Get the Inside Scoop on Kanye West’s Highly Anticipated Album: Release Updates, Tracklist Revealed, and More!
Kanye West is known for taking his time when it comes to releasing music. With a dozen albums under his belt since his debut in 2004, every album he releases is subject to last-minute changes and delays. His latest project, Vultures, a collaboration with Ty Dolla $ign, has been highly anticipated throughout 2023, but details have been scarce, making it difficult to separate fact from speculation.
However, it seems like Vultures is finally nearing its release. Ty Dolla $ign recently shared a tracklist for the album on Instagram, and numerous reports suggest that a release date is imminent – well, as close as you can get with a Kanye West album. To help you keep track of all the latest updates, we have compiled all the information available on the new album so you know what to expect.
The road to Vultures has been filled with false starts. Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign initially planned to preview the album at a listening event in Italy on October 20, which was then rescheduled to October 27 and ultimately canceled. A second attempt was made in Saudi Arabia on November 3, with Billboard confirming the album’s release on the same day, only for the event to be canceled yet again. West announced the album title and release date (December 15) to an audience, but the date passed without any new music. The rumored release date is now set for January 12.
Ty Dolla $ign further fueled speculation by sharing the album’s tracklist on Instagram, featuring 18 songs, some of which have been leaked online in various forms dating back several years. One song, “New Body,” originally intended for West’s 2019 album Yandhi, may end up being excluded. Additionally, songs like “Paid” and “Time Moving Slow” have surfaced on YouTube as low-quality recordings, a common occurrence with West’s music.
West teased a song featuring a sample of the Backstreet Boys’ hit “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” in an Instagram video, showcasing his penchant for innovative collaborations. Alongside Ty Dolla $ign, Vultures is set to feature prominent artists like Bump J and Lil Durk, with Nicki Minaj originally slated for a track titled “New Body.” However, a reported dispute over vocals led Minaj to pull out, causing a rift between the artists on social media.
The album preview in Miami also identified guest appearances from Chris Brown, Future, and Young Thug on various tracks. Notably, Future was featured on the leaked version of “Paid,” while Young Thug contributed to an early rendition of “River.” Given West’s tendency to tweak songs extensively before official release, the final album versions may differ from those showcased at live events.
Despite the extensive promotion, only one official single has been released from Vultures – the eponymous track “Vultures” dropped on November 22, 2023. The song addresses controversy surrounding West’s anti-Semitic remarks, although its provocative lyrics garnered mixed reviews and failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.
With multiple delays in the album’s history, fans eagerly await Vultures’ supposed January 12 release date. While West has a track record of shelving long-awaited projects like Yandhi, the strong evidence supporting the upcoming release, coupled with Ty Dolla $ign’s reliability in album rollouts, instills confidence in the album’s imminent arrival.
Considering the recent momentum behind Vultures, there is hope that the album will finally see the light of day, satisfying fans who have patiently awaited its launch.
