Vultures 1: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia
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| length = {{Duration|m=55|s=40}} ({{Duration|m=52|s=21}})
| label = [[Yeezy (brand)|YZY]]<!-- per Apple Music -->
| producer = {{hlist|[[Kanye West|Ye]]|[[Ty Dolla Sign|Ty Dolla $ign]]|[[88-Keys]]|Ambezza|[[Anthony Kilhoffer]]|Aver Ray|AyoAA|BBYKOBE|[[Darhyl Camper|Camper]]|[[Chad Hugo]]|[[Che Pope]]|[[Christopher Dotson|Chrishan]]|Dez Wright|[[Mustard (record producer)|DJ Mustard]]|[[Digital Nas]]|[[Dominic Maker|Dom Maker]]|DTP|Edsclusive|[[FnZ]]|[[Gustave Rudman Rambali|Gustave Rudman]]|Hubi|[[Jae Deal]]|[[James Blake (musician)|James Blake]]|[[Jasper Harris]]|[[Johnny Goldstein]]|[[JPEGMafia]]|[[Kaytranada]]|[[the Legendary Traxster]]|[[Leon Thomas III]]|Lester Nowhere|[[London on da Track]]|Lukasbl|Marlonwiththeglasses|[[Ojivolta]]|Prodbyjuice|SHDØW|Stryv|[[Swizz Beatz]]|TheLabCook|[[Timbaland]]|Veyis|VinnyForGood|Vitals|[[Wax Motif]]|[[Wheezy]]|[[will.i.am]]}}
| chronology = [[¥$]]
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In contrast to West's previous two albums, ''[[Jesus Is King]]'' (2019) and ''[[Donda]]'' (2021), ''Vultures 1'' finds him forgoing religious themes and addressing his preceding controversies, as well as themes of money, relationships, sex, and fame. It also sees him returning to an explicit tracklist, with his previous three albums only featuring tracks with clean or censored lyrics. The cover art features West dressed in all-black with his [[Goaltender mask|hockey mask]], joined by his partner [[Bianca Censori]]. The [[Vultures (song)|title track]] was issued as the album's [[lead single]] in November 2023, followed three months later by "[[Talking / Once Again]]" and "[[Carnival (¥$ song)|Carnival]]", the latter of which topped the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]. [[Music video]]s were produced for all of the singles, with a new version of "Vultures" produced by [[Havoc (musician)|Havoc]] being used for the song's visual.
Released in the wake of West's [[Views of Kanye West#Antisemitism|antisemitic comments]], ''Vultures 1'' received generally mixed reviews from [[Music journalism|music critics]], many of whom criticized its lyrics regarding the matter—as well as his other controversies. However, some complimented the production and Ty Dolla Sign's contributions. The album marked West's 11th consecutive number-one debut on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], breaking his tie with [[Eminem]]. It topped the charts in several other countries, including Australia, Canada, and Germany, becoming West's first number-one album in the latter country. ''Vultures 1'' was certified gold and silver in New Zealand and the United Kingdom by [[Recorded Music NZ]] and the [[British Phonographic Industry]], respectively. All of the songs entered the ''Billboard ''Hot 100, bringing West to 157 career entries. A sequel album, ''{{Nowrap|[[Vultures 2]]}}'', was released on August 3, 2024, with ''{{Nowrap|Vultures 3}}'' also slated for a release later in the year. The performers are scheduled to embark on a world tour in support of the album from 2024 to 2025, planned for cities such as New York and London.
