Kanye West and Ty Dolla Sign “Vultures,” Their Debut Joint Album, in Miami With Freddie Gibbs, Chris Brown, and Offset

Kanye West doesn’t wait around for anyone. Fans got a taste of this reality at the global debut of “Vultures,” his highly anticipated joint album with Ty Dolla Sign under the moniker ¥$. Just one day after sneakily unveiling some tracks at a Jamaican restaurant in Miami, he seized control of Wynwood Marketplace in the same city for the Vultures Rave, pledging to kick off the event precisely at midnight.

After an arduous wait of nearly two-and-a-half hours, West and Ty Dolla Sign eventually took centre stage. The delay was attributed to technical difficulties as stagehands grappled with connecting West’s phone to the audio system. Those watching remotely experienced the unfolding drama through a YouTube stream that glitched and restarted multiple times leading up to the broadcast. For those fortunate enough to be present, tickets were priced at $200 for general admission, $600 for VIP access, and a hefty $10,000 for a table reservation.

Kanye West and Ty Dolla Sign “Vultures

Dedicated fans and viewers who remained tuned in were rewarded with approximately 10 songs from the upcoming project, slated for release this Friday. To enhance the live experience, the duo enlisted the collaboration of the album’s featured artists, bringing a constellation of talents to the stage. The lineup included Chris Brown, Offset, Kodak Black, Lil Durk, Bump J, Freddie Gibbs, and West’s daughter North making special appearances alongside them. Unfortunately, those anticipating a Playboi Carti appearance were left disappointed, as he was aboard a plane that didn’t land in time for the event.

What fans witnessed was a more defined glimpse of the preliminary and incomplete snippets that have recently been circulating. Die-hard West enthusiasts may have already been acquainted with the initial track, “Everybody,” as he teased it on social media the previous week. The song cleverly interpolates the Backstreet Boys’ 1997 hit “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back).” However, instead of utilizing a direct sample from the boy band, the track incorporates a reimagined chorus by Charlie Wilson, who collaborates with West, Ty Dolla Sign, and Lil Baby on the song.

North, West’s daughter, took centre stage on “Slide,” showcasing her budding rap talents alongside her father and Ty Dolla Sign. Over a sample from James Blake, she confidently raps, “It’s gonna get messy, just bless me bless me / It’s your bestie, miss Miss Westie.” North wasn’t the only one of West’s children to make an appearance; Kim Kardashian joined their kids on stage and gracefully cleared the space before the performance. Social media viewers also caught a glimpse of Saint doing IShowSpeed’s Sui dance during the show.

“Vultures” boasts a cohesive audio throughline characterized by plucking synth bass notes and a brisk pace. West and Ty Dolla Sign intentionally create ample space for the featured artists, and the roster is impressive. Nicki Minaj delivers a captivating verse on the much-anticipated completed version of “New Body,” while Freddie Gibbs steals the spotlight with a remarkable guest appearance on “Back to Me,” produced by West’s longtime collaborator, 88-Keys. In the latter track, a sample from the film “Dogma” features co-star Jason Mewes saying, “Beautiful, big-tittied women don’t just fall out of the sky, you know,” a line that West skillfully repeats throughout the song.

A touch of house music graces “Paid,” while Chris Brown dominates the scene in “Beg Forgiveness.” The track “River” pays homage to Young Thug, who is currently facing trial and is featured on the song. Ty Dolla Sign takes the reins at the end with an interpolation of Leon Bridges’ track of the same name.

Known for his controversial statements, West stirred the pot once again with a snippet from “Vultures” where he asserts, “How I’m antisemitic, I just fucked a Jewish bitch.” This line follows a series of antisemitic remarks in the past year, and West didn’t shy away from the discourse. During the performance, he added fuel to the fire by wearing a black Klansman hat, pausing at the song’s end to glare at the audience.

Although more of a showcase than a traditional performance, the evening came to an abrupt close at 3 a.m. in Miami. The venue cut off the speakers, and as a parting shot, West repeated the provocative line from “Vultures” on the microphone. As the crowd dispersed, West navigated through, seemingly pleased with the evening’s events.

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