On March 28, 2026, rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West released his 12th studio album, “Bully.” Its rollout had a rocky start, as speculations of Artificial Intelligence (AI) use within leaked versions led to West spending more time with song revisions. Being distributed independently under the record label Gamma, its release times were met regularly with delays or setbacks, eventually releasing through YouTube first, then on other major streaming platforms soon after.
This all follows his Wall Street Journal apology letter titled “To Those I’ve Hurt.” In it, he apologizes to his family, the Jewish community and Black community due to his actions from the past couple years, and recent antisemetic remarks, that stemmed from his untreated bipolar disorder.
“Bully” includes guest appearances from artists CeeLo Green, Travis Scott, Don Toliver, André Troutman and Peso Pluma. The cover art features his son, Saint West, posing with a smile, while wearing a set of new titanium grills, similar to ones Kanye sported before. More footage from Saint West was included in the album rollout via the short film directed by Hype Williams and West. Where Saint takes on the “bully persona,” by fighting New Japan Pro-Wrestles with a toy mallet in the ring. The songs released on YouTube are played over these fighting scenes.
Production began in 2024, after the release of his collaborative albums, “VULTURES 1” and “VULTURES 2,”, with Ty Dolla $ign. He’d regularly work on the conceptual album in Tokyo, while having several collaborators from Don Toliver and Baby Keem to visit. For West this was supposed to be a “fresh chapter in his life.”
This is after the many controversies that have followed West’s career. A year prior to Bully’s release, West had collaborated with Dave Blunts on an unreleased album titled “WW3,” which contained many antisemitic lyrics that were condemned. Around the same time, he had gone on another Twitter rant, doubling down on the statements that had his account suspended the first time he began his antisemitic remarks in 2022.
West’s bipolar diagnosis has been public knowledge since 2016, especially with album releases like “Ye,” where the cover art states, “I hate being Bi-Polar its awesome.” He cited it as his “superpower,” that gives him the creativity to make the art that has benefited his career. The manic episodes that come with a bipolar diagnosis he feels are what make him who he is. As he’s said, “I cannot be on meds and make “Watch the Throne” level or “Dark Fantasy” level music.”
In his apology letter he stated, “As I find my new baseline and new center through an effective regime of medication, therapy, exercise and clean living, I have newfound, much-needed clarity. I am pouring my energy into positive, meaningful art: music, clothing, design and other new ideas to help the world.”
Songs from Bully carry a lot of introspective views about where he’s been since his last solo album, over many soul samples reminiscent of his earlier works. This is seen on “Beauty and the Beast,” where he acknowledges, “It’s been a long time coming. Fresh new tires, I’m still running.” In the song, “Preacher Man,” he admits he’s been needing help with lines like, “When it’s dark, you don’t know where you goin’.’ Need a light-bearer to lead you home.” The album includes more singing from Kanye, such as in, “All the Love” with Andre Troutman utilizing talkbox machinery.
Other beats on the album on songs like “King” and “This a Must,” showcase the same experimental style that was seen in “VULTURES.” “Last Breath” is the track featuring Peso Pluma that discusses toxic relationships, it has a more Latin Pop vibe, with Kanye switching back and forth between English and Spanish lyrics. “Mama’s Favorite,” featuring vocals from Nine Vicious, is a dedication to Kanye’s late mother Donda, that includes audio of her from his documentary “Jeen-Yuhs.”
Verdict: Overall, “Bully” is a more well collected work of songs as opposed to the past few releases Kanye has been involved in since Donda. Though it doesn’t match the expectations the audience had prior to release, it shows signs of an era of Kanye returning to his roots. Hopefully, this is an era where he can find balance between taking care of his mental needs and producing music, while following through on his apology to the communities he’s hurt.
