Vultures 1 is the first installment in a trilogy of albums by hip-hop artists Kanye West and Ty Dolla Sign, who go by the collective name of ¥$.
This album marks a return to West’s explicit and controversial style after his previous two albums focused on gospel influences and his religious conversion.
Released on Feb. 10, Vultures 1 serves as a celebration of West’s popularity and legacy, as well as a reflection on his personal struggles and controversies.
The album features a diverse range of guest appearances, from West’s daughter North West to veteran rapper Bump J, as well as newer artists like Playboi Carti and Rich The Kid. The production is equally collaborative, with West working with producers such as Timbaland, No I.D., Wax Motif, JPEGMafia and more. The album blends many unexpected genre elements, crafting a collection of songs that showcase West’s versatility and musical talent.
The album’s title track, Vultures, is the highlight of the project, as West and Ty Dolla Sign address the media and public scrutiny that they face, as well as their resilience and defiance. The song features a hard-hitting beat, a catchy hook, and a memorable verse from Lil Durk.
Another standout track is “Talking”, which features a rare appearance from West’s daughter, North West, who sings the chorus and ad-libs. With a playful tune and wonderful singing from North, “Talking” is certainly one of the better songs on this album. The father-daughter duo work very well together and let the audience see a softer side of Kanye, his eccentricity balanced out by his daughter.
The album is not without its flaws, however. Some of the songs feel unfinished or rushed, and songs such as “Everybody” and “New Body,” which were originally intended for the album, had to be scrapped due to clearance issues.
Some of the lyrics are also questionable or offensive, such as West’s reference to Bill Cosby on “Carnival”, or his use of misogynistic language on “Hoodrat”. The album also suffers from a lack of cohesion and direction, jumping from one topic and mood to another, without a clear narrative or theme. It feels like there was a lot of promise in the album, but it fails consistently to deliver on that ability.
Vultures 1 is, overall, a mixed bag of an album that showcases both West’s genius and his flaws. It is simultaneously a bold and ambitious project that celebrates West’s 20-year career in the music industry, as well as an overall flop in Kanye’s musical lineup. I personally believe that Vultures 1 is not West’s best album, but it is, at least, certainly one of his more interesting ones.