It’s a new day; the sun is shining, birds are chirping, and Kanye West almost broke the internet with the livestream of his Donda listening party last night. Social media has been buzzing since last Sunday with unconfirmed reports that West held a private listening party in Las Vegas for his forthcoming album. Despite the blurry video clips that were circulating, long-time West fans know better than to get their hopes up about rumored releases. Then, during the NBA finals, a Beats by Dre ad, featuring track and field sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson, aired with a soundtrack by none other than West himself. The song “No Child Left Behind” was confirmed to be off his forthcoming album and the second listening party was announced. All signs pointed to a GOOD Friday drop.
We might not have an album, but the livestream gave everyone a sneak peek of what’s to come on Donda. In true Kanye fashion, he arrived two hours late for the listening party but good things come to those who wait, right? And by good things I mean a Jay-Z and Kanye reunion. In Jay-Z’s words “this might be the return of the Throne. Hova and Yeezus, like Moses and Jesus.” And that’s not it, the album is stacked with features. Baby Keem! Travis Scott! Playboi Carti! Roddy Ricch! Pusha T! Pop Smoke!
On a more serious note, the album seems deeply personal with West getting emotional while rapping “Love Unconditionally” which is about losing his family. Still no word on the official release date for Donda, but if there’s one thing we know about Kanye it’s that he doesn’t follow the herd. It could be dropping at any time or get pushed back again but fingers crossed for the former.
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