Kanye West released his long-awaited album “Donda” on August 29, 2021, inspired by his mother, Donda West, who passed away in 2007. One particular song in the album called “Donda Chant” portrays his mother’s heartbeat before she died.

Sophomore Griffin Sturino believes this album reveals a new side of West’s musical abilities. “It’s more of a heartfelt album as it’s dedicated to his mom,” Sturino said. “The songs have more weight and meaning.”

Senior Sebastian Chancellor believes it is one of West’s best albums. “I thought it really fulfilled what Kanye has promised to his fans and promised himself as an artist,” Chancellor said.

Kanye West has produced many over his career, each of them with different inspirations. In recent years, West has created music connected to religion. “It definitely is a different sound than people are used to,” Chancellor said. “It definitely is a more religious-filled sort of Kanye.”

For other fans, the album was not what they had hoped or expected. “I had high hopes with all the pushbacks of the album and delays, but the release of the album was very underwhelming,” Sturino said. 

Whether fans appreciate it or not, “Donda” is a collective piece that incorporates Kanye’s different genres and sounds into one. “It showed how versatile Kanye as an artist is and solidified him as the greatest artist that has ever lived,” Chancellor said.

Photo credits • Kevin Mazur/Getty Images