"Vultures" is the debut single by the Americanhip-hopsupergroup¥$, composed of rapperKanye West and singerTy Dolla Sign, featuring Chicago-based rappersBump J andLil Durk. It is the lead single and title track from the duo's collaborative album,Vultures 1 (2024). Following a preview onWPWX Power 92 Chicago six days before its release, it was self-released on November 22, 2023.[1] The song was written by Kanye West and Ty Dolla Sign along withCyhi the Prynce. It was produced by both lead artists as well, alongside Ambezza,Gustave Rudman,Jae Deal,Jasper Harris, Marlonwiththeglasses (also known as Chordz),Ojivolta, Prodbyjuice, andWheezy.
On October 23, 2023, Ty Dolla Sign announced his collaborative album with West, tentatively titled¥$ 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, andLil Durk. The track was originally released November 18, 2023, 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]
According toAmerican Songwriter, the song is based on "a relatively gentle, easygoingtrap-rap beat".[10] The production is described as "ominous" and "crisp" by critics.[11]
Michael Saponara ofBillboard ranked "Vultures" as the sixth best song onVultures 1. Saponara wrote that West "came out of the gates gun blazing" after aiming for his critics and "enflaming his antisemitic controversy".[11] A list by Chris William and Steve J. Horowitz, written forVariety, ranked it as the second-worst song of 2023. citing the line regarding antisemitism as their reasoning.[12]Complex's Eric Skelton felt simialrly, stating that the line was "regrettable headline bait" which "isn't anywhere near as clever or funny as [West] thinks it is."[13] ForEvening Standard, El Hunt wrote called the track "an overproduced and pale imitation of the raw trap sound he perfected with 2013'sYeezus", deriding its attempts to be provocative and generate controversy as "broadly flat and unimaginative."[14]
"How I'm anti-semitic? I just fucked a Jewish bitch,"
Upon the song's release, the lyric was heavily criticized by media outlets, who viewed the line as antisemitic. Several days later, a video surfaced of West andChris Brown together at a party inDubai dancing and laughing together to the song, which also received backlash.[15][16] Brown later stated "In no way shape or form am I antisemitic! [...] I'm pro life and I make music for the entire world".[17]
On January 25, 2024, West posted a video onInstagram titled "Vultures Havoc Version", featuring a remix of "Vultures" produced byMobb Deep memberHavoc.[20] West and Havoc had previously collaborated in the past, most notably on the 2016 singles "Famous" and "Real Friends".[21] On February 8, 2024, West released the full remix, along with its music video, on Instagram, later posting it to YouTube. The music video, directed byJon Rafman, features visuals created usinggenerative AI.[22]
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.[23][24]
^Horowitz, Chris Willman, Steven J.; Willman, Chris; Horowitz, Steven J. (December 22, 2023)."The Worst Songs of 2023".Variety.Archived from the original on July 16, 2024. RetrievedJune 23, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic.Note: Select 7. týden 2024 in the date selector. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
