Vultures 1

Vultures 1 (previously known as Vultures) is the debut studio album by the American hip hop superduo ¥$, composed of musicians Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign. It was released on February 10, 2024. The album features guest appearances from India Love, Freddie Gibbs, Nipsey Hussle, YG, Quavo, Playboi Carti, Travis Scott, among others. It serves as a follow-up to both artists' respective 2021 albums, Donda and Cheers to the Best Memories; it also marks their first independent studio album.Mamo, Heran (December 8, 2023). "Ty Dolla $ign Shares Tracklist from His & Ye's Upcoming Joint Album". Billboard.
Amidst the release, there held controversy for Ye's history of antisemitic comments. This caused his team to struggle to find a distributor, as many were unwilling to work with the artist. This was further fueled with the lyric, 'How I'm anti-Semitic? I just fucked a Jewish bitch,' from the title track and lead single. Ye issued on apology statement on December 26, 2023, in Hebrew. The album's second single, "Talking," was released on February 8, 2024, featuring Ye's daughter, North West.
== Background ==
* On September 29, 2023, Ty$ previewed the scrapped collaboration between Nicki Minaj and West, "New Body," at the Le Baroque Club in Geneva, Switzerland. He added, "New album on the muthafuckin' way." On October 10th, Ty showed the updated track "New Body" in Florence, Italy.Singh, Karan (October 11, 2023). "Ty Dolla $ign Debuts New Version of Kanye West & Nicki Minaj 'New Body' Collab". HipHopDX.
* The album was supposed to be released on October 13, 2023, but was pushed back as West's team had to find a distribution deal. Several major labels refused to work with Ye, due to his antisemitic rants the previous year.Singh, Karan (October 14, 2023). "Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign Reportedly Shopping Deal for Joint Album". HipHopDX.
* On October 23rd, Ty$ announced of a multi-stadium listening event for November 3rd. This did not occur as planned because of their wait for securing a venue for a show.Brooks, Dave and Scott, Damien (November 1, 2023). "After Italy Fell Through, Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign's Album Event Won't Happen This Weekend Either". Billboard. This similarly happened to the huge Italy concert, which was instead held in a recording studio on October 1st.
* On November 13, 2023, during Ty's performance, he confirmed that the album was "coming soon."Moore, Sam (November 13, 2023). "Ty Dolla $ign Gives Update on Kanye West Album Following Axed Listening Event". HipHopDX.
* On November 17, 2023, the duo premiered the lead title single "Vultures." DJ Pharris debuted the song during his Friday night show on Chicago's radio station, Power 92."Kanye West Drops New Song 'Vultures,' First Track Since Antisemitic Meltdowns Ruined His Career". Variety. November 17, 2023.
* On December 8, 2023, Ty shared a handwritten note of the track list to his Instagram page. Next to it was a illustration of the double-headed eagle logo.Singh, Karan (December 9, 2023). "Ty Dolla $ign Shares Handwritten Tracklist from Upcoming Kanye West Collab Project". HipHopDX. The album was slated to be released on December 15th, though was pushed back to the end of the month, likely because of clearance issues.
* On December 11, 2023, fans were able to preview the full-length studio project. The duo performed at the Wynwood Marketplace in Miami, Florida, which was livestreamed via West's website, yeezy.com.Duran, Jose (December 11, 2023). "Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign's Livestream Rave Happening at Wynwood Marketplace Tonight". Miami New Times.Fraga, Jesse (December 12, 2023). "Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign's Vultures Rave Was for the Diehard Fans". Miami New Times.
* On December 12, 2023, Ty Dolla $ign took to social media to declare for everyone to pre-save the album."Ty Dolla $ign (@tydollasign)". Instagram. December 12, 2023.
