What is donda?

"Donda" is the tenth studio album by American rapper and producer Kanye West. It was released on August 29, 2021, through GOOD Music and was distributed by Def Jam Recordings. The album is named after Kanye West's late mother, Donda West, and features a wide range of guest appearances from artists such as Jay-Z, The Weeknd, Lil Baby, Kid Cudi, Travis Scott, and many others.

"Donda" spans a wide variety of themes, including faith, family, loss, and redemption. Musically, the album explores various genres, including hip-hop, gospel, and trap, and it incorporates a range of production styles that West has used throughout his career. The project underwent several changes throughout its development, with West holding multiple public listening events where he made alterations to the tracks based on feedback and personal vision.

The album was notable for its unique rollout, including these listening events at stadiums, where West continued to work on the music live. The anticipation and hype surrounding the release were heightened by multiple delays and shifts in the release date. Upon release, "Donda" received generally positive reviews from music critics and was commercially successful, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.