Kanye West has quietly released an early version of his upcoming album Bully — but not in the traditional way. Instead of a standard album rollout, the rap icon debuted “BULLY V1” as a 45-minute music video on YouTube and Apple Music over the weekend.
The black-and-white visual, co-directed by Ye and Hype Williams, follows Kanye’s nine-year-old son Saint West as he battles waves of wrestlers in a symbolic, stylized ring — all while a stripped-back version of the album plays in the background.
What’s Different About BULLY V1?
This version of the album includes nine songs instead of 10, with the Playboi Carti and Ty Dolla $ign-assisted “Melrose” being removed from the tracklist due to Kanye’s ongoing issues with both artists.
The track sequencing has also been reshuffled, and the only featured artist is Mexican star Peso Pluma, who appears on the emotional standout track “Last Breath,” which even includes Kanye rapping partially in Spanish.
Kanye’s Unique Approach: Soul Samples, Boom Bap — and AI Vocals?
Production credits haven’t been officially released yet, but Ye previously claimed he “chopped every beat with my bare hand,” and the sound reflects that. With soulful loops, vintage textures, and dusty boom bap drums, the project echoes the gritty aesthetic of a Griselda record — and fans are already calling it some of his best production in years.
However, the vocal performances tell a different story. Kanye himself admitted that AI technology was used for roughly half of the singing-heavy parts, raising eyebrows among fans and critics alike.
Official Release Date Uncertain — Is June 15 Still the Plan?
Kanye had previously announced that Bully would drop on June 15, to coincide with his daughter North West’s birthday, but his recent social media activity has thrown that plan into question. He’s hinted at boycotting traditional streaming platforms, which could signal another unconventional rollout — or even a full independent release.
Also uncertain is the fate of Vultures 3, the final installment of his trilogy with Ty Dolla $ign, as Kanye has recently taken shots at several collaborators, including Ty.
