted the album to be perfect due to being my own biggest critic. There was a song I never released that I felt would be a perfect fit, but it needed a new instrumental and rewrite. Took a while to find the right instrumental, but that song ended up being called “Don’t Fall Short”. It is the most personal and vulnerable song I have ever written or released, and to me was the perfect connection to help summarize the main theme of this album.
The main theme is that we’re all born with the potential to be the greatest versions of ourselves. We can overcome any pain, struggles, and vices we encounter throughout life. The album is also about enjoying good times, cherishing people we care about, finding and holding onto love, as well as learning from life experiences.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am an independent Hip-Hop artist that goes by the stage name of Cudlino. I’m from San Diego, CA and currently based in Wisconsin. My entertainment company is currently being rebranded and will more than likely include a change of name. My sound is best described as Hip-Hop with west-coast, R&B, and electronica influences. I mix in my past struggles and successes to convey a message of better days and good times for people that stay persistent and ambitious. I aim to create songs that provide “food for thought” messages smoothly mixed over beats that makes a music-lover vibe.
My love for music started at a real young age from dancing around to my mom singing her favorite songs when I was a child to singing in church and school choirs. She introduced me to a lot of soul music and R&B, but there was also some rap and country music included. I was always fascinated how artists would align words and phrases in their lyrics to not only rhyme but to also create impact to the listener, especially rhyme schemes and emphasis on specific words. I wanted to be an artist ever since I was little. Tupac, Snoop, and Ice Cube were some of my favorite artists of that time.
I began writing poetry in middle school after having that unit in school because I remembered hearing that Tupac wrote poetry before becoming one of the greatest rappers of all time. I was still in choir because I like to sing, which was paying off because I was invited to be part of the 8th grade show choir while in 7th grade. I thought it would be a great opportunity to see what it was like to be a touring artist and see if I would get nervous at all in front of large groups of people, especially since I was being offered to do a few solos. I continued with choir and writing poetry until the time came when I moved to writing lyrics while studying some of my favorite artists’ lyrics. I would freestyle with friends, but it never really went further until I recorded my first collaboration with a friend in high school. It was on a computer with a computer microphone back when there was dial-up internet. It was a raunchy song, but I remember us being so proud of it and having our parents listen to what we created.
After high school I befriended an artist by the name of KingDub while at work. He let me listen to the songs he had recorded, so I rapped him one of my verses since I lost the only recorded song I had a long time before this moment. He said that he thought it was dope and invited me to swing by his spot to record in his home studio. That’s where the history of Cudlino as an artist began. I was first Cudo (girls used to say I reminded them of the Cuddle Bear) to eventually becoming Cudlino after I heard there was already an artist by the name of Kid Cudi. KingDub and I recorded for hours until we finally had a mixtape with over 10 songs. We both agreed on the group name of Game Dream Struggle and the mixtape title I suggested, “Where West Meets South”. The title was due to me being from California and him being from Oklahoma. This was during the days when mixtapes were huge and everyone was looking to get something released on DatPiff. We were working on a second group mixtape when KingDub and his new wife moved to Georgia. After learning the basics of recording at home from KingDub, I invested in my own home studio and began working on my own solo career.
I have released two solo mixtapes, two solo EPs, and a solo full-length album. I co-headlined and helped book the Elevated Minds tour series with Minnesota artist Dee Bomb. I have had a song released on an official Slip N’ Slide On Da Grind mixtape and at one point reached over 70k followers on Twitter with the help of a promo campaign through a SODMG promo manager. Some of the national and regional touring artists I have shared a stage with are iYaz, Lil Flip, Project Pat, Absent, Krayzie Bone from Bone Thugs N’ Harmony, Denim White, and DJ Abilities of Rhymesayers. I have been featured in multiple magazines and blogs, as well as have had my music played on multiple radio stations.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding moments I have experienced as an artist are when fans reach out to tell me how my music has related to them personally, especially when it inspired them to do something positive in their life. I remember a fan approaching me at a show and asking if she could make a quick remark after one of my songs. She told the crowd about the sudden turmoil her and her family were going through and how she would listen to my song “Quarter Mile” to get through the bad times. It was great to know that I, through my music, was able to help someone relieve their sorrows and optimistically look towards their future.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
I think it would be best for society to wholeheartedly support independent artists. Support that artist like you support your favorite store. Purchase that artist’s music instead of only listening to it on a streaming service. I feel that streaming services are taking advantage of the saturation of artists and content by not paying their fair share while making millions in profits. Purchase their merchandise and show up to their shows. Help promote their shows when they’re going to perform around your area or an area of someone you know. Reach out to the venues in your area and request that they bring the artist to their venue. Contact the radio stations and request their music. I know most of that is geared towards the music fan, but I think that they truly hold the leverage in the music industry.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cudlinomusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialcudlino/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CudlinoMusic
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cudlino
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/officialcudlino
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/cudlino
- Other: Pandora – https://pandora.app.link/jCcf7XXhtvb Apple Music – https://music.apple.com/us/artist/cudlino/372839809 Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/49lipyvWS3ifqsDFz1P6O0
Image Credits
Artwork by A.J. Greene Photography by J Braun Photos and Jared from Wolderman Creative