“Pursuit of Happiness” by Kid Cudi (ft. MGMT)
“Pursuit of Happiness” is actually centered on the theme of drug addiction. Or more specifically it features Kid Cudi portraying the role of the type of individual who ‘pursues happiness’ by consuming alcohol and other intoxicants. In other words, it is not meant to be a depiction of Cudi’s actual lifestyle, as some have interpreted it. He intentionally depicts himself as the aforementioned type of individual to get a point across. And said point would basically be that it’s not a good idea to search for fulfillment in life via substance abuse.
When was “Pursuit of Happiness” released?
This is the third and final single from Kid Cudi’s debut album, the creatively-entitled Man on the Moon: The End of Day. Its original release date, along with the rest of the project, was on 15 September 2009. Its labels are Motown Records and G.O.O.D. Music. And for the record, its official name on the album itself is “Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare)”.
Prior to actually coming out with the album, this tune was premiered to the world on 4 September 2009 via BBC Radio 1’s DJ Semtex.
A remix of the song dropped shortly after its official release, on the date of 5 December 2009, as put forth by DJ Steve Aoki. It proved to be quite popular itself and contributed to the overall success of the tune. For instance, it was that particular version that was nominated for a 2012 MTV Movie Award, as it was used in the comedy film Project X (2012).
Even more Success
“Pursuit of Happiness” topped France’s Club 40 chart, in addition to peaking at number 3 on the UK R&B Chart.
It has also achieved the brilliant feat of being RIAA quintuple-platinum certified in the United States.
Music Videos
There are two official music videos to this song. The first employed Josh Hartnett as its director, and the other was directed by a crew from France known as Megaforce. The Josh Hartnett version features cameos by rappers Consequence and Drake (whom Cudi later had a falling out with).
Collaborations
Cudi collaborated with Ratatat, a pair of rockers from Brooklyn, on another track from Man on the Moon entitled Alive. Prior to that, Ratatat was also featured on his first mixtape, A Kid Named Cudi, specifically on the track “Heaven at Nite” (2008).
Ratatat also produced “Pursuit of Happiness”. Additionally its individual members, Mike Stroud and E*Vax, are credited as co-writers alongside Kid Cudi.
Meanwhile “Pursuit of Happiness” was Cudi’s first collaboration with MGMT, a rock band from Connecticut. And they went on to work with Cudder again on his 2013 track Immortal.
