Kanye West‘s surprise collaboration with Ty Dolla $ign, Vultures 2, has sparked significant controversy, both for its reception and the actions taken by Atlantic Records. The album, released unexpectedly, has faced criticism for its quality, and ongoing updates from West have only fueled the debate.
The situation escalated when West shared a purported message from his manager, John Monopoly, on social media. The message claimed that Atlantic Records had undergone a leadership change and that the new head was demanding 40% of all revenue generated from both Vultures albums. Monopoly’s message indicated that if this payment isn’t made, Atlantic could remove the albums from streaming platforms.
In response, West accused Atlantic of exploiting independent artists, a move that comes just as Atlantic’s chairman, Julie Greenwald, prepares to step down in September. Ty Dolla $ign, who is signed to Atlantic, may be linked to the label’s aggressive stance on revenue-sharing.
Despite the turmoil, West has continued to drop exclusive bonus tracks with high-profile collaborators like Kid Cudi and Kodak Black, teasing further updates to the album on social media.
Currently, Vultures 2 is in a fierce battle for the top spot on the Billboard 200, going head-to-head with Taylor Swift‘s The Tortured Poets Department. West has released three new deluxe tracks, including Gun to My Head featuring Kid Cudi, available exclusively on his website. The ongoing drama has added another layer to the album’s complex release, keeping fans and the industry on edge.