The release of Kanye West's 11th album, 'Donda 2', was delayed, frustrating fans. AFP
The release of Kanye West's 11th album, 'Donda 2', was delayed, frustrating fans. AFP
The release of Kanye West's 11th album, 'Donda 2', was delayed, frustrating fans. AFP
The release of Kanye West's 11th album, 'Donda 2', was delayed, frustrating fans. AFP

'Donda 2' listening party: Kanye West's album finally launches on Stem Player


Evelyn Lau
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Music fans weren't happy as the highly-anticipated 11th studio album Donda 2 by Kanye West, who has legally changed his name to Ye, failed to be released overnight on the Stem Player as originally promised.

The follow-up compilation was set to appear overnight on the streaming platform, which costs $200 to purchase.

Fans took to social media following the delay.

“Kanye leaving the Donda 2 listening party in Miami knowing he has made 3 million on Stem players and the album is delayed,” tweeted user @ColesLeights.

Bayley White tweeted: “Waited nearly 5 hours for it to drop to be delayed and delayed to then it be cancelled and donda 2 ain’t gonna drop and no sign of a livestream for tonight.”

Someone joked they had gotten their Stem Player “ready to go” by showing a photo of a potato plugged in.

At the time of writing, the album had started to stream.

What is a Stem Player?

Earlier in the month, the rapper announced his new album would "not [be] on Apple Amazon Spotify or YouTube”. Instead, listeners would be able to access it exclusively via a Stem Player. The pricey device allows listeners to play four different track elements: vocals, drums, bass and music.

Ye launched the Stem Player last year in partnership with Kano Computing and shipped it with the first Donda album.

It allows users to manipulate songs using touch-sensitive sliders built into its shell. The device lets users control and isolate different elements of the song, and add effects.

There is also a real-time loop and speed control, and users have the ability to save, play back and download mixes.

The device is currently available in the US, the UK, Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Scroll through the photo gallery below to see Ye's style evolution over the years:

