Album Eddits: Reimagining Kanye West’s Donda

I’ve been a big critic of today’s overly long albums, but let’s be real – it’s a problem that has persisted long before the streaming era. In Album Eddits, I challenge a Soul In Stereo fan to join me in trimming down a massive double-album release into a lean, mean 12-track release.

If you couldn’t tell from my review, I wasn’t a big fan of the original version of Kanye West’s Donda album. And that was BEFORE he added a ton more songs, pushing the runtime to more than two hours! This album is in dire need of an edit, and I have just the playa to help me out.

You can thank (or maybe blame) my boy Fulvio Cativo for inadvertently helping me to become the crabby music critic I am today. Back in the 00s when new albums dropped, F-Cat and I would write LOOOOONG emails to each other breaking down our opinions on the music of the day. I soon realize those long-winded emails actually were the earliest forms of my album reviews, which have been running for many years since.

Fulvio and I were big Kanye fans back in those days (though our patience has thinned in recent years…) so I invited him to Soul In Stereo for the first time to help turn the beast that is Donda into something more respectable.

**Oh and as a note, Fulvio automatically eliminated all the remixes on this thing, with one exception.**

1. “Donda Chant”

Fulvio: RIP to Dr. Donda West, who by all accounts seemed like an incredible woman and the tether to planet Earth Kanye so badly needs and lacks. And RIP also to Syleena Johnson who must be absolutely desperate to agree to make this song for money. My god. What a misuse of talent. That being said, this song is a hell of a way to start this album. And yet, while listening to this … all I thought about was the Barbershop Quarter episode of the Simpsons…

Edd: And THIS is how we decide to start Kanye’s long awaited-album, with Syleena sounding like she’s a literal broken record. This is the way he repays the woman who “saved his life” with her “All Falls Down” feature? Starting an album with a seance ain’t my idea of a good time.

Fulvio says KEEP, Edd says CUT

2. “Hurricane”

Fulvio: Meh. I know this song got all the press and all the streams. But really? It sounds basically like Kanye making a Weeknd song. A concept he has already played with – and a better version, at that, in TLOP with “FML” (OK that’s it for the acronyms for now).

Edd: Normally this isn’t my cup of tea but I don’t mind this one. Lil Baby continues his reign as Most Overrated Rapper of the Modern Era but the song is fine thanks to Weeknd’s hook, that great organ and Kanye’s dumb Campbell’s soup bars. M-M-M-M-MMMMMM

Fulvio says CUT, Edd says KEEP

3. “Moon”

Fulvio: This song is a vibe. But it sure feels like it got lost in the studio and legit dropped into the wrong album. Did he name this “Moon” because of Kid Cudi as some sort of favor? This song is also not bad, but it feels like it’s not on the right album. Hell, give it to Cudi to include in MAN ON THE MOON, PT. 54: VOYAGES OF PLUTARCH. Just maybe not on this album. One more aside: I feel like a more enthusiastic approach with a more energetic artist would have made this song special. But in a way, that’s very on-brand for Kanye, who throws would-be classics into a lot of albums and gives you C+ effort on a song that would be the best thing in 90% of other artists’ catalogs. (And yes, I still like “Waves.”)

Edd: I don’t care how much y’all love it I ABSOLUTELY CANNOT with soulless Siri-sounding R&B. Begone.

Fulvio says CUT, Edd says CUT

4. “Life of the Party”

Fulvio: This is one of the songs added to the roster after I first listened to this album … and it’s one of my favorites on the album. It’s like the grown-up, responsible older sibling to “No More Parties in L.A.” from TLOP. And I am here for it. Always great to see 3000 still in top form (#missyousomuch).

Edd: Easily the best Kanye song in years, and it’s 3,000 percent because of Andre 3000. It’s still funny how the Internet was going crazy over Andre’s bars, like he just delivered the greatest verse in rap history. No, y’all just listen to too much Lil Baby, THIS IS WHAT HIP-HOP IS SUPPOSED TO SOUND LIKE. We got verses like that every week in my day. Excuse me, I have clouds to yell at.

