Kanye West releases surprise song featuring Paul McCartney

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jan/01/kanye-west-releases-surprise-song-paul-mccartney

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Kanye West has released a surprise new song featuring an even more surprising guest – Paul McCartney.

Entitled Only One, the single channels the rapper’s late mother, Donda West, as she speaks from beyond the grave. Over jazzy chords and a tender organ solo from McCartney, Donda West movingly tells her son to “tell Nori about me”, referring to West’s daughter North.

The song is is dedicated to the rapper’s daughter, North West, who was born in 2013.

The 37-year-old released his last album, critically acclaimed Yeezus, in 2013, and received two Grammy nominations.

A statement from McCartney on his official website said: “For any of you guys who were wondering what I was doing with Kanye … Here it is: Only One.

“Happy rocking new year!”

McCartney has a long history of collaborations with other artists, singing duets with Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Tony Bennett, Lulu and George Michael. His last album was Ocean’s Kingdom, a collection of classical movements commissioned by the New York City Ballet.

West spent much of 2014 recording his new LP, which he has postponed despite previously saying it would be ready in autumn 2014. In May he married Kim Kardashian, famously spending days tinkering with their official wedding photo on Instagram. McCartney, meanwhile, recently released Hope For the Future, a new song written for the soundtrack to the videogame Destiny.

There may be more work to come from West and McCartney - earlier this year, the New York Post reported that they were working on another song.

Only One is available exclusively on iTunes.