Vultures
Studio album by
¥$
ReleasedFebruary 9, 2024 (2024-02-09)
Recorded
Kanye West chronology
Donda 2
(2022)		 Vultures
(2024)
Ty Dolla Sign chronology
Cheers to the Best Memories
(2021)		 Vultures
(2024)
Singles from Vultures
  1. "Vultures"
    Released: November 22, 2023

Vultures is the upcoming debut studio album by the American hip hop superduo ¥$, composed of Kanye West and Ty Dolla Sign. It is currently set for release on February 9, 2024. The album features potential guest appearances from Freddie Gibbs, Playboi Carti, Lil Baby, Quavo, Charlie Wilson, Chris Brown, Rich the Kid, Future, India Love, Nicki Minaj, Bump J, Lil Durk, Lil Wayne, Bad Bunny, Kodak Black, Young Thug, Kid Cudi, YG, Tyga, Faouzia, James Blake, Joey Bada$$ and West's daughter North. Production was handled by West and Ty Dolla Sign, among others. It serves as a follow-up to both artists' respective 2021 albums, Donda and Cheers to the Best Memories, and also marks their first independent studio album.[lower-alpha 2]

Vultures was teased throughout late 2023 under the placeholder title ¥$, with several listening events being announced in promotion, including a multi-stadium listening event and a concert in Reggio Emilia, Italy, all of which were canceled. The title track, which features Bump J and Lil Durk, was released on November 22 as the lead single. The album's first tracklist was revealed on December 8. Two days later, West previewed the album for fans at a restaurant in Wynwood, Florida, where he revealed the album's title and its release date. On December 12, West and Ty Dolla Sign held a listening event titled "Vultures Rave", the first in a series of these events; the raves feature certain guest artists who are potentially featured on the album. The album faced repeated delays after failing to meet its originally scheduled release date of December 15, reportedly due to sample clearance issues.

Background and recording

On August 25, 2023, NBC News reported that West had been working on music throughout the summer and planned to release a new album, saying "new music is imminent."[2] On October 13, 2023, Billboard reported that West and Ty Dolla Sign were planning to release a collaborative album and were shopping it to record labels for distribution.[3][4] The labels had been distancing themselves from West due to his widely publicized antisemitic comments in late 2022.[4] The album had seemingly been delayed because Universal Music Group, the parent company of Def Jam Recordings, West's previous label, stated that they were no longer working with him.[5] In October, West and Ty Dolla Sign were spotted in recording studios in Italy alongside other artists. A joint concert at RCF Arena in Reggio Emilia, Italy was reportedly planned for October 20 but was delayed by a week and then cancelled.[6][7]

In an Instagram post on October 23, Ty Dolla Sign confirmed the album's existence and also announced a "multi stadium listening event" to be held on November 3 in promotion of the album, similar to listening parties West hosted during the release of his tenth studio album, Donda (2021). The post contained a black background with white text that displayed "¥$".[8][9] Leading up to the events, West and Ty Dolla Sign were spotted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, leading some fans to speculate that the events would take place there.[10] The events were cancelled, with the duo's plans to release the album that night being scrapped.[11] Fans likened the repeated delays and cancellations to Yandhi, an album by West that was supposed to be released in 2018 before being delayed a year and eventually released and drastically overhauled under a different name as Jesus Is King (2019).[12]

Chris Brown (left) and Future (right) are two of the artists enlisted by ¥$ for the album.

During a performance in early November 2023, Ty Dolla Sign stated that he had just flown in from Saudi Arabia, where he was working with West on their upcoming album, and said that it was "coming real soon".[13] Videos of the two recording with American rapper Lil Baby in Saudi Arabia also surfaced online.[14] Images picturing West working in a "desolate setting surrounded by little except chairs and tents" were released as well.[15] British record producer Fred Again played snippets of a song by West and Ty Dolla Sign at a club, seemingly from their collaborative project.[10] On November 17, DJ Pharris previewed the title track and lead single, which features American rappers Bump J and Lil Durk, on his radio show, WPWX Power 92 Chicago, which was released five days later, marking the first collaborative effort by West and Ty Dolla Sign as ¥$.[16]

