August 13, 2025, 8:15 PM EST

In a raw and unfiltered interview on CBS Mornings today, rapper Kid Cudi, whose real name is Scott Mescudi, publicly severed ties with longtime collaborator Kanye West, now known as Ye, sparking intense controversy. The 41-year-old artist, promoting his new memoir Cudi: The Memoir, did not hold back, accusing West of betraying their friendship with “vile” and “evil” comments about the late designer Virgil Abloh.

Cudi, visibly emotional, recounted how West’s disparaging remarks about Abloh, who died of cancer in 2021, crossed an unforgivable line. “Every time he took a dig at Virgil, it made me furious,” Cudi said. “Virgil was an angel to everyone. There’s no coming back from that.” He described their once-close bond, forged during collaborations like 808s & Heartbreak and Kids See Ghosts, as irreparably broken. “I loved Kanye, but the man he’s become, I don’t know him anymore,” Cudi declared, calling the fallout “heartbreaking.”

The interview, aired Wednesday morning, has sent shockwaves through the music industry and beyond. Fans and critics alike have flooded social media, with #CudiVsYe trending globally. Supporters of Cudi praise his candor, while West’s defenders argue he’s being unfairly targeted. The remarks have reignited debates about West’s controversial behavior, including his past attacks on Abloh’s character and professional achievements, which Cudi labeled “disturbing.”

Cudi also addressed West’s violation of “the code of friendship,” citing multiple betrayals over the years. “He’s broken my heart over and over,” he told CBS host Anthony Mason. The rapper’s decision to speak out publicly has drawn comparisons to other high-profile hip-hop feuds, amplifying its cultural impact. Industry insiders speculate that this could mark the definitive end of one of music’s most iconic partnerships.

West has not yet responded to Cudi’s statements, but sources close to him suggest he may address the controversy soon. Meanwhile, Cudi’s memoir, released August 12, and his upcoming album Free, set for August 22, are gaining renewed attention. The interview, described as one of Cudi’s most candid, will likely fuel discussions about loyalty, accountability, and the personal toll of fame. CBS Mornings will air an extended segment tomorrow at 7 a.m. ET, delving deeper into Cudi’s revelations.