Kanye’s ‘Bully’ AI Use Defended

It’s been a turbulent time for Kanye West’s upcoming album, ‘Bully.’ Following a leak of the vinyl version, fans have been vocal about their disappointment, with many criticizing the apparent heavy use of artificial intelligence. However, a close affiliate of West, Joseph Karre, is stepping in to defend the project and promises a different reaction once the official version drops.

A Shift in Perception Expected

Karre took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his prediction: “Timeline gonna look a lot different on Friday.” This optimistic outlook comes after widespread backlash from fans who’ve listened to the leaked tracks. The criticism centers not only on the perceived overuse of AI but also on the production quality, which some fans have described as “atrocious” and “inferior” to previous versions of the album.

One fan expressed their dismay on social media, stating, “I can confidently say after listening to the full album leak, this is Kanye’s worst project in his discography. Let alone the abhorrent use of ai on majority of the songs, the new production is COMPLETELY inferior to previous versions of bully as is genuinely atrocious.” Another echoed the sentiment, calling it “one of the worst albums I’ve heard.”

Kanye’s Past Defense of AI

This isn’t the first time Kanye West has addressed the use of AI in music. Back in February 2025, during an interview with Justin Laboy, West defended the technology, comparing it to the advent of sampling. “It’s like the next version of sampling,” he explained. “Like when sampling happened, they hated it.”

Context for ‘Bully’

‘Bully’ is set to be West’s first solo studio album since ‘Donda 2’ in 2022. He has since released collaborative albums ‘Vultures 1’ and ‘Vultures 2’ with Ty Dolla Sign in 2024. The upcoming release follows a period where West has been preparing for several concerts in Los Angeles, the Netherlands, and Italy, and after he issued a public apology in the Wall Street Journal for past antisemitic remarks.