  • will.i.am and Kanye West, in a knitted jumper, pose backstage during the MTV Europe Music Awards at Tor di Valle November 18, 2004 in Rome, Italy. Getty Images
    will.i.am and Kanye West, in a knitted jumper, pose backstage during the MTV Europe Music Awards at Tor di Valle November 18, 2004 in Rome, Italy. Getty Images
  • Anastacia and Kanye West, in a pink golfing-inspired ensemble, attend the MTV Europe Music Awards on November 18, 2004 at Tor di Valle, in Rome, Italy. Getty Images
    Anastacia and Kanye West, in a pink golfing-inspired ensemble, attend the MTV Europe Music Awards on November 18, 2004 at Tor di Valle, in Rome, Italy. Getty Images
  • Kanye West, in a casual white outfit, arrives at the 13th annual MTV Europe Music Awards at the Bella Centre on November 2, 2006 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Getty Images
    Kanye West, in a casual white outfit, arrives at the 13th annual MTV Europe Music Awards at the Bella Centre on November 2, 2006 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Getty Images
  • Kanye West, in a laid-back navy suit, attends a Fendi party at the National Stadium on November 30, 2006 in Tokyo, Japan. Getty Images
    Kanye West, in a laid-back navy suit, attends a Fendi party at the National Stadium on November 30, 2006 in Tokyo, Japan. Getty Images
  • Kanye West, in a plaid shirt, and Alexis Phifer arrive at the Christian Dior show on October 1, 2007 in Paris, France. Getty Images
    Kanye West, in a plaid shirt, and Alexis Phifer arrive at the Christian Dior show on October 1, 2007 in Paris, France. Getty Images
  • Kanye West, in shades of brown, and Alexis Phifer arrive for the Stella McCartney show on October 4, 2007 in Paris, France. Getty Images
    Kanye West, in shades of brown, and Alexis Phifer arrive for the Stella McCartney show on October 4, 2007 in Paris, France. Getty Images
  • Kanye West, in a polo shirt and cardigan, and Alexis Phifer arrive at the Chloe fashion show on October 6, 2007 in Paris, France. Getty Images
    Kanye West, in a polo shirt and cardigan, and Alexis Phifer arrive at the Chloe fashion show on October 6, 2007 in Paris, France. Getty Images
  • Kanye West, in checked tailoring, leaves the Louis Vuitton fashion show on October 7, 2007 in Paris, France. Getty Images
    Kanye West, in checked tailoring, leaves the Louis Vuitton fashion show on October 7, 2007 in Paris, France. Getty Images
  • Kanye West, in a grey trench, arrives at the Yves Saint Laurent fashion show on February 28, 2008 in Paris, France. Getty Images
    Kanye West, in a grey trench, arrives at the Yves Saint Laurent fashion show on February 28, 2008 in Paris, France. Getty Images
  • Kanye West, in sneakers and a printed jacket, and Alexis Phifer arrive at the Chloe fashion show on March 1, 2008 in Paris, France. Getty Images
    Kanye West, in sneakers and a printed jacket, and Alexis Phifer arrive at the Chloe fashion show on March 1, 2008 in Paris, France. Getty Images
  • Kanye West, in retro tailoring, attends Elie Saab fashion show during on January 28, 2009 in Paris, France. Getty Images
    Kanye West, in retro tailoring, attends Elie Saab fashion show during on January 28, 2009 in Paris, France. Getty Images
  • Kanye West, in a bow tie and denim jacket, attends the Narciso Rodriguez fashion show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City on February 17, 2009. EPA
    Kanye West, in a bow tie and denim jacket, attends the Narciso Rodriguez fashion show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City on February 17, 2009. EPA
  • Kanye West, in double denim, attends the Vivienne Westwood Red Label show as part of London Fashion Week on February 21, 2009 in London, England. Getty Images
    Kanye West, in double denim, attends the Vivienne Westwood Red Label show as part of London Fashion Week on February 21, 2009 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Kanye West, in a bomber jacket and YSL tee, and Amber Rose attend the Givenchy fashion show during Paris Fashion Week on March 8, 2009 in Paris, France. Getty Images
    Kanye West, in a bomber jacket and YSL tee, and Amber Rose attend the Givenchy fashion show during Paris Fashion Week on March 8, 2009 in Paris, France. Getty Images
  • Kanye West, in a white tux, and Amber Rose attend the Givenchy show during Paris Fashion Week on January 26, 2010 in Paris, France. Getty Images
    Kanye West, in a white tux, and Amber Rose attend the Givenchy show during Paris Fashion Week on January 26, 2010 in Paris, France. Getty Images
  • Kanye West, in a classic tux, and Selita Ebanks leave the Grazia Masquerade Ball at Opera Garnier on October 5, 2010 in Paris, France. Getty Images
    Kanye West, in a classic tux, and Selita Ebanks leave the Grazia Masquerade Ball at Opera Garnier on October 5, 2010 in Paris, France. Getty Images
  • Kanye West, in all black, arrives for the Australian premiere of his music video 'Runaway' at the Hoyts Entertainment Centre Cinema on October 11, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images
    Kanye West, in all black, arrives for the Australian premiere of his music video 'Runaway' at the Hoyts Entertainment Centre Cinema on October 11, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images
  • Kanye West, in a leopard bomber, attends the Vivienne Westwood show during Paris Fashion Week on March 4, 2011 in Paris, France. Getty Images
    Kanye West, in a leopard bomber, attends the Vivienne Westwood show during Paris Fashion Week on March 4, 2011 in Paris, France. Getty Images
  • Kanye West, in a chic tux, and Carine Roitfeld attend amfAR's Cinema Against Aids Gala during the 64th Cannes Film Festival at Hotel Du Cap on May 19, 2011 in Antibes, France. Getty Images
    Kanye West, in a chic tux, and Carine Roitfeld attend amfAR's Cinema Against Aids Gala during the 64th Cannes Film Festival at Hotel Du Cap on May 19, 2011 in Antibes, France. Getty Images
  • Chanel Iman and Kanye West, in a tee and blazer, attend the Givenchy show during Paris Fashion Week on October 2, 2011 in Paris, France. Getty Images
    Chanel Iman and Kanye West, in a tee and blazer, attend the Givenchy show during Paris Fashion Week on October 2, 2011 in Paris, France. Getty Images
  • Kanye West, in a denim jacket and chains, during London Fashion Week at Somerset House on February 20, 2012 in London, England. Getty Images
    Kanye West, in a denim jacket and chains, during London Fashion Week at Somerset House on February 20, 2012 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, in all white, attend the Valentino show as part of Paris Fashion Week on July 4, 2012 in Paris, France. Getty Images
    Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, in all white, attend the Valentino show as part of Paris Fashion Week on July 4, 2012 in Paris, France. Getty Images