Fulvio says KEEP, Edd says KEEP

5. “Off the Grid”

Fulvio: [faints] WHY CAN’T WE GET EIGHT MORE BANGERS LIKE THIS? Good lord. Other than Playboi Carti sounding like an old Nokia cell phone when you mash all the keys at once for about 20 seconds, the rest of the song is just liquid magma. My long lost brother, Fivio, goes Bruce Banner on this and basically shames Kanye into doing his very best to not be humiliated on his own track — and it works! You ever heard that expression in sports about how teams sometimes play down to the level of their competition? Kanye should only be on tracks with other great rappers, if only to motivate him to sound like the talented artist he is. The crazy thing about this theory, btw, is KANYE CALLED THIS IN HIS FIRST ALBUM. Is this the best song on the album? Hmmmm…

Edd: No way is this the best album off the album but it is undeniably fun. Playboi Carti continues to be a walking embarrassment but Fivio actually (GASP) has energy and (GASP) raps with intent instead of chewing up his bars like a Popeye’s biscuit. Proof that Kanye can make a good song when he has his head on straight.

Fulvio says KEEP, Edd says KEEP

6. “Jail”

Fulvio:  Not even Jay-Z and every feature on planet Earth can save this song. I don’t know why this song got so much hype. Sounds like a song they play to pump up the crowd at a minor league baseball park. PSA: FRIENDS DO NOT LET FRIENDS ACCEPT MEDIOCRITY. 

Edd: The autotune here does this no favors but I dig the choir, I guess. Wanna know why this song got so much hype? Because it’s the Watch the Throne reunion. Too bad Jay’s verse sounds phoned in. Like he literally just mumbled something in his text app while waiting to pick up Blue Ivy from Girl Scouts. Pickings are slim on this album though so I guess I’ll keep it.

Fulvio says CUT, Edd says KEEP

7. “Praise God”

Fulvio:  I can’t believe I’m about to type these words: But thank god for Travis Scott saving this song. This sounds basically like a Travis Scott song with Kanye singing his part while Travis ran out to the 7-11 for a break.

This song grew on me quite a bit after the initial listen and I am now prepared to say this is a top 4 song on the album. (I know. I am surprised, too!)

Edd: I can imagine the Twitter kids loving this one but the off-kilter hook isn’t doing it for me. And I’m still not digging Baby Keem. He raps like he’s spitting out sunflower seeds.

Fulvio says KEEP, Edd says CUT

8. “Come to Life”

Fulvio: Is this a song left from the last album? It doesn’t feel essential to this album. Not horrible, but just feels out of place on this LP.

Edd: I’d rather have Ant-Man tap dance on my corneas with cleats than listen to Kanye’s dry vocals.

Fulvio says CUT, Edd says CUT

9. “Believe What I Say”

Fulvio:  I almost trashed this song, but I love Lauryn Hill so much, the sample made it tolerable … for now. (Update: Still tolerable on re-listen)

Edd: Kanye loves a Lauryn sample doesn’t he? That’s because it almost always works. It’s nice to have a track that actually has some energy around here.

Fulvio says KEEP, Edd says KEEP

10. “No Child Left Behind”

Fulvio:  No tracks left behind. Or actually, let’s leave a few behind, please…

Edd: This a glorified inerlude. He’s done miracles on you, huh? It’s a miracle I haven’t fallen asleep yet on this everlasting album. Bestow your grace upon me, Lord.

Fulvio says CUT, Edd says CUT

11. “Up from the Ashes”

Fulvio: The winner of most-out-of-place song on this album. Not sure WHAT is happening here. But something is happening….  I can only confirm it is a song. I think?

Edd: Welllllllll, I kinda like the production here. The keys sound like something from the 106 & Park song in 2003. And the choir is dope too. Needs less Kanye but this ain’t bad. I’ll allow it.

Fulvio says CUT, Edd says KEEP

12. “Remote Control Pt 2”

Edd: This would be OK if someone who could ACTUALLY sing was on this. And since Kanye sounds like a canary choking on Crunch n Munch…

Fulvio says CUT, Edd says CUT

13. “God Breathed”

Fulvio: I’m not gonna lie to you, this song sounds like the score to a TERRIBLE foreign movie that airs on CMT at 3 a.m.

