Vultures (song)

"Vultures" is the debut single by the American hip hop supergroup ¥$, composed of rapper Kanye West and singer Ty Dolla Sign, featuring Chicago-based rappers Bump J and 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. The song was written by Kanye West and Ty Dolla Sign along with Cyhi the Prynce and DJ Pharris. It was produced by both lead artists as well, alongside Ambezza, Gustave Rudman, Jae Deal, Jasper Harris, Marlonwiththeglasses also known as Chordz, Ojivolta, Prodbyjuice and Wheezy.

Background and release
On October 23, 2023, Ty Dolla Sign announced his collaborative album with West, tentatively titled ¥$ alongside the announcement of listening parties. 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. This version of the song featured West alongside Ty Dolla Sign, Bump J, and Lil 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. Following fan backlash at his removal, a version of the song featuring Lil Durk was released on November 23, 2023.

Composition
According to American Songwriter, the song is based on "a relatively gentle, easygoing trap-rap beat". The production is described as "ominous" and "crisp" by critics.

Critical reception
Michael Saponara of Billboard ranked "Vultures" as the sixth best song on Vultures 1. Saponara wrote that West "came out of the gates gun blazing" after aiming for his critics and "enflaming his antisemitic controversy". Variety ranked it as the second-worst song of 2023, pointing out the line about antisemitism as the reason why.

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."

Controversies
"Vultures" includes a lyric about West's previous antisemitic comments: "'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 and Chris Brown together at a party in Dubai dancing and laughing together to the song, which also received backlash. Brown later stated "In no way shape or form am I antisemitic! (...) I'm pro life and I make music for the entire world".

Other lyrics from the song reference the Columbine High School massacre and its perpretrators, which also drew criticism from media outlets.

Havoc Version and music videos
On January 25, 2024, West posted a video on Instagram titled "Vultures Havoc Version", featuring a remix of "Vultures" produced by Mobb Deep rapper and record producer 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.

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.