Artists and labels were aware that most fans were only going to spend a certain amount of money per week on music, and forcing them to choose between two new albums on the same day did not make business sense. And a lot more was at stake than would be in a similar battle today.īack in the day, before streaming services became the standard format for music, most fans actually had to pay for individual albums, via CDs, downloads or vinyl. In fact, the 2007 standoff with 50 - which saw both artists’ third albums, West’s “Graduation” and 50’s “Curtis,” dropping on the same day, 9/11 no less - was actually the most elaborate Kanye West release event. So what’s with the delay? As with most things Kanye, it’s either his perfectionism or simply yet another way to keep fans engaged, interested, frustrated and outraged - envelopes he has been pushing since the beginning of his career nearly 20 years ago.īut industry sources, fans and others have been floating a different theory: That he’s waiting for Drake to announce a release date for his long-delayed new album, “Certified Lover Boy” - which the Canadian rapper has said will be out by the end of the summer - so he can square off against him in a release-date clash of the titans, like he did with 50 Cent almost 14 years ago. Kanye West Launches 'Countdown to Donda' Livestream Before Tonight's Event in Atlanta Kanye West Soars Toward the Heavens - Literally - During Second 'Donda' Album-Listening Event Kanye West Removes DaBaby Remix From Streaming Services Hell, “ Donda” has had two at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and the damn thing still isn’t here, even though he went so far as to put on an elaborate, expensive stage show around him at the latest event, one that climaxed with him, yes, actually being lofted toward the stadium’s ceiling by near-transparent cables, bathed in white light, as if he were ascending to heaven. His his past three major releases - “Life of Pablo,” “ Ye,” and, well, “Donda” - have been accompanied by elaborate listening events. Of course, an album drop is never JUST an album drop for Kanye. First it was coming out in July 2020, then July 23 of this year, then August 6, now it’s apparently August 13 - or maybe August 15! - according to eagle-eyed sleuths who spotted the dates change on iTunes and Apple Music a few hours after it failed to arrive yet again this past Friday. Another week, another blown Kanye West release date - this time, for a second time, with his long-delayed “Donda” album.