Donda 2

In an interview with Complex on January 3, 2022, Victor Victor Worldwide CEO Steven Victor exclusively told the website that West had begun working on a sequel to his tenth studio album Donda (2021), entitled Donda 2.{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/ye-started-working-on-donda-2-album-kanye-west|title=Exclusive: Ye Has Started Working on 'Donda 2,' Says Steven Victor|website=Complex|last=Price|first=Joe|date=January 3, 2022|access-date=January 16, 2022|archive-date=January 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113081241/https://www.complex.com/music/ye-started-working-on-donda-2-album-kanye-west|url-status=live}} Victor later told the magazine that it is "coming sooner than you think", explaining: "The procession is starting and it's not stopping."{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/steven-victor-interview-nigo-album-pusha-t/|title=Steven Victor Details NIGO Album, Pusha-T Teases 'Album of the Year'|website=Complex|last=Rose|first=Jordan|date=January 24, 2022|access-date=January 28, 2022|archive-date=January 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128013647/https://www.complex.com/music/steven-victor-interview-nigo-album-pusha-t/|url-status=live}} On January 27, 2022, West captioned an Instagram photo of his childhood home in flames with a date of February 22 along with the title Donda 2, also mentioning fellow rapper Future will serve the role of executive producer.{{cite web |last=Ruggieri |first=Melissa |title=Kanye West announces Donda 2 album coming in February, Future produces |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2022/01/27/kanye-west-ye-announces-donda-2-album-coming-february-future-produces/9242550002/ |website=USA Today |access-date=March 8, 2022 |date=January 27, 2022 |archive-date=January 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127191502/https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2022/01/27/kanye-west-ye-announces-donda-2-album-coming-february-future-produces/9242550002/ |url-status=live }} He had worked with Future in the past, featuring on his single "I Won" (2014).{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/music/kanye-west-donda-2-release-date-future-executive-producer/|title=Kanye West shares Donda 2 release date, Future is executive producer|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|last=Jones|first=Marcus|date=January 27, 2022|access-date=January 28, 2022|archive-date=January 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127191544/https://ew.com/music/kanye-west-donda-2-release-date-future-executive-producer/|url-status=live}} Most publications took this as an announcement of the album's release date, though it went unreleased on the date.{{Cite news|last1=Minsker|first1=Evan|last2=Ruiz|first2=Matthew Ismael|date=February 22, 2022|title=Kanye West Premiered New Album Donda 2 at Miami Event: Here's What Happened|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/watch-kanye-west-premiere-new-album-donda-2-at-miami-event-livestream/|access-date=February 26, 2022|website=Pitchfork|language=en-US|archive-date=February 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226125711/https://pitchfork.com/news/watch-kanye-west-premiere-new-album-donda-2-at-miami-event-livestream/|url-status=live}} Producer BoogzDaBeast revealed that even though hundreds of songs were recorded during the sessions for the first Donda album, the tracks recorded for Donda 2 were all new songs made after the announcement of the Donda 2 listening event.{{cite web |last1=Nelson Jr. |first1=Keith |title=BoogzDaBeast compares a teenage Kanye West to Kobe Bryant and LeBron James |url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2022-03-31/160391/boogzdabeast-compares-kanye-west-to-kobe-bryant-lebron-james/ |website=Revolt |access-date=1 April 2022 |date=March 31, 2022}}

Producer Digital Nas revealed that for Donda 2, West instructed him to make the songs sound "more monk-like" and to "simplify the tracks", and if they are "not able to be played at a funeral, childbirth, graduation, a wedding", then inclusion on the album is not appropriate.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/kanye-west-donda-2-producer-1291869/|title=Kanye West Wants 'Donda 2' Played at 'Births, Graduations, Weddings, and Funerals'|magazine=Rolling Stone|last=Grow|first=Kory|date=January 28, 2022|access-date=January 30, 2022|url-access=limited|archive-date=January 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129211524/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/kanye-west-donda-2-producer-1291869/|url-status=live}} In late January 2022, the producer stated that singer Marilyn Manson was recording for Donda 2 daily in the studio. Marilyn Manson had previously contributed to Donda and for the sequel, Digital Nas opened up that West does not want the singer to "play rap beats", desiring for him "to play what he makes" and then West would work on parts of his work. Digital Nas compared the creative process to that of West's sixth studio album Yeezus (2013), also saying that some of the producers who contributed to the album were working on Donda 2.{{Cite magazine|last=Grow|first=Kory|date=January 31, 2022|title=Accused Rapist Marilyn Manson Working With Kanye West 'Every Day' on New Album|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-marilyn-manson-donda-1292671/|access-date=February 1, 2022|magazine=Rolling Stone|url-access=limited|archive-date=February 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220201011442/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kanye-west-marilyn-manson-donda-1292671/|url-status=live}}

On February 17, 2022, West announced that Donda 2 will not be available on any commercial streaming services and will be exclusive to his Stem Player audio device, priced at {{Currency|200|linked=no}}, which was previously released with Donda.{{Cite web|last=Minsker|first=Evan|date=2022-02-17|title=Kanye West Says New Album Donda 2 Won't Stream, Will Only Be Available on His Stem Player|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kanye-west-says-new-album-donda-2-wont-stream-will-only-be-available-on-his-stem-player/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=Pitchfork|language=en-US|archive-date=February 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218060704/https://pitchfork.com/news/kanye-west-says-new-album-donda-2-wont-stream-will-only-be-available-on-his-stem-player/|url-status=live}} He explained that his motive is how artists "get just 12% of the money the industry makes" when their music is available on the platforms, calling for a time for freedom from "this oppressive system". According to West, he made around $2.2 million from purchases of the Stem Player within 24 hours of the announcement, having sold over 8,000 copies.{{Cite news|last=Lavin|first=Will|title=Kanye West says he's raked in over $2.2million in Stem Player sales in 24hrs|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/kanye-west-says-hes-raked-in-over-2-2million-in-stem-player-sales-in-just-24-hours-3165077|date=February 19, 2022|access-date=March 1, 2022|website=NME|archive-date=March 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301101006/https://www.nme.com/news/music/kanye-west-says-hes-raked-in-over-2-2million-in-stem-player-sales-in-just-24-hours-3165077|url-status=live}} However, West making the album only available on the device led to criticism from his fans.{{Cite magazine |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |date=2022-02-18 |title=Kanye West's 'Donda 2' Stem-Only Release Draws Ire: 'Guess I Ain't Listening' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kanye-west-donda-2-stem-only-plan-fan-reaction-1235033525/ |access-date=2022-03-04 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=February 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228100006/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kanye-west-donda-2-stem-only-plan-fan-reaction-1235033525/ |url-status=live }} As a result of the rapper's decision, Apple reportedly pulled their $2 million sponsorship deal with him, as they were scheduled to stream the accompanying concert.{{Cite news |last=Aubrey |first=Elizabeth |date=2022-02-19 |title=Apple reportedly pulls $2million sponsorship deal with Kanye West |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/apple-reportedly-pullls-sponsorship-deal-with-kanye-west-after-pulling-donda-2-from-streaming-3164942 |access-date=2022-02-22 |website=NME |language=en-GB |archive-date=February 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222211217/https://www.nme.com/news/music/apple-reportedly-pullls-sponsorship-deal-with-kanye-west-after-pulling-donda-2-from-streaming-3164942 |url-status=live }} In a series of Instagram posts, West declared that he had turned down a $100 million deal with the company.{{cite news|url=https://www.macworld.co.uk/news/kanye-west-turned-down-apple-music-3813653/|title=Kanye West 'Turned Down $100m' From Apple Music|website=Macworld|last=Erikkson|first=Viktor|date=February 22, 2022|access-date=February 26, 2022|archive-date=February 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226125713/https://www.macworld.co.uk/news/kanye-west-turned-down-apple-music-3813653/|url-status=live}} The first batch of songs that were played at the Miami listening event on February 22, 2022–which were added to the device on February 24–contained half-mumbled reference tracks and incomplete songs; West continued finishing the album during February. The co-inventor of the Stem Player tweeted that official Donda 2 songs are available and always updated via the device, adding that "anywhere else, you're not getting the vision or the latest versions", insinuating that West plans to update the album as he had done previously with The Life of Pablo and Donda in 2016 and 2021, respectively.{{cite web |author1=Eric Skelton |author2=Jessica McKinney |author3=Andre Gee |title=We Listened to the First Four 'Donda 2' Songs on Kanye's Stem Player—Here's What We Thought |url=https://www.complex.com/music/kanye-west-donda-2-songs-first-impressions-review/worst-thing |website=Complex |access-date=25 February 2022 |date=February 24, 2022 |archive-date=February 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225220638/https://www.complex.com/music/kanye-west-donda-2-songs-first-impressions-review/worst-thing |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Skelton |first1=Eric |title=Kanye West Is Carrying Out His 'Living Breathing Album' Dreams |url=https://www.complex.com/music/kanye-west-donda-2-rollout-living-breathing-album |website=Complex |access-date=25 February 2022 |date=February 25, 2022 |archive-date=February 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225220639/https://www.complex.com/music/kanye-west-donda-2-rollout-living-breathing-album |url-status=dead }}

