After one of raps biggest album release spectacles Kanye has finally delivered his well anticipated DONDA album. From renting out the locker room  in the Mercedes Benz stadium to live streaming the whole thing, I dont think I’ve ever seen an album be released this way. Not only did he throw two listening parties in Atlanta and Chicago but reportedly he brung in over 7 million dollars in revenue from ticket sales and merchandise before the album was even available for streaming.

At first glance I immediately assumed 27 tracks was way too much and in a sense I was right. But the only tracks I have a problem with are the Part 2’s at the very end. In my opinion they could have been saved for the Deluxe with everyone else whose upset they verse was took off. The album features an all black album cover which I was disappointed by because Yeezy is all about the art.

The album opens up with a intro entitled “DONDA Chant” where you can hear DONDA’s name being repeated over and over. Its my understanding that, that repetition represents her last heartbeats.

This album features a lot of features. Including pieces of one of his mothers speeches. It also seems to be centered around a low key gospel concept. Which is the format that I always felt like Yeezy should follow. As far as the features I always wanted to see more artist on a Ye production. More collabs with other producers as well as artist. And it blows my mind when people are surprised that Yeezy wants to take his fans to church when “Jesus Walks” is still one of his biggest records. Not only does this album give us gospel themed rap songs like “God Breathed” featuring Vory but he also gives us classic gospel songs like “24” that you can hear in church on any given sunday.

With so many gospel inspired songs somehow Yeezy is still sticking to one of his core sounds. You can almost hear the “Cant Tell Me Nothing” vibes all over tracks like “Jonah” and “Off The Grid”. But we also get some new vibes from Ye like “Jail” that reminds me of records like “We Are Young” by Fun. “Remote Control” featruing Young Thug seems to be real hit on the record.

Now lets talk about the features. With so many people upset about being left off the album its hard to think Ye didnt make the right choices. First off Fivio Foreign walked all over “Off The Grid”. One of my top 3 features on the album. In my opinion Jay Z also gave us another classic verse on “Jail”. Which is why I wasnt really feeling the Part 2 version featuring Da Baby. And I fxck with Da Baby music heavy. And its nice to see another controversial figure help elevate another artist that cancel culture is attacking. Bringing it back home to Chicago we were waiting to see what Rooga had contributed to the album. His verse was so smooth on “OK OK” I didnt relaize that was him.

The gospel concepts makes this a very emotional album for me.Though today I am not religious I still believe in God. My spiritual practices may be centered around meditation and the law of attraction I was raised in church. And choosing to stop believing in a religion is a very dark moment most of us. Your whole foundation on what your idea of life is, is shattered. So I often find myself being extremely irritated with gospel music, choirs and churhes in general. How could Kanye make it sound so beautiful to a person like me? This album makes me want to praise and worship the God in me. I think it’s a masterpiece.