Big Bro with Kid Cudi
What Collabing with Kanye, Eminem & Lil Wayne Is REALLY Like w/ Dot Da Genius
13 May 2026
Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.
Chapter 1: What behind-the-scenes stories are shared about 'Day 'N' Nite'?
wave and then i played it for kanye when i was in china with him i remember that so i played him reborn he was like That, that's gotta be our first single. As soon as they hook up, I'm so, I'm sorry. Boy, he's like, I'm moving forward. He was with it. Like instantly. I was like, you like this? And he's like, yes. That's gotta be, we gotta have that on the album.
That's gotta be the first single. You called me, I don't know if you remember, it was my birthday. And he was like, Kanye loves Reborn. I'm like, what? For real? He's like, yes, he's gonna lay his first. I'm like, oh my God. Yes.
What up, fam? Welcome back to Big Bro with Kid Cudi, a wave original. I'm your big bro, Scott, coming to you live from the attic of my mind. This week, I'm sitting down with my best friend and creative partner, Dr. Genius. We've known each other for 20 years. We've been working together that whole time.
We talk about how we made Day and Night, why it took off, a ton of behind-the-scenes stories, and the early days of Cutter and Dot. He's truly one of the most talented guys I've ever met, one of the best producers in the world. So kick back, vibe out, and enjoy. Dr. Genius. Yes, sir. In the place to be. Thanks for having me, bro. Of course, bro. You know I had to have an episode with you, bro.
You're my best friend. Likewise. And that's outside the music. Even if we never did music, we would still be in each other's lives.
100%.
And it was important for me to have... one of my day ones on the podcast. And I thought that it could be interesting To kind of talk about some of our collaborations, how they happened. I look at it like this. We've come a long way. We have, yeah. We've been working on music together for 20 years. Shit. You know what I mean? Like, 20 years. Mm-hmm. Actually, 21 years. Because we met in 2005.
Oh, my God. Right? Yeah. So, I think it's okay to kind of show, like... where it started. Like, I think people will be curious because also I want to show the kids like, Hey man, I wasn't coming out the gate. I wasn't coming out the gate. I didn't come out the gate with day and nights just in my back pocket. You know what I mean?
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Chapter 2: How did Dot Da Genius collaborate with Kanye on 'Reborn'?
Let me ask you a question. Do you remember? Cause it was a moment in time where I saw it, a switch flip for you. Okay. Where I feel like you were approaching music a certain way. And then he was like, nah, I know what I need to do. Do you remember that moment where you was like, I need to dumb it down? Kind of. There was a moment where he was like, you know, I need to dumb it down. Simplify.
Exactly. Yeah. And that really, I think, was the switch, you know?
Yeah. Well, that's how, I guess that's how we made Day and Night. Because that's why Day and Night was so like, it was, I was able to find the minimalism. Yes. It wasn't like so wordy or a lot of words coming at you. Exactly. It was like phrases. Exactly. You know? day and night. I talk to her and I keep stressing my mind, mind. Yes. I live a piece, but see, you know what I mean?
And it's, it's, so I wouldn't, I wouldn't, I wouldn't use the word dumb down, right? But I would, but I would say simplify, simplify up. You know what I mean? Um, that connects with the line, like, the ones that make it complicated never get gradually. Exactly. You know what I'm saying?
100%.
So, like, it was me being like, hey, man, I know if I go so hard with this shit, like, trying to be intricate and, like, all this that I could lose people. Right. Like I want everybody to feel like they can sing along. I want anybody to understand what I'm saying. But yeah, there was a, there was a flip and it was around the time when we were working all day and night. Exactly.
Cause in every record after that kind of followed the formula formula. Yeah. I mean, a hundred percent. Uh, it's crazy. Cause, uh, You know, those early days. Do you remember when your parents sat me down and had an intervention with me? Yes, I was in the room. They took me in. A lot of people who read the memoir, they know the story.
And I lived with you for a couple of years, a few years in East New York. And I didn't have a job, and I was just working with Dot when he would be home on the weekends because he went to school. At first, he was in the house all the time, but then he went to college and was in the dorms, right? So I would only see him on weekends.
and i didn't have a job so monday through friday i'm just in the house chilling you know i'm just i'm just kicking it you know and like you know i would go if i had enough money on my on my metro card i would go to the city maybe think up with some of my friends kick it a little bit but for the most part i was in the house right and one day his parents sat me down
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Chapter 3: What was the significance of Dot's early days in music?
They were like, they didn't know how to follow up. Cause they weren't expecting me to say that. Right. And it's crazy because when I was watching Marty Supreme, it literally, there was a moment in Marty Supreme where they had that conversation where it was like, why don't you have a job? He's like, I can't work because it's like, gets in the way of like, you know, me pursuing my dreams, you know?
And she's like, well, what if it doesn't work out? He's like, it's just, I never thought, that thought never came into my mind. You know what I mean? And that's literally how I was thinking. Like, I never... thought about failure. Like it was going to happen.
