Ye surprised attendees at comedian Deon Cole's December 27, 2025, show at the Hollywood Improv in Los Angeles, replying 'New album' to Cole's query about upcoming projects. The moment, shared on social media, has sparked buzz around his long-teased Bully amid a history of delays.
Introduced onstage by Cole as a 'good friend,' Ye drew applause and engaged in a lighthearted exchange. Cole noted Ye's reserved reactions, asking, 'You weren’t giving me no sympathy laughs, right?' Ye grinned as the crowd laughed. Pressed on future plans—'You got anything we could look out for? Anything? No music, no shirts or sweaters, or some boots?'—Ye simply said, 'New album,' eliciting cheers. Cole playfully requested a feature on an interlude and a care package of clothes; Ye agreed before exiting the stage.
Cole posted video of the event on Instagram, captioned: 'About last night. What a great time. Laughter & love wins again. Hollywood improv.'
The tease fuels speculation about Bully, which Ye has previewed multiple times. In March 2025, he shared a visual featuring his son Saint West. At a September 2025 listening event in China's Wuyuan River Stadium, Ye debuted 'Beauty and the Beast'—with soft instrumentals and lyrics like 'I still think about it every night and day to try to stay away, to keep my audience / Don’t take this disrespect, I’m sitting here trying to redirect'—announcing, 'I got a new album coming out. The album’s called Bully.' Producer Mike Dean called it a 'Donda leftover.' Ye later posted 'BULLY' on Instagram and debuted 'Preacher Man' while promoting his 2024 Vultures albums with Ty Dolla $ign. Originally slated for January 30, 2026, it faces typical delays, as with Vultures 1 (February 2024 after postponements) and Vultures 2 (August 3, 2024, vs. March 8). Past unfulfilled teases include TurboGrax16, Yandhi, and Love Everyone.
This follows Ye's November 2025 unannounced set with Travis Scott at Japan's Belluna Dome during the Circus Maximus tour, performing classics like 'Can’t Tell Me Nothing' and 'Stronger.' He is also booked to headline Italy's Hellwatt Festival at RCF Arena from July 4-18, 2026.