Donda 2 is a hip-hop album.{{Cite magazine|last=Ihaza|first=Jeff|date=March 3, 2022|title='Donda 2' Review: The Beginning of a Post-Kanye World|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/kanye-west-vibe-shift-1314514/|access-date=March 4, 2022|magazine=Rolling Stone|url-access=limited|archive-url=https://archive.today/20220303171249/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/kanye-west-vibe-shift-1314514/|archive-date=March 3, 2022|url-status=live}} The album was described in multiple reviews as seeming unfinished, with Alphonse Pierre of Pitchfork viewing it as an "undercooked" album posing as an "ever-changing art piece" that may remain incomplete. A production style that incorporates "see-sawing synth patterns" was observed by The Guardian journalist Alexis Petridis in his review of the album, who also commented that there is a lack of focus, seeing certain songs as resembling demos. According to HipHopDX writer Matthew Ritchie, large stretches of the production demonstrate West's "attention to detail" that creates a background for songs.

West delves into relationship problems between himself and Kim Kardashian on Donda 2, particularly discussing their divorce. Thematically, this topic drew comparisons to West's fourth studio album 808s & Heartbreak (2008) from numerous writers. He goes into detail about the divorce, focusing on his many emotions and insecurities. West directs insults towards comedian Pete Davidson, who became Kardashian's new partner.{{Cite web|last=Hamilton|first=Jack|date=March 2, 2022|title=Kanye West Donda 2 review: Stem Player costs $200 just to make a bad album worse.|url=https://slate.com/culture/2022/03/kanye-west-donda-2-album-review-stem-player.html|access-date=March 3, 2022|website=Slate|archive-date=March 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303002326/https://slate.com/culture/2022/03/kanye-west-donda-2-album-review-stem-player.html|url-status=live}} West also addresses his family's concerns, disregarding them. He conveys a bitter and self-pitying outlook, seeking the sympathy of others, while showing a lack of both happiness and empathy.

File:Pete Davidson 201802.png on stage in 2018|West antagonizes American comedian Pete Davidson, who began dating Kardashian during her divorce from West, on the songs "Security" and "Eazy".]]

The album's opening track, "True Love", contains a drum break shared with West's 2010 single "Runaway" that samples "The Basement" by Pete Rock & CL Smooth. A posthumous feature from rapper XXXTentacion is included at the beginning, singing about lost love. On the track, West laments the childcare arrangements brought about in the wake of his divorce. West also references XXXTentacion's son Gekyume during the second chorus, as he reminds both his and the late rapper's children of their respective fathers' love for them. "Broken Road" is a ballad featuring rapper Don Toliver, in which West delivers introspection and declares his freedom.{{Cite web|last=Ludovic|first=Hunter-Tilney|date=March 2, 2022|title=Kanye West disappoints (again) with Donda 2|url=https://www.ft.com/content/7b5f3313-75dc-43a0-8e75-6176c70bd768|url-access=subscription|access-date=March 3, 2022|website=Financial Times|archive-date=March 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302214853/https://www.ft.com/content/7b5f3313-75dc-43a0-8e75-6176c70bd768|url-status=live}} "Get Lost" sees West singing a cappella with Auto-Tune heavily applied to his voice, recalling varying memories of his marriage to Kardashian. "Too Easy" features electronic elements and contains a mantra by West, who uses the vocal technique as he champions self love.{{Cite web|last=Sayles|first=Justin|title=Unfinished or Not, Kanye's 'Donda 2' Is a Fascinating Art Experiment|url=https://www.theringer.com/2022/3/1/22955524/kanye-west-donda-2-review-album-stem-player|date=March 1, 2022|access-date=March 4, 2022|publisher=The Ringer|archive-date=March 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303011553/https://www.theringer.com/2022/3/1/22955524/kanye-west-donda-2-review-album-stem-player|url-status=live}} The rapper references his then-budding relationship with actress Julia Fox on "Flowers" and alludes to both his birthday gift for her and his Valentine's Day present for his ex-wife Kim Kardashian.{{Cite web|last=Daly|first=Rhian|date=February 28, 2022|title='Donda 2': why Kanye West's ego is scuppering these half-baked songs|url=https://www.nme.com/features/opinion/donda-2-kanye-west-ego-half-baked-dashed-off-sounding-songs-3171387|access-date=March 1, 2022|website=NME|archive-date=February 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228233424/https://www.nme.com/features/opinion/donda-2-kanye-west-ego-half-baked-dashed-off-sounding-songs-3171387|url-status=live}} West angrily threatens to fight Davidson on the noisy and aggressive track "Security", proclaiming that he "ain't got enough security for this".

