After first teasing a release late last month, Kanye West new album DONDA has finally been released. It arrived early Sunday morning without any formal announcement, but it apparently was distributed by Def Jam without notifying Ye himself.
Later on Sunday, West posted on Instagram a note stating, "Universal put my album out without my approval and they blocked 'Jail 2' from being on the album," a reference to the song featuring controversial appearances from Marilyn Manson and DaBaby.
West teased the release of his new full-length DONDA (initially expected last July) with an Apple ad featuring new song "No Child Left Behind," which premiered during Game 6 of the NBA Finals on July 20. Just 48 hours later, he debuted the audio from what appeared to be the album to a stadium full of fans at Mercedes Benz Stadium in his hometown of Atlanta.
Unfortunately, the album did not materialize, with Ye instead taking up residence inside Mercedes Benz Stadium, where he has reportedly remained most of the time since July 23, working feverishly on the project.
The release of DONDA, named after his mother Dr. Donda West, follows an interesting and at times, chaotic, period in Kanye's life. Last year, he denounced his past support for Donald Trump and then decided to run for President himself, not as a Democrat or Republican but instead listing himself as a member of the "Birthday Party." He has stayed out of the spotlight for much of the last few months, during which his wife Kim Kardashian filed for divorce and Ye's last album Jesus Is King also won a Grammy—for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album.
On Thursday night (Aug. 26), West held yet another listening party, this time in Chicago. He also invited controversy with cameos from Marilyn Manson and DaBaby.
Ultimately, the 27-track album features a number of guest features, from the likes of JAY-Z, Travis Scott, The Weeknd, Young Thug, Lil Baby, Jay Electronica, Ty Dolla $ign, Kid Cudi, the late Pop Smoke, Lil Yachty, Baby Keem, Don Toliver and more.
Hear the album below.
