Kanye West Donda listen – Rapper wears mask at Atlanta match after Love Unconditionally ‘details Kim Kardashian divorce’
KANYE West wore a mask over his entire head during his new album premiere at an event on Thursday night in Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium as he rapped about "losing his family" ahead of his divorce from Kim Kardashian.
West's masked facade didn't mask the emotional verses of his song, a tribute to his mom, "Love Unconditionally," the Yeezus artist repeated: "I'm losing my family / I'm losing my family / I'm losing my family."
Kanye reportedly told Kim about the personal nature of the song before his performance so as not to "blindside" the TV star, detailing how the song was a description of their divorce.
An insider told E! News: "Kanye did write a song about Kim and their marriage and Kim gave her input about it.
"Kanye respects Kim a lot and wants to keep the family unit. Now that they have had space, Kim feels relieved that they can be cordial and spend time together for the sake of the kids."
His album is named after his late mother, Donda West, who passed away at age 58.
Kanye originally planned to drop his album Donda, named for his late mother, last July, but it was never released. However, he confirmed the album will now be released on July 24.
Meanwhile, rumors are swirling that the album's release has been pushed to August 6.
Read our Kanye West live blog below for the very latest updates...
ARE KIM AND KANYE DIVORCED?
Kim filed for divorce from her husband back in February after separating months before.
They both have filed for joint and physical custody of their four children and have remained adamant about focusing on co-parenting.
'DONDA' PROMO FEATURED SHA'CARRI RICHARDSON
While promoting the album, Kanye shared his new music video for the song No Child Left Behind that featured track star Sha'Carri Richardson.
The running star starred in a Beats by Dre commercial for the song during the NBA finals Tuesday night.
In Kanye's video, the 21-year-old worked up a sweat as Kanye sang: “He’s done miracles on me.”
KANYE'S RETURN
Fans have been eagerly waiting for the album – named after the rapper’s late mother, Donda West – since it was postponed by nearly a YEAR.
The official release – "Kanye West Presents A DONDA Listening Event" – took place just days after the rapper returned to Instagram after a lengthy hiatus.
He first planned to drop his album DONDA last July, though it was never released.
TWITTER DEFENDS KANYE AFTER 'DONDA' DELAYED
While many on Twitter were complaining about Kanye's album being delayed, some rushed to his defense.
"Trust Kanye's judgment," one person said.
SOME COMPLAINING THAT 'DONDA' HAS BEEN DELAYED
Kanye's fans were expecting to stream the album on July 23.
As of July 24, the album is not out yet.
Some on Twitter complained about the album's delay.
TIDAL MESSAGED KANYE ON TWITTER
Jay-Z's TIDAL direct messaged Kanye on Twitter earlier this week as Donda became more delayed.
KANYE COULD USE 'MILLION DOLLAR STUDIOS'
Several people on Twitter were lauding Kanye for being committed enough to Donda to stay at the stadium as he continues to work on it.
"Kanye living at the Mercedes Benz Stadium is honestly one of the better rap stories in a while. I need the oral history after Donda drops," one person tweeted.
KANYE: 'IM LOSING MY FAMILY'
Kanye's masked facade didn't mask the emotional verses of his song, a tribute to his mom, "Love Unconditionally," the Yeezus artist repeated: "I'm losing my family / I'm losing my family / I'm losing my family."
Kanye reportedly told Kim about the personal nature of the song before his performance so as not to "blindside" the TV star, detailing how the song was a description of their divorce.
JOKES ABOUT KANYE'S MASK AND APPEARANCE
Some on Twitter joked about Kanye's outfit that he wore to his album release party last week, which featured a translucent face mask.
KIM KARDASHIAN REUNITED WITH EX KANYE BACKSTAGE
RUMORS THAT DONDA ALBUM RELEASE PUSHED TO AUGUST
As Donda has not yet been released, rumors are beginning to swirl that the release has been delayed yet again.
One person familiar with the album suggested it may be delayed until August 6.
TWITTER JOKES ABOUT KANYE LIVING AT STADIUM
This week, reports came out that Kanye is living in Atlanta's Mercedes Benz Stadium as he continues working on Donda.