== Background and recording ==
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| footer = [[Chris Brown]] (left) and [[Freddie Gibbs]] (right) appear on {{no break|''Vultures 1''}}; the former is also mentioned by West on the single "[[Carnival (¥$ song)|Carnival]]".
| image1 = Jamaican Breezy (cropped).jpg
| alt1 = Chris Brown pictured in Kingston, Jamaica in 2013
| image2 = MadGibbs2014 (cropped).jpg
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"[[Back to Me (¥$ song)|Back to Me]]" is built around programmed rolling drums and a [[bassline]], evoking the structure of West's 2010 single "[[Runaway (Kanye West song)|Runaway]]".<ref name="Horow"/> The line, "Beautiful, butt-naked, big-titty womеn just don't fall out the sky, you know?", is a soundbite from [[Jay and Silent Bob]], repeated by West and Ty Dolla Sign throughout.<ref name="hiphopdx"/><ref name="billboard-rank"/> [[Freddie Gibbs]] contributes a guest rap verse, where he compares himself to [[Elon Musk]].<ref name="guardian"/> "[[Hoodrat]]" follows and contains a siren that repeats its title, accompanied by steel drums.<ref name="nme"/><ref name="hiphopdx"/><ref name="billboard-rank"/> West boasts about engaging in sexual activity with a woman, whom he dubs as a "whore".<ref name="nme"/><ref name="Pitchfork"/> The conclusion utilizes an excerpt of [[Mike Tyson]] speaking of Ye, acknowledging his greatness and mental issues as most leaders have, such as his delusion of believing that "[[I Am a God]]".<ref name="Horow"/><ref name="billboard-rank"/> "[[Do It (¥$ song)|Do It]]" features orchestral elements and relies on [[Roland TR-808|808s]], with themes of money and women.<ref name="allmusic"/><ref name="billboard-rank"/> West starts the song by telling those who do not like him that it is their loss, later boasting of sending a random woman $100,000 on [[Apple Pay]].<ref name="Pitchfork"/><ref name="billboard-rank"/> "Paperwork" prominently incorporates [[Funk carioca|Brazilian funk]],<ref name="nme"/><ref name="Pitchfork"/><ref name="Buford"/> moving away from 808s to guitar [[Synthesizer|synths]]. The song includes [[Distortion (music)|distortion]], with lyrics about making money.<ref name="guardian"/><ref name="billboard-rank"/> "[[Burn (¥$ song)|Burn]]" is a [[Soul music|soulful]] number that was described as reminiscent of West's early material,<ref name="nme"/><ref name="Horow"/><ref name="hiphopdx"/> which includes him making his financial problems out to be positive.<ref name="Complex"/><ref name="Wren"/> West calls out critics as he alleges they have been "entertained by my pain",<ref name="hiphopdx"/><ref name="billboard-rank"/><ref name="Wren"/> while implying that his issues provided liberation. West attacks [[Balenciaga]], saying he heard [[R. Kelly]] was in one of their commercials. On the final chorus, he harmonizes with Ty Dolla Sign.<ref name="hiphopdx"/><ref name="evening"/><ref name="billboard-rank"/>
"[[Fuk Sumn]]" features bass and the theme of sexual fantasies, with West rapping "This the real, not a version".<ref name="Pitchfork"/><ref name="billboard-rank"/> "[[Vultures (song)|Vultures]]" is a trap track that contains prominent synths, drums, and a beat switch.<ref name="evening"/><ref name="hiphopdx"/> West references his previous antisemitism controversy by questioning "How I'm antisemitic? I just fucked a Jewish bitch",<ref name="guardian"/><ref name="hiphopdx"/><ref name="billboard-rank"/> later followed by Ty Dolla Sign's line "She [[Russo-Ukrainian war|Russian]], I beat up the pussy for Ukraine".<ref name="nme"/><ref name="evening"/> Ty Dolla Sign sings with [[Auto-Tune|auto-tune]], only making moderate usage of the technology.<ref name="guardian"/> "Carnival" opens with a crowd chant of "ooohhh" that repeats throughout, accompanied by [[Percussion instrument|percussion]] that echoes chanting.<ref name="Complex"/> In the lyrics, West references his rival [[Taylor Swift]] and calls out [[cancel culture]] as he dubs himself "Ye-Kelly",<ref name="Horow"/> making comparisons also to [[Bill Cosby]] and [[Sean Combs|Puff Daddy]], while defending singer [[Chris Brown]].