The 10 Best Features On Kanye West's "Donda"
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Kanye West's Donda has arrived. After over a year of delays, followed by sporadic rollouts, the album touched down on a quiet Sunday morning.
West was initially supposed to drop the album in 2020, however, the drop date came and went with not much of a peep from the polarizing mogul. Rumors of Donda's revival started in the Summer of 2021, and culminated with 'Ye announcing an album listening event at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
The first listening event gave fans a first official peak into what would become Donda. Jay-Z's verse on "Jail" was the most talked-about moment, as well as a song where Kanye was yelling about losing his family.
But the performance ended and the album didn't drop. Enter listening event number two, once again at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This time, 'Ye hoisted himself into the air at the conclusion of the event, leaving fans to watch him ascend to another level where he could delay the album yet again.
'Ye had one last listening event in Chicago, where he reconstructed his childhood home in Soldier Field. The third time's a charm! Or is it?
The event was miraculous, save for Kanye bringing out Marilyn Manson. Manson is embroiled in drama stemming from several women (namely Evan Rachel Wood) accusing him of a range of sexual crimes from grooming and intimidation to assault. 'Ye brought out Manson along with DaBaby, another artist drowning in drama. The questionable decision left many confused about Kanye's intentions.
Donda did actually drop after the third event. Not right away, mind you, and Kanye also claims that the album was released without his consent.
Had to bring this one back for all these ‘reviews’ of #DONDA
Donda is packed with features. Almost too many to count.
Kanye has always been immaculate at picking his features. Although the "Part 2's" could have been merged with their original counterparts, all the other feature placements made sense. If the project was slightly less bloated (or packaged as a double album), the flow would feel less exhaustive.
Still, every artist took their moment on Donda and ran away with it. Kanye has a way of bringing out the best performances from those around him.
From Jay-Z to KayCyy, these are the ten best features on Donda:
1.Jay Electronica
Now, why can't we get this type of energy from Jay Electronica every time? Jay Elec steals the show on Donda, dropping lyrically laden bars that would satisfy Allah himself on "Jesus Lord."
Favorite Bars:
"Earthquakes will strike this nation for what Bush did to Rwanda (Facts)What the Clintons did to Haiti and Downing Street did to Ghana (Jesus)In Tenochtitlan, they call me Terremoto, El Negro Loco (Lord)I shake the tectonic plates of the game if I lay one vocal"
2.Fivio Foreign
This is easily the best verse of Fivio's young career. The Brooklyn Drill rapper came to life on "Off The Grid."
Favorite Bars:
"Who let the monster loose? (Who let the monster loose? Huh)They call me a product of my environment (Uh)I tell them, "Nah, I'm what God produced" (Baow)Defense good, and them guards can shoot (Baow)I put 'em on you, it get hard to moveTattoo in my face is the mark of truthGotta watch what you say when they market you"
3.Baby Keem
4.Jay-Z
This isn't Jay-Z's best verse, lyrically. However, the gravity of The Throne reunion is enough to make Kanye fans cry. "Jail" still might be the best track on the album, and one of the best songs of the year.
Favorite Bars:
"Hol' up, Donda, I'm with your baby when I touch back roadTold him, "Stop all of that red cap, we goin' home"Not me with all of these sins, castin' stonesThis might be the return of The Throne (Throne)Hova and Yeezus, like Moses and JesusYou are not in control of my thesisYou already know what I think 'bout think piecesBefore you ask, he already told you who he think he isDon't try to jail my thoughts and think pre-centsI can't be controlled with programs and presets"
5.Vory
Vory is the most featured artist on Donda. It's about time he finally receives the recognition he deserves. Such a powerful voice.
6.Young Thug
Young Thug's unique sound and style fit perfectly on "Remote Control," which is easily the best radio-ready track on the album. Thugger's verse is one of the most melodically enjoyable pieces of Donda.
Favorite Bars:
"I want my mob ties to shine (Hah)I could caress your mind with the right time (Time)Don't you give your love up, this is the right sign (Sign), sign (Yeah)I treat you lovely and righteous and kind (Hah)And we'll be lastin' with another 'til we die (Yeah)I'd give you kids at the drop of a dime (Dime)"
7.The Lox
The Lox are having a renaissance moment after smoking Dipset during their infamous Verzuz battle. Kanye was wise to grab the veteran OGs for "Jesus Lord Pt. 2" (although he should have just kept all three of them on the original).
Favorite Bars:
"Broke down soon as I seen him bring the coffin in"Lord knows, I just really wanna see you walk again (Uh, Jesus)Million dollars cashiers check to the offerin' (Lord)They can talk about me all they want, I'ma talk to Him (Uh-huh)Some **** get shot in they mouth, never talk again (Yuh)After that, they go and get veneers or the porcelain (Jesus)"
8.The Weeknd
The Weeknd can make any chorus epic, and that's exactly what he does on "Hurricane." Somehow, he outshines several other features in the little bit of time he has on Donda.
Favorite Bars:
"Finally free, found the God in meAnd I want you to see, I can walk on waterThousand miles from shore, I can float on the waterFather, hold me close, don't let me drownI know you won't"
9.Roddy Ricch
Roddy Ricch is ascending faster than Kanye being pulled up to heaven at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Using his voice as an instrument, Roddy croons his way into hitmaking territory on "Pure Souls."
Favorite Bars:
"I've been at the top shinin' like a light poleAnd I'm just a product of whatever I was raised inThis money sanctified, so I gotta say it againThey said I was mad at the GrammysBut I'm lookin' at my Grammy right nowPulled up on Ye, and I said, 'They don't understand me'"
10.KayCyy
HAPPY KC = HAPPY RESULTS 🙉
Honorable Mention: Westside Gunn
Honestly... I'm just happy we got a "Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom" ad-lib on Donda.
Favorite Bars:
"I was facin' fifteen and I beat it (And I beat it)
Just spent about twenty up at Neimans (Up at Neimans)Did two hundred in a Demon (In a Demon, skrrt)I'm the illest **** and I mean it (And I mean it)My homie droppin' bodies for no reason (Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom)Now his kids see him on the weekends (Ah)Got the baking soda for the remix (Remix)Millionaires on, I can see it"
