Drake Releases Diss Track About Kid Cudi's Mental Health

On Sunday night, Drake released four songs from his upcoming compilation album, including a track which disses Kid Cudi, who entered rehab several weeks ago to get treatment for depression and suicidal thoughts. The track, titled “Two Birds, One Stone,” appears to make light of mental illness and Kid Cudi’s decision to get help. Drake raps:

You were the man on the moon
Now you just go through your phases
Life of the angry and famous
Rap like I know I’m the greatest
Then give you the tropical flavors
Still never been on hiatus
You stay Xanned and Perked up
So when reality set in you don’t gotta face it

After the track was released, people took to Twitter to criticize Drake for his lyrics, saying his choice to feature Kid Cudi’s mental illness as a diss just promotes the stigma black men face when seeking treatment.

drake made a track dissing kid cudi’s mental illness. like was that necessary? you couldn’t rap about something else?

— NiMu (@malistkiss) October 24, 2016

I’m late…but Drake dissing Kid Cudi about his battle with depression is precisely why many (esp. black men) choose to suffer in silence.

— Micah R. Gaines (@MicahRGaines) October 24, 2016

Others pointed out the problem with comparing depression to going through “phases.”

I love Drake but him making fun of Kid Cudi’s depression is ridiculous. Depression isn’t a “phase” it’s a life long battle of self torment.

— Robert Carrier (@RUN_RMC99) October 24, 2016

Drake’s diss on Kid Cudi’s “phases” while he is in rehab for depression is just too much. Didnt even go at his music, just his mental health

— James Gairhan (@JGairhan) October 24, 2016

Earlier this month, Kid Cudi announced he would be taking a break from making music to get help for depression. Many people praised him for coming forward, urging him to not feel ashamed as he wrote he felt in his original post announcing the news on Facebook.

If you or someone you know needs help, visit our suicide prevention resources page.

If you need support right now, call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.