Wikipedia

Vultures (song)

This article is about the ¥$ song. For songs of similar names, see Vultures (song) (disambiguation).

"Vultures" is the debut single by the American hip hop supergroup ¥$, composed of rapper Kanye West and singer Ty Dolla Sign, featuring Chicago-based rappers Bump J and Lil Durk. It is the lead single and title track from the duo's collaborative album, Vultures 1. Following a preview on WPWX Power 92 Chicago six days before its release, it was self-released on November 22, 2023.[1] The song was written by Kanye West and Ty Dolla Sign along with Cyhi the Prynce and DJ Pharris. It was produced by both lead artists as well, alongside Ambezza, Gustave Rudman, Jae Deal, Jasper Harris, Marlonwiththeglasses also known as Chordz, Ojivolta, Prodbyjuice and Wheezy.

"Vultures"
Single by ¥$ featuring Bump J and Lil Durk
from the album Vultures 1
ReleasedNovember 22, 2023 (2023-11-22)
Recorded2023
GenreTrap
Length4:37
LabelYZY
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
¥$ singles chronology
"Vultures"
(2023) 		"Talking / Once Again"
(2024)
Kanye West singles chronology
"Burn Everything"
(2022) 		"Vultures"
(2023) 		"Talking / Once Again"
(2024)
Ty Dolla Sign singles chronology
"Ave Maria"
(2023) 		"Vultures"
(2023) 		"Talking / Once Again"
(2024)
Bump J singles chronology
"So in Love"
(2023) 		"Vultures"
(2023)
Lil Durk singles chronology
"Smurk Carter"
(2023) 		"Vultures"
(2023) 		"Old Days"
(2024)

Background and release

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On October 23, 2023, Ty Dolla Sign announced his collaborative album with West, tentatively titled ¥$ alongside the announcement of listening parties.[2] However, the events eventually did not take place. Prior to the release, a snippet surfaced on the internet of Vultures. The song was later announced by DJ Pharris to be previewed on his radio show, WPWX Power 92 Chicago.[3] This version of the song featured West alongside Ty Dolla Sign, Bump J, and Lil Durk. The track was originally released November 18, 2023, following its debut on Power 92 Chicago the night prior. However, the song was soon removed from streaming services and saw a wider rerelease on the 22nd, sans Lil Durk.[4][5][6][7][8] Following fan backlash at his removal, a version of the song featuring Lil Durk was released on November 23, 2023.[9]

Composition

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According to American Songwriter, the song is based on "a relatively gentle, easygoing trap-rap beat".[10] The production is described as "ominous" and "crisp" by critics.[11]

Critical reception

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Michael Saponara of Billboard ranked "Vultures" as the sixth best song on Vultures 1. Saponara wrote that West "came out of the gates gun blazing" after aiming for his critics and "enflaming his antisemitic controversy".[11] Variety ranked it as the second-worst song of 2023, pointing out the line about antisemitism as the reason why.[12]

Writing for Evening Standard, El Hunt wrote that "Vultures" is "an overproduced and pale imitation of the raw trap sound he perfected with 2013’s Yeezus." Hunt also stated that the track's "attempts at garnering outrage are broadly flat and unimaginative."[13]

Controversies

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"Vultures" includes a lyric about West's previous antisemitic comments:

"How I'm anti-semitic? I just fucked a Jewish bitch,"

Upon the song's release, the lyric was heavily criticized by media outlets, who viewed the line as antisemitic. Several days later, a video surfaced of West and Chris Brown together at a party in Dubai dancing and laughing together to the song, which also received backlash.[14][15] Brown later stated "In no way shape or form am I antisemitic! (...) I'm pro life and I make music for the entire world".[16]

Other lyrics from the song reference the Columbine High School massacre and its perpretrators, which also drew criticism from media outlets.[17][18]

Havoc Version and music videos

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On January 25, 2024, West posted a video on Instagram titled "Vultures Havoc Version", featuring a remix of "Vultures" produced by Mobb Deep rapper and record producer Havoc, who has previously collaborated with West. On February 8, 2024, West released the full song and music video on Instagram and later on YouTube. The music video, directed by Jon Rafman, features generative AI.[19]

A music video for the original version, dubbed "Vultures" (Juice Version) was posted on Instagram a few hours afterwards, directed by Aus Onda and West himself.[20][21]

