Kanye West, now known as Ye, has announced his first solo album since DONDA in 2021, titled Bully. The announcement was made during a performance at the Wuyuan River Stadium in Haikou, China, on September 28, where he also debuted a new single called Beauty and the Beast. While a release date for the album has not yet been confirmed, excitement is building among fans.
During the event, Ye shared with the audience, “I got a new album coming out, it’s called ‘Bully’ and this song is called ‘Beauty and the Beast’,” before performing the track. The new song features Ye’s vocals over soft instrumentals, including electric guitar elements, and reflects on relationships with lines like, “I still think about it every night and day to try to stay away, to keep my audience.”
This performance marked Ye’s return to China after 16 years and followed his recent tour with Ty Dolla $ign, where they showcased their collaborative albums Vultures 1 and Vultures 2. The first installment of the Vultures series debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart earlier this year.
Despite West’s history of delayed releases—leading some fans to express skepticism about his new project—there is a palpable sense of anticipation surrounding Bully. Many fans are hopeful that this album will signal a return to form for the artist, especially after he shared a video on Instagram showcasing his creative process.
https://listen.tidal.com/album/379129713
As Ye continues his tour across Asia and Europe, he remains a highly influential figure in music, drawing both excitement and criticism with each announcement. Whether or not Bully will meet fan expectations remains to be seen, but early reactions to the previewed track have been positive.