Kanye West – Donda: Fans frustrated as rapper’s album suffers more delays
Album was rescheduled after being delayed once again in July
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Kanye West has held a second listening party ahead of today (6 August), the supposed new release date for his 10th studio album, Donda.
The record has suffered multiple delays and was most recently scheduled for release on 23 July, but the album never manifested.
West has now put on two listening parties at the Mercedes-Benz stadium in Atlanta, where thousands of fans have been privy to an early glimpse at Donda.
The rapper and producer reportedly went back to work on the album after the first, following a muted reaction from the 42,000 fans in attendance.
The album is named after West’s mother, Donda West, who died in 2007 aged 58.
This current version reportedly includes features such as Playboi Carti, Pusha T, Young Thug, Travis Scott, Jay-Z, Lil Baby and The Weeknd.
Some talking points:
At the time of writing (10am EST, 3am UK time), the album had still not materialised, despite the new release date being scheduled for 2am EST on Friday 6 August.
The liveblog is now closed.
Right, so... Where are we at? No album, obviously. That would be too easy, wouldn’t it, Kanye.
Instead, the rapper shared the latest incarnation of his forthcoming album, Donda, at the Mercedes-Benz stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, where he’s been holed up ever since the first listening party back in July.
West started playing the album around 10.27pm EST, while standing in the middle of the stage on which he had arranged a bed – Tracey Emin, eat your heart out –as the new music aired to thousands of fans.
Compared to the first listening party, at which West simply prowled a blank stage while wearing a pair of tights over his head, this one had a little more production value.
Towards the end of last night’s event, West was circled by hundreds of bodies dressed in balaclavas. It closed on the single “No Child Left Behind”, at which point he was flown into the air.
The album tracklist appears to have been switched up since the first listening party, too. Young Thug and Kid Cudi have been added to a previously shared song that fans are calling “Remote”, and there are some new tracks, including Track 20 which guest-stars The Weeknd.
Jay Electronic and the Lox appear on new song, Track 15.
West had earlier began his stream with a continuous shot of his tiny living space at the arena, where he and his collaborators were seen supposedly working on the album. Some people did push-ups. The sound was switched off. And there was a clock, apparently counting down to 12.30am on Friday 6 August.
It’s now 2.27am in Atlanta.
I love West’s fans, and I’m convinced they would hold up very well under torture. Their resilience, in the face of near-impossible odds, is remarkable. They’re also very sweet – when I was being held at gunpo- I mean, doing this liveblog willingly, last month, they kept checking in on me to make sure I hadn’t spiralled into complete insanity (close, but no cigar).
You know who did drop an album today? Well, a few people, but one of the biggest releases by far is Nas, who’s released King’s Disease II. I’m listening to it now, in fact, just started. It has some insane features on there: Eminem, Lauryn Hill, YG, Charlie Wilson... but it doesn’t feel overloaded, unlike... Well, you know.
It’s still too early to say, I’m only on the first track, but. This feels like old Nas. Nas with purpose. Nas with a lot to get off his chest.
Take a read of Sam Moore’s thoughtful piece below:
‘I made it out’: How Nas escaped poverty and violence to become hip-hop’s greatest rapper
Nas has been atop the rap game for three decades - now Sam Moore looks at his longevity, legacy and impact ahead of his new album, King’s Disease 2
Let’s take a look at some of the fan reactions so far to no Donda...
See how I jinxed it in my newsletter this morning...
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Kim Kardashian showed up for Kanye again
Kim Kardashian supports Kanye West at second Donda listening event
West is expected to release much-delayed album today
A reminder that Donda was supposed to be released on 23 after the first livestream event the day before. West later shared the update via a rep that the album would instead drop on 6 August, as he began a temporary residency at the Mercedes-Benz stadium in Atlanta....
Here are some reviews of albums that did drop today:
Album reviews: Will Young – Crying on the Bathroom Floor, and Fredo – Independence Day
Will Young shows his good taste on an album of covers, while Fredo pushes forward with a new record putting his foray into pop behind him
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