Kanye West Continues to Ignite Controversy, Yet Receives Support from Hip-Hop Heavyweights
Renowned artist Kanye West is gearing up for the release of not one, but three upcoming albums grouped under the title Vultures. These albums mark a collaboration not as a soloist but as a part of a new superduo called ¥$ (Yen Dollar). Despite West’s enduring reputation for controversy, erratic behavior, and past antisemitic comments, a glance at his recent collaborators suggests that some of the biggest names in hip-hop are unfazed by his controversial image and are willing to associate and collaborate with him
Scheduled for release on February 9, the first installment of the Vultures series sees West partnering with Ty Dolla $ign, the other half of the ¥$ superduo. Ty Dolla $ign, known for his significant contributions to the project, embraced the collaboration early on, even before other collaborators were named, teasing the joint album.
The tracklist for Vultures part one was recently revealed, featuring a lineup of influential figures in hip-hop. West’s daughter, North, inadvertently shared the song list and credited stars on the album while wearing Vultures merchandise at a Los Angeles restaurant. Notable artists on the tracklist include Chris Brown, Quavo, Playboi Carti, James Blake, Lil Durk, and Young TҺug. Rapper Future stands out as the most-featured artist, contributing to three tracks.
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In a surprising twist, North, West’s daughter, makes her vocal debut on the track “Talking,” where she delivers a refreshing and child-friendly verse, as previewed during a recent listening event.
While it might seem customary for hip-hop stars to collaborate on West’s projects, his controversial reputation makes such partnerships a potential rιsk for other artists. West faced severe backlash for expressing antisemitic viewpoints and comments both online and in various interviews, resulting in the loss of brand deals and a substantial decrease in his net worth. Despite these setbacks, West remаins popular, and his influence persists in the hip-hop community.
The article speculates on the future performance of Vultures on the Billboard charts and how the American audience will receive West’s first release since his recent controversies. The tracklist suggests that, at least within certain circles, West’s status as a tastemaker and a friend in the hip-hop community remаins largely unaffected by his controversial history.
