Kanye West and Paul McCartney release song, Only One, together

THE first big musical event of 2015 has already happened — Kanye West and former Beatle Paul McCartney have released a song together. Hear it here.

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 03: Rapper Kanye West attends the "Top Five" New York premiere at Ziegfeld Theater on December 3, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage)

THE first big musical event of 2015 has already happened — Kanye West and former Beatle Paul McCartney have released a song together.

While most of the world was seeing in the New Year, Kanye West quietly dropped his first official new track in 18 months.

The New York Post reports that the genteel, auto-tuned ballad Only One features McCartney and was released to iTunes at midnight (4pm AEDT).

It captures Yeezy singing from the perspective of his late mother, Donda, who passed away in 2007.

Married ... Paul McCartney and wife Nancy Shevell. Picture: AP

Mr Kardashian ... Kanye West and his wife, Kim. Picture: Getty

It’s one of Kanye’s most emotive moments to date, and a far cry from the aggression of 2013’s Yeezus album.

West’s wife Kim Kardashian explained that Only One (which also makes reference to Kimye’s daughter North) is her favourite Kanye song.

Still going strong ... Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney performs in concert as part of his Out There tour. Picture: AP

“Kanye felt like his mum was singing through him to our daughter,” she said. “This song makes me cry every time I hear it.”

Kanye is expected to release a new album early in 2015.

Originally published as Kanye West and Paul McCartney release song, Only One, together