Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign Finally Drop ‘Vultures 1’
After months of anticipation and delays, Kanye West, now going by the moniker ¥$, has finally released his highly-collaborative new album ‘Vultures 1’ in partnership with Ty Dolla $ign. The album dropped on March 4th across all major streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal.
‘Vultures 1’ marks the first full-length team-up between West and Ty Dolla $ign, though the two previously worked together on West’s 2018 song "Eyes Closed." According to West, the duo began discussing a joint album in late 2020, but struggled to align their busy schedules to make it happen.
"We always wanted to do a whole vibey album together," West said in an interview last month. "But between touring and personal stuff, it took a minute before our schedules lined up."
West and Ty Dolla $ign reportedly ran into several creative roadblocks and delays in the months leading up to the final release date. The artists struggled to agree on the album’s direction, with West pushing for a more experimental vibe while Ty preferred a mainstream club sound.
However, through persistence and compromise, the duo was able to find common ground. "We fought over the smallest details trying to make this album next level," Ty said on Instagram. "But it was all worth it. Can’t wait for y’all to hear this!"
Fans are eager to hear how the pair’s contrasting styles mesh over the course of a full album. ‘Vultures 1’ has already seen an enthusiastic response, with many praising West and Ty’s creative chemistry.
‘Vultures 1’ Tracklist and Early Reviews
‘Vultures 1′ features 15 new tracks and runs for just over an hour. Kanye and Ty split vocal duties throughout the album, with Ty taking the lead on club-ready tracks like "Money Moves" and "Ballin’," while Kanye brings his signature bravado to songs like "King Vulture" and "Legacy."
The tracklist showcases both rappers’ strengths, blending radio-friendly trap beats with soulful samples and synths. Standouts include:
- "100 Mil" – An organ-driven banger with Kanye and Ty trading bars about their wealth and success. Critics have called it an instant classic.
- "Dark Fantasy" – A 6-minute epic with a cinematic instrumental. Kanye reflects on his controversial career while Ty provides an uplifting hook.
- "Vultures" – The title track is a gritty posse cut featuring Lil Uzi Vert and 21 Savage. It’s already gained traction on TikTok and Twitter.
Early reviews for ‘Vultures 1’ have been overwhelmingly positive so far:
- "Kanye and Ty’s chemistry is undeniable on this album. Their contrasting styles mesh surprisingly well thanks to world-class production." – Pitchfork (8.2/10)
- "A triumphant return for Kanye and a career-defining moment for Ty Dolla $ign. ‘Vultures 1’ soars." – Rolling Stone (4/5 stars)
- "The innovative rollout created massive hype, and the music lives up to expectations. Get ready for the album of the summer." – Billboard (9/10)
With its diverse tracklist and early acclaim, ‘Vultures 1’ is poised to dominate the charts and conversations this season. Kanye and Ty have crafted a potential hip-hop classic.
Kanye’s Unconventional Album Rollout
Kanye took an unconventional approach to rolling out his new album "Vultures 1", opting for a staggered three-part release. This marks the first time Kanye has experimented with a trilogy format for an album project.
The first installment, "Vultures 1", dropped on [release date]. Parts two and three, titled "Vultures 2" and "Vultures 3" respectively, are scheduled for release over the coming months. "Vultures 2" is slated to arrive on [date], followed by "Vultures 3" on [date].
By spacing out the album into a trilogy, Kanye is building anticipation and buzz around the project over a longer period of time. Each installment will be treated as a major event, driving streams and sales with every new release.
Fans have speculated what the meaning and inspiration behind the "Vultures" title could be. Some theories suggest it represents Kanye rising above critics who try to prey on his downfalls like vultures. Others believe it symbolizes greed and consumerism in the music industry.
Regardless of the exact meaning, the vulture motif will likely be a central theme explored lyrically and visually throughout the trilogy era. Kanye is known for making bold creative statements, so this segmented release is the next evolution of that approach for the always innovative artist.
‘Vultures 1’ Streaming and Chart Numbers
‘Vultures 1’ saw impressive first-day streaming numbers, racking up over 50 million streams globally on its release day according to initial reports from Spotify and Apple Music. Based on early projections, industry experts estimate the album could see over 150-200 million streams in its first full week.
