Pascal Le Segretain/Getty
Kanye West will not make his upcoming album Donda 2 available on any of the traditional streaming services, a move he claims is "taking control" back from an "oppressive system" that doesn't benefit artists. The album will only be available via Ye's own Stem Player, a $200 device launched in 2021 when he put out Donda.
Posting on Instagram, Ye shared a preview of new music and outlined his vision for a future that doesn't involve third party streaming sites.
“Donda 2 will only be available on my own platform, the Stem Player,” he wrote. “Not on Apple Amazon Spotify or YouTube. Today artists get just 12% of the money the industry makes. It’s time to free music from this oppressive system. It’s time to take control and build our own.”
In a second post, he added: “I feel that same feeling like when I first moved to New York to make it in Music. I ain’t know what was gonna happen but I knew had to move. After 10 albums after being under 10 contracts. I turned down a hundred million dollar Apple deal. No one can pay me to be disrespected. We set our own price for our art. Tech companies made music practically free so if you don’t do merch sneakers and tours you don’t eat. Jay Z made Tidal and fake media attacked him. Well in the words of my big brother. Come and get me. I’m willing to die standing cause I ain’t living on my knees no more. God please cover me.”
In addition to taking on the streaming industry, Ye also shared a Donda 2 tracklist. It includes songs titled "Security," "Lift Me Up," and "Closed For Business." No guest stars are named but it's safe to say Kid Cudi won't be on there.
There is not a confirmed release date for Donda 2promised to bring Travis Scott with him.
