Kanye West’s “Vultures 1” Soars to No. 1 on Billboard 200, Earns 11th Chart-Topping Album

Kanye West’s highly anticipated album, “Vultures 1,” has debuted at the summit of the Billboard 200 chart, marking his 11th No. 1 album. According to reports from Luminate, the album sold an impressive 148,000 copies in its first week, securing its top position. This accomplishment comes amid fierce competition, surpassing Usher’s “Coming Home,” which debuted at No. 2, marking Usher’s highest debut in a decade. Notably, “Coming Home” dropped just hours before Usher’s headline performance at the Super Bowl halftime show on February 11. Due to the President’s Day holiday, the full album chart will experience a delayed release.

“Vultures 1” boasts a star-studded lineup of features, enhancing its appeal to fans. India Love joins Kanye on “Keys To My Life,” followed by a poignant collaboration with his daughter, North West, on “Talking/Once Again.” Other notable features include Freddie Gibbs on “Back To Me,” Nipsey Hussle & YG on “Do It,” Quavo on “Paperwork,” and Chris Brown on “Beg Forgiveness.” Additionally, Playboi Carti appears twice, contributing to “Fuk Sum” and “Carnival,” the latter also featuring Rich The Kid. The album’s namesake track features Lil Durk & Bump J, rounding out the impressive roster of collaborators.

In a recent reveal, Kanye unveiled the striking cover art for “Carnival,” one of the standout tracks from “Vultures 1.” Designed by acclaimed Canadian artist Jon Rafman, the cover art portrays a compelling close-up of a screaming and bloodied skinhead, adding visual depth to the song’s intensity. Rafman, known for his innovative work, also crafted the AI-generated music video for “Vultures (Havoc Version),” further enhancing the album’s multimedia experience.

While “Carnival” has garnered praise as one of the album’s standout tracks, it has not been without controversy. A version of the song played at a Chicago listening party faced backlash from Ozzy Osbourne due to an uncleared sample of Black Sabbath. Subsequent iterations, including one at a Long Island listening party, incorporated samples from Kanye’s own “Hell of a Life,” which interpolates the same Black Sabbath song, sparking further debate and intrigue among listeners.

As “Vultures 1” continues to captivate audiences with its bold sound and compelling visuals, Kanye West reaffirms his position as a pioneering force in contemporary music.