Music

Kanye West reportedly planning David Bowie tribute album

by Jesse Locke

It’s safe to be skeptical for now, but various British publications citing an unnamed insider have broken the news that Kanye West has his own David Bowie tribute album in the works.

According to the Mirror, the rapper will “put his own spin” on Bowie warhorses such as “Changes”, “Heroes”, and “Rebel Rebel”. From the mouth of the anonymous source: “Some are straightforward cover versions with Kanye actually singing. On others he is rapping with his own lyrics over Bowie’s music.”

West has also been credited with the claim that he views himself as a successor to the Thin White Duke in terms of musical innovation. That one is believable at least. Here’s another unattributed quote: “[Kanye] is determined to carry on David’s work as a musical innovator. He says that the torch has been passed to him.”

While covers and tributes following Bowie’s passing continue to stack up from superstars like Bruce Springsteen, Madonna (both of whom tackled “Rebel Rebel”) and other less blinding lights, the timing of Kanye piling on makes sense. However, he’s also been busy sneaking out songs from an album of his own, so this sidetrack is a bit of a head-scratcher.

Of course, there’s also the old standby conspiracy theory that Bowie predicted the rise of Kanye in the first place. Even if the origin of the “K. West” sign above Ziggy Stardust has been debunked as a fur store in London, it’s always been an odd coincidence.