"We Did It Kid" includes guest vocals from Baby Keem and the Migos and features lyrics about friendship over a brass trap beat. "Pablo" is an energetic track with a fast-moving beat and a hook from fellow rapper Travis Scott, while Future also contributes a verse.{{cite web|last1=Skelton|first1=Eric|last2=McKinney|first2=Jessica|last3=Gee|first3=Andre|url=https://www.complex.com/music/kanye-west-donda-2-songs-first-impressions-review/|title=First Four Kanye West 'Donda 2' Stem Player Songs: First Impressions Review|website=Complex|date=February 24, 2022|access-date=March 5, 2022|archive-date=March 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304102606/https://www.complex.com/music/kanye-west-donda-2-songs-first-impressions-review/|url-status=live}} "Louie Bags" is a tribute to designer Virgil Abloh, a longtime friend of West's. West states on the minimally-produced electronic-backed track that he stopped buying Abloh's Louis Vuitton bags after his death in 2021. The track ends with a verse performed by Jack Harlow. "Happy" opens with a verse from Future, preceding three verses from West, who conveys his sadness as he repeatedly pleads: "Do I look happy to you?" "Sci Fi" features lush orchestral production and begins with a monologue from Kardashian's 2021 appearance on Saturday Night Live, in which she applauds West's achievements. Lyrically, West tells the story of their divorce. "Selfish" is a minimal ballad that posthumously features XXXTentacion, with West analyzing how his flaws led to the divorce. "Lord Lift Me Up" has an orchestral style and consists solely of vocals from Vory. "City of Gods" is a Brooklyn drill styled track serves as an ode to New York City from West, fellow rapper Fivio Foreign, and singer Alicia Keys. "First Time in a Long Time" embraces new beginnings and features a guest verse from Soulja Boy.{{cite news|last=Eilbert|first=Mark|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.68437/title.soulja-boy-thanks-kanye-west-for-donda-2-feature|title=Soulja Boy Thanks Kanye West For 'Pushing' Him On 'Donda 2'|work=HipHopDX|date=March 1, 2022|access-date=March 6, 2022|archive-date=March 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305025957/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.68437/title.soulja-boy-thanks-kanye-west-for-donda-2-feature|url-status=live}} On West and fellow rapper the Game's collaboration "Eazy", the former disses Davidson, threatening to "beat [his] ass."

Various songs from the 2022 version would later be re-worked and re-appear on other albums. Its first song, "True Love" was released as a single for Look at Me: The Album by XXXTentacion, "City of Gods" was released on B.I.B.L.E. by Fivio Foreign, and "Eazy" was released on Drillmatic – Heart vs. Mind by The Game. Furthermore, "Sci-Fi" (now retitled "Oxygen") was released on In Loving Memory by Sean Leon. The song "Keep It Burnin", which was removed quickly from the Stem Player, would release on Future's album I Never Liked You. "530" was released on Vultures 2, and subsequently updated.

File:Stem Player.png (pictured) in 2022.]]

On January 15, 2022, "Eazy" was made available as a Spotify exclusive, one day before it was released as the first single from Donda 2.{{cite web |last1=Cowen |first1=Trace William |title=Kanye West and The Game Drop New Song 'Eazy' |url=https://www.complex.com/music/kanye-west-the-game-my-life-was-never-eazy |website=Complex |access-date=March 5, 2022 |date=January 15, 2022 |archive-date=March 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301133007/https://www.complex.com/music/kanye-west-the-game-my-life-was-never-eazy |url-status=live }} The song entered the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 49, alongside peaking at number 32 on the UK Singles Chart.{{Cite web|title=Eazy {{!}} full Official Chart History|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/eazy/|access-date=March 5, 2022|publisher=Official Charts Company|archive-date=March 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305195324/https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/eazy/|url-status=live}} A music video for "Eazy" was released on March 3, 2022, featuring West kidnapping a clay-version of Pete Davidson that he goes on to bury.{{Cite web|title=Kanye West & The Game's 'Eazy' lyrics meaning explained|url=https://www.capitalxtra.com/artists/kanye-west/news/the-game-eazy-lyrics-meaning-explained/|date=March 3, 2022|access-date=March 8, 2022|publisher=Capital Xtra|archive-date=January 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124044830/https://www.capitalxtra.com/artists/kanye-west/news/the-game-eazy-lyrics-meaning-explained/|url-status=live}} On February 11, "City of Gods" was released as the second single from the album.{{Cite magazine|last=Brandle|first=Lards|date=February 11, 2022|title=Kanye West, Fivio Foreign and Alicia Keys Drop 'City of Gods'|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kanye-west-fivio-foreign-alicia-keys-city-of-gods-1235030067/|access-date=February 22, 2022|magazine=Billboard|archive-date=February 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222120109/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kanye-west-fivio-foreign-alicia-keys-city-of-gods-1235030067/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Brown|first=Pheezy|date=February 23, 2022|title=Kanye West's 'Donda 2' Live Listening Event Brings Out The Stars|url=https://www.vibe.com/news/events/kanye-west-donda-2-live-listening-event-1234649336/|access-date=February 26, 2022|website=Vibe|archive-date=February 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225143511/https://www.vibe.com/news/events/kanye-west-donda-2-live-listening-event-1234649336/|url-status=live}} The song charted at number 46 on the Hot 100, while it reached number 58 on the UK Singles Chart.{{Cite web|title=Kanye West Chart History (Hot 100)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/kanye-west/chart-history/hsi/|access-date=February 27, 2022|magazine=Billboard|archive-date=September 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917082906/https://www.billboard.com/music/kanye-west/chart-history/HSI|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Fivio Foreign/Ye/Alicia Keys {{!}} full Official Chart History|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/61968/fivio-foreign-ye-alicia-keys/|access-date=February 27, 2022|publisher=Official Charts Company|archive-date=February 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218184239/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/61968/fivio-foreign-ye-alicia-keys/|url-status=live}} On May 27, 2022, the song "True Love" got an official release on streaming services. It was also included on XXXTentacion's "Look At Me: The Album". The song peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 upon its debut at number 22, and on the Hot Hip-Hop/R&B chart at number 5.{{Cite magazine |title=Kanye West |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/kanye-west/ |access-date=2022-08-26 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}} On March 8, 2022, alongside an update to the Stem Player website that allowed users who had purchased the Stem Player to stream songs from Donda 2 without having to connect their Stem Player devices to their computers (thereby allowing music to be streamed from the site like a traditional music streaming service), the songs "Pablo" and "Security" were made available to stream for all (even those without a Stem Player), likely as additional singles for Donda 2, with these versions having updated mixes.{{Citation |title=STEM PLAYER UPDATES: New mix for Security and Pablo {{!}} You can now play Donda 2 on phone or computer |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ij5-E367934 |language=en |access-date=2022-10-22}}

A total of 22 songs were announced via a track list for Donda 2 posted by West to his Instagram account on February 18, 2022.{{Cite web|last=Moore|first=Sam|date=2022-02-18|title=Kanye West reveals tracklist for 'Donda 2'|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/kanye-west-reveals-tracklist-for-donda-2-3164542|access-date=2022-02-18|website=NME|language=en-GB|archive-date=February 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218121246/https://www.nme.com/news/music/kanye-west-reveals-tracklist-for-donda-2-3164542|url-status=live}} On February 23, four songs, entitled "Security", "Pablo", "Broken Road", and "We Did It Kid", were released to owners of the Stem Player via the player's website.{{Cite web|title=Songs From Kanye West's 'Donda 2' Are Starting to Be Released|url=https://www.complex.com/music/kanye-west-donda-2-album-release|access-date=2022-02-23|website=Complex|language=en|archive-date=February 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223221450/https://www.complex.com/music/kanye-west-donda-2-album-release|url-status=live}} Another 12 songs were added the following day as part of an update labeled "V2.22.22 Miami".{{Cite web|last1=Corcoran|first1=Nina|last2=Minsker|first2=Evan|date=2022-02-24|title=Kanye West Releases New Album Donda 2 on Stem Player|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kanye-west-releases-new-album-donda-2-on-stem-player/|access-date=2022-02-25|website=Pitchfork|language=en-US|archive-date=February 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225050537/https://pitchfork.com/news/kanye-west-releases-new-album-donda-2-on-stem-player/|url-status=live}} However, one of the 12 additional songs released, entitled "Keep It Burning", was removed from the Stem Player website and replaced with a stadium version of "True Love", which was then later replaced with "Eazy". A finished version of the song "Keep It Burning" would instead later be released on Future's album, I Never Liked You.