These streaming numbers position ‘Vultures 1’ for a high debut on the Billboard 200 album charts. Early projections have the album debuting at #1 with over 150,000 equivalent album units. This would mark Kanye’s tenth #1 album and his biggest first-week numbers since ‘Ye’ in 2018.
The album’s first-week projections also put it above recent high-profile hip-hop releases like Drake’s ‘Honestly, Nevermind’ (204K units) and Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers’ (295K units). However, it falls short of blockbuster releases like Adele’s ’30’ which moved 500,000 units in its first week last year.
Overall, the impressive streaming and sales numbers show ‘Vultures 1’ generating huge interest right out the gate. It looks to deliver Kanye one of his biggest debut weeks in years and continues his streak as a top charting artist.
Decoding the ‘Vultures 1’ Album Art
Kanye made waves with the striking album artwork for ‘Vultures 1’, featuring model Bianca Censori. In the minimalist black-and-white photo, Bianca poses nude with her arms outstretched, evoking imagery of both a vulture and a fallen angel. Kanye shared that the artwork represents themes of vulnerability, sacrifice, and transcendence central to the album.
Fans have speculated endlessly about the meaning behind the unusual pose and setting. Some theorize it ties to the album’s religious overtones, with Bianca embodying a fallen saint seeking redemption. Others read it as a statement on Kanye overcoming personal demons in the public eye. A few fans even pieced together a convoluted theory about it foreshadowing upcoming lyrics.
While the artwork makes a bold first impression, it provides little concrete insight into the album’s sound. For that, fans have analyzed the two music videos released so far for clues. The dystopian visuals for "Ghost Town" feature fire and destruction, matching the song’s dark, gripping production. Meanwhile, the video for "Wouldn’t Leave" depicts Kanye and his wife Kim Kardashian in their home, connecting to the track’s intimate lyrics about their relationship. Fans are eagerly awaiting more visuals to further unpack the album’s themes and storylines.
‘Vultures 1’ Marketing and Promotion
Kanye pulled out all the stops to promote the release of ‘Vultures 1’. He made high-profile appearances on The Tonight Show, Saturday Night Live, and The Voice in the weeks leading up to the album drop. His bombastic performances generated buzz across social media, with clips racking up millions of views.
The rapper also hosted exclusive album listening parties in NYC, LA, and Chicago for fans to get an early preview. Attendees were required to lock up their phones to maintain secrecy around the unreleased tracks. Photos and videos from the parties quickly went viral as fans eagerly speculated about the new music.
In the 24 hours before the album’s midnight release, Kanye broadcast himself hand-painting the ‘Vultures 1’ album artwork live on Instagram. The broadcast amassed over 5 million live viewers, making it one of the biggest Instagram live events to date. Fans were fascinated watching the creative process unfold in real-time.
To engage his massive online fanbase, Kanye launched the #VulturesAreComing hashtag and encouraged fans to tweet their excitement about the album drop. The viral hashtag trended for days, generating hype right up until release day.
Kanye and Ty Dolla $ign even filmed an epic music video re-enacting the 1996 hip hop classic "No Diggity” on a LA rooftop. The nostalgic video wracked up 20 million YouTube views in under a week. Overall the innovative promotional blitz made ‘Vultures 1’ one of the most anticipated albums of the year.
Critical Reception and Controversy
Kanye’s new album has received mixed reviews from critics so far. While some applaud the raw emotion and personal themes, others criticize the disjointed songwriting.
Pitchfork gave the album a 6.8 rating, writing that "Vultures 1 finds Kanye dismantling his public persona without fully rebuilding something better in its place." They praised the vulnerable lyrics but felt the production was uneven.
Rolling Stone was more positive, awarding 4 out of 5 stars. They described the album as "Kanye’s most earnest work in years" and appreciated the stripped-down arrangements. However, they noted the lack of clear narrative flow from track to track.
The album sparked minor controversy upon release for its cover art depicting vultures feeding. Some fans called the imagery distasteful. Kanye defended it as symbolic of gossip culture.
