Released: 2024
Features: YG, Playboi Carti, Travis Scott, Freddie Gibbs, Quavo, the late Nipsey Hussle, Lil Durk, Bump J, Rich the Kid, Chris Brown, India Love, J. Rey Soul, and North (Kanye’s daughter).
Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign aren’t known for playing it safe, and their collaborative album ‘VULTURES 1’ proves it. Don’t expect the usual suspects on this feature list. They’ve tapped into a diverse pool of talent, from rap veterans to rising stars.
So let’s get to it, here’s a list of every guest feature on VULTURES 1, it’s certainly a boundary-pushing project.
1 CARNIVAL
Features: Rich The Kid, Playboi Carti
West strings together provocative imagery and audacious assertions, reflecting his lustful escapades and towering ambitions. He equates his sexual prowess to a wild ride at a carnival, symbolizing an exhilarating, dizzying experience. Additionally, West opts for incisive commentary on his wealth, stating he’s achieved the impossible, pointing to his immense success and influential status. Mention of Yeezy and Dolla $ign underscores his commercial feats and collaborations. Lastly, is the powerful assertion “young nigga, reach all the goals,” highlighting his determination to succeed in an industry that often marginalizes young black creatives.
2 FUK SUMN
Features: Playboi Carti, Travis Scott
The verses oscillate between moments of seeking satisfaction and a declaration of intentions, encapsulated by the standout line, “I’m tryna fuck somethin’ right now. That lil’ ho, she tryna fuck somethin’ right now.” It’s a candid reflection of the immediacy and frankness that often characterizes the most candid hip-hop tracks.
3 BACK TO ME
Features: Freddie Gibbs
A standout line encapsulating the song’s essence is, “This that shit that make rap niggas mad, yeah / Fuckin’ two twins, I told her skinny was in / So she took out all the ass, kept it natural.” It captures the complex interplay of personal preferences clashing with societal expectations, underlining the song’s deeper dive into authenticity versus facade in our interactions and identities.
4VULTURES
Features: Lil Durk & Bump J
Kanye’s choice to ‘hang with the vultures’ emphasizes his outsider status amidst the rap game. He’s not about ‘rapper friends’ or collaborations, he’s doing his homework, putting in his own work. Even with the luxurious life he leads, he’s steeped in Chicago, bespeaking a hustler’s narrative. Amidst the diamond hoes turned influencers and ‘moe’ friends, Ye’s still got the streets in his veins, keeping it raw and real. Despite the beefs, heartbreaks, and controversies, Kanye proves once again, he’s not ‘really from Earth.’
5 DO IT
Features: Nipsey Hussle & YG
The track weaves through explicit desires and braggadocious claims of wealth, wrapped in a mesmerizing beat that commands attention. A standout line, “In my bag, call me ’06 Gucci,” not only references a peak era of Gucci Mane but also encapsulates the essence of flaunting success and being in a state of unmatched confidence and style—a fitting metaphor for the song’s indulgent narrative.
6 PAPERWORK
Features: Quavo
Amidst the rhythmic beats and melodic flows, the lyrics paint a picture of nightlife escapades, luxury, and the complexities of relationships built on financial transactions rather than emotional connections. A standout line, “Bitch, better get your paper work,” encapsulates the theme of ensuring one’s financial dealings are in order before indulging in the pleasures of success. It speaks to the necessity of groundwork and preparation in the quest for prosperity, striking a chord with anyone hustling towards their dreams.
7 BEG FORGIVENESS
Features: Chris Brown
This track is a sonic confessional, a heartfelt exposition of guilt, regret, and the human longing for forgiveness. His lyrical prowess lays bare the battle within, juxtaposing the pain of transgressions – “You’ve gone too far” – against the unyielding desire for absolution – “You should beg forgiveness of me.” Kanye explores the duality of strength and weakness, showing us that even the mightiest fall. With themes of enduring emotional turmoil and surviving life’s icy cold fronts, he tells us that it’s okay to stumble, urging us to live our truth, however messy it might be.
8 KEYS TO MY LIFE
Features: India Love
Through a melodic reflection, they unveil the pain of discovering infidelity, juxtaposed with the yearning to still offer up the “keys” to one’s most vulnerable self. At its core, the song wrestles with the paradox of desiring closeness while grappling with profound betrayal. A standout line, “Hold me like the homies in the Chi’ when they hold they guns,” poetically encapsulates the craving for a protective and unbreakable bond amidst turmoil and uncertainty.
9TALKING
Features: North West
It’s Ye at his most vulnerable, reflecting on his trajectory and the repeating cycles of life, Kanye’s just talking. Through clever wordplay and poignant introspection, he tackles the bittersweet passage of time and looming responsibility. As the clouds gather to unleash unresolved issues, Kanye exposes his fear of becoming a malevolent influence, and the need to break generational curses. It’s a masterwork of introspection that cements Kanye as a lyrical visionary, humanizing the larger-than-life persona with common fears and worries. This track candidly illuminates Kanye’s growth and evolution, both as an artist and a man.