Kanye West's 'Donda 2' Taken Down from Streaming Platforms After Hours

Explore the unexpected twists of Kanye West's 'Donda 2' album saga, as it faces removal from streaming platforms just hours post-release.

Kanye West's 'Donda 2' Hits the Streaming Scene

Kanye West’s much-anticipated album, ‘Donda 2’, made a splash as it became available on streaming platforms, but not for long. Just hours after its release, it appears that the album was pulled from platforms like Spotify, Tidal, and YouTube Music.

Background on 'Donda 2'

This album marks West's 11th studio release and serves as a direct sequel to his 2021 project, ‘Donda’. Initially, ‘Donda 2’ was made available exclusively through Kanye's Stem Player, a unique $200 device developed by his Yeezy Tech brand.

Following a livestream appearance where West expressed his desire to distribute the record more widely, it became accessible to a broader audience early today, April 30.

The Quick Removal

However, within hours, the album was taken down due to legal threats. West received a request from DeAndre “Free” Maiden, who manages producers Jahmal “Boogz Da Beast” Gwin and Brian “AllDay” Miller. They claimed that West had not compensated them for their contributions to the project.

"We did not & do not consent to the usage of our work for Donda 2 or ANY Ye project! He’s owed us $ for almost 3 years now, has refused to pay, yet keeps stealing our work." - DeAndre Maiden

What Led to the Legal Action?

West shared a screenshot of Maiden's message, which detailed the non-consensual nature of the use of their work. It included titles of songs such as ‘We Did It’, ‘530’, ‘Lord Lift’, and more, highlighting his artists' significant contributions to the album. Maiden asserted that they would have the album removed within the hour if the matter wasn't resolved.

In his response, West mentioned that Maiden had attempted to charge him $3 million for the beats, indicating a complicated financial dispute alongside the creative aspects of the album.

The Album's Tracklist

As many of the tracks on ‘Donda 2’ released on streaming platforms resonate with their 2022 versions, some have undergone title changes. The track ‘530’, which previously appeared on his album 'Vultures 2' featuring Ty Dolla $ign, also finds its place on ‘Donda 2’ in a shortened form. Collaborations include Future on ‘Happy’ and ‘Mr. Miyagi’, and Jack Harlow on ‘Louie Bag’.

Recent Controversies Surrounding West

This incident comes on the heels of West's controversial actions, including a brief stint on Twitch where he was banned after allegedly making offensive gestures. His recent attire choices have also raised eyebrows, including wearing a KKK outfit with a swastika necklace.

It’s impossible to ignore the string of inflammatory statements West has made recently, which have included rescinding apologies to the Jewish community for past remarks deemed anti-Semitic, and self-identifying with Nazi ideology.

Looking Ahead

As West navigates these turbulent waters, the fate of ‘Donda 2’ remains uncertain. The rapper’s attempts to distribute his music more broadly seem overshadowed by ongoing controversies and legal disputes.

FAQs

• What caused the removal of 'Donda 2' from streaming services? The album was removed due to legal threats from producers who claimed Kanye West had not compensated them for their work on the project.
• Where was 'Donda 2' initially available before hitting mainstream platforms? The album was initially available exclusively through Kanye West's Stem Player.
• Did 'Donda 2' feature collaborations? Yes, 'Donda 2' features collaborations with artists such as Future and Jack Harlow.
• What controversies has Kanye West been involved in recently? West has faced backlash for various inflammatory remarks and actions, including wearing controversial outfits and making extremist statements.
• Is 'Donda 2' similar to its predecessor? Many tracks on ‘Donda 2’ remain similar to the previous versions, although some have been renamed.

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