VULTURES 2: Death of an Era

VULTURES 2: Death of an Era

Music Review by Andrew Conger

Ye (formerly Kanye West) has had one of the best and most influential careers of all time from his first album The College Dropout going platinum in under two months of its release, or his best-selling album Graduation, which not only was one of his most critically acclaimed albums but also gave us hits like I Wonder, Good Morning, And Flashing Lights. Your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper is Ye. His influence on the fashion industry is also monumental through his brand Yeezy. Kanye’s prowess is indisputable. His latest work, however, does not represent his achievements.

VULTURES 2 begins with a very offputting chord on the organ.  Offputting is a theme throughout this album. The song does not start with Ye rapping, it begins with Ty Dolla $ign (the worse part of the supergroup ¥$). Surprisingly, this album only gets worse. The best of the worst “530.” It has some good lyrics, but it degenerates into mumbling halfway through. The outbreak of AI lyrics and voice generator on this album needs to end with his next work. It is glaringly obvious and is so far from the artistry we had come to expect from Ye. The decline in the quality of his work may have an epicenter: nitrous oxide.  Ye has even posted pictures of himself abusing it. Whatever the cause, the creative powerhouse that is Ye has been rusted.

There is, however, oil in the engine room, Ye just has to reach for it. If he gets off the nitrous and returns to his roots of sampling soul and jazz records. If he were to “lock in” his production would go through the roof, it’s simply a matter of whether he wants to change, only Ye can make that decision.

Image Credit:  Danielle DeGrasse-Alston, Rolling Stone Magazine