Ye Previews New Music Featuring James Blake
While attending the Burberry Spring/Summer 2023 event in London, Ye previewed a new collaboration with English musician James Blake.
Ye debuted new music featuring experimental English singer-songwriter James Blake on Monday night (September 26). The Donda 2 rapper was in attendance at the Burberry Spring/Summer 2023 event in London during London Fashion Week, where he went to the DJ booth at an afterparty to premiere new James Blake-assisted track “Always.”
The clip went viral on Twitter, with Blake responding to a person who suggested that Ye merely sampled the Friends That Break Your Heart artist.
“It’s my birthday and [West] is playing tracks we made I’m good for presents thanks,” Blake tweeted. He followed up with revealing that he and the artist formerly known as Kanye West also collaborated on two other songs. Nearly a decade ago, Ye shared on Philadelphia radio station Wired 96.5 that Blake is his “favorite artist.”
“I listen to James Blake the most,” he said at the time. “That’s, like, my favorite artist. … Just go listen to his music and say, ‘Hey, that’s Kanye’s favorite artist.’”
Doesn’t sample ‘always’. It’s new. https://t.co/UdqtPfJdLD
— James Blake (@jamesblake) September 26, 2022
???
— James Blake (@jamesblake) September 27, 2022
As with the other two https://t.co/GIOB6AEZjL
— James Blake (@jamesblake) September 27, 2022
The three-part set of songs makes the first time Blake and Ye have worked together, as the “Hurricane” rapper was supposed to collaborate with Blake on his 2016 album The Colour In Anything. Blake is no stranger to working within the hip-hop landscape, as he’s partnered with rap giants including Vince Staples, Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, Metro Boomin, Slowthai and RZA. Blake recently assisted Freddie Gibbs on “Dark Hearted” from upcoming album Soul Sold Separately.
Ye is currently focused on his fashion empire with Yeezy, as he recently ended his 10-year agreement with Gap, accusing the company of “substantial noncompliance.”