The year 2014 came and went without much from Kanye West on the musical side. News from various sources popped up throughout the year of Mr. West steadily working on his much-anticipated sixth solo album, and a single titled “All Day” that leaked in rough unfinished form this summer.

Now, on New Year’s Eve just minutes before the ball drop’s and 2015 arrives, the Chicago rapper-producer-fashion designer debuts the song “Only One.” Much like big brother Jay Z and his 2012 dedication to daughter Blue Ivy Carter on “Glory,” Kanye gives an ode to his one-year-old baby girl North West.

Continue after the jump…..

“Hello my only one, remember who you are,” sings Kanye. “You got the world cause you got the love in your hands and you’re still my chosen one.” A touching personal song, it features the legendary Paul McCartney playing organ as the title is drawn from Kanye’s name, which is Swahili for “Only One.” Back in August, news leaked of The Beatles frontman working with West on various records together for the rapper’s new album.

“Everyone asks me what my favorite Kanye song is. It’s Only One,” Kanye’s wife Kim Kardashian said on Twitter and Instagram. “Kanye felt like his mom was singing thru him to our daughter. This song makes me cry every time I hear it,” she continued, referring to Kanye’s mother, the late Donda West who passed away in 2007.

Available for purchase now on iTunes, you can listen and read the lyrics to Kanye’s dedication to daughter Nori below.

UPDATE: In a press release, it explains how the song came together between Kanye and Paul McCartney, recording the song in a L.A. studio session. Co-produced by Mike Dean, “Only One” also features background vocals from Ty Dolla $ign.

Today – New Years Day, 2015 – one of the most powerful and unexpected music collaborations in modern history has been released exclusively on the iTunes music store: “Only One.” The single features the undeniable talent of two musical and cultural icons: Kanye West and Paul McCartney.

It will be the first publicly available recording from what has become a prolific musical collaboration between these two legendary artists.

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: With McCartneyimprovising on the keyboards and Kanye vocally sketching and shaping ideas in a stream-of-consciousness riff.

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 realized that perhaps the words had never really come from him.

The process of artistic creation is one that does not involve thinking, but often channeling. 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.

“My mom was singing to me, and through me to my daughter,” he said, astonished.

The small group in the room kept listening: “Hello my Only One…just like the morning sun…you’ll keep on rising till the sky knows your name.”

To some, Kanye’s insight didn’t immediately register. But then he explained: The name Kanye, which his mother had chosen, means “only one.”

And then it dawned on everyone there: Something powerful and undeniable had occurred through the power of music and of letting go. A message had been passed down through generations.

And so it is that there was only one song that could be released first from this groundbreaking collaboration: “Only One,” an anthem of positive reflection, hopefulness and joyous celebration to usher in a New Year.

There is only one you. There is only one life. And there is only one 2015. “Only One” is available exclusively on the iTunes music store in 119 countries exclusively for one week. Enjoy. And Happy New Year.

STREAM THE SONG DIRECTLY FROM KANYE’S SITE IF THE STREAM IS UNAVAILABLE.

Kanye West Feat. Paul McCartney – “Only One” (Lyrics):

[Verse 1]
As I lay me down to sleep
I hear her speak to me
Hello Omari, how you doing?
I think the storm ran out of rain, the clouds are moving
I know you’re happy, cause I can see it
So tell the voice inside your head to believe it
I talked to God about you
He said he sent you an angel
Look at all that he gave you
You asked for one and you got two
You know I never left you
Cause every road that leads to heaven is right beside you
So I can say

[Outro]
Hey, hey, hey, hey
Tell Nori about me, tell Nori about-
I just want you to do me a favor
Tell Nori about me, tell Nori about me
Tell Nori about me, tell Nori about me
Tell Nori about me, tell Nori about me
Tell Nori about me, tell Nori about me
Tell Nori about me, tell Nori about me
Tell Nori about me, tell Nori about me
Tell Nori about me, tell Nori about me
Tell Nori about me, tell Nori about me
Tell Nori about me, tell Nori about me

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.

— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) January 1, 2015

I cry every time I hear this song

— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) January 1, 2015

And such a beautiful photo of Kanye and North by Inez and Vinoodh

— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) January 1, 2015

Photos by Inez and Vinoodh

Previously: Kanye West and Kim Kardashian Star in New Balmain Campaign