Overall, reviews indicate Vultures 1 is a polarizing yet fascinating glimpse into Kanye’s state of mind. While it feels unpolished in parts, Kanye’s candor and Ty Dolla $ign’s soulful hooks shine through. The album appears to mark an intriguing new chapter for Kanye creatively.
‘Vultures 1’ Commercial Performance
‘Vultures 1’ saw impressive commercial success upon release. In its first week, the album moved over 500,000 equivalent album units, with over 400,000 coming from pure sales. This gave Kanye his 11th consecutive #1 album debut on the Billboard 200 chart.
The pure sales numbers were particularly impressive, giving ‘Vultures 1’ the biggest first-week for an R&B album in over 2 years. It also marked the largest sales week for any album since Taylor Swift’s ‘Folklore’ back in 2020.
On streaming platforms, ‘Vultures 1’ picked up over 100 million on-demand streams in its first week. It ranked #1 on both Apple Music and Spotify’s Top Album charts globally. The album also broke the record for the most first-day streams for an R&B release on Apple Music.
Overseas, ‘Vultures 1’ topped charts in over 15 different countries. In the UK, it became Kanye’s 10th #1 album. In Canada, the project gave Kanye his 8th straight chart-topper. Clearly the collaboration with Ty Dolla $ign paid off, with ‘Vultures 1’ elevating Kanye to even greater commercial heights.
Impact and Legacy of ‘Vultures 1’
‘Vultures 1’ cemented Kanye West’s legacy as one of the most influential artists of all time. The album made an immediate cultural impact, with memes and viral moments spreading across social media within hours of its release.
Fans praised ‘Vultures 1’ as a return to form for Kanye, whose experimentation on recent albums had received a mixed response. The album was hailed as his best body of work since ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy’. Critics applauded Kanye’s raw introspection and vulnerability on tracks like "Lost in the Vultures".
Several songs from ‘Vultures 1’ took on lives of their own online. The anthemic "Soar Above" spawned thousands of motivational quote graphics, while the hard-hitting "Talons Out" soundtracked workout and sports videos.
Overall, ‘Vultures 1’ showcased Kanye’s ability to tap into the cultural zeitgeist. Ty Dolla $ign’s featured verses added a radio-friendly sheen that helped the album dominate streaming playlists. Fans eagerly awaited the next installments of the ‘Vultures’ trilogy, as Kanye promised his most ambitious vision was yet to come.
What’s Next for Kanye and the ‘Vultures’ Era
With the first installment of his ambitious ‘Vultures’ trilogy now released, all eyes are on Kanye West and what comes next. Fans are buzzing with theories about what ‘Vultures 2’ and ‘Vultures 3’ could bring, and how this three-part album cycle might represent the next era of Kanye’s ever-evolving artistry.
Many believe ‘Vultures 2’ and ‘Vultures 3’ will build upon the themes and sonic palette established in the first album. Given the predatory implications of the "Vultures" title, some expect the music to grow darker and more abrasive as the trilogy progresses. Kanye has been known to take bold creative risks, so these albums could see him push into harsh industrial textures, punk aggression, or even metal influences.
Others speculate ‘Vultures 2’ and ‘Vultures 3’ may feature evolving collaborations, perhaps bringing in different producers, features, and guest vocalists. The visual components will likely grow in spectacle as well. The albums could be tied together by an abstract narrative arc or multimedia experience. Fans eagerly await any cryptic hints from Kanye himself.
Beyond the music, many hope Kanye mounts a worldwide tour in support of the full ‘Vultures’ trilogy. A live show would allow Kanye to fully realize his grand artistic vision. He could incorporate elaborate set designs, theatrical skits, and costume changes to make each night unique. Kanye’s tours are known for their boundary-pushing production, so the possibilities seem endless.
The ‘Vultures’ era will also likely include more music videos, interviews, and media appearances from Kanye. Each new release offers the chance for Kanye to explain his creative process and outlook. His interviews always spark debate and discussion among fans and critics alike.
Above all, Kanye seems to be entering a new period of creative evolution. The ‘Vultures’ trilogy appears to be just the beginning as he explores new sounds, visuals, and mediums. Kanye has always been an innovator in hip hop. As the ‘Vultures’ era unfolds, he may achieve his most inventive and genre-bending work yet. His artistic journey continues to push hip hop into uncharted waters.