Donda
by Kanye West
User Score
6.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 3155 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,070 out of 3155
  2. Mixed: 161 out of 3155
  3. Negative: 924 out of 3155
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  1. jerepacheco11
    Oct 18, 2021
    9
    Album Of The Year.

    Top 3:

    -Come To Life
    -Off The Grid
    -Believe What i Say
  2. L_P
    Oct 16, 2021
    8
    This album shows that Kanye’s newfound full hearted move to religious music can still be some of his best work
  3. YEEZYFLESHLIGHT
    Oct 13, 2021
    10
    INCOMINGGGG! AOTY anyone who says otherwise is racist, sorry i dont make the rules.
  4. dusanper
    Oct 12, 2021
    10
    Melhor álbum da história da galáxia, quem discorda não tá vivendo direito.
  5. braiz02
    Oct 10, 2021
    0
    DONDA Kanye West has a reputation of releasing the most well produced albums in the music industry, he is labeled a ‘perfectionist’ as he spends around 300-500 hours producing each song. Kanye has stated that he has superpowers, how he uses these superpowers by expressing himself in a unique and diverse way, denting the world through his art. Kanye is a one of a kind artist as he dedicatesDONDA Kanye West has a reputation of releasing the most well produced albums in the music industry, he is labeled a ‘perfectionist’ as he spends around 300-500 hours producing each song. Kanye has stated that he has superpowers, how he uses these superpowers by expressing himself in a unique and diverse way, denting the world through his art. Kanye is a one of a kind artist as he dedicates his life to expressing himself and creating art that is ahead of his time influencing generations. His 10th studio album “DONDA” is the defining factor of how the use of his superpowers separates him from any other artist. Most artists by the time they release their 10th album (that is if they get there) they lose touch of the sound they have created, and are not as successful as their original sound. Yet Kanye through the decades he has been producing music he continues to surprise the world, as he is a pokemon who just continues to evolve. His idiosyncratic sound of unique lyrics, — that really make you feel what he is feeling— layers of beats that give a dramatic feel to his songs, are all tied into how his superpowers inspire his art and give us candy for our ears. His mother was his best friend as he grew up fatherless, honoring her he dedicated this album for her, with deep meaningful lyrics, soulful sounds, and expressing genuine emotions through his superpowers, Kanye shocks the world with yet another illustrious album.
    The album “DONDA” starts off just how you expect it, with something you have never heard of before. Kanye recorded his mothers final heart beats and made it a song named “Donda Chant '' where a female voice states his mothers name at the pace of her last heartbeats “Donda '' 58 times in honor of the age she passed away (His mother passed away during a plastic surgery procedure, where Kanye felt blamed for because she got the surgery due to the pressure of his sons limelight). Giving a deeper meaning to the album, with many religious references/preaches, as 8 of the 27 songs have religious titles. The song “Jesus Lord” helps explain what he is trying to do with the religious references as he states “ If I talk to Christ, can I bring my mother back to life?”, demonstrating how he uses these religious energy in hopes to bring him and his mother closer together. Kanye has been using a choir since his second studio album “Late Registration” which was his mothers favorite album, emphasizing in their synchronized melodic vocals that add a soulful effect to the many layers he has within his songs. In this album he brings the choir back in honor of his mother, with songs like “Heaven and Hell” where the soulful choir chants deepens the feeling of the song making it feel like you are on top of the world, just how Kanye portrays to feel at times. He also honors his mom once again by producing a song that samples his mothers favorite artist, Lauryn Hill. The song “Believe What I Say” is sampled from Lauryn Hills song “Doo Wop (That Thing)” , a very upbeat song that puts a smile on your face regardless of where you are. Kanye is able to express his superpowers by creating songs that will unite him and his mom in a very talentedly unique way.
    There are times in this album where Kanye is not only praising god but where he compares himself to god—but I think that is just his superpowers talking— almost because he knows that his mother is with god, and by comparing himself to God it will bring him closer to his mother. The song “Off The Grid” is one of those songs where you get the godlike comparisons as the song has many layers varying from a deep bass, featured vocals, and lyrics such as “I got this God power, that’s my leverages” referring how his superpowers that help him express himself in a incomparable artistic level, tying him closer to his mother. Jail is the second song of the album and has a feature from Jay-Z who has not worked with Kanye since 2016. Kanye West is known for bringing the most out of any artist he works with through the use of his superpowers, but in his songs he usually outshines them with his lyrical flows, for the song Jail that wasn’t the case. Jay-Z’s verse introduced the deep, heavy, meaningfulness of the album with lyrics like “Made in the Imagine of God, that’s a selfie” where even Jay-Z is expressing his superpowers and is setting the godlike tone that was projected throughout the album. Or lyrics like “Hova and Yeezus, like Moses and Jesus” where Jay-Z is referring to him and Kanye to biblical characters, illustrating the image of god-like figures whose talents together are powerful. '    … Expand
  6. bedroom
    Oct 7, 2021
    8
