Kid Cudi has launched a fan contest via social media to assemble a new hip hop-influenced pop group, inviting fans to record vocals over a beat he plans to release and offering to sign his chosen picks to his Mad Solar label. The move gives aspiring artists an unusual shot at a record deal directly from an established star, though Cudi has warned he will be highly selective given the calibre of talent he expects.

The rapper first floated the idea on Wednesday, initially asking for 100,000 likes and 20,000 retweets before lowering the bar to 2,000 likes, which the post quickly surpassed, confirming the contest would go ahead. The beat is due on his SoundCloud by 6pm PST on Friday, accompanied by guidance on themes to address, and entrants will have a week to submit their best work before he reviews submissions; further details on how to enter are still to be announced. Kid Cudi recently wrapped his Rebel Ragers Tour in June, and his most recent album, "Free", debuted at No. 192 on the Billboard 200 in 2025.