Kid Cudi Responds to Criticism of Ye Support After Stage Reunion in Chicago

Kid Cudi defended his onstage reunion with Kanye West in Chicago, which marked the pair’s first live performance together in years.

Ye brought Cudi out for three songs toward the end of his three-hour set at Soldier Field on Friday (Sept. 4), the second night of two homecoming concerts. The two rappers, whose relationship spans two decades after Yeezy met Cudi in 2006 and signed him to G.O.O.D. Music in 2008, delivered “Father Stretch My Hands, Pt. 1” and “Ghost Town,” plus “Pursuit of Happiness (Nightmare).”

Following the show, Cudi reacted to positive comments from concertgoers celebrating the surprise appearance, which signaled a reconciliation between the frequent collaborators who released a joint album in 2019 titled Kids See Ghosts. He also responded to criticism regarding his realignment with Ye.

Fans had not seen the pair together in years, as Cudi distanced himself from Ye amid the star’s erratic rants, antisemitic remarks, and hate speech, for which West subsequently apologized.

Cudi quoted a post from New York radio personality Peter Rosenberg on X this weekend. Rosenberg expressed disappointment that people he loves were being open about supporting Kanye during West’s Chicago homecoming weekend, adding that while people deserve forgiveness and empathy, the artist sang Heil Hitler one year ago.

“I understand ur frustration Peter, I f—s w u, but I dont really care if ur disappointed in me,” Cudi wrote in response on X on Saturday (Sept. 5).

“That man is my brother,” Cudi said of Ye. “U dont have a relationship w him like I do. Damn near 2 decades of art and friendship. U not family. So I get it. Ive been around Ye, and I can honestly say talking to him now is how it use to be when I first signed to him, but even better. He was dealing w mental health struggles for years and now hes good. Everyone deserves some grace when they family. I was the hardest on him out of anybody. I held him accountable. He apologized and it was sincere. But like I said, u not family so I get it.”

Rosenberg replied that he was not disappointed in Cudi personally, but rather in fans rushing to support an artist shortly after offensive behavior. Rosenberg stated he is all for forgiveness and empathy, but objected to an artist being hailed as a hero without seeking professional help and sitting down for a few years.

In 2025, Cudi discussed his fractured relationship with Ye in an interview with CBS, stating that West had said things that crossed a line of no return. Cudi noted at the time that he was finished with him, expressing heartbreak over the person West had become.

Ye, who suffers from bipolar disorder, apologized for his actions in early 2026 while referencing his mental health struggles. In a full-page advertisement published in the Wall Street Journal in January, Ye wrote that he previously believed everyone else was overreacting and that he was losing his grip on reality. He described bipolar type-1 disconnected moments that led to poor judgment and reckless behavior, expressed deep regret and mortification, and stated commitment to accountability, treatment, and meaningful change while clarifying that he is not a Nazi or an antisemite and loves Jewish people.

Cudi revealed over the summer that the two were rebuilding their friendship.

Following the weekend reunion on stage, Cudi wrote on X that the event was another epic night alongside his big brother, adding love for Chicago.

In another post shared after performing at Soldier Field, Cudi added, “Love u big bro. Family s—tt.”