Overview
Kanye West’s album “Donda 2,” originally released three years ago, made its debut on streaming platforms late Tuesday night, representing his first release on Spotify since the previous summer. Interestingly, the album is available under the name “Donda,” rather than West’s, as he has recently been associated with increasingly controversial rhetoric.
“Donda 2” showed up on Spotify credited to “Donda,” a nod to West’s mother, not his own name. (Photo by ROBYN … More
Key Highlights
The album is now accessible across various streaming services, including Spotify, YouTube Music, and Tidal, and it ranks No. 4 on iTunes’ album sales chart.
“Donda 2” is attributed to the artist “Donda,” named after West’s mother, and it’s unclear why it doesn’t feature his name despite West’s involvement.
On Wednesday, West shared a screenshot on X depicting messages from album producers expressing dissatisfaction regarding its release and claiming he owes them money, with mentions of “Boogz,” possibly referring to producer BoogzDaBeast.
The release coincided with a livestream featuring right-wing streamers, including Nick Fuentes, known for promoting antisemitic theories and previously appearing with West and Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago.
West, who has shared views critical of streaming platforms, initially released “Donda 2” exclusively on a music device he developed, the “Stem Player,” which drew backlash for its high price.
Forbes has reached out to Spotify for further clarification.
Why Is “Donda 2” Streaming Now?
West recently mentioned on his now-deleted tweets that he would be working on “Donda 2” again. The version currently on streaming platforms features minor changes from the original, including renamed tracks and several new songs. The content still reflects on West’s relationship with ex-wife Kim Kardashian, with a notable excerpt from her “Saturday Night Live” monologue praising him.
West’s Recent Controversies
This release comes at a time of unpredictable behavior from West, characterized by social media rants often filled with explicit content and anti-Semitic rhetoric. He has been criticized for posting a swastika as an album cover and making inflammatory statements about his family dynamics, including disturbing claims about past relationships.
Continued Fallout
West’s erratic behavior has escalated recently, marked by various controversies, including attacks on other artists. His earlier antisemitic remarks in 2022 resulted in severed business ties with Adidas and a significant decline in his financial status.
