Kanye West Premieres New Album 'Bully' in Full via YouTube Livestream
Controversial rapper Kanye West, 48, has finally unveiled his long-delayed album Bully, streaming it live on YouTube shortly after walking back earlier comments about using artificial intelligence in its production. The album premiered on Friday, 27 March 2026, but as of now, it has not been made available on major streaming platforms like Spotify or Apple Music.
Album Release and Accompanying Short Film
West first began teasing Bully in September 2024, just a month after dropping his previous record, Vultures 2. Tracks such as "Preacher Man" and "Beauty and the Beast" had previously been previewed on Instagram and during live performances. The YouTube livestream featured the album alongside a black-and-white short film of the same name, directed by West and starring his son, Saint, who is depicted fending off aggressors in a boxing ring.
However, the stream has since been unlisted from the platform, meaning it can only be accessed by those with a direct link to the video. West initiated the full album playback shortly after midnight US time, marking a highly anticipated moment for fans.
Musical Collaborations and Classic Samples
Bully showcases a range of collaborations with notable artists including Travis Scott, Nine Vicious, Ty Dolla $ign, and Ceelo Green. True to his signature style, West has incorporated samples from classic hits, a technique he is known for, often increasing their pitch for dramatic effect.
- The Supremes' 1958 hit "You Can't Hurry Love" features on West's track "I Can't Wait".
- Stevie Wonder's cover of The Carpenters' "Close To You" is sampled on "White Lines", which also features Andre Troutman.
- Other samples include "To You With Love" by The Moments on "Preacher Man", Jonah Thompson's "Get Involved" on "Sisters and Brothers", and The Mad Lads' 1966 track "Don't Have To Shop Around" on "Beauty and the Beast".
Towards the end of the livestream, West transitioned into playing a selection of his previous hits and tracks from other artists, beginning with his 2010 smash "Runaway", followed by Liverpudlian rapper EsDeeKid's "4 Raws". He also included Don Toliver's "Excavator" and a brief snippet of his own 2013 single "Bound 2".
Denial of AI Use and Recent Controversies
Earlier in March, West directly addressed claims that he utilized artificial intelligence in the creation of Bully. The rapper shared the album's track list on X on Wednesday, 25 March, with the caption: "BULLY ON THE WAY NO AI." This statement came after an interview with Justin LaBoy last year, where West mentioned incorporating AI into his writing and recording process "the same way I incorporated Auto-Tune", emphasizing that it was a tool rather than a replacement.
In January, West also denied allegations that an apology letter published in the Wall Street Journal was a strategic move ahead of the album's release. The letter addressed his erratic behaviour over recent years, including antisemitic rants on social media. In an email to Vanity Fair, West expressed that the apology was driven by genuine remorse, not commercial motives, stating he felt an obligation to both the Jewish and Black communities.
West highlighted his ongoing popularity, noting that he was among the top 10 most listened-to artists in the US on Spotify in 2025, and that Bully is one of the most anticipated pre-saves on the platform. He also pointed out that his 2007 album, Graduation, was the most streamed hip-hop album of 2025, underscoring that his actions are about personal growth and positivity rather than reviving his career.
