Kanye West album 'Donda' finally arrives, claims music label released it without his 'approval'
It's finally here.
More than a month after Kanye West's long-awaited 10th studio album was initially scheduled to be released, "Donda" is streaming online.
The 27-song album, which arrived unexpectedly on Sunday morning, features West's musings on his late mother (the album's namesake), mental health and criminal justice. In early reactions, fans raved over the rapper's new work.
"This album is the best thing to happen to me this year," Twitter user @kaeelum wrote.
"Album of the year already," @Juni_Millz added. "This one can't be topped."
"DONDA isn’t just an album, it’s a cultural reset," @kanyeg1rl wrote.
'Donda':Kanye West joined by DaBaby, Marilyn Manson at controversial listening event, social media reacts
On Sunday afternoon, West claimed Universal Music Group, parent company to Def Jam, released the album without his approval.
"UNIVERSAL PUT MY ALBUM OUT WITHOUT MY APPROVAL AND THEY BLOCKED JAIL 2 FROM BEING ON THE ALBUM," he wrote in an Instagram note.
USA TODAY has reached out to UMG and Def Jam for comment.
A handful of "Donda" songs seemingly nod to Kim Kardashian filing for divorce from West this past February after nearly seven years of marriage. They share four children: North, 8, Saint, 5, Chicago, 3, and Psalm, 2.
"I pray that my family they never resent me / And she fell in love with me as soon she met me / We both got it bad mama, bag is more heavy / We have to start countin', it's gettin' too petty," West raps in "Off the Grid."
But could the two still have it "bad" for each other? On Saturday, Kardashian confirmed that she joined West onstage Thursday night wearing a veiled Balenciaga Haute Couture wedding dress from the fashion house's fall 2021 collection, though she stayed mum about what it meant for their relationship.
USA TODAY has reached out to their representatives for comment.
Throughout the album's delays (it was originally slated for release July 23), West gave fans plenty to talk about. He hosted three listening sessions: two at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and one this week at Chicago's Soldier Field Stadium. Each event gave fans a sneak peek at West's latest draft of "Donda," including guest performances from major artists and shocking moments (see: West and Kardashian in a wedding-esque scene, and the rapper appearing to set himself on fire).
Another controversial choice from Thursday's show: West's choice to feature DaBaby, who has faced backlash for spewing homophobic comments, and to invite the "Suge" rapper onto the stage with Marilyn Manson, the rock star who has been sued by several women who accuse him of sexual assault and abuse.
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Though Roddy Ricch, The Weeknd, Travis Scott, Young Thug and Lil Baby are also among the album's featured artists, West is the only one credited on streaming sites.
DaBaby and Jay-Z had both been featured on iterations of "Jail," but only Jay-Z appeared on the track released Sunday. West shared on Instagram early Sunday morning screenshots of texts supposedly from his manager that claimed DaBaby's manager wouldn't clear his appearance on "Jail," which would further delay the release.
"Jail pt 2," a song not yet available as of Sunday morning, also made it onto the track list. USA TODAY has reached out to West's representatives for comment.
"DONDA OUT W JAY BACK ON JAIL, ALL IS WELL," wrote Twitter user @Decarlo__.
"So glad he took DaBaby off of Jail," @MCSPS92 added.
The complete "Donda" tracklist:
1. "Donda Chant"
2. "Jail"
3. "God Breathed"
4. "Off the Grid"
5. "Hurricane"
6. "Praise God"
7. "Jonah"
8. "Ok Ok"
9. "Junya"
10. "Believe What I Say"
11. "24"
12. "Remote Control"
13. "Moon"
14. "Heaven and Hell"
15. "Donda"
16. "Keep My Spirit Alive"
17. "Jesus Lord"
18. "New Again"
19. "Tell The Vision"
20. "Lord I Need You"
21. "Pure Souls"
22. "Come to Life"
23. "No Child Left Behind"
24. "Jail pt 2"
25. "Ok Ok pt 2"
26. "Junya pt 2"
27. "Jesus Lord pt 2"
Contributing: Elise Brisco
More than a month after Kanye West's long-awaited 10th studio album was initially scheduled to be released, "Donda" is streaming online.
