Hot 97 Weighs In on Kid Cudi and Jim Jones' 'Day 'N' Nite' Remix Dispute

Radio station provides timeline of song's rise to popularity, with both artists claiming credit.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 8:07pm

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Hot 97 DJs revisited the timeline of Kid Cudi's breakout hit 'Day 'N' Nite' and the impact of Jim Jones' remix, weighing in on the ongoing back-and-forth between the two artists over who deserves credit for the song's mainstream success.

Why it matters

The debate between Cudi and Jones highlights the complexities around music industry credit and influence, with both artists making claims about their role in propelling the song to popularity.

The details

During an on-air discussion, Hot 97 personalities explained that while Jones' remix did help elevate the song's visibility, Cudi had already built momentum for 'Day 'N' Nite' before the remix was released. The station's DJs provided a timeline showing they were the first to play the original version months before the remix came out.

  • On June 8, 2008, Hot 97 DJ Kast One was the first to spin the original version of 'Day 'N' Nite'.
  • Five months later, in late 2008, the Jim Jones remix was released and helped take the song 'to a different level'.

The players

Kid Cudi

An American rapper who released the original version of 'Day 'N' Nite', which became a breakout hit before the remix with Jim Jones.

Jim Jones

An American rapper who released a remix of Cudi's 'Day 'N' Nite' that helped increase the song's mainstream popularity, according to Hot 97.

Hot 97

An iconic New York radio station that played a key role in the rise of 'Day 'N' Nite' and is now weighing in on the debate between Cudi and Jones.

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What they’re saying

“I feel like they're both kind of right. I think Jim Jones might have embellished just a little bit of the importance, and I do think Kid Cudi might have understated the impact of how much that 'Day 'N' Nite' remix was played on this very station and how important it was to be played on Hot 97.”

— Kazeem Famuyide, Hot 97 Personality (Hot 97)

“Most people really didn't know about the record or know who Kid Cudi was at the time when I was playing it. Five months later, the Jim Jones remix comes out, and it did take the record to a different level... Jim Jones at the time, he was hot as fish grease.”

— DJ Kast One, Hot 97 DJ (Hot 97)

“Is he the sole reason Kid Cudi popped off? I wouldn't go that far. But is he a big reason why a lot of people in New York...got to know who Kid Cudi was? Absolutely.”

— Kazeem Famuyide, Hot 97 Personality (Hot 97)

The takeaway

This debate between Cudi and Jones highlights the complexities around music industry credit and influence, with both artists making claims about their role in propelling a breakout hit. The Hot 97 breakdown provides a nuanced perspective, acknowledging the contributions of both artists while also highlighting the station's own role in the song's rise to popularity.