* On December 15, 2023, it was revealed of Nicki Minaj refusing to clear her verse on the song "New Body." West had said during one of the livestreaming parties, "I made that girl rewrite her verse three times for 'Monster'. I supported her career. So I don't know what it is. But we going to get this or we just ain't going to push it." West took to X to post a screenshot of a text message he sent to the Trinidadian-born rapper, which reads: "Hi it's Ye. May I call you about clearing new body on the new album."Duran, Anagricel (December 15, 2023). "Kanye West Responds to Nicki Minaj Not Granting Permission to Use Verse on 'New Body'". NME. Minaj explained on an Instagram livestream, "That train has left the station, okay? No disrespect in any way, I just put out a brand new album. Now why would I put out a song that has been out for three years?"DeSantis, Rachel (December 15, 2023). "Nicki Minaj Says 'Train Has Left the Station' on Kanye West Collab After He Asks for It to Be Included on New Album". People.
* While the album was planned to be released at the end of the year, on December 31st, it was pushed back yet again to January 12, 2024.Lamarre, Carl (December 21, 2023). "Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign's Elusive Album 'Vultures' Changes Release Date Again". Billboard.
* On February 8, 2024, the listening party entitled Vultures Listening Experience was held at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. It was sold-out.Flores, Griselda (February 9, 2024). "5 Takeaways from Ye & Ty Dolla $ign's 'Vultures Listening Experience' in Chicago". Billboard.
* On February 9, 2024, a listening party was held at UBS Arena in Belmont Park, New York.
* The album finally dropped on February 10th, where Traxster's iPhone message reported, "has been delivered on 2/9/2024. We will see it on DSPs over the next 24-48 hours."
== Singles ==
Title 	Released
"Vultures"	November 17, 2023
"Talking" 	February 8, 2024
== Cover artwork ==
The initial cover artwork features an adaption of Caspar David Friedrich's painting, Landscape with Graves. Friedrich was a 19th-century painter whose work typically depicts landscapes.Blake, Cole (December 12, 2023). "Kanye West & Ty Dolla Sign's "Vultures" Artwork Traced to 19th Century Painter Caspar David Friedrich". HotNewHipHop. Billboard noted, "the hazy cover finds a bird perched on a shovel atop a coffin in a grassy field."Lamarre, Carl (December 12, 2023). "Ty Dolla $ign Drops Off Cover Art from His & Ye's Upcoming Joint Album 'Vultures'". Billboard.
However, when the album dropped, the artwork was changed to a photo of Kanye and his wife, Bianca, possibly due to various publications drawing similarities to anti-Semitic themes of the former one.
== Track listing ==
;Notes
* All tracks stylized in all caps.
;Sample credits
* "Stars" sample "Good Luck" by ​Dijon.
* "Paid" samples "Brighter Days (Underground Goodies Mix)" by Cajmere and "Get On Up" by Jodeci.
* "Back to Me" samples "Rock Box" by Run–DMC.
* "Do It" samples "I Just Wanna Know" by Nipsey Hussle and "Back That Azz Up" by Juvenile.
* "Fuk Sumn" samples "Smoking on a Junt (Original Version)" by Koopsta Knicca and "Smoke a Sack" by Lil Sko.
* "Vultures" samples "Pimpin & Robbin" by Three 6 Mafia and "Cold" by Kanye West and DJ Khaled.
* "Carnival" samples "Hell of a Life" by Kanye West.
* "Beg Forgiveness" samples "Gabriel" by Joe Goddard.
* "Good (Don't Die)" samples "I Feel Love" by Donna Summer.
* "Problematic" samples "Jubilation" by Spooky Tooth.
== Gallery ==
File:Vultures (Release Schedule).jpg|The planned release schedule of Vultures.
File:¥$ - Vultures (Volume 1).jpg|The original album artwork.
File:Vultures (Track List).jpg|The original album tracklist.
File:Kanye West - December 15 2023.jpg|Ye's message to Nicki Minaj.
File:Ty Dolla $ign - January 23 2024.jpg|North West's drawing of ¥$.
File:Ty Dolla $ign - February 9 2024.jpg|Ty$ and The Legendary Traxster's message.
File:Vultures 1 (Chicago).jpg|Chicago listening event.
File:Vultures 1 (NY).jpg|New York listening event.
== References ==
Category:Albums
Category:Studio albums
Category:Vultures 1