Kanye West’s highly anticipated album, BULLY, is projected to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, according to projections from HITS Daily Double. The outlet estimates first-week album-equivalent units will range between 250,000 and 275,000.
The projected success follows a protracted and often unconventional rollout for the album, which was initially shared online in various unfinished forms. The release, scheduled for March 20, 2026, is being handled through a deal with Gamma, after numerous delays. BULLY represents West’s twelfth studio album.
The forecast is a significant increase compared to his previous official release, VULTURES 2, a collaboration with Ty Dolla $ign, which moved 107,000 units in its first week, largely driven by physical sales. HITS Daily Double’s projections are based on pre-orders, pre-saves and other commercial indicators. West has been selling pre-order copies of physical editions, including vinyl and CDs, and the project has garnered over 600,000 pre-saves on Spotify as of today.
The album’s development dates back several years, with producer Mike Dean revealing work on a track, “Beauty and the Beast,” began during the sessions for West’s 2021 album, Donda. West likewise reportedly offered the song “Preacher Man” to Drake, who declined, before including it on BULLY. Multiple versions of the album were released in March 2025, featuring guest appearances from Peso Pluma, Playboi Carti, and Ty Dolla $ign.
The release of BULLY comes as West attempts to navigate a complex period in his career and personal life. He has publicly addressed his mental health struggles and issued apologies for past controversial statements. The album’s arrival will be closely watched to see if it signals a broader shift in West’s public persona and artistic direction.
BULLY was initially released as a short film, directed by West and edited by Hype Williams, starring his son, Saint, who is depicted fighting New Japan Pro-Wrestling wrestlers with a toy mallet. Sonically, the album draws comparisons to West’s earlier work on 808s & Heartbreak (2008) and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010), with a heavy emphasis on sampling and interpolation, and a move towards singing rather than rapping.
Initial releases of the album featured vocals created using artificial intelligence-generated deepfakes, though West has indicated plans to re-record the lyrics with his own voice. According to reports, the vocals in the final version, scheduled for release on March 20th, have been replaced.