Kid Cudi debuted his new collaboration with producer, Dot Da Genius called “WZRD”(pronounced W. Z. R. D.), at yesterday’s NYC listening (Feb. 23) and in Los Angeles the day before. Cudi and Dot Da Genius have created a new project that is based on a more alternative rock feel.

While the artist may have already told fans he was headed towards the guitar back when he released “Man On the Moon, Vol. II: The Legend of Mr. Rager” with songs such as “Erase Me,” this new project will not touch on any hip-hop influences or include much rap at all, which may come to a shock to many fans.

Cudi said artists such as the Pixies, Nirvana, Pink Floyd, and Electric Light Orchestra were some main influences on this new album. Experimenting with a new genre of music, the Cleveland native says the guitar has had a calming effect on him.

“I woke up one morning and realized I love playing the guitar; it’s therapeutic for me. So I called Dot Da Genius and said I wanted to make a rock band,” said Kid Cudi.

He’s definitely been no stranger in collaborating with many different artists such as the indie groups Ratatat and St. Vincent. He also appeared on Steve Aoki’s album “Wonderland” and contributed vocals, guitar, and production to Blink 182’s Travis Barker’s debut solo record, “Give the Drummer Some.”

“Subconsciously we are trying to change people’s perspective of music and genres, and what things are suppose to sound like. I feel like genres were forced into our minds. Music shouldn’t be divided up into genres, it should just be music,” said Kid Cudi in an interview with Red Bull.

While “WZRD” may be something different, it’s not too far out of bounds of the signature “Kid Cudi sound.” The album still maintains a “hip-hop feel” with the programmed drums. The record’s personality is also that of some familiarity that fans may know from before.

“It’s not that different; the message and subject matter are still the same,” said Kid Cudi at the NYC listening.

The “Day ‘N’ Nite” singer, says this album is truly reflective on his desire to create an album that he would enjoy himself. “I just went ahead and just wanted to make some shit that was for me. I think about the kids very little and think about what I want to make, more than anything. We were working and creating something, we think too much about the consumer and lose our way. And then we become machines and that’s not how it’s supposed to be, at least for me.”

Fans can be the judge of the new collaboration when it comes out February 28, 2012. Whether people hate it or love it, either way Kid Cudi believes this is an album that the world needs to hear and something he claims to be very proud of.

Take a listen and be a judge yourself on WZRD’s YouTube channel.

http://www.youtube.com/user/OfficialWZRD/videos

WZRD ALBUM TRACKLIST

1. The Arrival
2. High Off Life
3. The Dream Time Machine
4. Love Hard
5. Live & Learn
6. Brake
7. Teleport 2 Me, Jamie (Feat. Desire)
8. Where Did You Sleep Last Night
9. Efflictim
10. Dr. Pill
11. The Upper Room