Kanye’s BULLY V1 Hits YouTube Trending — Rants, Rebounds, and Wrestling Visuals

LOS ANGELES — Kanye West has released a new short film album titled Bully, marking yet another unconventional entry into the artist’s evolving discography. The project dropped with little warning, initially teased via social media and later shared in full on West’s official YouTube channel. Directed by longtime collaborator Hype Williams, the album is presented as a short film with visuals centered around professional wrestling.

The release comes in three versions—Latest, Post Hype, and Post Post Hype—each distributed for free via the cloud collaboration platform Frame.io. As of now, it remains unclear whether Bully will be made available through traditional streaming platforms or receive a physical release.

Charting Despite the Chaos

Despite the lack of a formal rollout, Bully quickly gained traction online. Within hours of posting, the visual album climbed to the top of YouTube’s U.S. trending list, amassing over 1.4 million views. While critics and fans are still dissecting the music and visuals, the album’s momentum has been overshadowed by West’s latest wave of controversial public statements.

A Tense Backdrop

In the days surrounding Bully‘s release, West took to X (formerly Twitter) to post a series of troubling remarks. Among them were declarations of being “evil” and references to violence, which many interpreted as disturbing, particularly given recent allegations against other artists. West also expressed public support for Sean “Diddy” Combs, who is currently facing multiple federal charges, including racketeering and sex trafficking.

Fans have responded with mixed reactions. While some continue to engage with the music, others are distancing themselves from the artist, citing a pattern of increasingly inflammatory behavior. One user’s comment seemed to summarize the general sentiment: “It’s getting harder and harder to defend you, gang.”

Family Disputes and Legal Ramifications

Tensions have also escalated between West and his ex-wife, Kim Kardashian. Last week, West previewed a new track titled Lonely Roads Still Go To Sunsine, which he claimed featured Diddy, Christian “King” Combs, and his daughter North West. Following the release, Kardashian reportedly sent legal paperwork to prevent North’s involvement, citing concern for her daughter’s well-being.

In response, West allegedly issued a series of threats via text, including the message: “Amend it or I’m going to war and neither of us will recover from the public fallout.” According to multiple outlets, Kardashian is now considering legal action to obtain full custody of their four children.

Public Concerns Continue to Grow

West’s recent social media activity has drawn renewed criticism due to his use of hate imagery and retraction of past apologies. In one instance, he shared a photo of KKK robes and later doubled down on previous antisemitic remarks. He also claimed he had “dominion over his wife,” further fueling public concern over his behavior and its impact on those around him.

An insider told Us Weekly that Kardashian is in a “very tough position” while trying to co-parent. “She’s always prioritized the kids’ well-being, but this has become extremely challenging,” the source said.

What’s Next?

Bully represents yet another complex moment in Kanye West’s career—artistically ambitious, but deeply entangled in personal and public turmoil. Whether the music can stand apart from the controversy remains to be seen.

For now, the project is freely accessible online, and the conversation surrounding it—like much of West’s recent output—is as much about the man as the music.