Kanye West has the world in his palms for yet another week. This time, the Chi-town billionaire hosted his second listening session for DONDA, a spectacle that was streamed live on Apple Music.
Watch: Kanye West DONDA livestream
On Thursday, geographical coordinates pointing to different locations in Africa, Oceania, Asia, Europe and North America surfaced on the rapper’s website. These, according to the info listed on the header, were public live streaming sites of the Apple Music-hosted listening session.
Moreover, in a number of locations around the world, billboards showing Ye’s locker room at the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, where he’s been staying since his last listening session, were spotted by fans.
At last, after a long and arduous wait, the second listening event, held at the same venue, went live on Apple Music and fans got to hear the improved version of DONDA.
The event was an out-of-body experience for millions who tuned into the spectacle that saw Yeezy, at one point, levitate to the skies, mimicking the detailed scripture of Jesus Christ’s ascension.
You can watch the dubbed version of the DONDA listening session right here:
DONDA album updates: Release date, features, tracklist
At this juncture, fans of the rap billionaire are perplexed, and rightfully so. What was first promised to be a 30 July release was pushed back by a week.
On Friday, no signs of DONDA were spotted on digital streaming platforms. However, quite interestingly, the album is available for pre-order on iTunes and based on the nameless listing, we know two things:
- The album is expected on streaming platforms by Monday 9 August 2021, for the latest; and
- there are 24 tracks on it.
Apple ITunes shows the preorder for the album but “expected Aug 9” hopefully we still get it tonight but we might have to wait until Monday. #kanye #DONDA pic.twitter.com/oqx5SpV6Ro
— Adrian Fernandez (@AdrianF31762309) August 6, 2021
Another Easter egg released by Jay-Z’s Tidal revealed what’s said to be the official feature list of the album:
FEATURES LIST #DONDA (via @TIDAL) pic.twitter.com/M98MBEUIsg
— Complex Music (@ComplexMusic) August 6, 2021
Kid Cudi, who was rumoured to be part of the prestigious feature list when the murmurs fluttered around weeks ago, came out recently to admit that at the time, news of his inclusion on DONDA was fake.
But, thanks to Ye’s untethered kindness, this was corrected.
I wasnt on Donda when I tweeted that I wasnt. Ye hit me the followin week and we made it work. Realest nigga alive. No need to lie to kick it . Hope u guys enjoy!!
— The Chosen One (@KidCudi) August 6, 2021
With the entire music world waiting with baited breath for signs of DONDA, Justin LaBoy, whose been bellowing from the burrows in support of Ye, stood on the ledge with his claim that this is the album of the year.
Kanye really got The Weeknd & Lil Baby on the same record… DONT @ ME TONIGHT… DONDA ALBUM OF THE YEAR ✌ #Respectfully
— Respectfully Justin (@JustinLaboy) August 6, 2021