Kid Cudi Says Kanye Is Not In Rehab Or India

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…In particular, the whispers that West has taken refuge in an Indian ashram, or that he’s being pressured by those close to him to check into rehab.

“All that’s definitely false. I mean … rehab for what? Being awesome?” Cudi told MTV News backstage at the Ulalume Festivalin Columbia, Maryland last weekend. “We talk every once in a while. Like I said, he’s like a brother to me, I worry just as much as the next person, but when I say Kanye is cool, believe me, Kanye is OK. He’s a strong dude, I mean, we’ve seen him grow from College Dropout to now … the things he’s dealt with, the things he’s been through. He’s a strong dude.”

But until Kanye makes his return, Cudi will be honored to carry Kanye’s mantle — starting on November 27, when he steps into West’s Air Yeezys on Lady Gaga’s Monster Ball Tour. “I didn’t get his blessing or anything, I just agreed because it’d be an honor. From what I heard, Kanye backed out from the tour, because he wanted to work on something — maybe a project — or just wanted to take some time off,” Cudi said. “And ain’t nothing wrong with that. It’s not like he got fired, and I was like ‘I’m taking your job!’ It’s like, ‘Ye fell back, and I was like ‘OK.’ ”