Kanye West was supposed to release his latest album, Donda 2, on Tuesday, but it is yet to materialise.
West, who legally changed his name to Ye last year, held a listening party for the album yesterday, with stars including Elon Musk in attendance.
He announced last month that his follow-up to 2021’s Donda would be released on 22 February, but the album did not appear at midnight as was expected.
West is releasing the album through unconventional means. It will not drop on popular streaming sites like Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal, and will instead only be released on West’s own Stem Player device.
Here’s everything you need to know about Donda 2, and how to listen to it once it is released.
When will Donda 2 be released?
Fans are currently in the dark over when Donda 2 will be released, after it failed to drop on 22 February.
West has a long history with missing album release dates, so fans were not exactly stunned by its non-appearance.
However, the fact West did hold the exclusive listening party on Tuesday suggests the album could be imminent.
Donda 2 includes posthumous vocals from XXXTentacion, and also samples West’s ex-wife Kim Kardashian calling him the “best rapper of all time”. Artists including Travis Scott and Future are among those featured.
Kardashian is referenced in at least two tracks, and the album also takes a swipe at her new boyfriend, Saturday Night Live comedian Pete Davidson.
More from Music
How can I listen to Donda 2?
West has said the album will be streamed exclusively on his Stem Player.
He claimed he turned down a $100 million deal with Apple Music to instead release the album by his own means.
The Stem Player is a device launched by West last year, which allows users to isolate parts of tracks and customise music. It costs $200 and can only currently be purchased directly through the website.
Its website includes a video showing off its capabilities with a customised version of West’s 2001 hit, ‘No Child Left Behind’.
West announced his decision not to release Donda 2 on traditional streaming sites on Instagram, posting: “Today artists get just 12% per cent of the money the industry makes. It’s time to free music from this oppressive system. It’s time to take control and build our own. Go to stemplayer.com now to order.”
What happened at the listening party?
Pusha T, Migos, Jack Harlow, Fivio Foreign, Marilyn Manson and Alicia Keys were among those who appeared at West’s live event, which was held at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida.
The listening party was streamed live on the Stem Player website, but fans were left watching a video of a pulsating heartbeat for almost three hours before it properly begun.
The event was then plagued by sound issues, with West throwing his mic in frustration at one point.
New tracks including ‘Flowers’ were sampled, along with new music featuring Migos and Harlow, and West’s recent collaboration ‘Eazy’ with The Game. Keys appeared to perform ‘City of Gods’ with the Graduation rapper.
Harlow’s track opened with a vocal sample of Kamala Harris’ “We did it, Joe” phone call to US President Joe Biden after the 2021 election.
Manson’s appearance at the event was controversial, as he has been accused of rape, assault and physical and psychological abuse by multiple women. He strongly denies all claims.
