CHICAGO, Illinois — hometown of the everlasting genius that is Kanye West, and the final stop of his months-long roll-out of DONDA.
As Soldier Field packed in over 25,000 fans Thursday night, Ye took center stage on the porch of his childhood home with guests in DaBaby, Don Toliver, Westside Gunn, Travis Scott, Marilyn Manson and others. With his most immersive performance yet, Ye pulled out all the stops in front of his hometown crowd — inviting a few surprises along the way.
DONDA through my eyes and lens pic.twitter.com/md4HR0D64f
— DES (@331DES) August 27, 2021
Unlike Atlanta’s second listening party, DONDA’s Chicago tracklist assumed a new arrangement which left fans both starstruck and stunned. Previously heard features in Kid Cudi, Pusha T and the legendary Jay-Z were all scratched from the album, however, it proved to only be a temporary change to keep listeners on their toes for its official release.
#KanyeWest’s manager confirms #DONDA has been turned in to all streaming services 🙌 #OGM pic.twitter.com/NeprUWmwyS
— Our Generation Music (@OGMusicCo) August 27, 2021
Ye’s manager, Bu, confirmed via Instagram Friday that DONDA has been delivered to all streaming platforms, subsequently releasing Sunday morning. Fortunately for fans, Jay-Z’s verse on “Jail,” Kid Cudi’s verse on “Moon,” KayCyy and Conway The Machine all were included on the album’s final cut. Pusha T did not make it onto DONDA.
In light of Kanye’s underlying themes within DONDA’s discourse, the performance itself was centered around bible references and verses that appeared on the stadium’s Jumbotron. Hypnotic visuals scattered throughout the night within the stadium, further adding to the allure of DONDA’s release.
Another song, another bible verse. #KanyeWest preaching with every sermon. #DONDA pic.twitter.com/TFvF2MtfZe
— Our Generation Music (@OGMusicCo) August 27, 2021
In the event’s marquee moment, Ye set his childhood home ablaze — walking out unfazed, scorched with the flames of the fire. Thereafter, his ex-wife Kim Kardashian slowly sauntered out to Ye followed by a sea of DONDA vests and black SUVs continuously circling the stage.
the man on fire. #DONDA
— Our Generation Music (@OGMusicCo) August 27, 2021
pic.twitter.com/hSK93uP6w2
Kanye met Kim halfway from the west tunnel, and took off his mask for the first time. Kim, donning a beautiful white dress, inclinated the couple has not only reuinited, but turned over a new leaf in their relationship.
❤️ #Donda pic.twitter.com/BqEFUAaqe4
— Apple Music (@AppleMusic) August 27, 2021
All in all, Chicago’s listening event proved to be yet another once-in-a-lifetime experience for those in attendance — and now, as Ye officially release his tenth full-length project over a year after its initial announcement, DONDA will go down as one of West’s most interesting eras.
