Baptized in Fire
by Kid Cudi (featuring Travis Scott)

Album: Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin (2016)
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Songfacts®:

  • This song features Travis Scott. Kid Cudi has been a major influence on the Texan rapper, and the pair previously linked up on "Through The Late Night," from Birds In The Trap Sing McKnight. Cudi also provided some vocals on "Way Back," from the same album. However, this is the first time Scott is featured on one of Cudi's songs.

    Travis Scott expressed how much collaborating with Cudi meant to him in an interview with Rolling Stone:

    "In my whole career, all I wanted was acceptance from Kid Cudi," he told the magazine. "I don't care about nothing else! This dude saved my life. He kept me from doing a lot of f---ed up s--t to myself, kept me on the right path. That's why I make music, that's why I go hard for the fans, that's why I tell security to move out the way - 'cause this dude gave me the passion, the information, the insight on how to grow up and be who you want to be."

    "I don't know if he remembers," Scott continued, "but the first time I ever met Cudi was the first time I met Kanye. I've never told anyone this, but it was the same day. That was the first time I was around G.O.O.D. Music at all. I was sitting like, 'Man, I'm in the presence of 'Ye and Cudi. This is the art level where I want to be.'"
  • Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin was released by Kid Cudi following a self-imposed hospitalization for depression and suicidal urges. Here, Travis Scott pleads for the Man on the Moon's return from his depressed lifestyle:

    Life ain't easy sober, we live so geeky
    Did just what you taught us, kept peace, no drama
    Phoned home to the moon, did you change your number?
    If and when you get this message, need you back home
    Big bro, big bro, big bro, big bro - back home
    Big bro, we need you, come home - back home
    Big bro, big bro, s--t's f---ed, come home

    Cudi has long been the self-proclaimed "Man on the Moon." Here, a concerned Scott asks his "big bro" to come back home to Earth because he's needed.
  • The song title, which doesn't appear in the lyrics is a reference to Matthew 3:11 where John The Baptist prepared the way for Jesus:

    "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."
  • Mike Dean & Plain Pat's beat samples "Déjà Vu" by Canadian-born electronic music pioneer Mort Garson.

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