Event

Kanye West's 'Vultures 1' Listening Party Draws a Robust Crowd Amid Controversy

Published March 13, 2024

Despite recent controversies, Kanye West, who prefers to be called Ye, successfully filled the Chase Center with enthusiastic listeners during a Tuesday night event. The gathering was a listening party for his new collaboration album 'Vultures 1' with Ty Dolla $ign, as well as the soon-to-be-released 'Vultures 2.' Adding to the event's star power, Ye's daughter North West made an appearance on stage, while Kim Kardashian and Bianca Censori, Ye's former and current spouses, were among the audience members.

Ye's distinctly public display of antisemitism and his unpredictable behavior did not seem to impact the turnout or enthusiasm of his fans. Ticket sales remained strong, with the event featuring live performances from both Ye and Ty Dolla $ign as they danced and rapped to the backing tracks.

Many attendees expressed longtime fandom, with some citing this event as their first chance to see Ye perform live due to now being able to afford tickets. Notably, one attendee remarked on the dedication of the fanbase, which he felt was focused purely on the music, not the artist's personal beliefs or actions. Others felt a personal connection to Ye's iconoclastic nature.

In a display that underscored his troubled relationship with Adidas, which terminated a $1 billion contract with him in 2022, Ye emerged on stage in a sweatshirt with 'Adidas' written in phonetic Russian. The crowed showed their solidarity by chanting against the brand before the event even began.

Despite logistical challenges and initial concerns over attendance, the event saw a full venue alive with anticipation. This success comes in the light of major concert promoters shunning Ye, with both Live Nation and AEG backing away from working with him on this tour. Nevertheless, Ye and Ty Dolla $ign have demonstrated an ability to attract large crowds independently.

Previous 'Vultures' listening events have proven lucrative, bringing in $12 million in ticket sales across different cities and even Europe. Additionally, North West made headlines of her own by announcing her debut album titled 'Elementary School Dropout,' a playful nod to her father's first album, alongside the release of her first single last month.

Ye was seen in Paris this February, maintaining his public presence amid all his endeavors and controversies.

Kanye, Ye, ListeningParty