Donda 2 leaked online shortly after release and was heavily pirated. The album was one of the most pirated albums on 1337x and the Pirate Bay in February 2022. It also led to the piracy of the Stem Player website, since the song stems and remixing tools were available on emulators.{{Cite web|last=Van der Sar|first=Ernesto|title=Kanye West's Exclusive 'Donda 2' Release Triggers Piracy Craze|url=https://torrentfreak.com/kanye-wests-exclusive-donda-2-release-triggers-piracy-craze-220228/|date=February 28, 2022|access-date=March 1, 2022|publisher=TorrentFreak|archive-date=March 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301101008/https://torrentfreak.com/kanye-wests-exclusive-donda-2-release-triggers-piracy-craze-220228/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=Malt|first=Andy|title=Kanye West's Donda 2 tops the (piracy) charts|url=https://completemusicupdate.com/article/kanye-wests-donda-2-tops-the-piracy-charts/|date=February 28, 2022|access-date=March 1, 2022|publisher=Complete Music Update|archive-date=February 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228193043/https://completemusicupdate.com/article/kanye-wests-donda-2-tops-the-piracy-charts/|url-status=live}} Donda 2 was not eligible to enter any Billboard charts per the rules on releases sold with merchandise, as it was exclusive to the Stem Player service.{{Cite magazine |last=Stutz |first=Colin |date=March 4, 2022 |title=Kanye West's 'Donda 2' Stem Release Won't Be Billboard Chart Eligible |magazine=Billboard |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/kanye-west-donda-2-stem-player-release-chart-eligibility/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305023827/https://www.billboard.com/pro/kanye-west-donda-2-stem-player-release-chart-eligibility/ |archive-date=March 5, 2022}} During his performance at Rolling Loud music festival in July 2022, Digital Nas suggested that a finished version of the album would be released later that year.{{Citation |title=Digital Nas Rolling Loud Miami 2022 *Fullset* | date=July 24, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9ZYTZUeos0 |via=YouTube |publisher=Digital Nas |access-date=2022-07-26}}

In January 2023, in light of West's antisemitic remarks, Kano Computing, the manufacturer of the Stem Player, announced that their collaboration with West has ended, and that the Donda Stem Player would be discontinued after they sold through the remaining stock of 5,000 units. At the same time, Kano announced a new variant of the Stem Player developed in collaboration with Ghostface Killah that would not include Donda 2 or any other content from West.{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Jay |date=2023-01-09 |title=The makers of the Stem Player made a small projector that's Kanye West-free |url=https://www.theverge.com/23538109/stem-player-projector-kanye-west-ye-kano-computing |access-date=2023-01-09 |website=The Verge |language=en-US |quote=I asked if Ye was a part of the project at all. Klein told me that Ye was not involved with the projector and that the company's collaboration with the rapper, which included making the Stem Player the exclusive home of Donda 2, has ended. Ye "clearly saw the new medium of Stem as something innovative and different," Klein said. "I think that will always be a beautiful moment. But no active collaboration now in light of very, very awful things that have been said." Kano still has "like 5,000" Stem Players in its inventory preloaded with Donda 2, but there are "no plans" to put new Ye content on future devices, according to Klein.}}

In March 2025, after releasing an in-progress version of his studio album Bully, West announced on Twitter that he intended to return to Donda 2 when he finished Bully. He released an image that HotNewHipHop wrote appeared to be the album's cover.{{cite web |last1=Andrews |first1=Elias |title=Kanye West Drops "BULLY V1" Album And Short Film Amidst Twitter Meltdown |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/895397-kanye-west-drops-bully-v1-album-short-film-twitter-meltdown-hip-hop-news |website=HotNewHipHop |access-date=March 24, 2025 |date=March 19, 2025}} Throughout April 2025, record producer Digital Nas began streaming, first on Twitch, and posteriorly on Kick, alongside West, working on the rapper's upcoming album Cuck and reworking Donda 2. Various personalities would be featured on these streams, including rapper and singer Dave Blunts, Rumble live-streamer Sneako and far-right political commentator Nick Fuentes.{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Conor |title=Kanye West’s ‘Donda 2’ Is Suddenly On Spotify—Here’s What We Know |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2025/04/30/the-confusing-circumstances-of-kanye-wests-donda-2-climbing-streaming-charts-explained/ |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=Forbes |language=en}} The album was published to Spotify and YouTube Music on April 29, 2025, with the album appearing on other platforms within the coming hours.{{Cite news |date=2025-04-30 |title=Kanye West drops Donda 2 on YouTube and Spotify after two-year wait |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/new-zealand/kanye-west-drops-donda-2-on-youtube-and-spotify-after-two-year-wait/articleshow/120759160.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2025-05-13 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}} This release of the album included various changes, like certain different track titles, order and production, was missing the tracks "Selfish" and "Eazy", and featured four new tracks, being "Mr Miyagi", "530" (a shorter version of the song of the same name, previously released on ¥$'s Vultures 2), "Burn Everything" (previously released as a single by Sean Leon){{Cite web |last=Basu |first=Rose |date=2022-11-20 |title=SEAN LEON AND YE (F.K.A. KANYE WEST) UNITE TO “BURN EVERYTHING” IN SIGHT |url=https://shiftermagazine.com/music/sean-leon-ye-kanye-west-burn-everything-video |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=shiftermagazine.com}} and "Maintenance".

On May 1, the album was updated on streaming services to include two new songs, titled "Suzy" and "Jesse". Shortly after the album’s release on streaming, Digital Nas confirmed that a previewed update to the song "Happy" used artificial intelligence (AI) to create West's vocals, stating that West will soon re-record his verse once Donda 2 was updated; this did not happen.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=@DIGITALNAS ON X: YE WILL BE REDOING HIS HAPPY VERSE NOT AI NEW UPDATE |url=https://x.com/DIGITALNAS/status/1917756937661202732 |url-status=live |website=X}} On May 3, the songs "Pablo", "Mr. Miyagi", and "Happy" were all removed on Spotify, these songs were added back to Spotify with the May 10 update. On May 9, the album was taken off of Apple Music. On May 10, the album was once again updated to include a new song, titled "City of Chi", which uses AI vocals on West's verse. This update also added AI vocals to "First Time in a Long Time". On June 5, Donda 2 was added to the official Kanye West streaming and YouTube account, alongside his other accounts, Ye and Donda.{{Cite web |title=DONDA 2 |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/1ZkGNUz1un0b3Z7EsJl3ci |access-date=June 6, 2025 |website=Spotify}}{{Cite web |title=DONDA 2 |url=https://tidal.com/browse/album/440425318 |access-date=June 6, 2025 |website=Tidal}}{{Cite web |title=DONDA 2 |url=https://www.pandora.com/artist/donda-kanye-west-and-ye/donda-2/ALhvxq3V6hjpdXX |access-date=June 6, 2025 |website=Pandora}} On June 12, the songs "Pablo", "Mr. Miyagi", "Happy", and "We Did It" were once again removed on Spotify.

