The only thing comparable to Ye’s frequent controversial statements has been his sporadic music releases. The artist formerly known as Kanye West linked up with YoungBoy Never Broke Again this week for their new single “Alive.”
The track initially follows his recent string of unconventional releases, as it was not available on traditional streaming platforms. Instead, fans could only listen via a post on his Instagram account on Wednesday (May 21) or the several audio rips floating around the internet. On Thursday morning (May 22), he shared an Apple Music link for the record on X.
“This that ni**as been stealin’ the swag, they know damn well they ain’t invent/ This that ni**as ain’t rich, they broke, want a blessing and they ain’t even repent,” he raps to open the chaotic track. It is devoid of drums and snares production-wise, and rather loaded with rough, white noise-esque synths. “I’ll put the bi**h on and blick ’em, them youngins gon’ load up and get ’em, they catch em and stretch ’em/ .223, it ain’t missin’ a beat, we gon’ pray up to Heaven and step in eleven,” YoungBoy belts in his verse.
Notably, the record samples DJ Swamp Izzo’s “Alive,” which was also recently flipped by Playboi Carti on “Crank” from his latest album, Music. The “Alive” sample is an interesting detail given Ye and Playboi Carti’s current relationship, or lack thereof. The Chicago producer has frequently expressed his disdain for the enigmatic rapper ever since he was left off of the recent LP while Kendrick Lamar got three separate features.
Things got even deeper when he learned that Carti had been trying to work on a song with his daughter North, and Kim Kardashian seemed willing to let it happen despite taking issue with Ye putting her on a song with Diddy. In an act of pettiness, the “Timeless” artist shared his version of “Alive” featuring YoungBoy Never Broke Again without the multi-time Grammy winner. In a now-deleted post on his Opium account, he wrote, “DIS MY SONG LIL BRA @ye.” The record was accompanied by a full music video, which may mean that West had underhandedly tried to beat Carti to the punch and put out his version first.
Ye’s “Alive” follows his controversial “Heil Hitler,” which has been removed from X and Soundcloud seemingly due to its problematic content. He has also teased his forthcoming record “Cousins,” where he opens up about sexual activity with a relative, along with his upcoming album Cuck.
VILLEPINTE, FRANCE – OCTOBER 02: Kanye West attends the Balenciaga Womenswear Spring/Summer 2023 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on October 02, 2022 in Villepinte, France.
Anthony Ghnassia/Getty Images For Balenciaga
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