Kanye West’s long-awaited album, ‘Donda’ has finally been released on streaming services. Hours after its release, Kanye West took to social media to notifyu that it was issued without his approval.
Kanye took to his official Instagram page and posted a picture that read: “Universal put my album out without my approval and they blocked Jail 2 from being on the album”.
Meanwhile, representatives for Universal offered no comment concerning this issue. However, there are some cited unnamed sources at the company who noted that West’s claim is “preposterous”.
That notwithstanding, Kanye West’s representatives at Universal have also said nothing about West’s claim.
Well, this is not the first time Kanye has had issues with the record label. It can be recalled that in September 2020, West posted a series of tweets about his relationship with Universal Music Group. He addressed his desire to buy back his master recordings from the company, claiming his efforts were obstructed by contracts he had signed. He then tweeted multiple images of his supposed contracts.
Speaking of the album that has been released, ‘Donda’, it includes contributions from JAY-Z, the Weeknd, Jay Electronica, Young Thug, the late Pop Smoke, Travis Scott, Lil Baby, Kid Cudi, and many others.
The Long-Playing record was released after Kanye West’s third listening party, a Chicago event that controversially featured appearances from Marilyn Manson and DaBaby.
Manson is credited as a composer and lyricist on ‘Jail’, while both Manson and DaBaby appear on ‘Jail’, ‘Pt. 2’. That song was not officially available upon Donda’s initial release, but it eventually made its way onto the album.
Kanye West had initially posted a pair of photos on Instagram showing text threads that claimed that DaBaby’s manager was not clearing the DaBaby’s verse for ‘Jail’. However, Arnold Taylor, the founder, and president of South Coast Music Group, the label to which DaBaby is signed, disputed West’s claim.
Controversial moments pre-release of ‘Donda’
Well, throughout the album’s delays (it was originally slated for release July 23), Kanye West gave fans plenty to talk about. He hosted three listening sessions: two at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and one at Chicago’s Soldier Field Stadium. Each event gave fans a sneak peek at West’s latest draft of ‘Donda’ including guest performances from major artists and shocking moments.
One of such controversial moments was when West and Kardashian were in a wedding scene, and another was when the rapper set himself on fire.
A handful of ‘Donda’ songs seemingly nod to Kim Kardashian filing for divorce from West this past February after nearly seven years of marriage.
On Saturday 28th August 2021, Kim Kardashian confirmed that she joined West onstage Thursday night wearing a veiled Balenciaga Haute Couture wedding dress from the fashion house’s fall 2021 collection, though she stayed silent about what it meant for their relationship.
Another controversial choice from Thursday’s show: West’s choice to feature DaBaby, who has faced backlash for spewing homophobic comments, and to invite the ‘Suge’ rapper onto the stage with Marilyn Manson, the rock star who has been sued by several women who accuse him of sexual assault and abuse.
Read also: Kanye West reportedly files documents to legally change his name to Ye
