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Kanye West features Kid Cudi on 'DONDA' despite past beef, fans knew 'he wouldn't leave him out'

Apart from Cudi, Kanye West's DONDA has features by Jay-Z, Travis Scott, Lil Yachty, Don Toliver, Baby Keem, Lil Durk and Playboy Carti among others

Kanye West fans were over the moon after they caught a surprise vocal on his latest album 'DONDA', for which they have been eagerly waiting for months. Rapper Kid Cudi was featured on the album, despite previously denying his collaboration on 'DONDA'. Fans were ecstatic to discover Cudi's surprise feature as he rapped a verse alongside Kanye. It appears that Cudi and Kanye have moved past their longstanding beef to drop a "masterpiece" together. 

Apart from Kid Cudi, DONDA has features by Jay-Z, Travis Scott, Lil Yachty, Don Toliver, Baby Keem, Lil Durk and Playboy Carti among others. Kanye West launched a live stream 'DONDA' countdown on Apple Music prior to dropping the album, after tremendous hype. And fans are absolutely loving everything about the features by other hip-hop artists, calling it worth the long wait. "Kanye West’s Donda is a cinematic masterpiece. With features from Lil Durk, Kid Cudi, Playboi Carti, Travis Scott and Baby Keem, this album really has the heart and soul it needs. Great messages, and even better music," tweeted an excited fan. 

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Kanye and Cudi go way back and have created some brilliant music together. In 2008, Cudi was signed to Kanye's G.O.O.D Music label, followed by Kanye's feature on Cudi's 2009 album 'Man on the Moon: The End of Day'. Kanye's feature of the hit single 'Make Her Say (I Poke Her Face)' from the album propelled it to the top within days, taking Cudi's popularity to a record high. 

All was going well for both of them until April 2013, when Cudi shocked fans by announcing his decision to leave G.O.O.D. At that time, he clarified that there was not any dispute that led him to take the decision. "Everything is peace with everybody on the label. There's never been any issues, but I am announcing that I'm no longer on G.O.O.D. Music. And this is something that no one knows, really. I'm no longer on G.O.O.D. Music," Cudi had said. He further added that he looks up to Kanye West as a 'big brother', making his decision to leave G.O.O.D all the more hard. 

Things went downhill went fans started congratulating Cudi for his apparent feature on Kanye's 2013 album 'Yeezus', in the track 'Guilt Trip'. Cudi admits that he was unaware of the usage of his vocals, which was recorded only as a reference a few years back. "Why not call me and have me come in there and give it? Why underuse me? Why put four bars of vocals to coax my fans into thinking this is a legitimate Kid Cudi feature on this song and it isn’t?" Cudi spoke out about the issue in an interview. 

Come September 2016, and Cudi decided to slam West directly in a barrage of tweets. During his Twitter rant about the discord in the hip-hop scene, he name-dropped Kanye West. The same day, Kanye responded to Cudi's tweets during a performance in Saint Pablo. "Do you know how many people wish they could be signed to G.O.O.D. Music? Get their life changed, have an opportunity? Never forget that! I am so hurt. I feel so disrespected. Kid Cudi, we are two black men in a racist world. ... Don't ever mention my name in a bad manner, none of y'all," he said to the crowd. 

Afterward, Kanye went on to publicly forgive Cudi and called him his brother. Two months later, Cudi even joined Kanye on his Saint Pablo Tour. In 2017, the two performed together at a Chicago concert, followed by a joint album release - the much loved 'Kids See Ghost'. And now, Cudi once again makes a surprise appearance in 'DONDA', one of Kanye West's most hyped albums ever. 

Cudi clarified his earlier stance about denying his feature on DONDA, admitting that West approached him after he tweeted that he was not on it. "I wasnt on Donda when I tweeted that I wasnt. Ye hit me the followin week and we made it work. Realest nigga alive. No need to lie to kick it . Hope u guys enjoy!!," he tweeted.

"CUDI IS ON KANYES NEW ALBUM IM SOBBING R U KIDDING ME IM SO EXCITED," an overjoyed fan tweeted. Another fan said, "Nahhh kanye got Cudi on the joint..I knew it he wouldn't leave him out #DONDA" 

"Just heard that Kid Cudi feature and now I just can't wait for the album to drop man," a third fan said.