On February 7, 2022, a private listening party was held for Donda 2 at Nobu Malibu, where Travis Scott and fellow rappers Offset, French Montana, Yung Lean, and Drake, as well as model Kendall Jenner, were in attendance.{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/kanye-west-donda-2-event-included-travis-scott-drake-kim-kardashian-lookalike|title=Kanye West's 'Donda 2' Event Festivities Reportedly Included Travis Scott, Drake, and Kim Kardashian 'Lookalike'|website=Complex|last=William Cowen|first=Trace|date=February 9, 2022|access-date=February 11, 2022|archive-date=February 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220211001539/https://www.complex.com/music/kanye-west-donda-2-event-included-travis-scott-drake-kim-kardashian-lookalike|url-status=live}} Six days later, West announced a public concert entitled "Kanye West: Donda Experience Performance" for the album at LoanDepot Park in Miami on February 22. Tickets for the concert were first made available on February 14, 2022, six days before ones for IMAX presentations went on sale.{{cite news|last=Blake|first=Cole|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kanye-west-announces-donda-2-listening-event-in-miami-news.147663.html|title=Kanye West Announces 'Donda 2' Live Performance In Miami|website=HotNewHipHop|date=February 12, 2022|access-date=February 15, 2022|archive-date=February 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215192835/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kanye-west-announces-donda-2-listening-event-in-miami-news.147663.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Diep|first=Eric|title=Kanye West to Hold 'Donda Experience Performance' in Miami (Updated)|url=https://www.complex.com/music/kanye-west-donda-experience-performance-miami|date=February 13, 2022|access-date=2022-02-16|website=Complex|language=en|archive-date=February 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216005636/https://www.complex.com/music/kanye-west-donda-experience-performance-miami|url-status=live}} On February 21, 2022, it was announced that the concert would be live-streamed in IMAX theaters across 15 cities in the United States at 9p.m. ET.{{Cite magazine|last=Hartzog|first=Oscar|date=February 21, 2022|title=Kanye West 'Donda 2' Listening Party to Play in IMAX Theaters: Here's Where to Find Tickets|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/product-recommendations/lifestyle/kanye-west-donda-2-listening-party-imax-stream-1310439/|access-date=February 26, 2022|magazine=Rolling Stone|archive-date=February 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226125712/https://www.rollingstone.com/product-recommendations/lifestyle/kanye-west-donda-2-listening-party-imax-stream-1310439/|url-status=live}} In response to popular demand, IMAX subsequently expanded the live-stream to 60 theaters across the US for the one-night only event on February 22.{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/kayne-west-donda-concert-imax-expands-streaming-locations/|title=IMAX Expands Streaming of Kanye West's 'Donda' Concert to Sixty Locations|website=Collider|last=Mendelsohn|first=Jon|date=February 22, 2022|access-date=February 26, 2022|archive-date=February 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226125712/https://collider.com/kayne-west-donda-concert-imax-expands-streaming-locations/|url-status=live}} Simultaneously with the screening, the event was live-streamed on YouTube and West's Stem Player service. It sold out 47 of the 60 theaters, grossing around $313,582 for IMAX.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/02/imax-kanye-west-live-events-1234959131/|title=Imax Grosses $300K From Kanye West, Wires Theaters For Live Events|website=Deadline Hollywood|last=Goldsmith|first=Jill|date=February 23, 2022|access-date=February 26, 2022|archive-date=February 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226125711/https://deadline.com/2022/02/imax-kanye-west-live-events-1234959131/|url-status=live}} The performance was set to begin at 8p.m. ET, though started nearly 3 hours late at 10:45 p.m. West was joined by numerous guests, such as Marilyn Manson and DaBaby–both of whom appeared at the third listening event for Donda–as well as Fivio Foreign, Keys, and Jack Harlow. Celebrities in attendance included French Montana, Elon Musk, and Diddy.{{Cite magazine|last=Roiz|first=Jessica|date=February 23, 2022|title=Kanye West's 'Donda 2' Event: Things You Didn't See in the Livestream|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kanye-west-donda-2-concert-things-you-didnt-see-livestream-1235034988/|access-date=February 27, 2022|magazine=Billboard|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227100446/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kanye-west-donda-2-concert-things-you-didnt-see-livestream-1235034988/|url-status=live}} West experienced multiple microphone problems and audio glitches while performing, to which he reacted during a performance of "Jail pt 2" by throwing his microphone on the floor.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/kanye-west-donda-2-miami-sound-issues-b2021138.html|title=Kanye West throws his microphone during Donda 2 live event amid sound issues|website=The Independent|last=Hirwani|first=Peony|date=February 23, 2022|access-date=February 27, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227100445/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/kanye-west-donda-2-miami-sound-issues-b2021138.html|url-status=live}} The rapper later revealed to Sasha A. Berg and Esther Coco Berg that he had been made "to write the word 'performance'" in the event's title, despite intending the event as a work of performance art.{{Cite web|last=Cowen|first=Trace William|title=Kanye West on Why He Threw Microphone During 'Donda 2' Event|url=https://www.complex.com/music/kanye-west-on-why-he-threw-microphone-during-donda-2-event|date=March 2, 2022|access-date=March 2, 2022|website=Complex|archive-date=March 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302221457/https://www.complex.com/music/kanye-west-on-why-he-threw-microphone-during-donda-2-event|url-status=live}} His frustration with this reduction of the event's concept led alongside other reactions to him throwing the microphone he was given, saying he began questioning why he was performing.

On June 29, 2022, West was sued by Ultra International Music Publishing over unauthorized samples of the song "Move Your Body' by Marshall Jefferson on the track 'Flowers".{{Cite web |last=Minsker |first=Evan |date=2022-06-30 |title=Kanye West Sued Over Sample on Donda 2’s “Flowers” |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kanye-west-sued-over-sample-on-donda-2s-flowers/ |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}} In a motion filed at the Southern District of New York, Ultra International Music Publishing claimed that, "During discussions with representatives for Mr. Jefferson and UIMP, West and his representatives acknowledged that 'Move Your Body' was sampled in 'Flowers,' and was done so without authorization or payment to UIMP or Marshall Jefferson. Despite this acknowledgement, West has not ceased distribution of 'Flowers.'"{{Cite web |date=2022-06-30 |title=Kanye West sued for allegedly sampling Chicago House legend Marshall Jefferson’s music without permission |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/kanye-west-sued-for-allegedly-sampling-chicago-house-legend-marshall-jeffersons-music-without-permission/ |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=Music Business Worldwide |language=en-US}}{{Cite journal |title=Ultra International Music Publishing, LLC v. West et al |url=https://dockets.justia.com/docket/new-york/nysdce/1:2022cv05560/582432 |journal=Justia Dockets & Filings}} In a comment provided to Music Business Worldwide, Jefferson stated "I’ve been sampled thousands of times. For that reason I’ve never and will never sample another artist, because I know the feelings involved." Both the monetization of the Stem Player and the use of "Flowers" in promotional material for the product were cited as profit made through the sample. The lawsuit was settled on May 3, 2023.{{Cite news |title=Kanye West settles copyright lawsuit over 'Donda 2' sample |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/kanye-west-settles-copyright-lawsuit-over-donda-2-sample-2023-05-04/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230921204446/https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/kanye-west-settles-copyright-lawsuit-over-donda-2-sample-2023-05-04/ |archive-date=2023-09-21 |access-date=2025-05-13 |work=Reuters |language=en-US}} Despite this, the 2025 re-release of Donda 2 adds the sampled portions of "Move Your Body" back to the song.

