In attempt to save his career, Kanye West releases ‘Vultures’

March 25, 2024

‘Vultures’ original cover was shown on the album’s pre-release page on Apple Music.

Kanye West, a name associated with controversy, creativity, and incredible talent, has experienced ups and downs throughout his career. By continuing to release music that captivates audiences, the rapper and producer has managed to salvage his career time after time, proving that his artistry is the ultimate redeemer. Fans hope that his new three-volume album with singer Ty Dolla $ign, “VULTURES,” will help him to reclaim his throne, but, as Kanye continues to espouse controversial statements, he may find it hard to do so.

West gained recognition as a producer due to his collaborations with well-known artists including Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, and Janet Jackson. He later released his debut album, “The College Dropout,” in 2004, which ranked number two on the US Billboard 200. Following the success of this album, Kanye released a series of critically-acclaimed albums, including “Late Registration,” “Graduation,” and “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.”

Despite his undeniable talent, Kanye West’s career has been marked by controversial moments and social outbursts. However, West has continually shocked the world by releasing music that always seems to surprise fans and reimagine the capabilities of what music can be, often salvaging what’s left of his career. He has already released the first volume of the three-part album, which has sat at the top of the Billboard 200 for two weeks in a row.

The first volume of “VULTURES” opens with the song “STARS” which depicts a lifestyle of luxury, success and wealth. West likely found inspiration for this song through his life experiences of achievement and prosperity.

Similar to the first song, “PAID” explores the pursuit of wealth and a lifestyle of excess and ambition. This is a common theme seen throughout the album as Kanye enjoys sharing his success through creative lyrics to be interpreted by fans.

“KEYS TO MY LIFE” explores themes of betrayal, trust, and vulnerability in relationships. Throughout the song. he references his personal experiences of heartbreak and the intricacies of human emotions, particularly the pain of betrayal.

The song “TALKING” features his daughter, North West. It centers around the theme of self-awareness, reflection, and the desire to break free from negative patterns or influences. Kanye is afraid that, because of his status in the world, he is a bad influence on North, and can’t find courage to express how he feels to her. The song also includes a bit of nostalgia as Kanye samples parts of his older songs, which is a theme throughout the album.

With the release of more groundbreaking music and albums, Kanye manages to keep his career afloat. After a recent social media outburst of anti-semitic comments, however, he may have really dug himself a deep hole. Considering that the year is 2024 and his reputation is at an all-time low, it is questionable if the release of “VULTURES” can save his career yet again.

About the Contributor

Luke Fisher, Staff Reporter

Luke Fisher is a first-year staff reporter for the Spotlight who primarily wrote entertainment articles during the 2023-2024 school year. Fisher was also a huge contributor to the newspaper when it came to sports, whether it was reporting on the status of our teams or taking incredible action shots. Luke admits he joined the class senior year to be with friends, but his writing made him feel accomplished, and he enjoyed publishing articles of his own. “I thought it was a fun and easy class for senior year that I could enjoy with my pals,” Fisher said. “I enjoyed spending time with them and being allowed to write articles; it's always fun to see your name publicized even if you're the one who wrote it.” To future journalism students, Fisher shares advice that he himself learned while taking the class. “Use your time wisely, and just get ahead of your work,” he said. “Too often I was rushing to get my articles out because we would goof around for the majority of the classes.” After he graduates, Fisher will attend Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina, where he will study physics and engineering. Although he is not exactly sure what career path he wants to follow, Fisher is interested in mechanical and electrical engineering. “[My] interest has stemmed from always enjoying those types of things growing up I guess,” he said. “I've always liked taking things apart and putting them back together learning how they work and I've always been into building things and finding cool solutions.” Before he goes off to school, however, Luke is excited for his summer plans. “I’m looking forward to the summer camp I work at in New Hampshire. This will be my tenth year going from camper to counselor. I will be there for the majority of the summer,” Fisher said. “ I also look forward to senior endeavors and spending time with my friends before we all go off to college.” As his senior year comes to an end, Luke likes to look back and remember all the good memories he made while at Southern Lehigh. “I'm going to miss the freedom and lack of responsibility in a sense,” he said. “There is a special feeling about being in school and seeing your friends that I can't really explain, but I will miss it.” And to all underclassmen or incoming students, Fisher has just one more thing to say. “As long as you be who you are and want to be, you will find the right people who like you for the right reasons.”

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In attempt to save his career, Kanye West releases ‘Vultures’