CyHi Details G.O.O.D. Music Grievances with Kanye West & More in New Song

CyHi’s “The G.O.O.D. Ole Days” Unpacks a Decade of G.O.O.D. Music

Former G.O.O.D. Music artist CyHi the Prynce has released “The G.O.O.D. Ole Days,” a six-plus minute track that functions as a detailed reckoning with his time at Kanye West’s label. Structured as an interview with podcast and radio host Gina Views, the song doesn’t shy away from naming names – Ye, Travis Scott, Kid Cudi, and Pusha T all feature in CyHi’s reflections – and airing long-held grievances. The release arrives as fans continue to track developments in West’s career and the evolving landscape of his label, G.O.O.D. Music.

The track, produced by Mark Byrd and Phil Blackman, isn’t a quick diss track; it’s a layered account, acknowledging West’s pivotal role in the label’s successes while also detailing frustrations and perceived imbalances. CyHi raps, “Sometimes Kanye could be a little difficult / I get it, but I understand him in a different way / Y’all just know the gorgeous dark twisty Ye.” This nuanced perspective sets the tone for a song that’s less about outright condemnation and more about offering “my side of the story,” as CyHi stated on social media.

The Travis Scott “Swap” and Unfulfilled Promises

One of the most pointed allegations centers on Travis Scott. CyHi claims a souring of their relationship stemmed from a lack of reciprocity after co-writing Scott’s 2018 hit “Sicko Mode.” According to CyHi, despite the song achieving 11-times platinum status, Scott didn’t reciprocate with a guest verse on one of his own tracks. “When I helped him with his album, it went like 11 [times] platinum,” CyHi raps, “but I still ain’t got my swap and he mad that I’m even askin’.” This detail speaks to the often-uneven power dynamics within the music industry and the challenges artists face in securing equitable collaborations. The specifics of these “swaps” – reciprocal features – are rarely made public, making CyHi’s account a rare glimpse behind the curtain.

Navigating the Ye-Cudi Rift

The song also touches on the highly public fallout between Kanye West and Kid Cudi in 2022. CyHi describes being caught in the middle of a volatile situation, rapping, “It could have got real ugly / They said that Ye almost fucked around and killed buddy / And that’s why they relationship is still muddy / And I’m caught between it all.” This alludes to reports at the time of a strained and potentially dangerous confrontation between the two artists, as covered by Pitchfork. CyHi’s lyrics highlight the personal toll such high-profile disputes can take on those connected to the artists involved.

Pusha T: The “Realest” in the G.O.O.D. Family

In contrast to the more critical reflections on Scott and the complex portrayal of West, CyHi offers effusive praise for Pusha T. He describes the rapper and former G.O.O.D. Music president as “the realest” and draws a parallel between his dedication to the label and Colin Kaepernick’s protest. “He never took a fee, he gave me them verses and hooks for free,” CyHi states, adding, “We stayed tight through all the G.O.O.D. Music beef, ‘cause we both learned about loyalty in the streets.” This suggests a strong working relationship built on mutual respect and a shared understanding of the industry’s challenges.

A G.O.O.D. Music History

CyHi signed with G.O.O.D. Music in 2010, shortly after contributing to Kanye West’s critically acclaimed album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, specifically on the track “So Appalled.” The label, which has included a rotating roster of artists like Big Sean, John Legend, and Common, entered into a distribution agreement with Def Jam shortly thereafter. Over the years, G.O.O.D. Music’s influence extended beyond its artists, with a production arm, Very Solid Beats, featuring producers like Evian Christ and Hudson Mohawke.

The label’s trajectory has been marked by both creative successes and internal shifts. Pusha T’s appointment as president in 2015 signaled a period of focused leadership, but he stepped down in 2022, citing a breakdown in communication with West, as reported by XXL. The eventual dissolution of the Def Jam/G.O.O.D. Music partnership in 2021, following the release of Donda, further underscored the label’s evolving status.

Looking Ahead: “The Story of Mr. EGOT”

“The G.O.O.D. Ole Days” isn’t just a retrospective; it’s also a prelude to CyHi’s next chapter. The track concludes with a tease for his upcoming album, The Story of Mr. EGOT, which will be his first full-length project since 2017’s No Dope on Sundays. That earlier album featured collaborations with many of the artists mentioned in his new song, including Scott, Cudi, West, and Pusha T, suggesting a continued willingness to engage with his musical past even as he forges ahead.

The release of this track and the forthcoming album positions CyHi as an artist willing to publicly address complex industry relationships and personal experiences. It remains to be seen how audiences will respond to his candid account, but “The G.O.O.D. Ole Days” has already sparked conversation and offered a rare, unfiltered perspective on the inner workings of one of hip-hop’s most influential labels. The album’s release timeline is currently unconfirmed, but fans can expect further updates via CyHi’s social media channels.