On April 30, 2025, West was threatened with legal action by former manager DeAndre "Free" Maiden, who represented Donda 2 producers BoogzDaBeast and Brian "AllDay" Miller, under accusations that West had failed to compensate them for both released and unreleased work. West responded by claiming that Maiden was trying to "extort" him with a $3 million settlement for "beats from people I showed how to make beats to," and was attempting to remove Donda 2 from streaming.{{Cite web |title=Ye Claims $3 Million Dispute Could Lead to 'Donda 2' Remo... |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/tracewilliamcowen/kanye-west-donda-2-producers-payment |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=Complex |language=en}} In a response, Maiden stated “I’ve purposely kept our dispute quiet, I believe in keeping family business family business." He ended his statement with "This man has been stealing for years, but I always protected him. I’ve saved Ye nine figures in attempted lawsuits alone in the past. Gloves off now.”{{Cite web |last=Sadler |first=Armon |date=2025-05-01 |title=Ye’s Former Manager Free Maiden Shoots Down Extortion Accusations |url=https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/ye-manager-free-maiden-shoots-down-extortion-accusations-1235066160/ |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=VIBE.com |language=en-US}} West has since attempted to reconcile with the producers, posting to Twitter, "Really wanna work with Brian and Boogz again. Really wanna work this out."{{Cite web |last=Fisher |first=Caroline |date=2025-04-30 |title=Kanye West Admits He Wants To Reconcile With Producers Amid “Donda 2” Drama |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/906859-kanye-west-producers-donda-2-drama-hip-hop-news |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=HotNewHipHop |language=en}}

{{Music ratings

| MC = 48/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/donda-2/kanye-west|title=Donda 2 by Kanye West Reviews and Tracks|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=March 2, 2022|archive-date=March 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302205541/https://www.metacritic.com/music/donda-2/kanye-west|url-status=live}}

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1score = {{Rating|2|5}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/donda-2-mw0003666247 |title=Donda 2 – Kanye West |last=Staff |first=TiVo |date=August 14, 2024 |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=August 14, 2024 }}

| rev2 = The Daily Telegraph

| rev2score = {{Rating|2|5}}{{cite news|last=McCormick|first=Neil|author-link=Neil McCormick|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/donda-2-review-kanye-wests-weak-divorce-album-work-deeply-unhappy/|title=Donda 2 review: Kanye West's weak divorce album is the work of a deeply unhappy man|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|url-access=subscription|date=February 27, 2022|access-date=February 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227130721/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/donda-2-review-kanye-wests-weak-divorce-album-work-deeply-unhappy/|archive-date=February 27, 2022|url-status=live}}

| rev3 = Exclaim!

| rev3score = 5/10{{cite web|last=Wallace|first=Riley|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/kanye_west_ye_donda_2_v2_22_22_miami_album_review|title=Kanye West's 'Donda 2' Isn't Finished Yet — but It Might Not Be Fixable|work=Exclaim!|date=March 8, 2022|access-date=March 11, 2022|archive-date=March 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308221607/https://exclaim.ca/music/article/kanye_west_ye_donda_2_v2_22_22_miami_album_review|url-status=live}}

| rev4 = Financial Times

| rev4score = {{Rating|2|5}}

| rev5 = The Guardian

| rev5score = {{Rating|2|5}}

| rev6 = HipHopDX

| rev6score = 3.4/5

| rev7 = The Line of Best Fit

| rev7score = 4/10{{cite web|last=Loftin|first=Steven|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/kanye-west-donda-2-album-review|title=Kanye West - Donda 2 {{!}} Album Review|work=The Line of Best Fit|date=February 26, 2022|access-date=February 28, 2022|archive-date=February 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228164741/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/kanye-west-donda-2-album-review|url-status=live}}

| rev8 = Our Culture Mag

| rev8score = {{rating|1.5|5}}{{cite web|last=Akler-Bishop|first=Ryan|date=March 7, 2022|url=https://ourculturemag.com/2022/03/07/album-review-kanye-west-donda-2-v2-22-22-miami/|title=Album Review: Kanye West, 'Donda 2 (V2.22.22 Miami)'|website=Our Culture Mag|access-date=March 12, 2022|archive-date=March 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307082752/https://ourculturemag.com/2022/03/07/album-review-kanye-west-donda-2-v2-22-22-miami/|url-status=live}}

| rev9 = Pitchfork

| rev9score = 4.3/10

| rev10 = Slant Magazine

| rev10score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}

| rev11 = The Times

| rev11score = {{Rating|1|5}}{{Cite web |last=Hodgkinson |first=Will |author-link=Will Hodgkinson |title=Donda 2 by Kanye West review — an overhyped misfire |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/music/article/donda-2-by-kanye-west-review-an-overhyped-misfire-c770bl7wh |url-access=subscription |access-date=March 4, 2022 |website=The Times |date=March 4, 2022 |archive-date=March 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304041210/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/donda-2-by-kanye-west-review-an-overhyped-misfire-c770bl7wh |url-status=live }}

}}

The "V2.22.22 Miami"{{Cite web |title=Kanye West: Donda 2 |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/kanye-west-donda-2-v22222-miami/ |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}} version of Donda 2 received mixed reviews from critics. Jeff Ihaza of Rolling Stone called the album a "confounding" project that is brought down by West's fixation on "controlling one's narrative", deriding the lyrical content, guest appearances, and the lack of a clear concept, despite praising certain vocals. Slate{{'}}s Jack Hamilton wrote off its "aimless" song structures and "fake-deep" lyricism, also feeling let down by the "half-hearted" production that has its best-inspired moments "drowned in a sea of repetitive, spaced-out bloat". Ludovic Hunter-Tilney, writing in the Financial Times, found Donda 2 "repetitious and lacklustre", disclosing "serious deficiencies" in West's creativity, but picked "Security" as a highlight. Reviewing the album for The Guardian, Alexis Petridis disapproved of its lack of thematic focus, unfinished production and the lyrical content for its "tedious barbs at his estranged wife", but admitted some portions briefly showed "the authentically brilliant producer" West is capable of being.{{Cite web|last=Petridis|first=Alexis|author-link=Alexis Petridis|date=February 25, 2022|title=Ye: Donda 2 review – desultory soundtrack for a social media circus|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/feb/25/ye-donda-2-review-kanye-west|access-date=February 25, 2022|website=The Guardian|archive-date=February 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225142233/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/feb/25/ye-donda-2-review-kanye-west|url-status=live}}

