Kanye West’s seventh studio album, “Donda,” is a record-breaking masterpiece that will go down in history. The album is West’s 10th number one album on the Billboard 200 chart and set an Apple Music record by being the first album to reach number one in 152 countries. It also set a Spotify record after garnering 100 million streams on its arrival, making it the third biggest album debut on the platform.
The album, which is dedicated to West’s mother Donda, features a star-studded track list that includes Jay Z, Kid Cudi, The Weeknd, and others. The album’s second song, “Jail,” features Jay Z and is clearly one of the album’s best tracks.
As we witness West and Jay Z reconcile, I couldn’t help but feel a wave of nostalgia wash over me. The duo collaborated on the album “Watch The Throne,” which was released in 2011.
“This might be the return of The Throne (Throne)/ Hova and Yeezus, like Moses and Jesus,” Jay Z raps, and this phrase alone gave me chills. It’s a sight to behold to watch two icons, each in their own right, reuniting.
“Hurricane” featuring The Weeknd and Lil Baby is possibly the greatest song I have ever heard. The Weeknd’s vocals followed by West’s choir harmonizing is breathtaking. It felt as if I was levitating while listening to the song. In a way, it’s ethereal.
“Architectural Digest, but I needed house improvement/ Sixty-million-dollar home, never went home to it,” West raps, prompting speculation that he’s referring to his estranged wife Kim Kardashian. After six years of marriage, Kardashian filed for divorce in early February of this year.
My personal favorite song is track 8 titled “Ok Ok” featuring Fivio Foreign, Lil Yachty, and Rooga. The song’s rapid tempo causes me to get excited for what West has to say. “You wanna come and then play with the G.O.A.T/ All you rap ****** sound like me, can’t tell who’s who/ You got no real identity, can’t tell you from you,” West raps, clearly addressing the majority of today’s rap artists. West focused on Christian music prior to this album, but listeners can’t help but feel like Yeezus has returned with this song.
Track 20 titled “Lord I Need You” is dedicated to West’s estranged wife Kim Kardashian. “Time and space is a luxury/ But you came here to show that you still in love with me,” West raps, prompting many fans to assume that a KimYe reunion is on the way. Especially because Kardashian attended all of West’s album listening parties and even participated in one of them, recreating what looks to be their wedding day.
In track 24 named “Jail pt 2,” Marilyn Manson is included, with DaBaby rapping instead of Jay Z. Manson had a minor role in the song, but his presence alone has sparked outrage among many.
Kanye West’s “Donda” is one of the best albums I’ve ever heard. Kanye keeps outdoing himself and demonstrating why he is the greatest musician of all time. I’d give the album a five-star rating.