Kid Cudi has had a very eventful 2025. There have been many ups and a few downs, too. The music artist, whose legal name is Scott Mescudi, testified in Diddy’s high-profile trial, announced his engagement, got married, released an album, and published a memoir, and it’s only October. Now that all of that is done, the artist is ready to take a step back. After releasing a surprise track on Soundcloud, Kid Cudi announced that he’d be “stepping into the shadows” to pursue other projects. He’s left social media before, but never music.

Kid Cudi announces plans to pause his music career

On September 28, just days before Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs headed out in front of a judge to be sentenced, Cudi hit the pause button on his career. The “Just What I am” singer took to Soundcloud to release a surprise single. The song, titled “Once,” discusses feelings of burnout and transition. Themes of searching for peace and stability are found throughout the three-minute track.

Kid Cudi wrote in the Soundcloud caption that the track is a “goodbye for now” track. Cudi explained that he’d be taking a step back from music to pursue other endeavors. Still, he insisted, he wanted to leave his fans with a special goodbye. He signed off the upload with love as “Scott,” instead of his stage name, which seems like another sign of transition.

The timing of the announcement has some fans questioning how heavy a toll testifying against Diddy may have taken on the musician. Cudi opened up in his memoir about the harrowing experience of dealing with Diddy while he briefly dated Cassie Ventura. While terrifying for Cudi, one has to wonder if testifying may have been even worse.

What might the artist be working on?

While Kid Cudi didn’t reveal what he would be doing while “in the shadows,” he has expressed both an interest in art and a desire to grow his family. Cudi has been showcasing his painting skills lately. He’s also expressed an interest in fashion. While both are creative pursuits, they allow for less direct contact with the public than his highly publicized music career.

Cudi has also expressed a desire to have more children, and now seems like the right time to pursue that goal. Cudi, 41, wed his longtime partner, Lola Abecassis Sartore, this year. Abecassis, 30, is notoriously private and likely would prefer privacy as they grow their family. We could imagine a pregnancy keeping Cudi “in the shadows.”

Cudi has one child from a past relationship. Vada, 15, is prominently featured on Cudi’s social media. Lola Abecassis Sartore became a stepmom at their June 2025 wedding, but doesn’t have any biological children yet.