Kanye West Premieres Paul McCartney Collaboration Video on ‘Ellen’
Kanye West doesn’t have a name for his new album yet, but he does have a music video for his collaboration with Paul McCartney, “Only One.” The rapper dropped by “Ellen” on Thursday where he premiered the music video directed by Spike Jonze and featuring West and his daughter North.
The song is written from the perspective of West’s mother Donda, who passed away in 2007 from surgery complications. West is giving voice to his mother, with her talking to him from Heaven to him about his daughter.
See video: Kanye West’s Paul McCartney Collaboration Hits No. 3 on iTunes Chart
Paul McCartney plays keyboard behind West’s vocals, and the single’s surprise release on New Year’s Eve resulted in an unexpected Twitter response. Several West fans jokingly — or perhaps seriously — tweeted that they had no idea who McCartney was, but that he was probably going to get a career after working with West.
The song is actually one of two collaborations between the two artists to hit the Billboard Hot 100 charts at the same time. Both men appear on Rihanna’s new single “FourFiveSeconds,” as well. Rihanna and West share the leads, with McCartney providing backing vocals and guitar.
Also Read: Paul McCartney Responds to Twitter Ridiculousness Over Kanye West Collaboration
DeGeneres debuted a video of her own on Thursday’s show, though it’s quite different in tone. Ironically, while West sings in his video, DeGeneres decided she should rap. Her song was revealed at the BET Honors on Saturday as a tribute to West, who received the Visionary Award.
Watch Kanye West’s video for “Only One” here. And see Ellen DeGeneres’ BET Visionary Award rap for Kanye West here.
The “BET Honors” ceremony airs Monday, Feb. 23 at 9 p.m. ET on BET. “Ellen” airs weekdays in syndication.
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