“BULLY ON THE WAY”: Fan Reactions to Ye’s Teasing of His Upcoming Solo Album

At his recent second concert in Haikou, China, Ye, previously known as Kanye West, unveiled a new song titled BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and revealed he is in the midst of crafting a solo album.

This forthcoming project is expected to be called BULLY, serving as a follow-up to the collaboration with Ty Dolla $ign on their second album, Vultures 2, which made its debut on streaming platforms on August 3, 2024.

The post included a snippet lasting 1:43 of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, which according to Mike Dean, a regular collaborator and producer, was initially intended for the 2020 Donda album.

The caption indicates that the artist is currently in Tokyo finishing up BULLY, and hinted at the use of ASR and SP 1200 sampling devices—key instruments behind some of Ye’s earliest successes.

“BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. LIVE FROM HAIKOU. UPDATED FROM TOKYO. RAN THE ASR. THROUGH THE SP 1200. BULLY ON THE WAY”- Kanye West.

As media outlets cover the announcement of West’s upcoming solo project, fans have turned to X (formerly Twitter) to express their excitement for the new track, with many noting its connections to the sound of his Graduation era.

“Bro bought back the asr-10 and sp 1200 we won”- A fan comments.

“If this is the version of Ye that we’re getting on this album then it’s gonna be a classic.”- Another fan states.

“That sample and vibe all together is crazy can tell he got sum to say on this I’m all for it!!”- A fan adds.

“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.”- One user remarks.

“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?”- Another user expresses.

Some listeners have claimed that BEAUTY AND THE BEAST sounds like an “AI-Kanye West” track, with critics suggesting that the rapper has a habit of delaying releases.

Their comments imply that the production and vocal stylings evoke music that might be produced through artificial intelligence, reminiscent of Drake’s now-removed Taylor Made Freestyle where the voice was altered to mimic 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 shares.

“I mean it sounds good but the ai parts are so obvious”- Another critic comments.

“A Kanye album, ‘coming soon’. Let’s see how long soon will be”- A user jokes.

“Coming soon, so in the next few years haha”- Another adds.

Analyzing Ye’s Fresh Single ‘BEAUTY AND THE BEAST’

The second listening event for VULTURES 2 in Haikou made a significant impression as West showcased BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, which is said to be a leftover from his 2020 Donda album.

This song is anticipated to make an appearance on West’s upcoming eleventh studio album, BULLY, currently being produced in Tokyo. The track is self-produced and features a delicate sample chop, presenting a poignant hip-hop sound that delves into themes of hardship, failure, and fear.

(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”

In BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, listeners are introduced to a sound that samples The Mad Lads’ 1966 hit Don’t Have to Shop Around. West seems to reference his ongoing journey as an artist and the feedback on ¥$’s Vulture series.

He also appears to touch on the various controversies that have marked his career by mentioning “things”he is overcoming.

(Chorus)

During the hook, West captivates his audience with a high-energy performance, hinting at the negative feedback Vultures 2 received and how the public’s opinions on his actions have affected his mental state and willingness to express himself.

The chorus affirms the rapper’s desire to forge ahead with a new solo album, signaling a shift away from the Vultures series, which he insists should not be interpreted as “disrespect.”He also outlines plans to “redirect”his artistic goals.

The song revisits the pre-chorus and chorus before concluding with an outro.

While Kanye West has not yet disclosed an official release date or tracklist for his upcoming solo album, his tease with a track that echoes his earlier work has fans eagerly anticipating more.

Source