  • Kanye West, in Dior, arrives at the Christian Dior show as part of Paris Fashion Week on September 28, 2012 in Paris, France. Getty Images
    Kanye West, in Dior, arrives at the Christian Dior show as part of Paris Fashion Week on September 28, 2012 in Paris, France. Getty Images
  • Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, in a crisp white suit, attend the Givenchy show as part of Paris Fashion Week on March 3, 2013 in Paris, France. Getty Images
    Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, in a crisp white suit, attend the Givenchy show as part of Paris Fashion Week on March 3, 2013 in Paris, France. Getty Images
  • Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, in Givenchy, attend the Met Gala in New York on May 6, 2013. EPA
    Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, in Givenchy, attend the Met Gala in New York on May 6, 2013. EPA
  • Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, in Givenchy, attend the Givenchy show as part of the Paris Fashion Week on September 29, 2013 in Paris, France. Getty Images
    Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, in Givenchy, attend the Givenchy show as part of the Paris Fashion Week on September 29, 2013 in Paris, France. Getty Images
  • Kanye West, in a fur coat, attends the Givenchy show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 17, 2014 in Paris, France. Getty Images
    Kanye West, in a fur coat, attends the Givenchy show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 17, 2014 in Paris, France. Getty Images
  • Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, in Lanvin, arrive for the Met Gala in New York on May 5, 2014. EPA
    Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, in Lanvin, arrive for the Met Gala in New York on May 5, 2014. EPA
  • Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, in Balmain, attend the Balmain show as part of Paris Fashion Week on September 25, 2014 in Paris, France. Getty Images
    Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, in Balmain, attend the Balmain show as part of Paris Fashion Week on September 25, 2014 in Paris, France. Getty Images
  • Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, in Lanvin, attend the Lanvin show as part of Paris Fashion Week on September 25, 2014 in Paris, France. Getty Images
    Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, in Lanvin, attend the Lanvin show as part of Paris Fashion Week on September 25, 2014 in Paris, France. Getty Images
  • Kanye West, in Haider Ackermann, attends the Celine show as part of Paris Fashion Week on September 28, 2014 in Paris, France. Getty Images
    Kanye West, in Haider Ackermann, attends the Celine show as part of Paris Fashion Week on September 28, 2014 in Paris, France. Getty Images
  • Kanye West, in leather trousers, and Kim Kardashian arrive for the Lacma Art+Film Gala at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in Los Angeles, California, on November 1, 2014. EPA
    Kanye West, in leather trousers, and Kim Kardashian arrive for the Lacma Art+Film Gala at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in Los Angeles, California, on November 1, 2014. EPA
  • Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, in Balmain, arrive for the 57th annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, California, on February 8, 2015. EPA
    Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, in Balmain, arrive for the 57th annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, California, on February 8, 2015. EPA
  • Kanye West, in a white suit jacket, during London Fashion Week at St Paul's Cathedral on February 20, 2015 in London, England. Getty Images
    Kanye West, in a white suit jacket, during London Fashion Week at St Paul's Cathedral on February 20, 2015 in London, England. Getty Images
  • Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, in Balmain, and Kris Jenner attend the Balmain show as part of Paris Fashion Week on March 5, 2015 in Paris, France. Getty Images
    Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, in Balmain, and Kris Jenner attend the Balmain show as part of Paris Fashion Week on March 5, 2015 in Paris, France. Getty Images
  • Kanye West, in a black blazer, Olivier Rousteing and Kim Kardashian attend the Balmain dinner as part of Paris Fashion Week on March 5, 2015 in Paris, France. Getty Images
    Kanye West, in a black blazer, Olivier Rousteing and Kim Kardashian attend the Balmain dinner as part of Paris Fashion Week on March 5, 2015 in Paris, France. Getty Images
  • Kanye West, in Dior, and Lorde attend the Christian Dior show as part of Paris Fashion Week Womenswear on March 6, 2015 in Paris, France. Getty Images
    Kanye West, in Dior, and Lorde attend the Christian Dior show as part of Paris Fashion Week Womenswear on March 6, 2015 in Paris, France. Getty Images
  • Kanye West, in Haider Ackermann, and Kim Kardashian attend the Louis Vuitton show as part of Paris Fashion Week Womenswear on March 11, 2015 in Paris, France. Getty Images
    Kanye West, in Haider Ackermann, and Kim Kardashian attend the Louis Vuitton show as part of Paris Fashion Week Womenswear on March 11, 2015 in Paris, France. Getty Images
  • Kanye West, in Haider Ackermann, and Kim Kardashian arrive for the Time 100 Gala in New York on April 21, 2015. EPA
    Kanye West, in Haider Ackermann, and Kim Kardashian arrive for the Time 100 Gala in New York on April 21, 2015. EPA
  • Kayne West, in Yeezy, and Kim Kardashian arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles, California, on August 30, 2015. EPA
    Kayne West, in Yeezy, and Kim Kardashian arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles, California, on August 30, 2015. EPA
  • Kris Jenner and Kanye West, in Dries Van Noten, attend the Vogue 95th Anniversary Party on October 3, 2015 in Paris, France. Getty Images
    Kris Jenner and Kanye West, in Dries Van Noten, attend the Vogue 95th Anniversary Party on October 3, 2015 in Paris, France. Getty Images
  • Kanye West, in Balmain, arrives at the Met Gala in New York on May 2, 2016. EPA
    Kanye West, in Balmain, arrives at the Met Gala in New York on May 2, 2016. EPA
  • Kanye West, in Louis Vuitton, and Kim Kardashian attend the Louis Vuitton show as part of Paris Fashion Week on June 21, 2018 in Paris, France. Getty Images
    Kanye West, in Louis Vuitton, and Kim Kardashian attend the Louis Vuitton show as part of Paris Fashion Week on June 21, 2018 in Paris, France. Getty Images
  • Kanye West, in Duhill, attends the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party following the 92nd annual Academy Awards ceremony in Beverly Hills, California, on February 9, 2020. EPA
    Kanye West, in Duhill, attends the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party following the 92nd annual Academy Awards ceremony in Beverly Hills, California, on February 9, 2020. EPA
Updated: February 23, 2022, 7:39 AM