4th Dimension

"4th Dimension" by Kids See Ghosts, the duo of Kanye West and Kid Cudi, is a complex and multi-layered song that explores themes of mental health, personal struggles, and spiritual rebirth through a surreal and often chaotic lens. The 'fourth dimension' of the title can be interpreted as a state of mind beyond the ordinary, a new level of consciousness or perception that both artists are navigating. This is a space where they confront their inner demons, anxieties, and past traumas, but also find a sense of liberation and self-acceptance.

The prominent and jarring sample of Louis Prima's cheerful 1936 Christmas song, "What Will Santa Claus Say (When He Finds Everybody Swingin')", set against a hard hip-hop beat, immediately establishes a sense of disorientation and thematic contrast. This juxtaposition of innocence and hedonism, of the past and the present, reflects the internal conflicts and multifaceted nature of the artists' personalities. It can be seen as a metaphor for the chaotic state of their minds, where disparate thoughts and emotions collide.

Lyrically, both West and Cudi deliver verses that are deeply personal and introspective. West's verse is a whirlwind of bravado, confessions, and pop culture references, touching on everything from fashion to accidental anal sex. This unfiltered stream-of-consciousness style mirrors the unpredictable nature of his public persona and his struggles with bipolar disorder. Kid Cudi's verse, on the other hand, is more overtly focused on his battles with depression and addiction, and his journey toward recovery. He describes himself as a 'lost boy' and references the need for an 'intervention for this new dimension', acknowledging the challenges of navigating this altered state of being.

Ultimately, "4th Dimension" is a song about embracing the chaos of one's own mind and finding a path forward. It's about acknowledging the 'ghosts' of the past – the traumas, the mistakes, the mental health struggles – and integrating them into a new, more authentic self. The song suggests that this process is not neat or linear, but rather a disorienting and sometimes unsettling journey into a 'new dimension' of self-awareness.

The song opens with a prominent, catchy, and somewhat whimsical sample of Louis Prima's 1936 Christmas song, "What Will Santa Claus Say (When He Finds Everybody Swingin')". This sample, with its cheerful, old-timey feel, is abruptly juxtaposed with a hard-hitting, modern hip-hop beat. This contrast sets a surreal and slightly disorienting tone for the rest of the track.

Kanye West's verse is a stream-of-consciousness collection of braggadocio, pop culture references, and candid, sometimes explicit, personal confessions. He touches on themes of wealth and luxury, referencing the high-end brand Lacoste, but with a twist that subverts the typical rap trope. His lyrics also delve into more controversial and unexpected territory, such as a frank and somewhat comical admission of a sexual misadventure. Throughout his verse, there's a sense of chaotic energy and unfiltered thought, as if the listener is getting a direct glimpse into his psyche. He also compares himself to a combination of Master P and Rick Ross, two rappers known for their distinct personas, suggesting a multifaceted and perhaps contradictory identity.

Kid Cudi's verse shifts the lyrical focus to his own personal struggles and his journey toward self-discovery and recovery. He alludes to his battles with mental health and the feeling of being a 'lost boy.' There's a sense of introspection and a search for guidance and light amidst the darkness. He references the wrestler Ric Flair, known for his flamboyant and larger-than-life personality, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for putting on a brave face while dealing with internal turmoil. Cudi also directly addresses the song's title, proclaiming that this 'new dimension' is his 'theme song,' suggesting a departure from his past and an embrace of this new, perhaps more chaotic but also more authentic, phase of his life.

The recurring sample of Louis Prima's voice asking, "What is Santa bringing?" acts as a surreal and ironic chorus, creating a sense of childlike wonder and anticipation amidst the adult themes and personal struggles explored in the verses. The song concludes with a sample of gospel singer Shirley Ann Lee's "Someday," which provides a moment of soulful reflection and a glimmer of hope, suggesting that despite the chaos and internal battles, there is a possibility of redemption and peace in the future. The very end of the track features a snippet of someone suggesting the song's ideal length, adding a meta-commentary on the creative process and the nature of music production.

