In a surprising turn of events, Kanye West's three-year-old album, “Donda 2,” has finally appeared on streaming services late Tuesday night. This release marks West's first appearance on Spotify since last summer, during a tumultuous period where the rapper has increasingly embraced controversial and troubling rhetoric. Interestingly, the album is not listed under the rapper's name.
Recently, West, who had previously released his album “Bully” exclusively on his X account, shared in now-deleted tweets that he would focus on completing “Donda 2” next. The version of “Donda 2” now available on streaming platforms includes minor differences from the original album. Notably, several tracks have been renamed, and multiple new songs have been added to the mix.
The album's content remains deeply personal, with several tracks discussing West's tumultuous relationship with ex-wife Kim Kardashian. At the time of the original release, the couple was in the process of a highly publicized divorce. The updated version still features an excerpt from Kardashian’s monologue during her appearance on “Saturday Night Live,” where she famously declared, “I married the best rapper of all time. Not only that, he is the richest Black man in America. A talented, legit genius who gave me four incredible kids.”
In recent weeks, Kanye West has made headlines not just for his music but also for his erratic behavior. The rapper has frequently taken to social media, posting and deleting rants filled with explicit language and Nazi rhetoric. A notable example was the album cover for “Bully,” which featured a swastika against a black backdrop. Just last week, West unleashed a series of tweets pleading for custody of his children while making shocking claims about an alleged incestuous relationship with a male cousin during his childhood.
West has also stirred up controversy by attacking the children of fellow artists Jay-Z and Beyoncé, as well as rapper Playboi Carti, who responded with a terse message: “YE STFU,” which garnered over 777,000 likes. In February, West was seen in public wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with a swastika and made antisemitic statements, claiming, “I LOVE HITLER NOW WHAT B*ES,” and “Hitler was sooooo fresh.”
A lawsuit filed in February by a former Yeezy staffer accused West of making comparisons to Hitler and calling himself a Nazi, all while allegedly subjecting the employee to harassment and religious discrimination. These renewed controversies come in the wake of West's previous antisemitic remarks in 2022, which led to the termination of his partnership with Adidas and a significant loss of his billionaire status.
For those interested in the evolving narrative surrounding Kanye West, including his controversial statements and the impact on his career, check out articles exploring whether Ye's trolling has lost its effectiveness, particularly in light of his attacks on Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and others that seem to go largely ignored.
