Kanye West debuts Bully album featuring son Saint amid social media controversy
Kanye West has released his latest album, Bully, alongside multiple versions of a film directed and edited by Hype Williams. The album's debut came amid a series of controversial posts on X (formerly Twitter), where West also previewed different iterations of the film.
West initially shared a link to the film soundtracked by Bully, stating that the album was 'not finished and half the vocals AI,' but he wanted to test what listeners enjoyed. Hours later, he posted three different cuts of the film: a 'screening version,' a 'post Hype version,' and a 'post post Hype version.'
The 30-minute film stars West's son, Saint, in a wrestling ring, fending off opponents with a mallet—an apparent nod to the album's themes of power and conflict. The wrestlers featured include YOH, Toru Yano, Tiger Mask, and El Desperado from New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Musically, the album incorporates rich soul samples, such as Cortex's Huit Octobre 1971 and The Supremes' You Can't Hurry Love.
During a recent interview with Justin Laboy, West shared that Bully was inspired by his son Saint, whom he jokingly called a 'bully' after Saint admitted to kicking another child because he was 'weak.' West also mentioned that he originally planned to release the album on June 15, his daughter North's birthday.
West first announced Bully in September 2024 during a performance at Wuyuan River Stadium in Haikou, China, where he premiered the song Beauty and the Beast. That track appears on the test version of the album, which he released amid a series of inflammatory tweets targeting Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and their children.
His unconventional release strategy aligns with his recent criticisms of digital streaming platforms. He stated that he may abandon DSPs entirely, claiming, 'Streams are fake, and the French and Jewish record labels treat artists like prostitutes.' He also teased future projects, asking fans whether they would prefer Vultures 3 or Donda 3 to follow next.
West's recent online activity has sparked backlash, particularly after he attempted to sell t-shirts featuring a swastika. It remains unclear whether Bully will receive a traditional release, but for now, fans can access it through West's X account.
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