"4th Dimension" was created as part of the sessions for the collaborative album "Kids See Ghosts" by Kanye West and Kid Cudi. The album was one of five seven-track albums produced by West in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, during the summer of 2018, collectively known as the "Wyoming Sessions". Kid Cudi recalled that he and West knew "4th Dimension" was a song they wanted to use while recording in Wyoming. The song was recorded between August 2017 and 2018 at West Lake Ranch in Jackson Hole.

The production of the track was led by Kanye West, with additional production from Mike Dean and Noah Goldstein. A key element of the song's creation was the use of samples. The most prominent sample is from Louis Prima's 1936 Christmas song, "What Will Santa Claus Say (When He Finds Everybody Swingin')". The use of this holiday-themed song was surprising, and the attorney for the Gia Maione Prima Foundation, which manages Prima's estate, noted that it was the first time they had received a request to sample this particular track. The process of clearing the sample and crediting Prima as a featured artist happened very quickly, just hours before the album's release. This posthumous feature credit was a rare move for West, having only done so twice before for Otis Redding and Curtis Mayfield.

In addition to the Prima sample, the song also incorporates a sample from gospel singer Shirley Ann Lee's "Someday". This same sample was used by West on the track "Ghost Town" from his solo album "Ye", which was released just a week before "Kids See Ghosts". This created a thematic and sonic link between the two projects. The song was released as the third track on the album "Kids See Ghosts" on June 8, 2018. On the day of its release, a technical glitch caused the song to be mislabeled on streaming services as "Cudi Montage", the album's final track.

The rhyme and rhythm of "4th Dimension" are as eclectic and unconventional as its production. The song's rhythmic foundation is a stark contrast between the swinging, jazzy rhythm of the Louis Prima sample and the hard-hitting, contemporary hip-hop drum pattern. This creates a sense of tension and disorientation, mirroring the lyrical themes of inner conflict and mental turmoil. The tempo is upbeat, driving the song forward with a sense of urgent energy.

Lyrically, both Kanye West and Kid Cudi employ a loose and conversational rhyme scheme that borders on free verse. This allows them to prioritize the raw, stream-of-consciousness nature of their lyrics over strict adherence to traditional rhyme structures. However, they still utilize various types of rhymes to create a sense of cohesion and musicality. For example, West uses internal rhymes in lines like "She said I'm in the wrong hole, I said I'm lost," and slant rhymes such as "boss" and "cost".

The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the musical rhythm is particularly noteworthy. The artists' vocal deliveries often weave in and out of the beat, sometimes riding the rhythm and at other times intentionally pushing against it. This creates a dynamic and unpredictable listening experience that further enhances the song's chaotic and surreal atmosphere. Kid Cudi's more melodic flow provides a contrast to West's more aggressive and percussive delivery, adding another layer of texture to the song's rhythmic landscape.

"4th Dimension" is a masterclass in stylistic fusion, blending vintage sounds with contemporary hip-hop production to create a unique and disorienting sonic landscape. The most notable musical technique is the innovative use of sampling. The track is built around a chopped and screwed sample of Louis Prima's 1936 Christmas song, "What Will Santa Claus Say (When He Finds Everybody Swingin')". This sample is not merely a background element but the very foundation of the song, its cheerful and anachronistic quality creating a stark contrast with the heavy, thumping drums and the artists' raw, introspective lyrics. The beat has been compared to the production style of Kid Cudi's debut album, "Man on the Moon: The End of Day", and Kanye West's 2010 single "Power".

The vocal delivery of both Kanye West and Kid Cudi is another key stylistic element. West's verse is delivered in a frenetic, almost stream-of-consciousness style, mirroring the chaotic nature of his lyrics. Kid Cudi's delivery is more melodic and introspective, reflecting the more vulnerable and personal nature of his verse. The production also utilizes echoic vocal effects, particularly during the manic laughter interlude, which enhances the song's paranormal and unsettling atmosphere.

