The artist formerly known as Kanye West is revisiting the conversation around Donda 2, pushing back on how the album’s unconventional release has been framed over the years.
In a recent post shared to social media, Ye pointed to the project’s original rollout on a non-traditional platform, emphasizing what he views as a major independent success.
“Donda 2 was released on the Stem Player and sold over 100 thousand units at 200 dollars each,” he wrote.
The statement appears to counter criticism that the album’s initial release strategy limited its reach.
Instead of debuting on traditional streaming platforms, in 2022, Donda 2 was made available exclusively through the Stem Player, a $200 device that allowed users to manipulate different elements of songs in real time.
At the time, the move was widely seen as a challenge to the streaming model, with Ye positioning it as a step toward greater artist control and independence.
Originally introduced as a sequel to his 2021 album Donda, the project has gone through multiple iterations and included a wide range of artists including Future, Travis Scott, Playboi Carti, and Alicia Keys.
While debates continue about the effectiveness of the Stem Player strategy, Ye’s latest comments make clear he views the release as a financial and creative win.
