Yeezy season is approaching.
After a tracklist surfaced over the weekend, Kanye West hosted a secret listening party for his new album Donda in Las Vegas on Sunday night (July 18).
He rented out Church LV where he previewed the God-focused project, which is rumored to drop as soon as this week. While no phones were allowed, photographer Nigel D was among those in attendance and shared his observations.
“The music is still centered on God but there is a variety in sounds. Some slow, some trap, etc. Some songs could be played in a church, some in a club,” he tweeted.
The follow-up to 2019’s Jesus Is King reportedly includes collaborations with Travis Scott, Post Malone, Playboi Carti, Westside Gunn, and Baby Keem. Kanye and Pusha T go back and forth on one track, while Lil Baby guests on what sounds like a party record. Kanye apparently addresses his marriage to Kim Kardashian on one song and one interlude features a woman saying “Donda” repeatedly.
The album is really about having faith in God and overcoming adversity. Kanye speaks on personal struggles and struggles others face. Positive messages that you can turn up to.
— NigelDPresents (@NigelDPresents) July 19, 2021
I though the album would have no expletives. But there are some B’s and N’s. So Kanye tried to rush and lower the music when the B’s were flying because we were I’m a church. ? pic.twitter.com/ZAsgvsUtQK
— NigelDPresents (@NigelDPresents) July 19, 2021
Then he had a track with Lil Baby and I was ready to party. The music is still centered on God but there is a variety in sounds. Some slow, some trap, etc. Some songs could be played in a church, some in a club. pic.twitter.com/FuFHkR1Mje
— NigelDPresents (@NigelDPresents) July 19, 2021
There was some interludes. One of them a woman just says Donda like 50 times ?.
— NigelDPresents (@NigelDPresents) July 19, 2021
The night before, Kanye played the album for Kevin Durant and “Respectfully Justin” host Justin Laboy, who raved about the music. “The production is light years ahead of it’s time, and the bars sound like he’s broke & hungry trying to get signed again,” he tweeted.
Laboy also claims that the album is dropping this week. “The man changed the sound of music on this project,” he added.
Kanye played his new album for me & @KDTrey5 last night in Vegas. Man listen! The production is light years ahead of it’s time, and the bars sound like he’s broke & hungry trying to get signed again. Any artist who plan on dropping soon should just push it back ? #Respectfully
— Respectfully Justin (@JustinLaboy) July 18, 2021
Kanye West album is really done. When it drops this week, we probably not going to listen to anything else for a while.. Let me go enjoy all the current artist I’m listening to until then. God bless✌? #Respectfully
— Respectfully Justin (@JustinLaboy) July 18, 2021
This Kanye x Lil Baby record so crazy. Y’all gon leave that mf on repeat ALL DAY & NIGHT. BABY REALLY A GOAT ? ?????? #Respectfully
— Respectfully Justin (@JustinLaboy) July 19, 2021
Kanye will host another Donda listening event at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Thursday. Tickets go on sale today at 5 p.m. EST.