Themes explored include religion, Kanye's divorce from Kim Kardashian, and his mother Donda West, the album's namesake whom the release is dedicated to. It is both minimalist and maximalist, with darker lyrical content and the reduced use of drums in comparison to West's prior efforts.

The album's style has been described variously as hip hop, gospel, progressive rap, and pop, and incorporates elements of trap and drill.

The initial version of Donda was initially set for release in July 2020, under the title of God's Country, but experienced multiple delays and continuous alterations to tracks and the tracklist prior to its final release. West, BoogzDaBeast, Dem Jointz, Mike Dean, and Ojivolta primarily helmed its production. It features guest vocals from the Sunday Service Choir, Jay-Z, Playboi Carti, Lil Baby, the Weeknd, Vory, Kid Cudi, DaBaby, Baby Keem, and Marilyn Manson, among various others vocals from Chris Brown were also included prior to the album being updated. West recorded much of the material at multiple locations in the summer of 2021, including Bighorn Mountain Ranch in Wyoming and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Donda is the tenth studio album by American rapper Kanye West, released through GOOD Music on August 29, 2021, with distribution handled by Def Jam Recordings, his last release with the label.

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