Summary
Introduction and Album Success
The interview begins with Big Boy welcoming
Ye (formerly known as Kanye West) and Ty Dolla $ign to discuss their collaborative album project
"Vultures". Ye proudly states that "Vultures" is the number one album in the world with the number one single. He explains that the collaboration began when he attended Ty's birthday party, which led to discussions about getting in the studio together. After Ty asked Ye to executive produce his album, they ended up creating a song called
"Burn" while in Japan, which eventually evolved into deciding to create an entire album together.
Working Relationship and Creative Process
Ty Dolla $ign describes their creative process, noting how Ye often transforms songs completely from their initial versions. He shares an example of how the song
"Back to Me" went through multiple iterations, starting as one type of song before Ye slowed it down using an ASR-10 keyboard, then continuing to evolve as they worked on it in different locations. Ye compares this transformation process to cosmetic surgery, saying it might look worse before it gets better, but the end result is worth it.Ye praises Ty's musical talents and loyalty, mentioning that Ty stood by him when many others wouldn't. He credits Ty with bringing both hit records and steadfast friendship to the project. Big Boy acknowledges Ty's musical talents as an orchestrator who can bring together various elements seamlessly.
Faith and Personal Philosophy
When discussing his relationship with faith, Ye expresses some frustrations with religion. He states that while Jesus is still King, he has had issues with Christianity, particularly the idea of solely relying on prayer without taking action. He argues that prayer alone won't solve problems like mass incarceration or economic inequality, suggesting that physical action and building partnerships are necessary alongside faith.Ye references his controversies with Kyrie Irving, suggesting they faced threats when they aligned. He discusses his view that fear, including the "fear of God" concept in Christianity, is used as a control mechanism, stating he wants to live without fear.
Industry Challenges and Independence
A significant portion of the interview focuses on Ye and Ty's experiences with the music industry. Ye alleges that major labels have suppressed his music since the Taylor Swift incident, manipulating numbers and limiting his success. He claims that streaming services have devalued music by giving artists only "a percentage of a penny" while making arrangements with record labels.Ye discusses his decision to sell his album for $20 on his website, comparing it to his grandfather's merchant mentality and explaining how this approach challenges industry norms. He celebrates going independent and achieving a number one album despite industry pushback, stating that repeatedly taking his album down from platforms didn't prevent its success.
Personal Incident Between Ye and Big Boy
Big Boy brings up a past incident where he was asked to leave one of Ye's listening sessions. He clarifies that despite rumors, no one physically removed him or threatened him. He explains that he had been telling Ye "don't let nobody knock you off your square" during the session, which led to tension and him being asked to leave.Ye responds by explaining that asking Big Boy to leave came from a place of love, as he was "on one" and didn't want Big Boy to have to deal with whatever he was going through at that moment. The conversation represents a reconciliation between the two.
Family and Legacy
Ye discusses his children, particularly his daughter North, and the importance of showing them that a Black person can be more than just an employee. He emphasizes the psychological impact on children who never see people who look like them in positions of final decision-making power.He talks about wanting to pass on knowledge to his children so they won't have to face the same industry challenges he's experienced. Ye mentions showing North his music and valuing her opinion, noting that sometimes he feels his late mother speaks through his daughter.
Future Projects and Live Performances
Regarding future installments of the "Vultures" trilogy, Ty explains that they approach features like they would approach any musical element – selecting artists whose "frequency" matches the song. He mentions how Rich the Kid joined
"Carnival" after visiting them in Saudi Arabia.They discuss their approach to live performances, with Ye noting that they've found new ways to create experiences beyond traditional performances with microphones. He describes how elements like smoke and lights can serve as openers, creating unique experiences for audiences.
Conclusion
The interview concludes with mutual appreciation, with Big Boy thanking them for choosing to sit with him for this conversation, especially meaningful as it marks the kickoff of his 30th anniversary in radio. The three share a lighthearted moment recalling a time when Ye called Big Boy from Africa hoping he would immediately fly out to join him.Throughout the conversation, themes of artistic independence, industry challenges, personal growth, and the power of authentic collaboration remain central to the discussion of their successful "Vultures" project.*There may be errors on this page.