Donda is the tenth studio album by American rapper Kanye West, released through GOOD Music on August 29, 2021. It was distributed by Def Jam Recordings, marking his final release with the label. The album was recorded at various locations in the summer of 2021, including Bighorn Mountain Ranch in Wyoming and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Donda features guest vocals from prominent artists such as the Sunday Service Choir, Jay-Z, The Weeknd, Playboi Carti, Jay Electronica, Lil Baby, Travis Scott, Lil Durk, Kid Cudi, DaBaby, Pop Smoke, Fivio Foreign, and Marilyn Manson, among others. The production was primarily helmed by West, BoogzDaBeast, Dem Jointz, Mike Dean, and Ojivolta.
Initially scheduled for release in July 2020 under the title “God’s Country,” Donda faced several delays and alterations to tracks and the tracklist before its final release. The album blends various styles, including hip-hop, gospel, progressive rap, and pop, with elements of trap and drill.
It showcases both minimalist and maximalist aspects, delving into darker lyrical content and production compared to West’s previous works, while notably reducing the use of drums and profanity. Donda explores themes such as religion, West’s estrangement from his then-wife Kim Kardashian, and pays tribute to his late mother, Donda West, to whom the album is dedicated.
Upon its release, Donda sparked controversy when Kanye West accused Universal Music Group of releasing the album without his approval, a claim the label denied. The lead single, “Hurricane,” debuted in September 2021, followed by “Believe What I Say” and “Off the Grid” in November. Music critics had mixed opinions on the album’s cohesiveness, with some praising its composition and improvement from West’s previous work, while others criticized its long runtime.
Nevertheless, Donda was recognized as one of the best albums of 2021 by several publications and received nominations for Album of the Year and Best Rap Album at the 64th Grammy Awards. Additionally, “Jail” and “Hurricane” won Best Rap Song and Best Melodic Rap Performance, respectively.
Donda made a significant impact on music streaming platforms, achieving the most first-day streams for an album in 2021 on both Apple Music and Spotify. It marked Kanye West’s tenth consecutive number-one album on the US Billboard 200, tying Eminem’s record.
The album also topped the charts in 18 other regions, including Australia, France, and the United Kingdom, earning West his first number-one album in the latter country. Donda received platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in the United States, and gold certifications from Music Canada (MC) and Recorded Music NZ (RMNZ) in Canada and New Zealand, respectively.
Despite its commercial success, Donda faced controversy due to appearances from DaBaby and Marilyn Manson, both of whom were embroiled in separate allegations of homophobia and sexual abuse. In response to the album’s reception, a Stem Player was released in October 2021, allowing users to remix the songs and add new ones. A deluxe edition of the album was later released in November.
