Kanye West’s VULTURES 2 will likely go down as one of the most chaotic chapters in his music career. From its delayed release to its lackluster reception, the album was marred by a tumultuous rollout that saw it miss its scheduled drop date by months. When VULTURES 2 finally arrived, it was riddled with technical issues, including poorly mixed tracks that Kanye tried to correct in real time. The album also underwent several tweaks, with Kanye adding new songs in response to the overwhelmingly negative feedback. Despite these challenges, VULTURES 2 did produce a few standout moments, and one such moment is the song “530.”
“530” stands as a rare bright spot on the album. Over a chilling vocal chop, Kanye delivers one of his most personal and emotionally charged lyrical performances in years. The song addresses the rapper’s ex-wife, Kim Kardashian, and reflects his concerns about how she is raising their children and the future he envisions for them. The raw emotion and vulnerability Kanye shows on “530” are striking, making it one of the more powerful tracks in his recent discography.
The Unconventional Music Video
Given the emotional depth of “530,” one might expect a music video that complements its heartfelt tone. Kanye West is no stranger to crafting iconic music videos, having delivered some of the most memorable visuals in the history of hip-hop. Fans could have reasonably anticipated a poignant video that matches the serious themes of the song. Instead, Kanye subverted expectations once again.
In a move that only Kanye could pull off, the music video for “530” does not feature the rapper or his collaborator, Ty Dolla $ign. In fact, it doesn’t feature any humans at all. Instead, the video centers around eerie puppets and individuals wearing cartoonish masks. The visuals are unsettling, almost like a bizarre episode of The Twilight Zone directed by Kanye himself. The low-quality footage depicts these puppets and masked figures engaging in random, often disjointed activities. In one scene, a puppet walks down the street with a bag in hand. In another, a female puppet undergoes an unsettling injection into her nose. These surreal images are bizarre yet strangely captivating, adding an unnerving layer to the song’s already heavy themes.
The disjointed, puppet-filled video stands in stark contrast to the personal and intimate nature of the song. However, this is Kanye’s signature move—always challenging the audience to reconsider their expectations and interpretations. It’s an unconventional approach that leaves viewers both intrigued and unsettled, much like the album itself.
The Aftermath of VULTURES 2
One of the most curious aspects of “530” and its music video is the timing. The video dropped long after the release of VULTURES 2, a project Kanye had seemingly closed the book on. With VULTURES 2 failing to capture the public’s attention and Kanye turning his focus toward his upcoming solo album, BULLY, the release of a music video for “530” came as a surprise. It raises questions about Kanye’s intentions moving forward. Is he signaling that there’s more to VULTURES 2 than initially thought? Or is the video merely a final artistic expression before he pivots completely to his next project?
Kanye West’s VULTURES 2 will likely be remembered for its troubled release and the whirlwind that followed. Despite the challenges, “530” shines as a standout track with some of Kanye’s most personal lyrics in recent memory. The music video, which is as bizarre and unconventional as Kanye himself, adds another layer of intrigue to the song. While the album’s legacy may be marked by its rocky road to
