Written by: Mikala Lugen | Photo(s) by: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Kanye West Releases 10th Studio Album ‘Donda,’ Sparks Controversy
Kanye West has finally released his tenth studio album, Donda, after more than a month of high-profile events and controversy surrounding its release.
Named after West’s late mother who died in 2007, Donda comes packaged in a 27-track collection spanning 108 minutes in length. Originally slated to arrive July 24th, the album’s Sunday release comes following an extensive campaign with three lavish listening parties – the first two at Atlanta, GA’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the third at Chicago, IL’s Soldier Field.
Livestreamed via Apple, West’s latter listening party was nonetheless stacked with eccentric production even though the album release date was subsequently missed. The coverage included “fake remarrying” Kim Kardashian, $50 chicken tenders, Drake insults, and setting his childhood home and himself on fire. You can say the event was, per say, unique but perfectly matched to West’s personality.
Additionally, making sure all eyes were on the event, West, also officially going by just “Ye” now, went on to weaponize controversy bringing out highly controversial figures, accused sexual abuser Marilyn Mason and homophobe DaBaby, both of whom appear on the album’s second track “Jail.” Through his three events, it seems as though the release of the album is over-shined and bloated out. The billionaire sings through lyrics of self-pity and anti-system, but using racial stereotypes and expensive marketing material and production kind of shows his lack of self-awareness.
Nonetheless, collaborators on the album include Jay-Z, The Weeknd, Lil Baby, Travis Scott, Baby Keem, Kid Cudi, Don Toliver, Lil Yachty, Syleena Johnson, Young Thug, Roddy Ricch, Swizz Beatz, and more. Stream the album below and you’ll find touches of reflective and meaningful lyrics.
Now with the release of the album, West is claiming Universal Music Group released it too early, stating in a social media post, “Universal put my album out without my approval and they blocked jail 2 from being on the album.”
At the time of publishing, representatives for Universal Music Group had no comment on the allegation.
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