CEO and music creative Kanye West held a third listening party last night (August 26, 2021) for his 10th studio album, Donda, whose track list has changed with each event. Named after his mother, Donda West, the album features interlude recordings of her speaking. Reflecting the tribute, the listening party in Chicago took place in Soldier Field Stadium and was centered by a replica of the home he grew up in that he purchased in 2020.
The performance included appearances by DaBaby (real name Jonathan Kirk) and Marilyn Manson (real name Brian Warner), both of whom at the moment are mired in controversy. DaBaby saw a string of scheduled concert appearances cancelled because of comments referencing HIV and AIDS he made at a Rolling Loud Miami concert that were widely interpreted as slurring gay people. Meanwhile, Manson is facing four sexual abuse lawsuits and has been accused by more than 15 women of sexual assault. He has denied the accusations.
On a lighter yet still dramatic note, the concert ended with Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West reenacting their wedding vows against the backdrop of “No Child Left Behind,” the final song of the night. Kardashian wore a Balenciaga gown, which was part of the label’s fall 2021 haute couture collection. While the gown was Balenciaga, the long veil was similar to the Givenchy gown she wore when she married West in May 2014.
Following the so-called ceremony, the couple left the field hand in hand and continued to hold hands as they entered the backstage area.
According to TMZ, the couple are still planning to divorce but remain committed to supporting each other’s endeavors.
KimYe 🖤 pic.twitter.com/hgqjnWoyYR
— Photos Of Kanye West (@PhotosOfKanye) August 27, 2021
"Don't let me down… I know you won't."@kanyewest x @theweeknd #Dondahttps://t.co/w5603YUviT pic.twitter.com/2ntNrutpPQ
— Apple Music (@AppleMusic) August 27, 2021
