Ye (formally known as Kanye West) has taken an unconventional route in sharing his latest body of work, Bully. Instead of the traditional album drop, the renowned artist has released an early version of the project as a 45-minute music video available on platforms such as YouTube and Apple Music.
Titled BULLY V1, this striking visual experience is reminiscent of a short film that Ye teased last week amid his characteristic social media outbursts. The black-and-white aesthetic, crafted by Yeezy himself and edited by the acclaimed Hype Williams, centers around his nine-year-old son, Saint. In a dramatic narrative, Saint battles a series of wrestlers wielding a mallet, set against the backdrop of an intense wrestling ring.
However, fans will notice a significant alteration in the musical component of this release. The streaming version contains nine tracks rather than the initially planned ten, with the collaboration “Melrose,” featuring Playboi Carti and Ty Dolla $ign, omitted due to reported tensions between Ye and the two artists. Additionally, the order of tracks has been rearranged, with Peso Pluma being the sole guest artist on the track “Last Breath,” where the mogul even experiments with rapping in Spanish.
Ye’s ‘Bully V1’: Handcrafted Beats, AI Vocals, and Uncertain Release Plans
While the production credits are yet to be disclosed, Ye previously expressed that he meticulously crafted each beat by hand for this highly anticipated 11th studio album. The sonic landscape of Bully V1 is rich, incorporating nostalgic soul samples, emotive loops, and classic boom bap drums that could easily align with the sound of Griselda Records. Many critics have noted that this project showcases some of the most innovative production Ye has delivered in years.
However, the vocal aspects of the album reveal a different story. Approximately half of the tracks, particularly those reliant on singing, were recorded using artificial intelligence technology, a fact the rapper himself has publicly acknowledged. In previous statements, the founder of G.O.O.D. Music indicated that the official release of Bully was slated for June 15, coinciding with his daughter North’s birthday. Nonetheless, uncertainty looms over this timeline, especially following Ye’s recent remarks regarding a potential boycott of streaming platforms for future projects.
Moreover, questions remain regarding the future of his collaborative endeavors, particularly the anticipated third installment of his Vultures trilogy with Ty Dolla $ign, amidst ongoing scrutiny of his relationships with fellow artists and collaborators.
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