OPINION: The entire situation behind the “Donda” release is as Kanye as Kanye gets

It finally happened after over a year delay, the mythic “Yandhi” album being abandoned, a divorce, and a failed presidential campaign later, Kanye has finally released “Donda.” Or maybe it was Universal who released “Donda.” Details are still hazy on that one, but therein highlights one undeniable fact about this album – the entire situation is as Kanye as Kanye gets. 

The hype behind the release of “Donda” really picked up steam when Kanye hosted the first of three listening parties for the album that took place in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in Atlanta on July 22^nd.  

The listening party was open to the public and featured a packed stadium with a crowd unseen since pre-COVID NFL. The album presented featured an unexpected reunion with idol-turned-rival-turned-idol-turned-rival-again Jay-Z and other features from artists such as Fivio Foreign and the official presentation of the Kanye track “Hurricane” which has received a cult following since first appearing in leaks of the since-abandoned album “Yandhi.” 

Kanye then proceeded to hole up in the stadium for weeks to add “finishing touches” to the album then had a second listening party August 6^th in the Superdome and featured new and updated mixes to some tracks and even offerings of the COVID-19 vaccines (which he also had at the first event). 

“Donda” was then available on Apple Music August 7^th with a tracklist of 24 – significantly more music content than his previous “Jesus is King” and “Ye” albums. The release date on Apple Music was changed several times and it seemed like Kanye’s habit of delaying albums would continue for the foreseeable future. Then, on August 26^th, it finally happened; the moment everyone had been waiting for: Kanye hosted a third listening party, this time at Soldier Field in his hometown of Chicago. This event was significantly weirder than the last, as well. 

 The event featured Kanye standing on the porch of a replica of his late mother’s (who the album is named after) home and the home he grew up in as a child. He also lit himself on fire and also had a faux remarriage to his ex-wife Kim Kardashian West. Again, weird. 

The album also saw significant changes in the album than what had been heard on previous plays of the project. On the track “Jail,” Jay-Z’s verse was omitted in favor of DaBaby and there were three other tracks that saw different versions presented to the public at the event than what was previously heard. 

Perhaps the most headline-grabbing occurrence at the event though was the company that joined Kanye on the steps of his childhood home. Marilyn Manson, who in recent months has had abuse allegations levied against him, and DaBaby who has received criticism for homophobic remarks made at the 2021 Rolling Loud festival both were side-by-side with Kanye at the event. There’s been no explanation for that. 

Then, out of nowhere, the album dropped on August 29^th. Kanye claimed this was done without his permission, but the album has yet to be taken down off streaming services and has achieved the number one spot on the charts in 152 countries in over 24 hours. The album also features all versions of all the tracks presented at his listening parties resulting in 27 tracks and a one-hour and 48-minute runtime. 

Off the bat, I have not been a fan of Kanye’s recent musical outputs. My first review for the Argonaut I was notably not a fan of “Jesus Is King.” Regarding “Donda,” however, this might be the best album Kanye has releases since “808s and Heartbreak.”  

First off, Kanye pulled no punches when it came to the features on the album. Jay-Z, The Weeknd, Ariana Grande, Fivio Foreign, Playboi Carti, Travis Scott, and Pusha-T are only a few of the many features on this album and none of them are weak. 

Regarding the album itself, the intro track to the album isn’t really something that brings about excitement for the average listener; more so just confusion. However, from the second track on this project was an album that was impossible to put down. The four-track fun from “Jail” to “Hurricane” might be the best run on a rap album in recent memory and there are no real lowlights on the album to speak of. The closest thing to a lowlight is “Jail pt 2” feat. DaBaby and that’s more so due to the situation surrounding him than the actual verse and lyrics on the track itself. I have not stopped listening to “Off The Grid” and “Praise God” since the album released and I don’t think I will for a while. 

The album also is only available in a non-explicit capacity on Spotify but, unlike with a lot of other clean rap albums, it doesn’t hinder or take away from the album in any way. On first listen, it’s difficult to notice the censors in the first place. 

The production is also amazing. That’s never something that Kanye has dropped the ball on. Even on “Jesus Is King,” despite how much I disliked that album, the production was still solid and something I enjoyed on the project. That is no different on this album. In fact, the production is probably better. It’s layered, it’s seamless, it’s expertly crafted. It’s incredible. The lyrics and features are also incredible and even though the lyricism isn’t groundbreaking – it works with the project 

“Donda” also features the same religious and faith-based themes that were heavy and prevalent on “Jesus Is King,” but, unlike the 2019 album, they don’t feel forced. They don’t feel shoehorned in. There’s no corny comparison between Kanye’s significant other and Chick-fil-A on Sundays. In many ways, this album feels like what “Jesus Is King” should’ve been. 

Was the rollout to the album annoying? Absolutely. Were the accompanying individuals at Kanye’s last listening event off-putting and problematic? Most definitely. However, regarding the album itself, to me it could be argued that this is a top-five Kanye project and, despite what I said previously about it potentially being his best work since “808s and Heartbreak” it might even be his best since “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.” 

“Donda” will definitely not be for everyone and have its share of critics and be polarizing amongst listeners (every Kanye album is) but, for me at least, this is a return to form for an artist who may be the best all-around artist the genre has seen. 

“Donda” gets a 10/10 

Teren Kowatsch can be reached at [email protected]