"BULLY ON THE WAY" - Fans react to Ye teasing upcoming solo album 

Kanye West in the music video for
Kanye West in the music video for 'Talking / Once Again' uploaded to YouTube on February 08, 2024 (Image via YouTube/@kanyewest)

During his second concert in Haikou, China, Ye (formerly known as Kanye West) previewed a new track titled BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and announced that he is working on a new solo album.8

The new project is reportedly titled BULLY and will follow up on Kanye and Ty Dolla $ign's second collaborative album, Vultures 2, delivered to streaming services on August 03, 2024.

The post features a 1:43 minute cut of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, which, according to frequent collaborator and producer Mike Dean, was a track originally set to be included on 2020's Donda album.

The caption confirms the rapper is currently in Tokyo, completing BULLY, and also suggested using ASR and SP 1200 sampling machines, equipment used to create some of Ye's earliest hits.

"BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. LIVE FROM HAIKOU. UPDATED FROM TOKYO. RAN THE ASR. THROUGH THE SP 1200. BULLY ON THE WAY" - Kanye West's caption read.

As news media outlets report on West's upcoming solo album, fans have taken to X (formerly Twitter) to share their appreciation for the newly released track, with many citing similarities between the production of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and songs from the rapper's Graduation era.

"Bro bought back the asr-10 and sp 1200 we won" - A fan states.
"If this is the version of Ye that we're getting on this album then it's gonna be a classic." - Said another.
"That sample and vibe all together is crazy can tell he got sum to say on this I’m all for it!!" - Another chimed in.
"Sounds like it’s going to be a bold project, and I can’t wait to see how he blends his creativity with the theme of bullying." - A fan questions.
"I’m hoping for a mix of his classic sound with some fresh vibes! His creativity always surprises, so I can’t wait to see what he delivers. What about you?" - A fan stated.

Several individuals claimed BEAUTY AND THE BEAST was an "AI-Kanye West" record, with critics calling out the rapper for not delivering projects on time.

Their statements seem to imply the rapper's production and performance sounds like music generated via artificial intelligence, similar to Drake's now-deleted Taylor Made Freestyle where the rapper processed his voice to sound like Tupac Shakur.

"Sounds like Frank Ocean laid a reference track and then the vocals [were] processed by AI. The beat sounds lazy, uninspired, and lacks the fullness that is normally expected from someone who has the resume he has. Never listening to this album. I'm good." - A critic states.
"I mean it sounds good but the ai parts are so obvious" - Said another.
"A Kanye album, ‘coming soon’. Let’s see how long soon will be" - A user quipped.
"Coming soon, so in the next few years haha" - Said another.

Bar-For-Bar: Breaking down Ye's new single 'BEAUTY AND THE BEAST'

West's second VULTURES 2 listening event in Haikou, China, left a major impact on his fanbase as the rapper previewed a track titled BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, as a leftover from his 2020 Donda project.

The song will reportedly be included in West's upcoming eleventh studio album, BULLY, which he is currently producing in Tokyo. The track is self-produced and features a soft sample chop, delivering an emotional hip-hop production delving into themes of struggles, failures, and fear.

Disclaimer: This review is rated explicit. Reader discretion is advised.


(Pre-Chorus)

"It's been a long time coming / Fresh new tires, I'm still running / It's a few things I'm overcoming / But the checks still clear, still"

On BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, listeners are introduced to a production that samples The Mad Lads' 1966 record Don’t Have to Shop Around. The rapper seemingly alludes to the recent release of his continued efforts as an artist and the reception received by ¥$'s "Vulture series".

West also appears to reference the several controversies he's faced over his career when claiming there are "things" he's overcoming.


(Chorus)

The official cover art for ¥<blockquote>

On the song's hook, West draws listeners in with an amped-up performance as he alludes to the negative fan reactions Vultures 2 faced and how public scrutiny of his actions impacted his mental health and willingness to speak up.

The chorus also confirms the rapper's intention to create a new solo album, while seemingly abandoning the Vultures series, which should not be taken as "disrespect". West also cites how he plans to "redirect" his objectives and artistic direction.

The pre-hook and chorus repeat once again before the song concludes with an outro.


Although Kanye West has yet to confirm an official release date or tracklist for his upcoming solo album, teasing BULLY with a track reminiscent of his early LP days has fans urging for more.

s second collaboration album 'Vultures 2' (Image via Applemusic.com)" height="1080" width="1920" />
The official cover art for ¥
"Think about it every night and day to try to stay away, to keep my audience up / Don't take this as disrespect, I'm sitting here trying to redirect, I'm / Thinkin' 'bout it every night and day to try to stay away, to keep my audience up / Don't take this as disrespect, I'm still here in a trifecta"

On the song's hook, West draws listeners in with an amped-up performance as he alludes to the negative fan reactions Vultures 2 faced and how public scrutiny of his actions impacted his mental health and willingness to speak up.

The chorus also confirms the rapper's intention to create a new solo album, while seemingly abandoning the Vultures series, which should not be taken as "disrespect". West also cites how he plans to "redirect" his objectives and artistic direction.

The pre-hook and chorus repeat once again before the song concludes with an outro.


Although Kanye West has yet to confirm an official release date or tracklist for his upcoming solo album, teasing BULLY with a track reminiscent of his early LP days has fans urging for more.

s second collaboration album 'Vultures 2' (Image via Applemusic.com)
"Think about it every night and day to try to stay away, to keep my audience up / Don't take this as disrespect, I'm sitting here trying to redirect, I'm / Thinkin' 'bout it every night and day to try to stay away, to keep my audience up / Don't take this as disrespect, I'm still here in a trifecta"

On the song's hook, West draws listeners in with an amped-up performance as he alludes to the negative fan reactions Vultures 2 faced and how public scrutiny of his actions impacted his mental health and willingness to speak up.

The chorus also confirms the rapper's intention to create a new solo album, while seemingly abandoning the Vultures series, which should not be taken as "disrespect". West also cites how he plans to "redirect" his objectives and artistic direction.

The pre-hook and chorus repeat once again before the song concludes with an outro.


Although Kanye West has yet to confirm an official release date or tracklist for his upcoming solo album, teasing BULLY with a track reminiscent of his early LP days has fans urging for more.

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Edited by Perrin Kapur
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