Ty Dolla Sign posted a hand-written tracklist for the project to his Instagram account on December 8, 2023.[17][18] Later that night, West previewed the opening track, "Everybody", which included a sample from the Backstreet Boys song "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)".[19] On December 10, Ty Dolla Sign announced a listening event entitled Vultures Rave to be held in Sunrise, Florida on December 12. That same day, American rapper Playboi Carti revealed West had invited him to perform at the Vultures Rave.[20] Later on December 10, West played songs from the album at a restaurant in Wynwood, Florida, revealing features from American singer Chris Brown and rappers Future and Young Thug.[21] At the event, West revealed the title of the album—Vultures— and said it would be released on December 15.[22] At the Vultures Rave, West played 10 tracks from Vultures, along with guests Chris Brown, Offset, Kodak Black, Lil Durk, Bump J, Freddie Gibbs and West's daughter North.[23] Technical difficulties prevented them from previewing more songs from the album.[24] West faced criticism for wearing a black hooded outfit at the Vultures Rave, with several commentators noting its similarity to traditional Ku Klux Klan uniforms. West has previously evoked Ku Klux Klan imagery for his single "Black Skinhead" (2013),[25][24] though Trace William Cowen of Complex noted that context of the imagery has since changed because of West's 2022 praise for Adolf Hitler.[26] Carlos de Loera of the Los Angeles Times opined that West's outfit served to amplify his antisemitic remarks and other inflammatory beliefs.[27]

On December 13, media outlets reported that the Backstreet Boys interpolation in "Everybody" wasn't authorized by the band.[28] The following day West sent a text message to Nicki Minaj asking her for permission to include "New Body" on the album; during an Instagram Live stream, she rejected West's request, saying "why would I put out a song that's been out for three years?"[29] In response to Minaj's statements, West said "I made that girl rewrite her verse three times for 'Monster'. I supported her career. So I don't know what it is."[30] The album was available to pre-save on streaming services but was removed one day before release, reportedly due to credit issues.[31] On December 15, XXL reported that an additional listening event would be held in Saudi Arabia and that the album would now be releasing on December 31.[32] On December 21, representatives for West confirmed to Billboard that the release of Vultures had been further delayed to January 12, 2024, coincidentally the same day as Kid Cudi's Insano. West and Kid Cudi had reportedly ended their previous feud at the December 15 Vultures Rave.[33][34] On December 29, "Everybody" was rumored to be released on streaming services, however it was not released on time; instead, DJ Pharris previewed "Unlock" on Power 92.[35] On January 2, West's longtime collaborator Malik Yusef posted a picture of Ty Dolla Sign in the studio, claiming that he was rerecording all of his verses as well as recording new ones.[36] On January 11, one day before the expected release date, Vultures was delayed to January 19.[37]

On January 14, footage emerged of West and Ty Dolla Sign filming a music video for the song "Fuk Sumn" alongside Playboi Carti.[38] The album is currently available for pre-order on the official Yeezy website on CD, vinyl, and digital formats.[39] Additionally, the album is available for digital pre-order on iTunes, and can be pre-saved on Apple Music.[40]

Cover art

The cover art for Vultures has been compared to that of Burzum's album Filosofem (1996).[41][42]

The cover art for Vultures consists of an 1835 painting by German artist Caspar David Friedrich, Landscape with Graves, with the album title and the subtitle "Volume 1" displayed in a black Gregorian font. An image originally believed to be the album's cover artwork, consisting of a monochromatic version of Landscape with Graves centered on a black background with the album's title displayed in white Gregorian font, was revealed on December 11, 2023, when Playboi Carti posted an iMessage exchange between him and West where he was sent that version.[43][44]

The final cover art was revealed on December 12, 2023, by Ty Dolla Sign in an Instagram post.[45] Writing for HipHopDX, Sam Moore described the cover as being "linked to Nazism", noting Friedrich's status as a favorite artist of Adolf Hitler; Moore further observed that the cover's typography was reminiscent of that used by Burzum, a black metal band founded by the neo-Nazi Varg Vikernes and previously sampled on West and Gucci Mane's "Pussy Print" in 2016.[41] The Burzum comparison and Hitler's adoration of Friedrich was also reported on by The Guardian and The Independent.[42][46]

