stayc main image

Behind Kaytranada’s Unique Sound

February 18, 2023

Kaytranada (Louis Celestin) is a Haitian-Canadian record producer and DJ. He is a highly acclaimed electronic artist, having earned two Grammys and countless other awards for his work. Kaytranada has

Read more
stayc main image

The Creative Act: Rick Rubin’s Knowledge Turned Into A Book

February 17, 2023

What happens when a famous music producer takes an interest in self-help books? The Creative Act is your answer. But who is Rick Rubin? Without a doubt, Rubin has an impressive track record in the

Read more
stayc main image

Behind the Music: The Audio Engineer

February 14, 2023

The music industry is a place full of musicians, producers, and creators who have the magical ability to make those perfect sounds we hear everyday through our digital devices. We want to listen close

Read more
stayc main image

Koji Kondo: Nintendo’s Melody Maestro

February 14, 2023

What do popular video games franchises Super Mario, Legend of Zelda, and Star Fox all have in common? They were all produced and published by Nintendo, and the iconic music themes that you hear in...

Read more
stayc main image

Taylor Swift on Industry Sexism and Music Rights

February 8, 2023

Being a successful woman in the music industry is no easy feat. Not only do they deal with the typical trials and tribulations of being a musician, but there are also gender-specific challenges.

Read more
stayc main image

What’s the Ideal Length for a Single— Are Songs Getting Shorter?

February 8, 2023

“Is it just me, or are songs getting shorter these days?” This is a question I have often pondered, especially in the last few years. It appears that in the era of social media, attention spans are

Read more
stayc main image

SG Lewis: Who Is He - and What’s Next For This Rising Star?

February 6, 2023

SG Lewis (Samuel George Lewis) is a rising star in the dance/electronic music realm. He is a DJ/producer turned singer-songwriter, and is known for his disco-inspired, transcendent sound. He routinely

Read more
stayc main image

Lessons to Learn From the Launch Of Sam Smith’s “Unholy”

February 4, 2023

Sam Smith just released their new album “Gloria” on the 27th of January. As described by Pitchfork, “Gloria flips between hyperpop, country, dancehall, disco, 2-step, and intimate, Kehlani-esque R&B”.

Read more
stayc main image

Are Virtual Idols the Future of Music?

February 5, 2023

Virtual reality and the metaverse have become popular topics in the music industry where more and more technology and music have been combined, creating something that could revolutionize the entire

Read more
stayc main image

Grammy Awards Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical: The Category Songwriters Deserve

February 5, 2023

The 65th annual GRAMMY Awards are here, and there's a long-awaited addition to the awards. This year marks the introduction of a new category: the Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical Award. For all

Read more
stayc main image

How Zach Bryan’s Authenticity Makes His Music So Appealing, Even to Non-Country Fans

January 31, 2023

Zach Bryan released his first album in 2019, and in the short time since he has become one of the biggest names in country. His biggest album, “American Heartbreak”, broke single-day album streaming

Read more
stayc main image

Miley Cyrus is Going to Take Over Pop in 2023

January 31, 2023

Miley Cyrus was born into the music industry, and has spent her career channelling her Nashville and Hollywood roots into a diverse discography stacked with hits. Add to that countless covers that are

Read more

Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign's Album: Anticipation Builds Amidst Controversy

stayc main image

Photo Source: XXL Mag

The music world is buzzing with anticipation as Kanye West, now known as Ye, and Ty Dolla $ign are set to release their joint album, a project enveloped in both excitement and controversy. The collaboration, which has been a blend of secrecy and high-profile teasers, has been making headlines for various reasons, from its unique creation process to the artists' recent personal and professional challenges.

The Genesis of the Collaboration

The journey of this much-anticipated album began with Ye and Ty Dolla $ign's collaboration efforts initially taking place in Italy. However, the project soon moved to Saudi Arabia, at the Al Ula luxury desert resort, marking a significant shift in its production. This geographical transition added an intriguing element to the album's creation, sparking curiosity among fans about the influence of these diverse locales on the album's sound and themes.

New Single: "Vultures"

Adding to the growing excitement, the duo recently dropped a single from the album, "Vultures," featuring Bump J. Initially set to include Lil Durk, the final version saw a last-minute change – a signature move by Ye known to his fans. The track has already garnered attention on streaming services, with Ty Dolla $ign's melodic flow and Ye's distinctive sampling and production style receiving notable mentions. The single received a lot of backlash for some of the lyrics and many critics believe that the album needs to be better. Many argue that the production was “lazy” and that the new style Ye has been implementing seems to be off.

Anticipation Amidst Controversy

This album marks Ye's first major project since his series of controversial remarks in 2022, which included antisemitic comments. These statements led to significant backlash, including severed ties with major brands like Adidas and Balenciaga and a distancing by the music industry, including Def Jam. The controversy has undeniably cast a shadow over the album's release, with industry executives reportedly cautious about associating with the project.

Despite these challenges, Ye's musical prowess continues to be a significant draw for fans. His previous album, "Donda 2," released exclusively on the Stem Player, showcased his willingness to innovate and defy conventional music distribution methods. However, its limited release left many fans yearning for more accessible new music from the artist.

There are several reasons for the heightened anticipation surrounding this album. Firstly, the combination of Ye's production genius and Ty Dolla $ign's vocal and lyrical talent promises a fusion of styles that has the potential to be both groundbreaking and commercially successful. Their previous collaboration on ‘Junya Pt 2’ from Ye's 2021 album ‘Donda’ was well-received, setting a high bar for their joint album.

Secondly, the album is expected to be a reflection of Ye's artistic evolution post-controversy. Fans and critics alike are curious to see how his recent personal and professional experiences have influenced his music. The controversial aspects of Ye's personality have often been intertwined with his art, making each new release a subject of analysis and debate.

Furthermore, the unique production circumstances, from Italy to Saudi Arabia, add an exotic and diverse element to the album. This geographical shift is not just a logistical detail but potentially an influential factor in the album's creative process and final sound.

In conclusion, the upcoming album by Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign is not just another music release; it's a cultural event. It represents a complex intersection of artistry, controversy, and innovation in the modern music landscape. As the release date approaches, the music world waits with bated breath to witness what these two prolific artists have created amidst the whirlwind of their careers and lives. The duo is set to host an album listening party event sometime in November 2023. Whether the album will soar like an artistic phoenix from the ashes of controversy or get weighed down by the same remains to be seen.