KiD CuDi x Asher Roth x Jim Jones @ Nokia Theater NYC, 07.15 (PHOTOS)

Missed out on 88 Keys and barely caught Asher's last two songs, one of which was a Jim Jones-guest-supported version of "College" which made the crowd filled with college kids go ape shit (ah those were the days, sigh), but soon as Cudi took the stage the show took off straight out the building and into outer space.

Taking a page from Kanye's 2008 Glow-In-The-Dark Tour, Cudi had a pretty amazing stage setup full of fluorescent lights and sports-stadium-bright videos being played behind him. Though I managed expectations for his show, knowing he doesn't yet have an official album out, it really didn't matter in the end as he tore through "Is There Any Love" (sans-Wale), "Embrace The Martian" "Cudi Spazzin," "Make Her Say (I Poke Her Face)," "Mr. Solo Dolo," "Sky Might Fall," and "Man On The Moon," and a few more joints (in no particular order) and closed with a mix of all "Day N Nite" versions (sans-Jim Jones who made an appearance in Asher Roth's previous set). What might have been most impressive is how Cudi absolutely tore the packed house down with no surprise guest appearances - in the end, he really didn't need any. Mr. Solo Dolo killed it.. solo dolo.

Gotta say after seeing Kid Cudi perform live I'm even more of a fan now. Watching him was like watching Kanye's nephew up there - tearing the house down all by his damn self just like Yeezy did for a packed MSG crowd during his tour last year. When Cudi's debut album Man On The Moon: The Guardians drops on August 25th, look for it to be one of those career-defining classic debut albums that'll get him some possible Best New Artist nods. If it wasn't official before, it's super official now - Cudi's the truth.

check out some flicks from the show...

and a flick of Jim Jones with Asher Roth doing "College" - they should all have done a version of Day N Nite to kick off Cudi's set while Jones was in the building... that woulda been dope. 'scuse the blurrage I do believe some wasted douchebag was jumping into my shoulder at this point

Viva La Vicarious