Track listing

Vultures track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Everybody"   
2."Back to Me"   
3."Fuk Sumn"   
4."Time Moving Slow"   
5."Beg Forgiveness"   
6."So Good"   
7."Paid"   
8."Timbo Freestyle"   
9."Slide"   
10."New Body"   
11."Promotion"   
12."Vultures" (featuring Bump J and Lil Durk)
4:37
13."Lifestyle"   
14."Drunk"   
15."Worship"   
16."River"   
17."Gun to My Head"   
18."Unlock"   

Notes

  1. ↑ "New Body" was originally recorded for West's scrapped album Yandhi.[1]
  2. ↑ West's first independent album, Donda 2 (2022), was exclusively released on the Stem Player and is considered a demo album rather than a studio album.

    References

    1. ↑ Fu, Eddie (April 8, 2019). "Kanye West & Nicki Minaj Tease New Collaboration "New Body" On 'Keeping Up With The Kardashians'". Genius. Archived from the original on April 21, 2019. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
    2. ↑ Melas, Chloe (August 25, 2023). "Ye plans to drop a new album". NBC News. Archived from the original on November 19, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
    3. ↑ Stutz, Colin (October 14, 2023). "Kanye West Is Shopping a New Album to Distributors". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
    4. 1 2 Galindo, Thomas (October 15, 2023). "Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign Joint Album Imminent, Being Shopped Around". American Songwriter. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
    5. ↑ Caraan, Sophie (October 16, 2023). "Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign's Joint Album Reportedly Delayed While They Shop for Distributor". Hypebeast. Archived from the original on November 27, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
    6. ↑ Peters, Mitchell (October 15, 2023). "Kanye West Planning to Perform New Album With Ty Dolla $ign at Concert in Italy". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 1, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
    7. ↑ Mock, Ben (October 22, 2023). "Kanye West Italy Concert 'Very Unlikely' To Happen: Report". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on October 27, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
    8. ↑ Atkinson, Katie (October 24, 2023). "Ty Dolla $ign Announces 'Multi Stadium Listening Event' for Kanye West Joint Album". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 18, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
    9. ↑ Nevares, Gabriel Bras (October 23, 2023). "Ty Dolla Sign Announces Kanye West Collab Album Listening Parties In November". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on October 31, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
    10. 1 2 Galindo, Thomas (November 8, 2023). "What's Going On with Kanye West's Upcoming Album?". American Songwriter. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
    11. ↑ Brooks, Dave; Scott, Damien (November 1, 2023). "After Italy Fell Through, Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign's Album Event Won't Happen This Weekend Either". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
    12. ↑ Hynes, Hayley (November 3, 2023). "Kanye West Album With Ty Dolla Sign Remains In Limbo After Promotional IG Post Vanishes". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on November 16, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
    13. ↑ Jones, Damian (November 13, 2023). "Ty Dolla $ign shares update on new album with Kanye West". NME. Archived from the original on November 20, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
    14. ↑ Elibert, Mark. "Ty Dolla Sign Gives Update on New Album With Kanye West, Says It's 'Coming Real Soon'". Complex. Archived from the original on November 23, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
    15. ↑ Moore, Sam (November 13, 2023). "Ty Dolla $ign Gives Update On Kanye West Album Following Axed Listening Event". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on November 22, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
    16. ↑ Powell, Jon. "Kanye West and Ty Dolla Sign's 'Vultures' finally arrives on streaming platforms". Revolt. Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
    17. ↑ Mamo, Heran (December 8, 2023). "Ty Dolla $ign Shares Tracklist From His & Ye's Upcoming Joint Album". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
    18. ↑ Hynes, Hayley (December 9, 2023). "Kanye West & Ty Dolla Sign's Album Tracklist Is Here & It Includes 'New Body'". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
    19. ↑ Fitzgerald, Trent (December 9, 2023). "Kanye West Teases New Song With Surprising Backstreet Boys Sample". XXL. Archived from the original on December 10, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
    20. ↑ Nevares, Gabriel Bras (December 10, 2023). "Kanye West Invites Playboi Carti To Miami Listening Party With Ty Dolla Sign". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on December 10, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
