In the realm of music, few names command as much attention and controversy as the artist formerly named Kanye West now known as Ye. With a career spanning decades, Kanye has continually pushed the boundaries of creativity and reinvented the hip-hop landscape. Yet, amidst his genius, there’s one aspect of his artistry that consistently confused his fans and critics alike: his tendency to delay album releases.
For years, Ye has become synonymous with the phrase “coming soon,” only for fans to be left waiting weeks, months, or even years for the highly anticipated drop. It’s a phenomenon that has sparked countless memes, frustrated rants, and endless speculation across social media platforms. But why does Kanye always seem to keep us waiting?
At the heart of this lies Kanye’s unyielding pursuit of perfectionism. Renowned for his attention to detail, Kanye approaches his craft with an uncompromising dedication to excellence. During the life of pablo album press run, it was delayed for over a year due to him trying to perfect the album and the track listing. Even Post album release he was tuning up the album. West previously changed a deep cut on the life of Pablo, “Wolves,” adding Sia and Vic Mensa. The two of them had appeared on the album during its album listening party at Madison Square Garden. Ye also turned Frank Ocean’s outro on wolves into its own song, “Frank’s Track.”
Ye also changed the song “Famous” off the album. West also tweeted during this time that The Life of Pablo is “living breathing changin.” Kanye is known to obsessively fine-tune every beat, lyric, and arrangement until it aligns with his exacting standards. This commitment to perfectionism often translates into extended timelines, as Kanye refuses to release anything less than his best work.
Kanye West announced his ninth solo studio album, “Yandhi,” in September 2018, but its release has been repeatedly delayed. Despite initial excitement and a scheduled performance on Saturday Night Live, the album failed to materialize. But fans’ hope was once brought back to life when Kim Kardashian teased a new release date in November, but Kanye’s subsequent trip to Uganda and the indefinite delay of a collaborative project signaled a shift away from “Yandhi.”
A leaked version of the album surfaced online, including tracks like ‘New Body’ and ‘Alien,’ but official release prospects remain uncertain. Beyond artistic considerations, Kanye’s album delays often stem from various external factors such as sample clearances, label negotiations, and production logistics. Collaboration with numerous artists further complicates the process, requiring time and coordination. To this day the album has never been released to the public on digital streaming services.
Essentially, Kanye West’s delayed album releases are a reflection of his relentless pursuit of artistic excellence, his ever-evolving creative process, and the myriad external factors that shape his musical journey. While frustrating for fans eagerly awaiting new music, these delays ultimately contribute to the unpredictable nature of Kanye’s artistry, ensuring that each release is met with anticipation and intrigue.
