Kanye West has announced that his upcoming album Bully is now available for pre-order for £16, following the unveiling of its striking cover.
The album cover was shot by renowned 86-year-old Japanese photographer Daidō Moriyama and features a mystery model with a partially black grill, reportedly inspired by Kanye’s $850,000 titanium dental work commissioned earlier this year.
In addition to the pre-order announcement, Ye has released a line of merchandise for the album, including black-and-white T-shirts with either the cover image or the title “Bully.”
The album art was inspired by the rapper’s experimental dental work and was crafted by Beverly Hills dentist Dr. Thomas Connelly and master dental technician Naoki Hayashi.
This bold design recalls the iconic look of James Bond villain Jaws, and at the time, a Daily Mail report that Kanye’s teeth had been altered for the titanium implants.
However, Connelly later clarified to Complex, “He did not have his teeth removed. He still has a full dentition. Healthy and happy.”
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Controversy has surrounded Dr. Connelly, as conservative media figure Milo Yiannopoulos alleged back in August that the dentist got Kanye hooked on nitrous oxide, which cost $50,000 a month.
Yiannopoulos posted a screenshot of a supposed text exchange with Connelly and then submitted an affidavit to the California Dental Board seeking to revoke his license.
Dr. Connelly has however not commented publicly on these allegations.
Kanye and his wife, Bianca Censori, have reportedly relocated to Tokyo, with the rapper focusing on Bully without any other producers, according to journalist Touré on TikTok.
No release date has been set for Bully, though Kanye has already collaborated on two albums this year, Vultures 1 and Vultures 2, with Ty Dolla Sign, released in February and August, respectively.
Meanwhile, Kanye’s ex-wife, Kim Kardashian, has now taken on the primary parenting role for their four children in North, 11; Saint, 8; Chicago, 6; and Psalm, 5.
A source told People that Kardashian is “pretty much a single mom” since Kanye is often not around to co-parent.
The source added that Kardashian’s life “revolves around her kids’ schedules,” and noted that she is not dating and remains focused on work and family.
Under their custody arrangement, Kanye pays Kardashian $200,000 a month in child support, according to TMZ.
Kanye has been open about his bipolar disorder, and is currently facing a lawsuit from former assistant Lauren Piscotta, who filed updated claims last week alleging sexual assault during her employment in 2021-2022.
