Much like the 27-song project’s opening track, the name “Donda” is flying all over Twitter after Kanye West’s tenth studio album finally arrived on Sunday (August 29).
Titled after Ye’s late mother Dr. Donda West, Donda has been a long time coming for Kanye’s fans. The album was pushed back numerous times as his Donda listening parties grew increasingly more elaborate and talked about.
But as typical for anything related to Kanye, the album’s rollout has been buried in controversy, frustration and just general fan fatigue.
Shortly after Donda arrived, Kanye went to Instagram and claimed Universal released it without his permission. The 44-year-old father of four also accused the label of blocking DaBaby’s verse on “Jail 2.”
“UNIVERSAL PUT MY ALBUM OUT WITHOUT MY APPROVAL,” he wrote. “AND THEY BLOCKED JAIL 2 FROM BEING ON THE ALBUM.”
Meanwhile, DaBaby’s manager Arnold Taylor had already been identified as the culprit, something he emphatically denied.
Despite the cloud of negativity surrounding the release, Kanye West fans were mostly elated by its arrival.
Contributions from Lil Baby, JAY-Z, Travis Scott, Roddy Ricch, Lil Durk and more helped sew the project together and fans were quick to deliver their thoughts on the official follow-up to 2019’s Jesus Is King.
But if Kanye is unhappy with the album’s release, there’s no telling what could happen. For now, stream Donda above and check out fan reactions below.
Thank you Kanye for #DONDA. Album of Life ?? pic.twitter.com/5WDhq4WSoa
— wherethehoesat? (@mnastyonthebeat) August 29, 2021
Donda is really the album of life pic.twitter.com/aCc7uH4fI9
— winter s⌖ldier (@ROADMANRONA) August 29, 2021
Yup Kanye west dropped the album of the life #donda pic.twitter.com/qzbYsyrKeN
— ٰ (@bIondedxo) August 29, 2021
Donda will easily be my most played ye album of all time, this is the album of life. I’m talking back against the wall, trails and tribulations,, spiritual healing, timeless/ ageless music. Thank you Ye #donda
— Blu? ☆*・゜゚・*(^O^)/*・゜゚・*☆ (@bluboy__) August 29, 2021
When you hear Jay’s verse on Jail… #DONDA pic.twitter.com/fOr7zbXbGQ
— A Blessing (@BLM_004) August 29, 2021
After years of mental struggle, Ye finally came back with a masterpiece. The project was very coherent with huge vibes and harmonious collabs. Definitely, DONDA is my favourite project this year (til’ now). pic.twitter.com/EEnIDcyiO8
— Ayoub Mejri (@ayoub__mejri) August 29, 2021
It’s finally been released. Best album I’ve heard all year #DONDA pic.twitter.com/nOLfYJxRSJ
— Tanner (@tanndeam) August 29, 2021
Donda is really one of the best albums this year also Doja Cat can’t wait for Nicki and Kendrick! pic.twitter.com/T8mRRA56n6
— Your Fav's Obsession (@BlackTeaBlog) August 29, 2021
Me listening to DONDA #DONDADroppedToday pic.twitter.com/93dZ7ic6G4
— Freak?? (@MonkheModupi) August 29, 2021
Careful listening to #Donda on your mobile device pic.twitter.com/PRW2Fbox9G
— Dylan (@dosbornofficial) August 29, 2021
Hey @kanyewest if I could hug you rn I would. Thank you man? #DONDA pic.twitter.com/gUegMBeaN7
— ?ames (@christian_uys) August 29, 2021
HAD TO PRESS REPEAT ? ? #DONDA pic.twitter.com/hwg6kEdHJ1
— DONDA ? (@OCTOB3R_19) August 29, 2021
This Kanye album is crazy! @kanyewest gets what he wants. @Spotify just live updated while I was listening! #Donda pic.twitter.com/n3PPU4JAuP
— Black™ (@JDotFooks) August 29, 2021
Donda isn’t just an album, it’s a cultural reset, a reason to breathe, an escape from this cruel world filled with thieves. it’s art, the first gift you open on xmas, a hug from a loved one, everything you’ve ever wanted, everything you need. thank you Mr. West
— dira? (@DiraInANewDress) August 29, 2021
#DONDA no skips, I repeat no skips what a great body of work ?????? @kanyewest
— ????deedeelolita (@deedeelolita) August 29, 2021