Kanye West and Sir Paul McCartney have released a song together.
The ‘Stronger’ hitmaker and The Beatles frontman have collaborated on ‘Only One’ – which pays tribute to the 37-year-old rapper’s late mother, Donda West.
Sir Paul plays an accompaniment whilst Kanye sings from the perspective of his mother – who tells her son to "tell Nori about me", referring to his 18-month-old daughter, North, whom he has with Kim Kardashian West.
In a statement released by Kanye’s label, the creative process behind the song was revealed.
It read: "In early 2014, Paul McCartney and Kanye West first began working together in a small bungalow in Los Angeles. The process that would result in ‘Only One’ began with a simple brainstorming session between the two.
"When they played back the recording afterward, something remarkable happened. Kanye sat there with his family, holding his daughter North on his lap, and listened to his vocals, singing, ‘Hello, my only one…’ And in that moment, not only could he not recall having sung those words, but he realised that perhaps the words had never really come from him …
"And he understood in that moment that his late mother, Dr. Donda West, who was also his mentor, confidante, and best friend, had spoken through him that day."
Kanye sang from the perspective of his mother – who died in 2007 from surgery complications – with heartfelt lyrics including: "Remember how I’d say one day / You’ll be the man you always knew you would be / And if you knew how proud I was / You’d never shed a tear / Have a fear / No you wouldn’t do that."
Kim, 34, also praised the song, taking to Twitter to admit it’s her favourite song of his.
She wrote: "People always ask me what my favorite Kanye song is and it’s Only One. Kanye feels like his mom sang thru him to our daughter.
"I cry every time I hear this song (sic)"
Kanye West and Sir Paul McCartney release duet
