Kanye West is back—and, as usual, doing things his way.
This weekend, the ever-controversial rap icon shook the industry once again by releasing an early version of his highly anticipated album, Bully, but not through traditional means. Instead of a standard rollout, Ye delivered the unfinished project as a 45-minute black-and-white music video titled “BULLY V1”, now streaming on YouTube and Apple Music.
Visuals with a Message
Directed by Kanye himself and edited by legendary Hype Williams, the striking visual stars Ye’s nine-year-old son, Saint West, as he battles waves of wrestlers in the ring armed only with a mallet. It’s bold, intense, and filled with metaphor—the perfect backdrop for Kanye’s unpredictable creative energy.
What’s Different About the Streaming Version?
Unlike typical album drops, BULLY V1 comes with a twist:
-
9 tracks instead of 10 — the Playboi Carti & Ty Dolla $ign-assisted “Melrose” was cut, reportedly due to Ye’s fallout with both artists.
-
The track sequencing is reshuffled, giving listeners a fresh narrative flow.
-
Mexican sensation Peso Pluma appears as the only guest, featured on “Last Breath,” with Ye partially rapping in Spanish—a nod to his genre-bending evolution.
Production & AI Influence
Kanye claims he “chopped every beat with his bare hand,” and it shows. Vintage soul samples, emotive loops, and boom bap drums dominate, channeling a gritty, Griselda-esque vibe—arguably some of Ye’s best production in years.
But here’s where the curveball hits: roughly half the album’s vocals were recorded using AI technology. Kanye himself admitted to letting the tech handle many of the singing-heavy sections, stirring conversation yet again about artistry in the age of artificial intelligence.
Why It Matters
Kanye continues to redefine how music is released and consumed, blurring lines between visual art, raw production, and digital innovation. Love him or hate him, one thing’s for sure—Ye is never following the rules.
At KMOB1003, we’re keeping our ears locked. BULLY is more than an album drop—it’s a statement, and the industry is paying attention.
Visit www.kmob1003.com to upload your track today.
Shop curated drops at the KMOB Vibe Store.
#KMOB1003 #KanyeWest #BULLYV1 #NewMusicAlert #VisualAlbums #HipHopCulture #PesoPluma #AIinMusic #InnovatorsInMusic #CulturalIcons
