Your Favorite White Boy

Newcomer Kid Cudi covers the September issue of Complex magazine and in the interview, he talks about “the hell” he’s going through being a recognized artist and having to deal with groupies, labels and the insanity of the record business.  After reading about how difficult hip-hop is on rappers these days, it got me thinking of the poor artists out there who are one step away from pulling a full-on Kurt Cobain.  Here are the Top 5 rappers who truly suffer for their craft:

5.  Kid Cudi

Without even dropping an album yet, the Man on The Moon has already threatened to quit rap over the “bullshit” of the industry. A quick glance at Cudi’s blog, where he talks freely about his “manic phase” and all the pressures he deals with, and of course, channels through his music.  A fragile, misunderstood soul just trying to make music.

4.  Young Buck

Things seemed fine with the G-Unit soldier until Buck started getting a little uppity and 50 Cent had to release some audio tape that gave us some definite insight into how bad things have gotten for Young Buck.  Not a lot of rappers out there who can hold their head high after being recorded crying like a girl.

After getting tossed out of the Unit for good, Buck has had it tough: going broke, no idea if/when he’ll drop an album and his latest joint has him sobbing in the booth that no one will talk to him.  Man up, Buck.

3.  The Game

Speaking of crying like a girl, this Compton MC has made a regular habit of crying, sobbing and displaying his burning soul on wax and on video. I think we had a pretty good idea of what to expect when his first album had a cut on it (“Start From Scratch”) where he basically sobbed the whole song.

The Game has also has admitted to attempting suicide repeatedly.  “Sensitive thugs, you all need hugs”, indeed.   I think its reasonable to assume that the teardrop tattoo on the gang member turned MC is actually a teardrop, as opposed to a symbol of any street activity.

2.  Eminem

Eminem was always quick to tell us about how messed up he is, but with the full on confessional that is Relapse, we really get a complete psychological profile on Marshall.  Whether its really true or just an incredibly detailed stage persona, we may never know.  But the fact that he battle drugs and alcohol to the point where even he needed to do a stint in rehab really means he was living on the edge.

Along with everyone else on this list, Em speaks openly about the pressures of fame and how it really messes with his head.  In fact, some of his biggest hits such as “The Way I Am” and “Sing For The Moment” devote a fair amount of time to the subject. You’d think that troubled individuals like Mathers would shy away from the soul-crushing music industry and gravitate towards, say, accounting – or teaching.

1.  DMX

No wonder The Game featured a ranting/preaching Earl Simmons in the intro track to his latest album, L.A.X. The two clearly are kindred spirits: they both spend a lot of time and energy on drama and personal strife, although X has a lot more practical experience in the field. Dark Man X has been busted for everything from animal cruelty to drug possession to dropping a false name to skip out on some hospital bills.

There’s no question that Earl has had a tough life, which he chronicles on “Slippin’”, amongst other tracks.  He’s been homeless, dealt with drug addiction and he clearly has a few screws lose.  All one needs to do is peep the crazed look he has in this classic pic of him driving his custom ride like a getaway car to see that dude has problems.  The fact that he barricaded himself up in Scott Storch’s crib when he was running from the cops says it all.

Tags: Dmx, Eminem, Kid Cudi, The Game, Young Buck