(Video) Kid Cudi Says Kanye is OK

“All that’s definitely false. I mean … rehab for what? Being awesome?” Cudi told MTV News backstage at the Ulalume Festival in 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.”

Keep reading to see what he had to say about touring with Gaga for the Monster Ball.

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.’ “