donda

Donda is the tenth studio album by American rapper and producer Kanye West. Named in honor of his late mother, Donda West, the album was released on August 29, 2021, through Def Jam Recordings and GOOD Music. The project had a protracted development cycle, with West presenting evolving versions at a series of public listening events and stadium showcases in cities including Atlanta and Chicago before the final release.

Musically, Donda blends hip hop with gospel and orchestral elements, featuring a wide roster of collaborators such as Jay-Z, The Weeknd, Kid Cudi, Lil Baby, and many others. The tracks explore themes of faith, grief, family, and personal reflection, continuing West’s pattern of expansive, cinematic production.

Commercially, Donda debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, with approximately 309,000 album-equivalent units in its first week. It also topped charts in several other countries and generated multiple singles that charted on the Billboard Hot 100, with tracks like “Hurricane” and “Jail” drawing particular attention.

The album's release and subsequent revisions drew extensive media coverage for its ambitious scope, live performances, and evolving tracklist, reflecting West’s ongoing personal and artistic narrative. Donda contributed to discussions about the integration of gospel and hip hop, as well as the role of large collaborative projects in contemporary music.

A follow-up project, Donda 2, was released in February 2022 and was distributed exclusively on the Stem Player device, not on traditional streaming services. The name Donda continues to be associated with West’s mother and with themes of resilience and faith throughout his work.