So when they saw how certain I was, they were really taken back and just kind of like, well, you always have to have a plan B. And I was just like, there is no plan B. This is it. I don't know if we had day and night at that time. I don't think so. I don't think we did. But I could taste success. It was close. The music we were making, we were on our way. We made Awesomely Dope.
I can't remember if Cleveland was the reason it came before Day Night.
It did, right? We were still in the basement when we did Cleveland was the reason. Day Night, we were upstairs.
I know, right? So like we were like, and that song was fire. And like, I remember being like, man, this is, this is epic. Like Cleveland is the reason it's epic. Like, I just feel like if we keep going and keep cooking, we go find something.
I'm going to be real with you. You definitely were the only one with that train of thought because I was also brought up like, yo, you got to have something to fall back on. And that's why I was in college. And I think I told you about my homeboy, Greg, from Philly, that I met when I was in college. And he was asking me, like, if you want to do music, why are you here?
And I was like, this is the plan B. He's like, yo, your plan A should be your plan B. I was like, that sounds stupid. In my head, I was like, that sounds stupid. You sound like an idiot. Yeah, what if plan A don't work out? That don't sound logical, but I get the sentiment behind it. You know what I mean? If you're not putting the energy like plan A is plan B, plan A won't be successful.
Yeah. And it's a sacrifice. Exactly. That one has to make, that I'm glad I did it at a young age. You know what I mean? Like I wouldn't be able to pull this off in my thirties or forties.
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Chapter 4: How did Dot and Cudi's friendship influence their music?
And it was those things that kind of led me... Like, I was going blind, but I was going off pure feeling. And that's one of the reasons why... Like, I was... telling a couple of my actors that I casted in my film, I was like, you know, I go off a feeling. I didn't need you guys to audition. I didn't need you guys to read. Crazy. Something in my soul was telling me this is the right person.
And that's how I decided to cast these people. And that's how every good thing in my life has come with feeling. Our friendship. Playing Pat. Emil. Sylvia Rome, my wife, you know what I mean? Like it was, it was all, it's like, like when I first saw Lola, I was like, I need to know who this girl is. Like I need her number in my fucking phone. You know what I'm saying?
Like, and it was all, I didn't know who she was. Why did I feel this way?
True.
I just saw her. And we didn't have a conversation. It was all just like from the outside looking in, her aura or whatever you want to call it, I was like, I need to know who she is. I want to get to know this person. It was feeling. And all those feelings led me to good things. All my album choices... Everything I ever did creatively, intergalactic, was a feeling.
I never did no shit like that before, but I was like, yo, it could be epic. I feel like it could be epic. I just need the right people in place and... it'd be dope.
You've willed all this to existence because knowing you for so long, you've been talking about acting since before music. You know what I mean? And just to see when my first experience with that and you obviously was How to Make It. You know what I mean? And seeing it, I remember being on set one day and being like, you were extra in that scene. So Doc was in How to Make It.
He's in the first episode at the party at the gallery. He's like walking in the background laughing. You got to watch it and pay attention. Maybe we can find that clip and show it.
Any movie, not any movie, but a few of Cuddy's movies I've been an extra in.
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Chapter 5: What challenges did they face while working with Lil Wayne?
That's so fucking funny. And, man, it was a small part I played on Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Like, it was such a small role. But people still, they love that episode, and they love, you know, what I did in that episode. And they're like, man, Dustin Whitman. It's just his funniest name, Dustin Whitman. But, yeah, that shit follows me everywhere I go, bro. Oh, my God, bro. What was it like?
when things started taking off, how did you feel? Were you like, what the fuck? Like when you saw like how day and night took off, did you kind of have to take a step back and just be like,
oh fuck this is actually like happening for us 100 100 it's it's really hard to tell when you're in it you know when you're in it it's it's hard to tell yeah you're not well because you're you're shocked yeah you're shocked like word and then i and i also have this like but i had this thing like when are they gonna find out i'm a fraud
like somebody else wrote my songs or like you know what I'm saying like I don't know I just had this like this feeling of imposter syndrome like you know what I mean that's real like I don't know like
I don't know. I was, it was weird for me when I started to think like, okay, no, this is, this is kind of serious. It's like New York radio.
Yeah.
New York radio showed so much love today at night. It was almost getting to a point where I'm like, yo, what the fuck is this? Yeah. I'm pulling up. You know what I'm saying? Like, my daughter, like, somebody pulling up to get gas, blasting day and night. Every time I got in the car, they was playing it. MTV, I'd wake up, because I used to go to sleep with the TV on.
Like, that was a phase of my life. I'd wake up, they'd have it on. I'd wake up to the song playing. Then I was like, okay, no, this is... This is something else. Like, 100%. And then everyone started fucking remixing it. Like, everyone. I'm talking about Kali Buds, you know, obviously. Fucking Jermaine Dupri, Trey Songz.
