Donda

Donda. The tenth studio album by Kanye West was named after his mother, Donda West, who passed away in 2007. Kanye West has often referenced his mother in his music, including in songs like Jesus Walks and Hey Mama, which feature Common and John Legend. The album features guest appearances from Jay-Z, The Weeknd, Lil Baby, and Chris Brown, among others, and was produced by Mike Dean, Boi-1da, and No I.D..

Background and development

The development of Donda began in 2018, with Kanye West working on the album in Wyoming and California. Kanye West has stated that he was inspired by his Sunday Service gatherings, which feature Gospel music and Christian hip hop. The album was initially set to be released in 2020, but was delayed several times due to Kanye West's perfectionism and his work on other projects, including his Presidential campaign and his collaboration with Nikki Minaj on Yikes. Kanye West has also cited the influence of Dr. Dre, The Notorious B.I.G., and Tupac Shakur on the album's sound.

Music and production

The music on Donda features a mix of Hip hop, Electronic music, and Gospel music, with production from Mike Dean, Boi-1da, and No I.D.. The album includes samples from Ariana Grande, FKA twigs, and Labrinth, among others. Kanye West has stated that he was inspired by the production style of DJ Premier and The RZA, and that he wanted to create an album that would appeal to fans of Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole. The album's sound has been compared to Kanye West's earlier work, including College Dropout and Late Registration, which feature Talib Kweli and Consequence.

Themes and lyrics

The themes on Donda include Kanye West's personal struggles, his relationships, and his spiritual journey. The album features lyrics that reference Kanye West's Mental health, his Marriage to Kim Kardashian, and his Faith. Kanye West has stated that he was inspired by the lyrics of Bob Dylan and John Lennon, and that he wanted to create an album that would be a Concept album like Pink Floyd's The Wall. The album's lyrics have been praised for their honesty and vulnerability, and have been compared to the lyrics of Eminem and Nas.

Release and promotion

Donda was released on August 29, 2021, through Def Jam Recordings and G.O.O.D. Music. The album was promoted with a series of Listening parties in Atlanta and Chicago, which featured Playboi Carti and Lil Yachty. Kanye West also performed at the Rolling Loud festival in Miami, where he debuted several songs from the album, including Off the Grid and Believe What I Say. The album's release was accompanied by a Merchandise line, which featured designs from Virgil Abloh and Off-White.

Critical reception

Donda received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising the album's production and Kanye West's lyrics. The album has been compared to Kanye West's earlier work, including My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and Yeezus, which feature Nicki Minaj and Bon Iver. Critics have praised the album's guest appearances, including those from Jay-Z and The Weeknd, and have noted the influence of Drake and The-Dream on the album's sound. However, some critics have criticized the album's length and Kanye West's ego, comparing it to the work of Eminem and Kendrick Lamar.

Commercial performance

Donda debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, with over 300,000 Album-equivalent units sold in its first week. The album also reached number one on the UK Albums Chart and the Canadian Albums Chart, and has been certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album's success has been attributed to Kanye West's dedicated fan base, as well as the album's promotion through Social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram. The album's commercial performance has been compared to that of Taylor Swift's Folklore and Adele's 30, which also debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. Category:Hip hop albums