Maybe just so he could prove he could score a No. 1 album without a traditional radio single to help him, Kanye West’s latest “Yeezus” got to the top through unusual — if not understated — promotional tactics. Now that the set has been out for about two weeks, the hip-hop producer and rapper has announced that “Yeezus” is getting a single after all.
“Black Skinhead” is heading to radio programmers as of this week, which means it got a “clean” remix. Def Jam also told Billboard that a music video is in the works.
“I have this new strategy, it’s called no strategy,” West had told fans at a “Yeezus” listening party in New York last month. However, he did have a few ideas up his sleeves, including some interviews with outlets like the New York Times, live shows and listening parties in a variety of markets, a “Saturday Night Live” performance slot and scheduled video projections cast onto sides of buildings for song “New Slaves.”
Still, he had not promoted the album using radio or traditionally released videos until now.
“Yeezus” sold 372,000 copies in its first week.
In other Kanye West news, the artist’s G.O.O.D. Music label lost another one of its acts: Hit-Boy has parted ways with the company, according to an interview with Miss Info at the BET Awards on Sunday. The “N*ggas in Paris” producer said he wanted to focus on his own Hit Since 97 imprint.
“I got nothin’ but respect for Kanye, [but] I’m no longer a part of G.O.O.D. Music anymore,” he said. “HS87 is where my heart is, that’s what I’m reppin’.”
Kid Cudi also left the G.O.O.D. Music fold in the last year.