What's my homie name? Pitbull. Pitbull, yes. Pitbull. Didn't he do a remix?
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Chapter 6: What insights are shared about the creative process behind 'Kids See Ghosts'?
You was very diligent about things like that.
I was marketing myself early on without even knowing it.
100%. You was in the streets. That's another thing I want to definitely talk about. I'm from New York City, born and raised. This man came to New York and literally became the mayor, was out every night taking me to places. He used to hit me like, yo, come out, die. And I used to be like, oh, nah, you know, I'm chilling. I got this test to work on.
And you would be out all night networking, meeting everybody. And you really did that. Like, you really cemented yourself in New York City just by being out. And the legend of Mr. Razor was born.
Yeah. Yeah, damn right. Damn right. And you know, a lot of my people that I communicate with from that time, like I talk to Basti every once in a while.
Nice. I remember that video y'all did.
Yeah, I was actually talking to Basti because I was like, man, I would love to do like a follow-up. Of our video? Yeah. We're like, she's walking down the street. He pops up and I got those same glasses. That was so good. It's like, Bestie! Oh my God, it's so crazy to see you here. Funny running into you here. Funny running into you. Yeah, and I'm just giving him the crazy eyes. The crazy eyes.
You said we were friends. Wait, did you climb through her window and this shit? I forgot. Yeah, I didn't actually climb through her window. I just, like, you know, said I did. I said I did. But, yeah, I don't know what the motivation behind that was. I got to ask Vasty, like, what were we thinking? Like, was I just at... I think I was just at her house. We were all hanging out.
And I was like, ooh, let's do it. Let's do a skit where, like, I'm a creepy fan. And, like, I stalked you and I come into your house. Because they had, like, a little play gun. And I was like, ooh, let's use that. So the gun really initiated the whole thing. We were like, oh, at the end, I pulled out the gun. Like, I thought we were friends. But it was so silly and so random.
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Chapter 7: How did Dot Da Genius feel about collaborating with Eminem?
It's true. Social media, like.
Yeah, man, we didn't have that. And we actually had to engage with each other. Right. And, like, talk and have good conversation. And, like, when I went over to Bassie's house, we weren't, like, sitting around on our phones. Right. Like, we were, like, kicking it, talking about shit, music, and, like, Just hanging out, being silly, you know?
It was just such a beautiful time to be young and in New York in the early 2000s. But like it was New York is never going to have like I don't know if there's even a movement. A scene right now. Is there a scene in New York? I mean, I got to ask some young people. There's some scenes, but.
Yeah, but it's not like it's not like you're seeing it's not like you're seeing that like Basti had downtown in the chokehold. For sure. You know what I'm saying?
For sure.
Like, and when we threw those parties, like she was throwing parties and Jay-Z would come. Q-tip. Word. You know what I'm saying? Like, I met Jay-Z when I was performing at Santos way before anything.
Oh, shit.
He came to see me. Instead, I did good. You know what I mean? Like, saw him after the show. We took a picture. It's a legendary photo after the performance at Santos. So it's just me and Ho. I remember that. That was like a big deal for me. I was like, yo, I got a picture with Jay-Z. Fuck. Bro. You know, that was so wild for me. Yeah.
Being from Brooklyn, Jay-Z's like.
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Chapter 8: What reflections does Dot share about his journey in the music industry?
Insane, bro. You know what I'm saying? And these weren't like clubs. These were like little... like small little venues, restaurants that turned into like parties. You know what I mean? They had little booths and little tables. It was like a little small spot. But it was still like he would play my music and I would look around and see people dancing, see people vibing.
And that's how I would kind of study what was working with the music.
You remember when you was living in New York and because this for me is when everything kind of was like, okay, this is for real.
you would do you started doing shows and i came visited you i came and visited you in zooley and bushwick and then you just pulled out a stack of bread and gave me a a rack and that was the most money i had in my hand at the time like just a thousand dollars just like and i was like oh like This was nothing. He was like, yo, hold that. You know what I mean? I was like, fuck, for what?
For nothing. Like, you know what I mean? What do you mean for nothing? I mean, but just in general, like, you know what I mean? I know you was looking out. You always look out.
But for me, you were my brother, you know? Like, you took me in when I was about to move back to Cleveland. Like, we would have never gotten to that place of me making money at shows without had we not linked. You know what I mean? And like, you know, I just, I just, many a time, bro. It was just like, Hey man, I was like, look, I got money where I could just get my friends though.
Like, I'm also too, like I'm, I'm the type of person where I'd rather give than receive.
100%. You know what I'm saying? You don't place a big emphasis on money. No, no, no, I don't. Since I've known you, bro, it's like it's always going to come. You know? Yeah. And then you never really like, yo, I need that 20 or whatever the case is. Like, you've never been that.
Yo, can you pay me back that 20 bucks I gave you last week? Yo, cut it. You a million there. I know, I know. But every buck counts. Every buck counts. I got to keep looking. I got to stay a million there now. I got to stay a million there now. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.
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