Kanye West, now known as Ye, is stirring up excitement once again with the announcement of his new album titled Bully. The reveal came during a listening event held at the Wuyuan River Stadium in Haikou, China, where he also premiered his new song "Beauty and the Beast" on September 28, 2024.
During the event, as captured by fans, Ye casually informed the audience, "I got a new album coming out, it’s called ‘Bully’ and this song is called ‘Beauty and the Beast’" before launching directly intothe unreleased track. Clad with the familiar energy of his performances, the rapper's announcement adds to the list of surprises his fans have grown accustomed to over the years.
The new song features Ye’s vocals layered over soft instrumental beats, including electric guitar elements. Ye delivers poignant lines expressing reminiscence about relationships, saying, “I still think about it every night and day to try to stay away, to keep my audience / Don’t take this disrespect, I’m sitting here trying to redirect.”
Interestingly, Beauty and the Beast has been referred to as one of the leftovers from Ye’s previous album, Donda, by his former collaborator Mike Dean, who has worked with him since his 2004 debut The College Dropout. Dean's comment on social media linked the song's origins with West's past projects, providing insight on the development of Ye's musical repertoire.
Ye's latest performance at the listening party was not just another concert; it marked his long-awaited return to China after 16 years. This made the event particularly special for both the artist and his audience. Earlier this month, Ye, alongside Ty Dolla $ign, had performed songs from their collaborative albums, Vultures 1 and Vultures 2, which debuted earlier this year, showing the dynamic he shares with Dolla $ign.
The first of the Vultures series was released on February 10, marking their first significant collaboration under the name ¥$. It made waves by debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart for two consecutive weeks. This achievement was particularly notable as it represented the first time Ye held the top spot for more than one week since his iconic joint album with Jay-Z, Watch the Throne, back in 2011.
Following this, Vultures 2 dropped on August 4, and though it reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200, it was blocked from the top spot by Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poet’s Department, marking the end of Ye's impressive 19-year streak of debuting at number one. This streak had been significant to his career, showcasing his enduring appeal and ability to resonate with audiences.
While Vultures 1 received lukewarm reviews, described as being “mired in misogyny” with critics awarding it only two stars, Vultures 2 has since spurred mixed reactions from fans and critics alike. The releases have not been without their controversies either, having faced issues of copyright infringement—most prominently involving the estate of the late singer Donna Summer over the track “I Feel Love,” which led to a settlement.
Ye has also drawn public attention with his recent listening events across several international venues, including one in South Korea where he made quite the dramatic entrance on horseback. During this event, he led chants targeting Adidas, referencing the fallout from his antisemitic comments made back in 2022, which resulted in the termination of his partnership with the apparel brand.
With Bully, Ye is paving the way for new musical explorations, maintaining the anticipatory spirit among fans eager for his evolution as both a person and artist. While the release dates for the album and Beauty and the Beast remain unconfirmed, the excitement surrounding this new chapter seems promising.