    I'd say this is Kanye back on track, Donda is sharp, although this album feels like a roller coaster, with ups and downs, and a confusing tracklist, it also feels like if TLOP and Jesus is King had a baby, Ye's presence is there, is brilliant, and you can feel it. Donda is long, probably longer than it should, i hate that Ye couldn't decide between the same songs with different features,I'd say this is Kanye back on track, Donda is sharp, although this album feels like a roller coaster, with ups and downs, and a confusing tracklist, it also feels like if TLOP and Jesus is King had a baby, Ye's presence is there, is brilliant, and you can feel it. Donda is long, probably longer than it should, i hate that Ye couldn't decide between the same songs with different features, but we all know how Kanye is, and I'm here for it. Kanye will never not be influential.… Expand
  7. tishbueno
    Oct 3, 2021
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Faixas como Junya, Ok Ok, Jonah e Believe What I Say mostram que Kanye permanece com sua essência, mesmo mostrando algo um pouco fora do seu “normal”. Não são músicas grandiosas, mas ainda é Kanye. New Again, Pure Souls, No Child Left Behind e Heaven and Hell são fortes músicas e nos traz visões mais cruas do Kanye sobre ele mesmo e sua relação com Deus.… Expand
  8. xCqrd
    Sep 30, 2021
    8
    Great Album not his best but it's definitely a good one to remember. He has some great songs in it such as Hurricane, off the grid, praise God and many more. Sure there are some songs that don't hit like tell the vision but mostly great songs. Kanye is a damn musical genius.
  9. HoneyBee1995
    Sep 27, 2021
    10
    Te amo ye .
  10. darkrai26
    Sep 26, 2021
    9
    amazing album from ye. he put so much effort into this album and let his heart out on almost every song. there were definitely high highs and low lows in this album which affects my rating a little but but for the majority of this album i enjoyed the music. not only that but it contains the hardest trap song of the year so far, Off The Grid. there were also several other amazing songs onamazing album from ye. he put so much effort into this album and let his heart out on almost every song. there were definitely high highs and low lows in this album which affects my rating a little but but for the majority of this album i enjoyed the music. not only that but it contains the hardest trap song of the year so far, Off The Grid. there were also several other amazing songs on this album but the list is so long. i dont think this is mbdtf or graduation level of greatness but still a very solid album.… Expand
  11. kaizgak
    Sep 25, 2021
    9
    its been almost a month since its release, but i still listen to this album everyday from track 1 to track 27. donda is a beautiful heaven-like album, that was made by one of the most influenctial, if not the most influencial artists of this century. the 0 reviews here are mostly from people that didnt listen to this work. i mean, kanye is controversial person, but his personality is notits been almost a month since its release, but i still listen to this album everyday from track 1 to track 27. donda is a beautiful heaven-like album, that was made by one of the most influenctial, if not the most influencial artists of this century. the 0 reviews here are mostly from people that didnt listen to this work. i mean, kanye is controversial person, but his personality is not the reason to hate this album. after a lot of donda scrobbles, i can say that this album is his top 5 album, even though his discography is almost impossible to rank. the only bad thing about this album might be a few mid tracks, but thats it. 9-9.5/10… Expand
  12. Milanoo
    Sep 24, 2021
    7
    A nice addition to Kanye's discography.
    Although there are some terrible choices being made in the form of overtly long run time and unnecessary features, such as DaBaby and Marilyn Manson on Jail pt.2. Nevertheless there are great songs in the album that compliment each other in a way only Kanye West knows how to do.
  13. Khashayarshoj
    Sep 24, 2021
    10
    Beautiful and meaningful album with exceptional production. I just hope he would add Chris Browns verse in New Again
  14. plw_
    Sep 24, 2021
    8
    Although some songs feel unfinished, Kanye brings a lot of great tracks (some among his best ever like Jesus Lord, Moon and Off The Grid.) The themes are really well introduced. Kanye also brings a lot of featured artists to this project, which in my opinion is great. I don't think the pt2s are part of the album so with 23 tracks there is close to no boring moments. With a little bit ofAlthough some songs feel unfinished, Kanye brings a lot of great tracks (some among his best ever like Jesus Lord, Moon and Off The Grid.) The themes are really well introduced. Kanye also brings a lot of featured artists to this project, which in my opinion is great. I don't think the pt2s are part of the album so with 23 tracks there is close to no boring moments. With a little bit of tuning, this album could be a 9. Top 2 hip hop album this year behind Smiling With No Teeth. And by the way, the people who are saying this album is a 0 because kanye brought Mason, Dababy and Chris Brown to the album are delusional, who are you trying to impress?… Expand
  15. Swift_Django
    Sep 24, 2021
    10
    Beautiful piece of music that no one could have ever created but Kanye West.
  16. Iamangelo8789
    Sep 23, 2021
    10
    Why this album it's 53..? Dude, it's a literal masterpiece, including such amazings and sentimental tracks from Ye..
  17. Ihkw
    Sep 23, 2021
    0
    The album is like shuving burning hot nails in your ears, the best song on there is probably jail. If you like this album your a kanye Stan, it's overrated as hell I like montero better
  18. dbm
    Sep 23, 2021
    10
    This is a Masterpiece. This is quite possibly the best Kanye album yet. No, it is not unfinished. No, it is not too long. No, Marilyn Manson has nothing to do with how good the music is. The pt 2's are bonus tracks; choose your own adventure. The album ends with No Child Left Behind. If you give this a bad review, it's not because of the music. And if you gave this a bad review, youThis is a Masterpiece. This is quite possibly the best Kanye album yet. No, it is not unfinished. No, it is not too long. No, Marilyn Manson has nothing to do with how good the music is. The pt 2's are bonus tracks; choose your own adventure. The album ends with No Child Left Behind. If you give this a bad review, it's not because of the music. And if you gave this a bad review, you probably shouldn't be writing reviews in the first place.