Charts

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2023 weekly chart performance for "Vultures"
Chart (2023) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[22] 83
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[23] 9
UK Indie (OCC)[24] 36
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[25] 8
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[26] 38
2024 weekly chart performance for "Vultures"
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[27] 95
Australia Hip Hop/R&B (ARIA)[28] 29
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[29] 24
Global 200 (Billboard)[30] 27
Iceland (Tónlistinn)[31] 27
Lithuania (AGATA)[32] 59
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[33] 39
Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100)[34] 77
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[35] 49
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[36] 83
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[37] 11
UK Indie (OCC)[38] 7
UK Streaming (OCC)[39] 50
US Billboard Hot 100[40] 34
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[41] 15

References

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  1. ^ Peters, Mitchell (November 18, 2023). "Kanye West Asks 'How I'm Antisemetic?' on New Song 'Vultures' Featuring Ty Dolla $ign, Lil Durk & Bump J". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 19, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  2. ^ Atkinson, Katie (October 24, 2023). "Ty Dolla $ign Announces 'Multi Stadium Listening Event' for Kanye West Joint Album". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 18, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  3. ^ Earl, William (November 18, 2023). "Kanye West Drops New Song 'Vultures,' First Track Since Antisemitic Meltdowns Ruined His Career". Variety. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  4. ^ "Kanye West Drops New Song 'Vultures' Featuring Ty Dolla $ign, Lil Durk & Bump J". Billboard.
  5. ^ "New Kanye West song harks back to his antisemitic tirades". Los Angeles Times. November 19, 2023.
  6. ^ "Kanye West Breaks Silence With New Song 'Vulture'".
  7. ^ "Original Tidal Link to Vultures' release on November 18, 2023". Tidal.
  8. ^ Moore, Sam (November 22, 2023). "Lil Durk Seemingly Reacts To Being Cut From Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign's 'Vultures' Single". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  9. ^ Cole, Alexander (November 24, 2023). "Kanye West Re-Adds Lil Durk To "Vultures"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
  10. ^ Ghalindo, Thomas (November 24, 2023). "Kanye West Finally Releases "Vultures," His First Song in Over a Year". American Songwriter.
  11. ^ a b Saponara, Michael (February 10, 2024). "Watch North West Rap in Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign's 'Talking/Once Again' Music Video". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 11, 2024. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
  12. ^ Horowitz, Chris Willman, Steven J.; Willman, Chris; Horowitz, Steven J. (December 22, 2023). "The Worst Songs of 2023". Variety. Retrieved June 23, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ Hunt, El (February 12, 2024). "Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign – Vultures 1: a limp attempt at provocation". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  14. ^ Draughorne, Kenan (November 19, 2023). "A new Kanye West song harks back to his antisemitic tirades". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 22, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  15. ^ Elibert, Mark. "Kanye West Raps 'How I'm Anti-Semitic' Lyric on New "Vultures" Track f/ Lil Durk, Ty Dolla Sign, and Bump J". Complex. Archived from the original on November 19, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  16. ^ "Chris Brown Denies Being Antisemitic After Dancing to Controversial Kanye West Song". November 28, 2023.
  17. ^ "Kanye West Drops New Song 'Vultures,' First Track Since Antisemitic Meltdowns Ruined His Career". Variety. November 18, 2023.
  18. ^ "Kanye 'Ye' West drops 'Vultures', his first song since antisemitic meltdowns". Euronews. November 20, 2023.
  19. ^ Cole, Alexander (February 8, 2024). "Kanye West & Ty Dolla Sign Unleash Apocalyptic Visual For "Vultures"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  20. ^ "Instagram".
  21. ^ Madarang, Charisma; Mier, Tomás (February 8, 2024). "Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign Drop Eerie Video for 'Vultures (Havoc Version)'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  22. ^ "Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. December 30, 2023. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  23. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. December 25, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  24. ^ "UK Independent Singles and Albums Charts". OCC. December 22, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  25. ^ "Kanye West Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  26. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. December 30, 2023. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  27. ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 19 February 2024". The ARIA Report. No. 1772. Australian Recording Industry Association. February 19, 2024. p. 4.
  28. ^ "ARIA Top 40 Hip Hop/R&B Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. February 19, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  29. ^ "Kanye West Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  30. ^ "Kanye West Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  31. ^ "Tónlistinn – Lög" [The Music – Songs] (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on February 18, 2024. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  32. ^ "2024 7-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. February 16, 2024. Archived from the original on February 16, 2024. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  33. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. February 19, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  34. ^ "OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie" (Select week 09.02.2024–15.02.2024.) (in Polish). OLiS. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  35. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 7. týden 2024 in the date selector. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  36. ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 7". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  37. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  38. ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  39. ^ "Official Streaming Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  40. ^ "Kanye West Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  41. ^ "Kanye West Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
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