After letting it sit with me for over a month, I feel like it’s about time to properly review an album that has continued to grow on me from day one. It actually deserves the chance to be properly reviewed and not simply dismissed so easily by so many other so-called busiest music nerds because of their own internal biases against the artist.

Vultures 1 by Kanye West and Ty Dolla Sign is that album, and from its first release, I already knew that I would be enjoying some of the tracks for the coming weeks. But I didn’t know that I would actually grow to love those first few tracks even more while also genuinely getting to enjoy listening to all of the other songs on the album, which have grown on me infectiously like a musical virus.

That is why I’m already calling it Kanye West’s best work in years. It could possibly be the rap/hip-hop album of the year, even though the Grammys would never properly acknowledge him, barring some other incredible release later this year that blows everybody out of the water.

But let me show you why I feel so strongly about this album. While not every track is created equal, there is still some beautiful artistry on display in each one.

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What is Vultures 1?

Vultures 1 is the debut studio album by the American hip hop supergroup ¥$, composed of the rapper Kanye West and the singer Ty Dolla Sign. It was released independently through West's YZY brand on February 10, 2024, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of West's debut studio album, The College Dropout. Guest appearances are featured from Kanye's daughter North West, Freddie Gibbs, YG, Quavo, Playboi Carti, Travis Scott, Bump J, Lil Durk, Rich the Kid, and Chris Brown, among others. Production was primarily handled by West himself, alongside Digital Nas, the Legendary Traxster, 88-Keys, JPEGMafia, DJ Camper, Chrishan, Ojivolta, Anthony Kilhoffer, Timbaland, No I.D., Swizz Beatz, Wheezy, and others.

West and Ty Dolla Sign began recording the album with collaborators in Italy in October 2023, then relocated to Saudi Arabia for three months. It sustained multiple delays and changes to the tracklist before release, following West's struggle to secure a distributor. The release was first teased throughout late 2023 under the placeholder title ¥$ and was set to be titled Vultures before being retitled to Vultures 1 as the first volume in an album series. The tracks "Everybody" and "New Body" were announced for the album, but were not able to be included due to clearance issues. West and Ty Dolla Sign previewed tracks at the Vultures Rave listening party in December 2023, two months before holding numerous public events in Chicago, New York, and Milan. The album was initially distributed using the FUGA distribution platform, allegedly in violation of FUGA's service agreement, and a withdrawal was made from streaming services on February 15, 2024. However, it was then re-distributed by Label Engine the same day.

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 two albums only featuring tracks with censored lyrics. The cover art shows West dressed in all-black with a hockey mask, joined by his mostly-naked partner Bianca Censori. The title track was issued as the album's lead single in November 2023, followed three months later by "Talking / Once Again" and "Carnival", the latter of which topped the US Billboard Hot 100. Music videos were produced for all of the singles, with a new version of "Vultures" by Havoc being used for its visual.

Released in the wake of West's antisemitic comments, Vultures 1 received mixed reviews from music critics, who often criticized its unoriginality and lyrics about his 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, breaking his tie with Eminem.

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