Kanye West’s highly-anticipated 10th studio album, Donda failed to drop on July 23, 2021. Instead, the rapper held a sold-out listening party for the album at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on the same day.

The event was unlike anything West had ever done and was attended by the likes of Kim Kardashian and their four children, Shaquille O’Neal, and CeeLo Green among other well-known names.

Even though the album hasn’t been released yet, the Donda listening event was a tremendous hit, with the exclusive live stream seeing 3.3 million people tune in to watch it. According to TMZ, the event broke the Apple Music Global Livestream record.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by ye (@kanyewest)

Now, the album is set to come out on August 6, 2021, and West has been taking up residence inside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium to finish it. He uploaded a picture of his living space in the stadium on his Instagram.

Page Six reported that a source told the outlet a suite in the building had an official stadium placard outside the door that reads, “Donda Studio at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.” West also brought in a private chef for the duration of his stay in the makeshift studio.

Most Expensive Real Estate

Though the picture West put up on his Instagram only has a bed, a TV, and a single closet, Pigeons and Planes reported it to be the most expensive real estate in the world.

According to the outlet, the rapper is paying $1 million a day to stay in the stadium.

Second Release Event for ‘Donda’

West’s team announced on July 30 that he was planning a release event for August 5 at his temporary Atlanta home. The previous event held on July 23 was also supposed to be a listening party on top of a release event.

Donda includes features from artists such as Pusha T, Travis Scott, Lil Baby, and Playboy Carti. Jay-Z is also on the list of people who have worked on the album and because of this, many believe the two have reconciled.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by ye (@kanyewest)

Other artists who are thought to be a part of West’s latest work are Chris Brown and Tyler the creator. Brown had hinted at a possible collaboration through his Instagram Stories on July 20 while Tyler the Creator is linked to Donda through a screenshot of studio equipment going around on social media.

The listening event held on July 23 was one of a kind, with West gracing the stage with no microphone and not speaking a single word. The songs from the album played through the speakers while he walked around the stage, kneeling now and then.

‘Donda’

The name of the upcoming album, Donda, comes from West’s late mother’s name, Donda West. The ‘Mercy’ hitmaker had previously spoken about his mother, calling her his greatest support.

West went through a tough phase after she passed away in November 2007 following plastic surgery complications. His 2005 song ‘Hey Mama’ describes his appreciation towards his mother for having raised him amidst personal hardships.