The Daily Telegraph critic Neil McCormick regarded Donda 2 as the weakest album of West's career, seeing West assume a "sullen, self-pitying and bitter" persona—"vindictive sniping and whiney self-pity". McCormick criticized the album's song structures and repetitive rhymes, as well as the auto-tuned vocals, even though he liked some of the accompanying beats. Underscoring its "sluggish" energy and "undermining" production, Steven Loftin from The Line of Best Fit felt the album is "nothing particularly revelatory", discussing the expected, repetitive themes, though moderately gave credit to the production. Pitchfork{{'s}} Alphonse Pierre defined Donda 2 as a "crudely unfinished dump of songs" camouflaged by the Stem Player's technological spectacle. He described the songs as "lackluster" and "undercooked", displaying "a cool moment or two" but mostly amorphous.{{Cite web |last=Pierre |first=Alphonse |date=2022-03-02 |title=Donda 2 (V2.22.22 Miami) |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/kanye-west-donda-2-v22222-miami/ |access-date=2022-03-02 |website=Pitchfork |archive-date=March 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302123352/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/kanye-west-donda-2-v22222-miami/amp/ |url-status=live }}

Few reviews were marginally favorable. Alexandra Pauly of Highsnobiety wrote lukewarm comments, describing the album as a divorce record that "boasts all the hallmarks" of an artist experiencing "post-nuptial proceedings". Pauly was dissatisfied with how Donda 2 lacks the sincerity exuded by other divorce albums, saying it "reeks of [the] ego" that appeals to West's fan base.{{Cite web|last=Pauly|first=Alexandra|date=February 26, 2022|title=Ye's 'Donda 2': A Divorce Album for Bros|url=https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/kanye-west-donda-2-lyrics-divorce-album/|access-date=February 27, 2022|website=Highsnobiety|archive-date=March 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306105425/https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/kanye-west-donda-2-lyrics-divorce-album/|url-status=live}} Ritchie of HipHopDX opined that West's hyper-focus on his current drama has resulted in Donda 2, "a double-edged sword"—musically cohesive but with underdeveloped ideas.{{cite web|last=Ritchie|first=Matthew|url=https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.3839/title.kanye-west-donda-2-album-review|title=Kanye West {{!}} Donda 2 Album Review|work=HipHopDX|date=March 1, 2022|access-date=March 2, 2022|archive-date=March 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301203730/https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.3839/title.kanye-west-donda-2-album-review|url-status=live}}

Reviewing the 2025 release, Paul Attard of Slant Magazine wrote that while West's talent was sometimes evident, "Happy" was the "one truly great song... play[ing] like a bad-decision anthem for the ages". He found Donda 2 still largely the same as the Stem Player release and said the new songs did not substantially change the album.{{cite web |last1=Attard |first1=Paul |title=Kanye West ‘Donda 2’ Review: Retooled, Remixed, and Redundant |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/kanye-west-donda-2-album-review/ |website=Slant Magazine |access-date=May 2, 2025 |date=May 1, 2025}}

Donda 2 was not eligible for entry on the Billboard charts, such as the Billboard 200, since "it is not available apart from the purchase of one of [West's] $200-plus Stem Player devices." Billboard asserted on March 4, 2022, that attaching a new album to a physical device counts as "bundling"—a practice the organization deemed invalid in 2020 and implemented a rule to disregard such tactics from being counted as record sales. West celebrated the album's expulsion from the charts via his Instagram account, writing "Big win for the kid. We can no longer be counted or judged. We make my own systems. We set our own value aaaand [sic] yesterday's price is not todays price baaaaabeeeee [sic] !!!!!".

Stem Player sales within the first 24 hours of the album's release have been estimated at around 11,000 units, which would place the album's gross revenue at $2.2 million.{{Cite web |title=Kanye West's Stem Player Sales Generate $2.2M Within 24 Hours |url=https://www.eq-international.com/blog/kanye-west-stem-player-donda-2-apple-spotify-music-info |access-date=2023-01-23 |website=www.eq-international.com |language=en}} Ye claimed that the total revenue for the album within the first 24 hours amounted to $1.3 million.{{Cite magazine |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |date=2022-03-09 |title=Kanye West Reacts to 'Donda 2' Ineligibility on Billboard Charts: 'Big Win For the Kid' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kanye-west-reaction-donda-2-exclusion-billboard-charts-1235041491/ |access-date=2023-01-23 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}} Variety journalist Chris Willman reported that West has sold 39,500 Stem Players as of February 18, 2022, according to the rapper's claims. Willman noted that the player has been available since October 2021.{{Cite web |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=2022-03-09 |title=Kanye West Spins 'Donda 2' Being Declared Ineligible for Album Chart as a 'Big Win' |url=https://variety.com/2022/music/news/kanye-west-donda-2-ineligible-album-chart-calls-ruling-big-win-1235200033/ |access-date=2022-04-09 |website=Variety}}

Following the albums release on streaming services, it disappointed commercially. In the United States, it sold 6,100 album-equivalent units, becoming West's lowest selling first week. It is reported that had it had a full week of tracking, it would've sold 21,000 units in its first week.{{Cite web |last=Mendez |first=Marisa |date=2025-05-06 |title=Kanye West’s ‘DONDA 2’ Debuts With Ye's Lowest First-Week Sales Ever |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/kanye-west-donda-2-lowest-first-week-sales-ever |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=HipHopDX |language=en}} Due to its low first week sales, the album failed to enter the Billboard 200 charts, though it did debut at number 39 on the Top Current Album Sales chart, and at number 30 on the Independent Albums chart.{{Cite web |title=Kanye West {{!}} Biography, Music & News |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/kanye-west/chart-history/tcl/ |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Kanye West {{!}} Biography, Music & News |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/kanye-west/chart-history/ind/ |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}

In Europe, the album charted in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 19 on the Official Album Downloads chart,{{Cite web |title=Official Album Downloads Chart on 2/5/2025 |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-downloads-chart/20250502/7003/ |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=Official Charts |language=en}} Switzerland, peaking at number 72,{{Citation |title=Donda - Donda 2 |url=http://swisscharts.com/album/Donda/Donda-2-551597 |access-date=2025-05-11}} and Belgium, peaking at number 193.{{Cite web |title=Donda - Donda 2 - ultratop.be |url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl///album/86aad/Donda-Donda-2 |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=www.ultratop.be}}

Stem Player release track listing according to Stem Player API.{{cite web|title=Stem Player Albums API|url=https://api.stemplayer.com/content/albums|publisher=Stem Player|access-date=5 March 2022|archive-date=March 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305022633/https://api.stemplayer.com/content/albums|url-status=live}} Credits for "True Love", "City of Gods", "Eazy", and "Burn Everything" are adapted from Tidal.{{cite web|url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/230901283/credits|title=Credits / True Love / Kanye West|date=May 27, 2022 |publisher=Tidal|access-date=May 27, 2022|url-access=registration}}{{cite web|url=https://tidal.com/browse/album/216279087/credits|title=Credits / City of Gods / Fivio Foreign, Kanye West, Alicia Keys|publisher=Tidal|access-date=February 26, 2022|url-access=registration}}{{cite web|url=https://tidal.com/browse/album/212674301/credits|title=Credits / Eazy / The Game, Kanye West|publisher=Tidal|access-date=March 5, 2022|url-access=registration}}{{Citation |title=sean leon - BURN EVERYTHING (feat. Ye) |date=2022-11-18 |url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/260398433/credits |access-date=2025-05-13 |language=en}} Streaming release track listing adapted from Tidal{{Citation |title=Donda - DONDA 2 |date=2025-04-29 |url=https://tidal.com/album/432963419?u |access-date=2025-04-30 |language=en}} and Spotify.{{Citation |title=DONDA 2 |date=2025-05-10 |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/1hyxD3HtzCTIUUAZl26f4b |access-date=2025-05-11 |language=en}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Stem Player release track listing