    P.S. It's nice to see Kanye in a good place.    … Expand
  19. ninodanes
    Sep 21, 2021
    6
    overrally a good & not exceptional project from Kanye. the production & sound as expected of Kanye stands out in this album. of course there are highlights from the body of work but however too many features & the number of tracks make the album sound a bit saturated & lack of a certain direction altogether.
  20. iamachmad75
    Sep 20, 2021
    0
    Dondaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa i’m so sorry because your narcissu son gave you his worst album ever after your name.
  21. colaj001
    Sep 19, 2021
    10
    This album is the culmination of Kanye's musical journey across so many different genre-bending, genre-defining sonics over the last two decades. Hip-hop, gospel, trap, soul, funk, etc. etc. A range from college dropout Kanye right through to Yeezus Kanye, sprinkled with Jesus is King Kanye throughout the record. Lengthwise, yes, it is long, but critics and fans seem to complain eitherThis album is the culmination of Kanye's musical journey across so many different genre-bending, genre-defining sonics over the last two decades. Hip-hop, gospel, trap, soul, funk, etc. etc. A range from college dropout Kanye right through to Yeezus Kanye, sprinkled with Jesus is King Kanye throughout the record. Lengthwise, yes, it is long, but critics and fans seem to complain either way.

    Donda started off as an ok record but after the millionth listen, its become a firm no. 2 behind MBDTF. Our boy did it again.

    Nobody is doing what Kanye is doing creatively, with three packed out listening parties which allowed fans into the creative process of a genius - as manic and annoying as it was beautiful and spell-binding.    … Expand
  22. Junkiest
    Sep 18, 2021
    6
    A wise man once said “This is not album of the year, this is album of the life.”
  23. asdf123k
    Sep 18, 2021
    6
    This album had some trash songs, it's bloated, misconceived, and executed poorly. That aside, no one else could make it.
  24. nicktambunan
    Sep 17, 2021
    3
    The music is always similar to the old music. Nothing interesting and makes us want to hear it again and again. It's just avarage!
  25. RedGreyBlue
    Sep 17, 2021
    7
    Easy or hard to listen to... Ye wanted to stick to a style which at times can go for benefit. The tracklist could be shorter, but a lot of tracks do give me a feeling that I'm rising into the sky.
  26. ManuelBing
    Sep 17, 2021
    0
    ShiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiIt in my opinion
  27. ReviewThangs
    Sep 17, 2021
    6
    Absolutely bloated, there are moments in there I enjoyed but I can't find them again after repeated listens because so much of it is just boring. Sounds wise, there's nothing new or exciting here that Kanye hasn't done before, sounds kinda similar to Life of Pablo just way less inspired.

