MY FAVOURITE MIXTAPE: BAVÉ [2025 BOLD FEATURE]
MY FAVOURITE MIXTAPE: Swedish powerhouse Bavé tells VIPER how this Kid Cudi mixtape changed his musical journey…
What’s your favourite mixtape ever
Without hesitation, ‘A Kid Named Cudi’ by Kid Cudi.
Why is it so significant to you?
It was a mixtape that, genre-wise, had so many musical influences I had never heard over rapping before. It became my introduction to Indie Rock, for instance. Kid Cudi put me on to Ratatat, MGMT, Vampire Weekend and other amazing bands that eventually became my coming-of-age soundtracks.
Were there any artists or producers that you discovered through this tape?
Other than the ones I already mentioned, I really got into the work of Emile Haynie. That man can do anything.
Where exactly were you when you heard the mixtape for the first time?
This was in 2008, and I was still living at my mom’s house out in the hood. I remember downloading it off DatPiff and then putting my friends on. We listened to it every day on our way to school.
Did it come into your life at a significant time?
Sonically, I think it rewired my brain. The sheer range of influences really broadened my appreciation for music in general, which I think is the greatest gift. If you look at my music even today, I owe a lot to that mixtape. And obviously, just like everyone else who grew up listening to Kid Cudi, he was an emotional comfort through hard times.
How did the mixtape cover make you feel?
Like falling backward in slow motion.
Describe the mixtape in three words.
Coming-of-age.
What song is your personal favourite?
We are not doing that, I’m sorry!
If you could put a price on this mixtape, how much would you pay?
100 bucks. Is that cheap?
Did you have a physical copy?
I don’t, but if someone reading this wants to send me one – please and thank you.
No? Which is your favourite that you have a physical copy of?
I have a lot of records at home, but I’m pretty sure I don’t own a single mixtape. They were mostly on CD, and I haven’t bought CDs since I was a kid.
