 Cudi also cites rappers such as The Notorious B.I.G., Tupac, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Run-DMC, Kurtis Blow, LL Cool J, Salt-N-Pepa, Queen Latifah, Kid 'n Play, N.W.A., Naughty By Nature, Onyx and Public Enemy, as his hip hop influences while growing up.Cudi has also credited fellow Ohio native Camu Tao, as an influence.He has also been inspired by the sounds of The O'Jays, Ratatat, MGMT and The Postal Service.