The 27-song album, which arrived unexpectedly on Sunday morning, features West's musings on his late mother (the album's namesake), mental health and criminal justice. In early reactions, fans raved over the rapper's new work.
"This album is the best thing to happen to me this year," Twitter user @kaeelum wrote.
"Album of the year already," @Juni_Millz added. "This one can't be topped."
"DONDA isn’t just an album, it’s a cultural reset," @kanyeg1rl wrote.
'Donda':Kanye West joined by DaBaby, Marilyn Manson at controversial listening event, social media reacts
On Sunday afternoon, West claimed Universal Music Group, parent company to Def Jam, released the album without his approval.
"UNIVERSAL PUT MY ALBUM OUT WITHOUT MY APPROVAL AND THEY BLOCKED JAIL 2 FROM BEING ON THE ALBUM," he wrote in an Instagram note.
USA TODAY has reached out to UMG and Def Jam for comment.
A handful of "Donda" songs seemingly nod to Kim Kardashian filing for divorce from West this past February after nearly seven years of marriage. They share four children: North, 8, Saint, 5, Chicago, 3, and Psalm, 2.
"I pray that my family they never resent me / And she fell in love with me as soon she met me / We both got it bad mama, bag is more heavy / We have to start countin', it's gettin' too petty," West raps in "Off the Grid."
But could the two still have it "bad" for each other? On Saturday, Kardashian confirmed that she joined West onstage Thursday night wearing a veiled Balenciaga Haute Couture wedding dress from the fashion house's fall 2021 collection, though she stayed mum about what it meant for their relationship.
USA TODAY has reached out to their representatives for comment.
Throughout the album's delays (it was originally slated for release July 23), West gave fans plenty to talk about. He hosted three listening sessions: two at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and one this week at Chicago's Soldier Field Stadium. Each event gave fans a sneak peek at West's latest draft of "Donda," including guest performances from major artists and shocking moments (see: West and Kardashian in a wedding-esque scene, and the rapper appearing to set himself on fire).
Another controversial choice from Thursday's show: West's choice to feature DaBaby, who has faced backlash for spewing homophobic comments, and to invite the "Suge" rapper onto the stage with Marilyn Manson, the rock star who has been sued by several women who accuse him of sexual assault and abuse.
Call him Ye:Kanye West files to legally change his name to Ye for 'personal reasons'
Though Roddy Ricch, The Weeknd, Travis Scott, Young Thug and Lil Baby are also among the album's featured artists, West is the only one credited on streaming sites.
DaBaby and Jay-Z had both been featured on iterations of "Jail," but only Jay-Z appeared on the track released Sunday. West shared on Instagram early Sunday morning screenshots of texts supposedly from his manager that claimed DaBaby's manager wouldn't clear his appearance on "Jail," which would further delay the release.
"Jail pt 2," a song not yet available as of Sunday morning, also made it onto the track list. USA TODAY has reached out to West's representatives for comment.
"DONDA OUT W JAY BACK ON JAIL, ALL IS WELL," wrote Twitter user @Decarlo__.
"So glad he took DaBaby off of Jail," @MCSPS92 added.
The complete "Donda" tracklist:
1. "Donda Chant"
2. "Jail"
3. "God Breathed"
4. "Off the Grid"
5. "Hurricane"
6. "Praise God"
7. "Jonah"
8. "Ok Ok"
9. "Junya"
10. "Believe What I Say"
11. "24"
12. "Remote Control"
13. "Moon"
14. "Heaven and Hell"
15. "Donda"
16. "Keep My Spirit Alive"
17. "Jesus Lord"
18. "New Again"
19. "Tell The Vision"
20. "Lord I Need You"
21. "Pure Souls"
22. "Come to Life"
23. "No Child Left Behind"
24. "Jail pt 2"
25. "Ok Ok pt 2"
26. "Junya pt 2"
27. "Jesus Lord pt 2"
Contributing: Elise Brisco
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