<ref name="nme"/><ref name="billboard-rank"/><ref name="Complex"/> "Beg Forgiveness" includes hollow drums and interpolations of [[Joe Goddard (musician)|Joseph Goddard]]'s "[[Gabriel (Joe Goddard song)|Gabriel]]" (2013), featuring Brown shaming a subject that seeks his forgiveness.<ref name="nme"/><ref name="billboard-rank"/> "[[Good (Don't Die)]]" is an [[electropop]] track with a vintage groove and goes against the style of hip hop,<ref name="hiphopdx"/><ref name="billboard-rank"/> alongside an interpolation of the deceased singer [[Donna Summer]]'s "[[I Feel Love]]" (1977). This is coupled with harmonies from Ty Dolla Sign, who sings "don't die" with West.<ref name="nme"/><ref name="Horow"/><ref name="billboard-rank"/> "Problematic" was described as evoking West's earlier works, utilizing loud horns.<ref name="nme"/><ref name="Wren"/> West recalls his younger days when he lived in New Jersey and traveled to New York City, seeking fame.<ref name="billboard-rank"/> For the hook of the album's closing track "King", West addresses his controversies by telling those who assigned the labels of "crazy, bipolar, antisemite" to him that he is "still the king".<ref name="nme"/><ref name="billboard-rank"/><ref name="Complex"/><ref name="Wren"/>
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''Vultures 1'' was met with generally mixed reviews from critics.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Moore |first=Sam |date=February 14, 2024 |title=Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign 'Vultures 1' First-Week Sales Forecast |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/kanye-west-ty-dolla-sign-vultures-first-week-sales |access-date=February 15, 2024 |magazine=HipHopDX |archive-date=February 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215044604/https://hiphopdx.com/news/kanye-west-ty-dolla-sign-vultures-first-week-sales |url-status=live }}</ref> {{Metacritic album prose|Vultures 1|mixed|52|nine}}<ref name="MC" />
Wren Graves of ''[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]]'' found the album to be unoriginal, and dismissed the lyrics as mostly "broad griping and trollery", calling it "repetitive, redundant, and far too impressed with itself" for anyone apart from dedicated fans.<ref name="Wren">{{Cite web|last=Graves|first=Wren|title=Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign's ''Vultures 1'' is Dead on Arrival|work=[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]]|url=https://consequence.net/2024/02/kanye-west-vultures-1-review-ty-dolla-ign/2|date=February 14, 2024|access-date=February 14, 2024|archive-date=February 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215001556/https://consequence.net/2024/02/kanye-west-vultures-1-review-ty-dolla-ign/2/|url-status=live}}</ref> In a review for ''[[The Times]]'', Will Hodgkinson called ''Vultures 1'' "a charmless disaster".<ref name="times"/> He panned the lyrics, describing them as "the most tired hip-hop clichés", and found West's production to be unoriginal.<ref name="times"/> He also criticized the way that West addresses controversies prior to release, especially his antisemitic remarks. Nonetheless, Hodgkinson found that ''Vultures'' has parts that are not bad such as highlights "Stars", "Keys to My Life", "Talking", and "Good (Don't Die)".<ref name="times"/> Petridis of ''The Guardian'' opined that the album was an improvement on ''Donda'', but said West's verses are "profoundly depressing" and criticized his inclination to controversy on the basis of him thinking "he can get away with it".<ref name="guardian"/>
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| extra6 = {{hlist|Ye|Ty Dolla $ign|88-Keys|Camper}}
| length6 = 3:42
| title7 = [[Do It (¥$ song)|Do It]]
| writer7 = {{hlist|Ye|Griffin Jr.|[[YG (rapper)|Keenon Jackson]]|[[Nipsey Hussle|Ermias Asghedom]]|Supreme Williams|Alexander West|[[Mustard (record producer)|Dijon McFarlane]]|[[Cubeatz|Kevin Gomringer]]|[[Cubeatz|Tim Gomringer]]|Camper|S. Lindley|Schlag|Denis Raab|Lukas Leth}}
