Grammy-winning artist Kanye West is set to release not one, but three new albums in the form of a series called Vultures. However, these albums are not credited solely to West as a soloist, but as part of a new superduo called ¥$. Despite his controversial reputation due to years of erratic behavior and antisemitic comments, West has managed to attract some of the top stars in hip-hop as collaborators.
The first installment of the Vultures series is scheduled to drop on February 9th, just a week away. This project sees West teaming up with Ty Dolla $ign, who forms the other half of ¥$. While other major musicians have signed on to feature on the album, $ign was the first to join forces with the polarizing rapper, even when it might have been perceived as risky to do so. Before any other collaborators were announced, $ign had already started teasing the joint album.
Recently, the tracklist for the first part of Vultures was unveiled by West's daughter, North. The young girl was spotted wearing a Vultures merchandise jacket at a Los Angeles restaurant, which displayed the list of songs and featured artists on the album.
Part one of Vultures boasts a lineup of hip-hop powerhouses. However, given West's penchant for unpredictable rollouts, it's important to note that the tracklist could potentially change. With that said, the currently revealed lineup includes names such as Chris Brown, Quavo, Playboi Carti, James Blake, Lil Durk, and Young Thug. Rapper Future takes center stage as the most-featured artist, appearing on three tracks. Furthermore, North herself is credited as a vocalist on the track 'Talking,' adding a refreshing and child-friendly element to her father's work.
Collaborating with West might be seen as a risky move for other artists, considering the controversies surrounding him. The rapper's career took a downward turn when he expressed several antisemitic viewpoints both online and in various interviews. Working with a figure as controversial as West could potentially alienate some fans. Nevertheless, there are still many in the hip-hop community who see him as a tastemaker and friend, willing to take the risk and align themselves with his tarnished brand.
It remains to be seen how Vultures and its individual songs will perform on the Billboard charts, especially considering this is West's first release since his recent string of controversies. However, based on the star-studded tracklist, it appears that in certain circles, little has changed for the rapper. Despite the fallout from his statements, which resulted in lost brand deals and a substantial decrease in his net worth, West retains a significant level of popularity.
It's clear that West's influence and appeal still resonate with many within the hip-hop community. Whether or not this translates to wider acceptance among the general public remains to be seen. As fans eagerly anticipate the release of Vultures, only time will tell how this new chapter in West's career unfolds.