    21. ↑ Aguila, Grethel (December 10, 2023). "Kanye West teases new album at Wynwood restaurant after surprise Art Basel appearance". Miami Herald. Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
    22. ↑ Cole, Alexander (December 11, 2023). "Kanye West Reveals Release Date for Ty Dolla $ign Collab Album, Vultures". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on December 11, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
    23. ↑ Horowitz, Steven J. (December 12, 2023). "Kanye West and Ty Dolla Sign Debut Joint Album 'Vultures' in Miami With Offset, Chris Brown and Freddie Gibbs". Variety. Archived from the original on December 12, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
    24. 1 2 Coscarelli, Joe (December 12, 2023). "Ye, Formerly Kanye West, Previews New Music With Ty Dolla Sign". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 12, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
    25. ↑ Cunningham, Kyndall (December 12, 2023). "Kanye Wears Black KKK Hood at Album Listening Party". The Daily Beast. Archived from the original on December 12, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
    26. ↑ "Kanye West Wears "Black Skinhead" Hood During 'Vultures' Livestream Event". Complex. December 12, 2023. Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
    27. ↑ De Loera, Carlos (December 12, 2023). "Ye what? Kanye debuts song with North but eclipses it with KKK-style hood". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
    28. ↑ Jones, Damian (December 13, 2023). "Kanye West used a Backstreet Boys sample on new album without permission – and they might not be able to stop him". NME. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
    29. ↑ Walker, Joe (December 15, 2023). "Nicki Minaj Rejects Kanye West's "New Body" Song Clearance Request". HipHopDX. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
    30. ↑ Duran, Anagricel (December 15, 2023). "Kanye West responds to Nicki Minaj not granting permission to use verse on 'New Body'". NME. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
    31. ↑ Rossignol, Derrick (December 15, 2023). "Why Did Kanye West And Ty Dolla Sign's Album 'Vultures' Get Delayed?". Uproxx. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
    32. ↑ @XXL (December 15, 2023). "A rep for Kanye West has confirmed with XXL that Ye and Ty Dolla Sign's Vultures album has a new release date of December 31 - New Year's Eve. There's another rave event happening this weekend in Saudi Arabia" (Tweet). Retrieved December 15, 2023 – via Twitter.
    33. ↑ Fisher, Caroline (December 22, 2023). "Kanye West & Kid Cudi Squash Beef & Reunite at Vultures Listening Party". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
    34. ↑ "Kanye West & Ty Dolla Sign's "Vultures" Delayed Again, New Release Date Revealed". HotNewHipHop. December 15, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
    35. ↑ Cole, Alexander (December 29, 2023). "Kanye West & Ty Dolla Sign Song Premiered on the Radio After "Everybody" Fails to Drop on Time". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
    36. ↑ Moore, Sam (January 3, 2024). "Kanye West Collaborator Malik Yusef Sheds Light on Vultures Hold-Up After Latest Delay". HipHopDX. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
    37. ↑ Alexandria, Lavender (January 11, 2024). "Kanye West & Ty Dolla Sign's "Vultures" Gets New Release Date". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
    38. ↑ Nevares, Gabriel Bras (January 15, 2024). "Kanye West Recording Music Video For Ty Dolla $ign & Playboi Carti Song: Watch". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
    39. ↑ "Vultures – Yeezy". Vultures – Yeezy. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
    40. ↑ West, Kanye; Ty Dolla Sign (December 31, 2023). "Vultures". Apple Music. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
    41. 1 2 Moore, Sam (December 13, 2023). "Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign's 'Vultures' Album Cover Linked To Nazism". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
    42. 1 2 Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (December 13, 2023). "Kanye West wears Ku Klux Klan-style hood at album listening event". The Guardian. Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
    43. ↑ Blake, Cole (December 12, 2023). "Kanye West & Ty Dolla Sign's 'Vultures' Artwork Traced To 19th Century Painter Caspar David Friedrich". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
    44. ↑ Saponara, Michael (December 11, 2023). "Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign Repurpose Morbid 1800s Painting for Vultures Album Cover". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
    45. ↑ Lamarre, Carl (December 12, 2023). "Ty Dolla $ign Drops Off Cover Art From His & Ye's Upcoming Joint Album 'Vultures'". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
    46. ↑ O'Connor, Roisin (December 13, 2023). "Kanye West wears KKK-style hood at Miami listening party". The Independent. Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
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