Lyrically, the song employs a range of literary techniques. West's verse is characterized by its use of pop culture references, including name-dropping former wrestler Ric Flair and fellow rappers Master P and Rick Ross. He also utilizes blunt, confessional language to detail a sexual encounter, a stylistic choice that adds to the song's raw and unfiltered quality. Kid Cudi's lyrics are more metaphorical, using the image of a 'lost boy' to convey his struggles with mental health. The recurring phrase "this the theme song" acts as a powerful and defiant declaration of self-acceptance and an embrace of their new, more complex identities.

"4th Dimension" made a significant cultural impact upon its release, both as a standout track from the critically acclaimed "Kids See Ghosts" album and as a notable piece of music in its own right. The song was praised by music critics for its innovative production, particularly its creative use of the Louis Prima sample. Many critics cited it as a highlight of the album and a testament to Kanye West's continued ability to push the boundaries of hip-hop.

The song also achieved commercial success, debuting at number 42 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. This was a particularly noteworthy achievement as it marked the first time a track featuring Louis Prima had appeared on the Hot 100 since 1961, breaking a 57-year record. The song also charted in the top 50 in Australia, Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. It has since been certified gold in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Beyond its chart performance, "4th Dimension" has had a lasting cultural influence. The song was used as the soundtrack for a preview of the Takashi Murakami-directed animated show of the same name, which features the characters Kanye Bear and Kid Fox. The song has also been performed live by Kids See Ghosts at the Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival in 2018, further solidifying its place in their live repertoire. The unique and memorable nature of the song's production has also made it a popular subject for analysis and discussion among music fans and critics online.

"4th Dimension" is rich with symbolism and metaphors that contribute to its themes of mental exploration and personal transformation. The very title, "4th Dimension," serves as a central metaphor for a state of consciousness beyond the everyday, a new realm of perception that both Kanye West and Kid Cudi are navigating. This can be interpreted as a representation of their struggles with mental health and their journey towards a new understanding of themselves.

The most prominent symbol in the song is the sample of Louis Prima's "What Will Santa Claus Say (When He finds Everybody Swingin')". The juxtaposition of this cheerful, innocent Christmas song with the dark, heavy, and often explicit themes of the lyrics creates a powerful sense of cognitive dissonance. This contrast symbolizes the internal conflict within the artists, the tension between their public personas and their private struggles, and the chaotic nature of their thoughts. The recurring question "What is Santa bringing?" can be seen as a metaphor for the unknown future and the anxieties and hopes associated with it.

Kid Cudi's reference to himself as a "lost boy" is a direct metaphor for his feelings of alienation and his search for identity and purpose in the face of his mental health battles. The mention of Ric Flair, a flamboyant and larger-than-life wrestling personality, can be interpreted as a symbol of the performative masculinity and the bravado that often masks vulnerability and inner turmoil.

The final sample of Shirley Ann Lee's gospel song "Someday" acts as a powerful symbol of hope and redemption. After the chaotic and introspective journey of the preceding verses, this gospel outro suggests the possibility of spiritual salvation and finding peace. It provides a sense of closure and hints at the possibility of emerging from the '4th dimension' with a renewed sense of purpose and spiritual grounding.

The most prominent recurring element in "4th Dimension" is the sampled vocal of Louis Prima from his song "What Will Santa Claus Say (When He Finds Everybody Swingin')". The question "What is Santa bringing?" is repeated throughout the song, acting as a surreal and ironic refrain that punctuates the introspective and often dark verses of Kanye West and Kid Cudi. This juxtaposition of a cheerful, holiday-themed question with the song's more serious subject matter creates a sense of unease and highlights the chaotic nature of the artists' mental landscapes.

Another significant recurring lyrical motif is the declaration, "This the theme song." Both West and Cudi refer to the track in this way, suggesting that it encapsulates their current state of mind and the personal transformations they are undergoing. By claiming this chaotic and unconventional track as their 'theme song,' they are embracing their complexities and struggles, and asserting a newfound sense of self-awareness and acceptance.

The song also features a recurring sample of Shirley Ann Lee's "Someday," which serves as a hopeful counterpoint to the more tumultuous sections of the track. This gospel-infused sample provides a sense of spiritual grounding and suggests the possibility of redemption and peace amidst the chaos.