Some on Twitter made jokes and asked questions about his living quarters.
"Kanye living at the Mercedes Benz Stadium is honestly one of the better rap stories in a while. I need the oral history after Donda drops," one person tweeted.
KANYE WAS EMOTIONAL AT ALBUM LAUNCH
Kanye West sobbed that he was “losing his family” while performing his emotional new track, Love Unconditionally.
The rapper – who is in the midst of a divorce from Kim Kardashian – covered his face and fell to his knees while playing the song at the launch event for his new album, Donda.
WHAT HAPPENED DAYS BEFORE KANYE’S ORIGINAL ALBUM RELEASE DATE?
Days before his original release date on July 24, 2020, his rival Taylor Swift announced her surprise album, Folklore.
Following the announcement of Taylor’s indie-pop album – which went on to shatter numerous records and won Album Of The Year at the Grammys – Kanye pushed back the release of DONDA.
WHAT DID KANYE REPORTEDLY TELL KIM?
Kanye reportedly told Kim about the personal nature of his song Love Unconditionally before his performance as he didn't want to "blindside" the TV star.
An insider told E! News: "Kanye did write a song about Kim and their marriage and Kim gave her input about it.
"He was respectful and gave her the heads up, and did not want to blindside her."
The source added Kanye wants to keep their family as a "unit," despite him being based at his Wyoming ranch and Kim and the kids staying at their Hidden Hills mansion.
The insider claimed: "Kanye respects Kim a lot and wants to keep the family unit. Now that they have had space, Kim feels relieved that they can be cordial and spend time together for the sake of the kids."
WHAT HAPPENED DAYS BEFORE KANYE’S ORIGINAL ALBUM RELEASE DATE?
Days before his original release date on July 24, 2020, his rival Taylor Swift announced her surprise album, Folklore.
Following the announcement of Taylor’s indie-pop album – which went on to shatter numerous records and won Album Of The Year at the Grammys – Kanye pushed back the release of DONDA.
JAY-Z VERSE ON KANYE’S NEW ALBUM
Rapper Jay-Z made an appearance on Donda.
KIM SHARES VIDEO OF KANYE
WHAT HAPPENED TO KANYE'S MOTHER?
On November 10, 2007, Donda West died of coronary artery disease and multiple post-operative factors due to or as a consequence of liposuction and mammoplasty.
She underwent liposuction, a tummy tuck, and a breast reduction the day before she died.
She was 58 years old at the time of her death.
Records indicated that in 2001, two malpractice lawsuits against Jan Adams, the plastic surgeon who performed procedures on Donda, ended in judgments of $217,337 and $250,000.
KANYE SAID HE HAS 'HIDDEN A LOT OF LIES' AT ALBUM LAUNCH
At the chaotic launch of his new album Donda, Kanye appeared with a stocking over his face as he admitted he had “hidden a lot of lies” and repeatedly ranted: “I’m losing my family” — in scenes likely to spark further concern for his wellbeing.
Taking to the stage in Atlanta, Georgia, to present new track Welcome To My Life, he wailed: “I’m losing my family, God how could you leave? I hid a hundred lies but I repent for everything and I’m going to do it again.”
Kanye, 44, later rapped that he went into “deep depression” after her death, before playing clips in which she says: “Two lessons my father passed along to his children.
“The first is that no matter what, you never abandon your family. The second is that no matter what, you must love unconditionally.”
FAN POSTS SHOCKING TIKTOK OF FAKING A BACKSTAGE PASS
A fan posted a shocking TikTok showing how he forged a press pass to sneak backstage and snag "better seats than Kim."
Journalist Jewel Wicker posted the TikTok, expressing concern at how easy it was for someone to sneak into the concert's backstage.
She wrote: "I had a brief moment while waiting to be credentialed where I thought about how someone could do this. To see someone actually did is pretty terrifying."
IS DONDA ON SPOTIFY YET?
Kanye West's new album Donda hasn't been made available to Spotify just yet.
However, fans shouldn't fret as the album - a tribute to the rap genius' late mother Donda - will be dropping on the streaming platform later on.
Yeezy hosted a listening party in Atlanta, Georgia, to preview his new album.
The full release of his album will soon follow.