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| title_width = 20%

| writing_width = 40%

| extra_width = 40%

| title1 = True Love

| length1 = 3:17

| writer1 = {{hlist|Kanye West|Jahseh Onfroy|John Branch|John Cunningham|Mark Williams|Michael Dean|Peter Phillips|Raul Cubina}}

| extra1 = {{hlist|Kanye West|John Cunningham|Mike Dean|Ojivolta}}

| title2 = Broken Road

| length2 = 1:40

| title3 = Get Lost

| length3 = 2:35

| title4 = Too Easy

| length4 = 2:58

| title5 = Flowers

| length5 = 2:51

| title6 = Security

| length6 = 2:16

| title7 = We Did It Kid

| length7 = 2:48

| title8 = Pablo

| length8 = 2:34

| title9 = Louie Bags

| length9 = 3:13

| title10 = Happy

| length10 = 4:45

| title11 = Sci-Fi

| length11 = 3:34

| title12 = Selfish

| length12 = 1:39

| title13 = Lord Lift Me Up

| length13 = 2:09

| title14 = City of Gods

| length14 = 4:16

| writer14 = {{hlist|West|Cubina|Dean|Williams|Allan Lopez|Andrew Taggart|Aswad Asif|Brittany Amaradio|Christian Tejada|Dwayne Abernathy|Hamza Hamaal|Malik Piper|Maxie Ryles}}

| extra14 = {{hlist|West|Ojivolta|AyoAA|Heemz|Lil Mav|The Chainsmokers|Tweek Tune|Dem Jointz{{ref|a|[a]}}|Dean{{ref|b|[b]}}|BoogzDaBeast{{ref|b|[b]}}|Bordeaux{{ref|b|[b]}}|Non Native{{ref|b|[b]}}|Scoop{{ref|b|[b]}}}}

| title15 = First Time in a Long Time

| writer15 = {{hlist|West|DeAndre Cortez Way}}

| length15 = 3:04

| title16 = Eazy

| writer16 = {{hlist|West|Drew Gavin|Jayceon Taylor|Lorenzo Patterson}}

| extra16 = {{hlist|Dean|Big Duke|Cash Jones|DJ Premier|Hit-Boy}}

| length16 = 3:54

| total_length = 47:22

}}{{Track listing

| headline = Streaming release track listing

| extra_column = Producer

| total_length = 58:34

| title_width = 20%

| writing_width = 40%

| extra_width = 40%

| title1 = True Love

| length1 = 2:17

| title2 = Broken Road

| length2 = 1:41

| title3 = Get Lost

| length3 = 2:34

| title4 = Keep the Flowers

| length4 = 2:51

| title5 = Jesse

| length5 = 2:07

| title6 = Too Easy

| length6 = 2:57

| title7 = Pablo

| length7 = 3:00

| title8 = Mr Miyagi

| length8 = 2:57

| title9 = Happy

| length9 = 3:31

| title10 = Security

| length10 = 2:18

| title11 = City of God

| length11 = 4:16

| title12 = 530

| length12 = 2:02

| title13 = City of Chi

| length13 = 2:42

| title14 = Scifi

| length14 = 4:00

| title15 = Suzy

| length15 = 1:24

| title16 = Burn Everything

| length16 = 2:01

| writer16 = {{hlist|West|Sean Leon|Bijan Amir|Cunningham}}

| extra16 = {{hlist|West|Leon|Amir|Cunningham}}

| title17 = Louie Bags

| length17 = 5:05

| title18 = We Did It

| length18 = 3:54

| title19 = Maintenance

| length19 = 1:13

| title20 = Lord Lift Me Up

| length20 = 2:10

| title21 = First Time in a Long Time

| length21 = 3:08

}}

Notes

• {{sup|{{note|a|[a]}}}} signifies a co-producer.
• {{sup|{{note|b|[b]}}}} signifies an additional producer.
• Track titles are stylized in all caps on the streaming release.
• "Selfish" and "Eazy" are missing from the streaming release.
• Many tracks were either retitled or initially retitled in the streaming release:
• "Flowers" has been retitled to "Keep the Flowers".
• "We Did It Kid" has been retitled to "We Did It".
• "Sci-Fi" has been retitled to "Scifi".
• "City of Gods" has been retitled to "City of God".

Uncredited features{{Cite news|last=Doria|first=Matt|title=Kanye West adds 12 more 'Donda 2' songs to Stem Player|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/kanye-west-adds-12-more-donda-2-songs-to-stem-player-3169272|date=February 25, 2022|access-date=March 8, 2022|website=NME|archive-date=February 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225051227/https://www.nme.com/news/music/kanye-west-adds-12-more-donda-2-songs-to-stem-player-3169272|url-status=live}}

• "True Love" and "Selfish" feature vocals by XXXTentacion.
• "Broken Road" and "City of Chi" feature vocals by Don Toliver.
• "We Did It Kid" features vocals by Baby Keem and Migos.
• "Pablo" features vocals by Future and Travis Scott. It also features additional vocals by Marilyn Manson on the streaming release.
• "Louie Bags" features vocals by Jack Harlow.
• "Happy" features vocals by Future.
• "Sci-Fi" and "Burn Everything" feature vocals by Sean Leon.
• "Lord Lift Me Up" features vocals by Vory.
• "City of Gods" features vocals by Alicia Keys and Fivio Foreign, with additional vocals by Playboi Carti.
• "First Time in a Long Time" features vocals by Soulja Boy.
• "Eazy" features vocals by the Game.
• "Mr Miyagi" features vocals by Future and Playboi Carti.

Samples credits

• "Security" contains a sample from "Wanna Trap" as performed by Mica Levi.{{cite web|last=Cochrane|first=Kez|url=https://crackmagazine.net/2022/02/kanye-west-samples-mica-levi-on-new-album-donda-2/|title=Kanye West samples Mica Levi on new album, 'Donda 2'|work=Crack|date=February 28, 2022|access-date=March 8, 2022|archive-date=February 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228130701/https://crackmagazine.net/2022/02/kanye-west-samples-mica-levi-on-new-album-donda-2/|url-status=live}} The streaming release originally featured an excerpt of a monologue by DJ Akademiks,{{Cite web |title=Ye's 'Donda 2' Belatedly Released to Streaming Services |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/tracewilliamcowen/kanye-west-donda-2-streaming |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=Complex |language=en}} which was removed on the June 6 update.{{citation needed|date=June 2025}}
• "Louie Bags" features an excerpt of a telephone call made by Kamala Harris (We did it, Joe!).
• "Sci-Fi" features an excerpt of a monologue by Kim Kardashian from Saturday Night Live.
• "Eazy" contains a sample from "Eazy-Duz-It" as performed by Eazy-E.

{{Reflist}}

{{Kanye West}}

Category:2022 albums

Category:2020s demo albums

Category:Kanye West albums

Category:Albums in memory of deceased persons

Category:Albums produced by Kanye West

Category:Self-released albums

Category:Sequel albums

Category:Works created using artificial intelligence