Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign’s highly anticipated collaborative album, “VULTURES 1,” finally dropped on February 23, 2024, marking West’s first full-length project since 2021. As the initial installment in a planned trilogy, “VULTURES 1” arrived after months of delays, setting high expectations for fans eager to hear what this duo could create. Did it live up to the hype? For the most part, yes. Here’s a track-by-track breakdown of “Vultures 1 Songs,” ranking each and exploring the highs and lows of this ambitious project.
STARS – 4.5/5
“STARS” kicks off “VULTURES 1” with a strong introduction. The beat immediately grabs your attention, setting a dramatic and slightly ominous tone. The vocal arrangements, both at the beginning and end of the track, possess a distinctly choral quality, an unexpected but effective stylistic choice for a rap song. This track serves as a compelling opener, immediately signaling the album’s grand ambitions.
KEYS TO MY LIFE – 2.8/5
Unfortunately, “KEYS TO MY LIFE” represents a noticeable dip in quality. The song feels disjointed and somewhat haphazardly constructed. Lacking a clear thematic focus, it meanders through a series of rhythmic and melodic shifts that feel more disruptive than innovative. The beat itself also falls short of the album’s generally high production standards, sounding less polished compared to other “VULTURES 1 songs.”
PAID – 3.8/5
“PAID” sees a resurgence in energy, largely thanks to a standout verse from Ty Dolla $ign. While Kanye West’s contribution feels somewhat understated, the clever interpolation of The Police’s classic “Roxanne” adds an intriguing layer. The beat is infectious and club-ready, making “PAID” an enjoyable track that mostly delivers on its potential.
TALKING – 1.5/5
“TALKING” is undoubtedly the weakest link in the “VULTURES 1 songs” lineup. Featuring vocals from West’s daughter, North, the track unfortunately leans into a current rap trend of including children’s verses, which often feels forced and uninspired. In this case, it doesn’t work. The prominent cheerleader sample throughout the song proves to be grating and repetitive. The only redeeming element is Ty Dolla $ign’s verse, which offers a brief respite from the track’s overall shortcomings.
BACK TO ME – 4.1/5
“BACK TO ME” injects much-needed energy and humor back into the album. The inclusion of sampled dialogue from the movie “Dogma” is a genuinely funny and creative touch. This track is one of the more upbeat offerings on “VULTURES 1,” and the palpable sense of fun that West and Dolla $ign seem to have had while creating it translates directly to the listening experience.
HOODRAT – 3.4/5
The production quality shines again on “HOODRAT,” particularly the intricate percussion in the beat. Both Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign deliver strong vocal performances. However, the song is ultimately hampered by the repetitive sample of West’s voice saying “hoodrat,” which becomes distracting and detracts from the otherwise solid musical foundation.
DO IT – 3.8/5
“DO IT” is another track where Ty Dolla $ign steals the show. While West’s verse isn’t weak, it simply doesn’t reach the same heights. The song maintains an upbeat and energetic vibe, making it a fun listen, and Ty Dolla $ign’s consistently impressive vocals are a major highlight of “VULTURES 1 songs.”
PAPERWORK – 3.6/5
“PAPERWORK” is a solid track, though it doesn’t quite reach the standout status of some of the album’s best moments. The featured verse from Quavo is well-executed, although arguably too brief, leaving the listener wanting more. The beat and samples create a sound that’s intentionally less polished and more raw, which contributes to the song’s unique appeal.
BURN – 5/5
“BURN” emerges as a strong contender for the best song on “VULTURES 1.” It’s simply a pleasure to listen to from start to finish. Both West and Dolla $ign deliver engaging verses, creating a track that evokes the feeling of cruising with the windows down and the volume cranked up. This is a quintessential summer anthem in the making.
F*K SUMN – 4.9/5
“F*K SUMN” is undeniably one of the strongest tracks on “VULTURES 1.” Featuring guest appearances from Travis Scott and Playboi Carti, two major figures in contemporary rap, the song boasts significant star power. Playboi Carti delivers a standout verse, while Travis Scott’s, surprisingly, feels somewhat underwhelming and lacking his usual energy. The only minor drawback is a peculiar vocal section that bridges Dolla $ign’s and West’s verses, which sounds slightly out of place.
VULTURES – 4.8/5
The title track, “VULTURES,” was released prior to the album and faced a somewhat negative initial reception. However, it’s arguably one of the most underrated “VULTURES 1 songs.” Far from being a weak track, “VULTURES” is a well-crafted song in every aspect, from the lyrics and beat to the vocal performances, all working in harmony to create a high-quality musical piece. It’s a testament to the album’s overall strength that even a track deemed “overhated” is still excellent.
CARNIVAL – 5/5
“CARNIVAL” is a near-perfect track and a definite highlight of “VULTURES 1 songs.” Initially featuring a sample from Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man,” the song was later changed to incorporate a sample from West’s own “Hell of a Life” due to potential legal issues. Ironically, the latter sample works even better, providing a seamless transition into West’s verse. Rich the Kid delivers a strong opening verse, and Playboi Carti returns with another excellent contribution. The beat and chanting elements combine to create an unmatched level of energy and intensity.
BEG FORGIVENESS – 5/5
“BEG FORGIVENESS” is masterfully led by Ty Dolla $ign, showcasing his best performance on the entire album. From his emotionally charged lyrics about past relationship hurts to his powerful vocal delivery, he leaves a lasting impression. The beat switch and the subsequent chant in the song’s middle section are expertly executed, a significant improvement over similar attempts in tracks like “KEYS TO MY LIFE” and “HOODRAT.” While West’s verse is solid, it’s Dolla $ign’s artistry that truly elevates this track.
PROBLEMATIC – 3.7/5
“PROBLEMATIC” is built upon strong melodic and rhythmic foundations, making it an enjoyable listen. The main issue lies in some of West’s lyrical choices, which feel somewhat awkward and detract from the song’s overall quality. Despite these lyrical missteps, “PROBLEMATIC” remains a decent track that holds its own against some of the album’s lesser cuts.
KING – 3.4/5
“KING” is perhaps the most unremarkable track among the “VULTURES 1 songs.” It doesn’t particularly stand out in either a positive or negative way. West’s lyrical choices are again somewhat questionable, but ultimately, the strong production values of the song prevent it from being a complete misfire. It’s a decent but forgettable track in the context of the album.
Overall Album Rating: 4/5
Despite a few weaker tracks, “VULTURES 1” is undeniably a strong album overall and a testament to the combined talents of Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign. Their musical chemistry is evident throughout, and the album possesses serious potential to be considered among the best rap albums of the year. The anticipation for the next installments in the “VULTURES” trilogy is now higher than ever after experiencing the ambitious and often brilliant “VULTURES 1 songs.”
