Kanye drops album, claims US$53 million in debts
NEW YORK: After a prolonged rollout that included last-minute changes and a massive fashion show, Kanye West’s new album is finally out for the public.
The rap superstar in the early hours Sunday put out his seventh studio album, “The Life of Pablo”, shortly after he performed on the weekly television comedy show Saturday Night Live in New York.
West had debuted the album Thursday in a fashion show-turned-concert at New York’s Madison Square Garden, as the self-described renaissance man and husband of reality television star Kim Kardashian displayed his latest Yeezy clothing line.
But the album was not yet available for fans who did not tune in Thursday. “The Life of Pablo” on Sunday came out exclusively on Tidal, the streaming service led by rap mogul Jay Z in which West has a stake.
Amid the wait, West also made last-minute changes to “The Life of Pablo”. The album includes a song, which was not on the original track list, entitled “I Love Kanye”.
On the track West -- who has compared himself to Michelangelo and Pablo Picasso -- raps about his public image, with references to himself in the third person in every line.
“The Life of Pablo” also features “No More Parties in LA”, a song featuring the acclaimed rapper Kendrick Lamar that was produced by the prolific hip-hop DJ Madlib.
The song, which has proven popular with West’s fans, was initially on the rapper’s track list and then mysteriously disappeared before reappearing.
Also on the album is “Waves”, a sexually explicit song that features Chris Brown and had initially been the album’s title.
Twitter exchanges indicated that “Waves” was the reason for the album’s holdup as Chance the Rapper, who helped write the track, insisted to West that it be included.
West immediately encountered controversy when performing “The Life at Pablo” at Madison Square Garden for his track “Famous”, in which he raps, “I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex.”
He was apparently referring to reconciliation with pop superstar Taylor Swift. In 2009, West rushed the stage of the MTV Video Music Awards when Swift won for best female video.
Meanwhile, Kanye claims he is US$53 million in debt.
The rap star took to Twitter moments before he was due to appear on the American TV show ‘Saturday Night Live’ to make the bizarre claim about his personal finances.
In the latest of a series of muchdiscussed Twitter outbursts, Kanye said: “Let’s dance in the streets. I am consumed by my purpose to help the world.
“I write this to you my brothers while still 53 million dollars in personal debt... Please pray we overcome... This is my true heart...”
I write this to you my brothers while still 53 million dollars in personal debt... Please pray we overcome... This is my true heart...
Kanye West