"Alive" (stylized in all uppercase) is a song by American rappers Kanye West and YoungBoy Never Broke Again. It was surprise released on May 21,2025. The song prominently samples ad-libs by DJ Swamp Izzo from the Playboi Carti song "Crank";as a result,both are credited as songwriters. Musically,"Alive" is minimalist and high-energy,with its production solely consisting of a distorted 808 bass. In the song's verses,both artists take turns rapping about their detractors.
Before its release,"Alive" was previewed in full on West's Instagram page,being sent to music streaming platforms later in the day. After its release,Playboi Carti claimed that West had stolen the song from him,uploading his own version that contained an additional verse and a music video. Both versions of the song received positive reception from music critics,who often praised each artist's performance,as well as the song's production. West would later update the track after its release,and has since shared plans to film a music video in Utah.
Background
YoungBoy Never Broke Again has shown support for West in the past. In his song "This Not a Song,This For My Supporters",released a day after West's infamous appearance on Alex Jones's Infowars,he suggests that West is deeply hurt;"It hurt my heart that Kanye let them people break his soul / How the fuck that go? Nigga,stay in yo' home! / Nigga,hold your ground! You strong."[1][2] YoungBoy also featured on an unreleased track from West and Ty Dolla Sign's collaborative album Vultures2 (2024),being the song "Let Me Chill Out",[a] which also features Rich the Kid and posthumous vocals from Takeoff.[3]
After its release,Playboi Carti would allege that "Alive" was originally his,having been "stolen" by West. He would take to Instagram after the songs release,posting a version with no vocals from West and his own verse at the end.[4][5][6] The visualizer used for Carti's upload also contains multiple visual references to YoungBoy,such as ones regarding his recent prison sentence.[5]
Composition
"Alive" is a high-energy track that prominently samples "Crank" by Playboi Carti,reusing the "Alive!" ad-libs done by DJ Swamp Izzo.[7][8] Aside from this sample,the song's only instrument is a blaring,distorted 808 bass.[2][7] The track seems to be aimed at detractors and those who fake influence,with West rapping "This that nigga been stealin' the swag,they know damn well they ain't invent / This that niggas ain't rich,they broke,want a blessing and they ain't even repent."[2]
Release
West would first release the song on Instagram,captioning it "ALIVE YE X NBA YoungBoy YZY SZN 10".[2][9] Later in the day,West would upload the track to music streaming services such as Tidal.[10] The song is likely meant to be part of West's upcoming Yeezy Season 10 fashion collection.[4]
West has since announced plans to film a music video for "Alive" in Utah,and has posted snippets of updated versions of the song.[11]
Reception
Alexander Cole of HotNewHipHop complimented the song,noting that West and YoungBoy's back and forth exchange is "nicely done",also noting its the last time West has sounded "serious" on a track since Vultures 2 in August 2024. He concludes with "If you are someone who cares a lot about clean mixes,this will probably make your ears bleed. But if you just want to have fun,then maybe this song will do something for you."[7]
Regarding Playboi Carti's version of the song,Pitchfork's Jude Noel described both of their performances as "amped",with the song itself "[fusing] his recent taste for industrial trap cut-ups with the bass-led minimalism of 'New Slaves'". She ends her review by stating that if West was always the intended main artist for the song,"then that just makes Carti’s remix even more diabolical."[8]
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