| extra7 = {{hlist|Ye|Ty Dolla $ign|[[Mustard (record producer)|DJ Mustard]]|[[Cubeatz]]|Camper|The Legendary Traxster|Aver Ray|DTP|LukasBL|Chrishan}}
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| title11 = [[Vultures (song)|Vultures]]
| writer11 = {{hlist|Ye|Griffin Jr.|[[Bump J|Terrance Boykin]]|[[Lil Durk|Durk Banks]]|Pharris Thomas|Young|[[Ojivolta|Mark Williams]]|[[Ojivolta|Raul Cubina]]|Mathias Liyew|[[Gustave Rudman Rambali]]|Marlon Barrow|Jason Harris|[[DJ Paul|Paul Beauregard]]|[[Juicy J|Jordan Houston]]}}
| extra11 = {{hlist|Ye|Ty Dolla $ign|Prodbyjuice|[[Ojivolta]]|Ambezza|Gustave Rudman|Marlonwiththeglasses|[[Wheezy]]|[[Jasper Harris]]|[[Jae Deal]]}}
| length11 = 4:36
| title12 = [[Carnival (¥$ song)|Carnival]]
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===''' Track notes ==='''
* "Keys to My Life" features uncredited additional vocals from India Love.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Horvath |first1=Zachary |title=India Love's Recording Session For 'Keys to My Life' Obliterated By Kanye West Fans |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/763065-india-love-vultures-1-recording-session-reactions-keys-to-my-life-hip-hop-news |website=HotNewHipHop |access-date=February 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214011707/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/763065-india-love-vultures-1-recording-session-reactions-keys-to-my-life-hip-hop-news |archive-date=February 14, 2024 |date=February 12, 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref>
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* "Good (Don't Die)" features additional vocals from [[J. Rey Soul]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bonoan |first1=Christian |title=J.Rey Soul Appears On Kanye West's New Album 'Vultures 1' |url=https://myx.global/j-rey-soul-appears-on-kanye-wests-new-album-vultures-1/ |website=[[Myx (American TV channel)|Myx]] |access-date=February 15, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215142010/https://myx.global/j-rey-soul-appears-on-kanye-wests-new-album-vultures-1/ |archive-date=February 15, 2024 |date=February 15, 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> and is absent from streaming versions of the album.<ref name="Removal"/><ref name=":0" /><ref name="Leight-2"/>
===''' Sample credits ==='''
* "Stars" contains samples of "Good Luck", written by [[Dijon Duenas]], Jack Karaszewski and Henry Kwapis, as performed by [[Dijon Duenas|Dijon]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Stutz |first=Colin |date=February 17, 2024 |title=Kanye's 'Vultures' Samples Including Black Sabbath Use Are Not Cleared |url=https://www.billboard.com/business/business-news/kanye-vultures-samples-black-sabbath-not-cleared-1235610287/ |access-date=February 27, 2024 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=February 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217220534/https://www.billboard.com/business/business-news/kanye-vultures-samples-black-sabbath-not-cleared-1235610287/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
* "Keys to My Life" contains samples of "[[Can It Be All So Simple|Can It Be All So Simple / Intermission]]", written by [[Method Man|Clifford Smith]], [[RZA|Robert F. Diggs]], [[Ol' Dirty Bastard|Russell T. Jones]], [[GZA|Gary E. Grice]], [[U-God|Lamont Hawkins]], [[Ghostface Killah|Dennis David Coles]], [[Raekwon|Corey Woods]], [[Marvin Hamlisch]], [[Marilyn Bergman]], [[Alan Bergman]] and [[Inspectah Deck|Jason R. Hunter]], as performed by [[Wu-Tang Clan]], which itself samples "[[The Way We Were (song)|The Way We Were]]", written by [[Alan and Marilyn Bergman|Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman]], and [[Marvin Hamlisch]], as performed by [[Gladys Knight & the Pips]].
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[[Category:Albums produced by Kanye West]]
[[Category:Albums produced by JPEGMafia]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Ojivolta]]
[[Category:Albums produced by 88-Keys]]
[[Category:Albums produced by The Legendary Traxster]]