Kanye West 'DONDA' Chicago Listening Event

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Kanye West DONDA Chicago soldier field Listening Event inside look ye atlanta mercedes benz stadium

Nick Llanton/Hypebeast

HYPEBEAST is live at Chicago’s Soldier Field tonight for the third listening party of Kanye West‘s DONDA.

This event follows two predecessors in Atlanta in late July and early August, however the album failed to release the day following. This time, however, Ye’s manager Bu Thiam reaffirmed to fans that he is “absolutely” and “100%” releasing DONDA tonight, but that remains to be seen. While waiting for tonight’s festivities, HYPEBEAST also chronicled the journey of the elusive Kanye West album in a lengthy timeline that dates back to early 2020.

Check back in for live updates, photos and videos as the night progresses, and case your vote on our poll of which version you prefer.

Who’s ready for #DONDA?
— HYPEBEAST (@HYPEBEAST) August 27, 2021

Much to everyone’s expectations, Ye’s team reconstructed his childhood home in Soldier Field tonight, adding a neon-lit cross on the roof.

And we’re here! pic.twitter.com/HldzAcQgXt
— HYPEBEAST (@HYPEBEAST) August 27, 2021

West steps out of the house and kicks off the event with the track tentatively titled “Jail,” replacing a verse previously given by JAY-Z. He’s then joined by a few people on the steps of the reconstructed home — one of them being Marilyn Manson — followed by a multitude of cars that circle around the house.

Me trying to find my UBER XL pic.twitter.com/MRlGpmMaFn
— HYPEBEAST (@HYPEBEAST) August 27, 2021

Fivio Foreign and Carti appear on one track followed by another featuring The Weeknd and Lil Baby, the latter of which was first debuted during the second listening event. Travis Scott and Baby Keem can also be heard on a cut.

Abel x Lil Baby 🔥
— HYPEBEAST (@HYPEBEAST) August 27, 2021

La Flame back with the heat 💥
— HYPEBEAST (@HYPEBEAST) August 27, 2021

An overhead screen gives attendees seated far away a closer look at what’s happening on the steps of the house. Bible verses like Thessalonians 5:4-5 and one from Psalm flashes on the giant screen as the cut with Pop Smoke’s verse plays. Lil Yachty and the late Juice WRLD appear on one track.

Pop made it 💫 #RIPWoo
— HYPEBEAST (@HYPEBEAST) August 27, 2021

West adds a sample of Ms. Lauryn Hill’s “Doo Wop (That Thing)” on a track that wasn’t featured in the previous listening events.

Lauryn with the Doo-Wop sample 🙏
— HYPEBEAST (@HYPEBEAST) August 27, 2021

What is this? A center for ants? pic.twitter.com/TCFMOCP9WF
— HYPEBEAST (@HYPEBEAST) August 27, 2021

“We gonna be okay,” the song plays as footage of Ye peacefully floating in the clouds hits the screen. A new version of “Moon” can also be heard without Kid Cudi’s feature.

We gonna be okay. pic.twitter.com/Ib5gJRCpdi
— HYPEBEAST (@HYPEBEAST) August 27, 2021

No Cudi on Moon 😢
— HYPEBEAST (@HYPEBEAST) August 27, 2021

Joining Manson, West and Shenseea on the steps is Westside Gunn, who appears on the album and just literally released Hitler Wears Hermes 8: Sincerely Adolf.

Westside Gunn still here 😇
— HYPEBEAST (@HYPEBEAST) August 27, 2021

After removing Hov and Cudi on their tracks, Jay Electronica’s appearance is still on the current version of the album. There’s also the addition of Rooga on “GD Anthem” and appearances on a separate cut from Roddy Ricch and Shenseea.

“If I talk to Christ then I bring my mother back to life”
“I’m just reaching for the stars like Buzz Lightyear”
“Momma you was the life of the party”
— HYPEBEAST (@HYPEBEAST) August 27, 2021

GD Anthem 🤔
— HYPEBEAST (@HYPEBEAST) August 27, 2021

Roddy Ricch on “Pure Souls” 🤝
— HYPEBEAST (@HYPEBEAST) August 27, 2021

A man, presumably Kanye walks out of the home, literally engulfed in flames. After the flames are extinguished, a woman walks out in a white bridal gown. They meet on stage and West removes his facial coverings, but the identity of the woman is unknown.