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Kanye West Hints New Album ‘Bully’ At China Show, Previews Track Beauty And the Beast

BY JO Mensah September 30, 2024 10:52 AM EDT
Kanye West
Kanye West Photo source: @ballersraps

Kanye West has sparked excitement among fans by announcing a new album. During a performance in China, the rap icon revealed the title of his upcoming project: Bully. He also gave the audience a sneak peek at one of the tracks, a song called Beauty and the Beast.

In a clip shared on X (formerly known as Twitter), Kanye is seen on stage announcing: “I got a new album coming out. The album is called Bully. And this song is called Beauty and the Beast.”

Though it’s unclear whether he was performing the track live or playing a recording, the crowd was treated to nearly two minutes of the new song, which features the line “It’s been a long time coming” as part of the chorus.

The song doesn’t appear to feature artists, but fans noticed a distinct sped-up sample over minimal instrumentation. Many believe this style signals a return to the soulful sound of Kanye’s earlier work. This has sparked speculation that Bully could showcase what some call the “old Kanye” that his most devoted fans have eagerly awaited.

Though no official release date for Bully has been confirmed, West has recently dropped hints about his creative direction. In a text message exchange with producer Digital Nas, Kanye mentioned that he was entering his “full art Ye” mode, signaling a broader artistic shift. The producer shared the conversation on Instagram, and West added fuel to the fire by posting clips from the 1995 satirical film The Painter, a nod to his lifelong passion for art.

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