Vultures (song)
"Vultures" is the debut single by the American hip hop supergroup ¥$, composed of rapper Kanye West and singer Ty Dolla Sign, featuring American rapper Bump J and drill rapper Lil Durk. It is the lead single and Title track from the duo's collaborative album Vultures 1. Following a preview on WPWX Power 92 Chicago six days before its release, it was self-released on November 22, 2023.[1] The song was written by West and Ty Dolla Sign, along with CyHi, Really Doe, DJ Paul and fashion designer Mowalola Ogunlesi. It was produced by both lead artists as well, alongside Digital Nas, Ambezza, Gustave Rudman Rambali, Ojivolta, Wheezy, Jasper Harris, Chordz, Fya Man, Juice and Adey.
This article is about the Kanye West and Ty Dolla Sign song. For songs of similar names, see Vultures (song) (disambiguation)."Vultures"
November 22, 2023
2023
4:37
YZY
- Ye
- Tyrone Griffin, Jr.
- Terrance Boykin
- Durk Banks
- Cydel Young
- Warren Trotter
- Nasir Pemberton
- Mark Williams
- Raul Cubina
- Gustave Rudman Rambali
- Mathias Liyew
- Jasper Harris
- Marlon Barrow
- Orlando Wilder
- Adegboyega Ogunlesi
- Paul Beauregard
- Juice
- Mowalola Ogunlesi
- P. Thomas
- Ye
- Ty Dolla Sign
- Digital Nas
- Ojivolta
- Wheezy
- Rambali
- Harris
- Ambezza
- Chordz
- Fya Man
- Juice
- Adey
Background and release[edit]
On October 23, 2023, Ty Dolla Sign announced his collaborative album with West, tentatively titled ¥$ 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, 2024, 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[edit]
According to American Songwriter, the song is based off "a relatively gentle, easygoing trap-rap beat".[10] The production is described as "ominous" and "crisp" by critics.[11]
Critical reception[edit]
Michael Saponara of Billboard ranked "Vultures" as the sixth best song on Vultures 1. Saponara wrote that Ye "came out of the gates gun blazing" after aiming for his critics and "enflaming his antisemitic controversy".[11]
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."[12]
Havoc Version and music videos[edit]
On January 25, 2024, West posted a video on Instagram titled "Vultures Havoc Version", featuring a remix of "Vultures" produced by Mobb Deep rapper 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.[18]
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.[19]