    If he managed to trim it or label it as a Disc 1 and Bonus Disc maybe you could make an argument    Absolutely bloated, there are moments in there I enjoyed but I can't find them again after repeated listens because so much of it is just boring. Sounds wise, there's nothing new or exciting here that Kanye hasn't done before, sounds kinda similar to Life of Pablo just way less inspired.

    If he managed to trim it or label it as a Disc 1 and Bonus Disc maybe you could make an argument that it's the best of the last 3 albums, which isn't really saying much.

    The album art too...

    Kanye was never the best lyrcist but still made even his dumbest lines work. His production was always where he was years ahead of his contemporaries but here it's just boring.
    I even somewhat enjoyed his last album shortly because it was at least unique for him despite the fact that it did not hold up on repeated listens. This can't even annoy me, which is the worst part, it's just bland and inoffensive.    … Expand
  28. Loilax
    Sep 16, 2021
    0
    Why is this piece of trash was ever released! I’m so ashamed to used to like your music, now I’m on team Drake!
  29. Dondawasass
    Sep 13, 2021
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. it’s Garbo this foo is 44 trying to stay relevant with his old ass wife too … Expand
  30. jack06
    Sep 12, 2021
    8
    As a rap fan, I have listened to a lot of rap music. As of this year, I have listened to a lot of albums from the most popular artists, and I think Donda by Kanye West is the Album of the Year. Kanye West is one of my favorite and one of the greatest rappers ever. Because of the production, features, and lyrics on the album, I think Donda is one of the best albums of this year.
    First of    As a rap fan, I have listened to a lot of rap music. As of this year, I have listened to a lot of albums from the most popular artists, and I think Donda by Kanye West is the Album of the Year. Kanye West is one of my favorite and one of the greatest rappers ever. Because of the production, features, and lyrics on the album, I think Donda is one of the best albums of this year.
    First of all, the lyrics contribute to Donda being one of the best albums of the year. The whole album is clean and has no curse words, which is good for people who don’t like listening to explicit music. Most of the lyrics on the song are meaningful. Some of the lyrics talk about being poor in the past and making out of the hood. The main theme of the lyrics is God. One of the lyrics on the song by Lil Yatchy is paying tribute to another rapper, Juice Wrld, who died. The album was named after Kanye West’s mother, Donda West. Kanye wouldn’t put any lyrics that aren’t meaningful on this album.
    Second of all, the production on the album is amazing. Kanye worked with some of the most popular and talented producers in the rap industry. Some of those producers include Mike Dean, Ronny J, Boi-1da, Digital Nas, Cubeatz, Swizz Beatz, and many more. The production on the songs give a nostalgic vibe. Some of the instruments played on the album are pianos, guitars, and drums. The production on the album helps all of the songs to fit well together.
    Lastly, the features also add to the album being great. Kanye featured some of the biggest artists right now like Playboi Carti, Lil Baby, Roddy Ricch, Pop Smoke, The Weeknd, Jay Z, Kid Cudi, Travis Scott, and many more. I think most of the features on the album are great. On some of the songs, I think the features did better than Kanye himself. Without the features, I think that the album would flop and not get as many streams as it has today.
    Because of the production, features, and lyrics on the album, I think Donda is one of the best albums of this year. You could even say that Donda is better than Drake’s new album, Certified Lover Boy. Drake’s album came out a week later than Kanye’s album, so they are kinda competing. Overall, Donda is a great album.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Most Discussed Album of 2021

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
53

Mixed or average reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. musicOMH.com
    Sep 3, 2021
    60
    Though this isn’t a complete comeback, frustrated Kanye fans certainly have more grounds for optimism after this record than they did before it.
    Read full review
  2. AllMusic
    Sep 2, 2021
    60
    Donda isn't without its highlights, but taken as a whole, it's both confused and confusing.
    Read full review
  3. HipHopDX
    Sep 2, 2021
    62
    There are times where Kanye recaptures the magic of his golden years. ... But there just isn’t enough good here to look past the flaws. The final result is a collection of songs with little binding energy other than a vague Gospel through line, which runs across the tracklist — chaotic like The Life Of Pablo but devoid of the magic.
    Read full review
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