Kid Cudi makes up for cancelled show

As Kid Cudi walked out onto the stage Friday night, he was humble.

As Kid Cudi walked out onto the stage Friday night, he was humble.

“We made plans together, and I didn’t show. I’m sorry. Let me make it up to you.” Pittsburgh rap lovers were move than willing to accept the Cleveland native’s apology at Friday night’s concert, rescheduled from a canceled August performance — the first date in his career Kid Cudi canceled due to illness.

Kid Cudi kicked off the evening with tracks from his sophomore studio album Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager, “Revofev” and “Scott Mescudi vs. The World,” but warned fans he would be skipping all over his discography, mixing up the slow burning intensity of his newer work with the high energy music he was originally known for.

The crowd obediently complied when told to put their hands up or sing a particular section of a song, but didn’t move much of its own accord, most to preferring to stand still and nod appreciatively when Kid Cudi was not instructing them towards movement.

The Brooklyn-based rapper occasionally launched into a capella  solos, proving his talent capable of standing alone without gimmicks and background, but wasn’t opposed to smoke and lights and a full backing band for dramatic effect.

Kid Cudi shared his reasoning for bringing opening act Chip Da Ripper on stage with the audience: One, he is a phenomenal MC. Two, he is a close personal friend.  Both were apparent as the duo’s stage chemistry and synchrony lent intensity to their numbers, “All Talk” and “Hyyerr.”

Between songs the crowd was treated to ramblings that were less stage banter than philosophical tangents, reminisces of hard times past, and expressions of appreciation for his fans including such head-scratchers as “I’m your muse, you guys use me up.” His comments addressed to the crowd seemed less intended to pump them up than needy requests for approval — are you guys having fun, are you? Do you like me? Let me hear you if you like me.

Glaringly absent was 2009 mega hit “Day n Nite,” which was sampled only briefly during the three song back-to-back tour de force Kid Cudi closed with: “Mr. Rager,” “MuchoMegaMix,” and “Pursuit of Happiness” — the later slowed down from it’s upbeat radio edit to a slow thudding beat, ending the show on a positive but markedly subdued note.