Building the Future: Inside Kanye West’s Ambitious Urban Utopia
Kanye West’s meticulous approach is evident once again as he prepares for the debut of his production, Vultures, on December 31. Recent reports reveal that the rapper dedicated several days to the project in AlUla, northwest of Saudi Arabia—a region central to his ambition of constructing a city four times the size of Paris and 50% larger than New York. Named YZY DROAM, Kanye has initiated the process by inviting applications for various roles, including builders, project managers, engineers, and architects, emphasizing the careful planning behind this ambitious venture.
Just months ago, Kanye West secured trademarks for the names Droam and Villadroam, integral to the development of his visionary project, YZY DROAM. The inception of this ambitious city dates back to 2022 when sources close to the rapper disclosed plans for what was then called Yecosystem— a city housing YZY-branded stores and innovative structures, as reported by Rolling Stones. Kanye’s initial vision for a community in Wyoming was already taking shape, with the floor plan of YZY CITY shared on Twitter, featuring contributions from architects such as Abe Salman, Tanil Raif, and Bianca Censori, the rapper’s current wife. This commitment to urban development is further underscored by Kanye’s recent decision to list his iconic Malibu villa, designed by architect Tadao Ando, for sale at approximately €48 million, as per Robb Report. In essence, building a city has long been Kanye’s aspiration, evident in the evolution of his visionary projects over the years.