Edd: The production is kinda intriguing (I guess?) and the lyrics aren’t bad (I guess???) but the hook is so utterly obnoxious.

Fulvio says CUT, Edd says CUT

14. “Lord I Need You”

Fulvio: Another song that feels like it was leftover from the last album. Yet, it strangely works? I’m OK with it. But here’s the thing with this sound on this album. Is this album about redemption? Is it about still being in purgatory? Is it just Kanye working his sh*t out without therapy? The track listing reflects no consistent theme. Despite it all being named for his late mother, it offers almost no cohesion. And I think it hurts what is (for the most part) a very inspired collection of songs.

Edd: So you’re telling me this THIRTY-TWO TRACK nightmare of an album lacks cohesion? You don’t say! Anyway, this song DEFINITELY aged like milk in light of recent events. At least Kanye seems somewhat sincere in his depiction of his failing marriage. It lacks the rampant immaturity we deal today. And his vocals actually sound OK here without the ear-spliting autotune. I’ll keep it, if I must.

Fulvio says KEEP, Edd says KEEP

15. “24”

Fulvio: Not sure how many times I can type the same thing, butthis also sounds like an outtake from Kanye’s last album. Not bad! Just uh, out of place in this album. Like, REALLY out of place.

Edd: ZZZZZZzzzzzZZZZZZzzzzz

Fulvio says CUT, Edd says CUT

16. “Junya”

Fulvio: Again, What in the world is happening on this song? Remember when you’d go to places like Montgomery Ward or Circuit City and they always had a live Yamaha keyboard for people to play with? And every now and then someone who actually played music got on it and that person sounded like Great Value Stevie Wonder? That’s exactly what this song sounds like. Basically a D+ jam session that somehow made it to the final album and still stayed in! We don’t have to just add tracks! We can take some out!. Someone should have hit DELETE on this.

Edd: Aight now playa, confession time: This is my biggest guilty pleasure of 2021. JUNYA WATANABE ON MY WRI! JUNYA WATANABE ON MY WRI WRI! It’s not a good song by any means but good lord it’s catchy and this album needs something to pull me out of my depression.

Fulvio says CUT, Edd says KEEP

17. “Never Abandon Your Family”

Fulvio: At the risk of being a total hypocrite, I really like this track … because it sounds 808-sy! Long live 808s and Heartbreak! [Edd grunts in disgust]

Edd: This is absolutely PAINFUL to sit through. And I’m not just talking about Kanye’s emotional family issues. I mean the song is unlistenable. How can y’all listen to this without your brain oozing out of your eardrums?

Fulvio says KEEP, Edd says BURN IT WITH FIRE

18. “Donda”

Fulvio: One of the true high points of this album. I feel like this is one of maybe 3-4 songs that really nails the (very muddled) thesis of the album. Which is basically “Jesus Is King + TLOP” = Kanye 2021.

Edd: It’s funny you make the JIK + TLOP comparison. Donda feels a bit more like a Yeezus/JIK mashup to me. But I’ll talk about that later. Anyway, this feels like another glorified interlude, like this album needed to be any longer.

Fulvio says KEEP, Edd says CUT

19. “Keep My Spirit Alive”

Fulvio: Building on that Jesus Is King + TLOP Energy, this song is probably the best, beginning-to-end, song on this album. Though I liked the first version they published where Kanye wasn’t singing on it as much. It’s still good, though! This is the song “Hurricane” WISHES it could be. Also, what an incredible beat. BOOM BAP. Less is more.

Edd: Always good to hear Westside Gunn. Kanye’s verse is … fine. His delivery is ridiculously flat, sounds like he’s boringly reading from the notes app, because he probably was. I don’t love it but it’s good enough to keep around.

Fulvio says KEEP, Edd says KEEP

20. “Jesus Lord Pt 2”

Fulvio:

No, really, that’s all I have to say. This is the best song on the album. Maybe the best song Kanye has made in a decade. Insight. Honesty. Powerful verses. Beautiful track. Kanye keeps it together without a stupid line, for once. I don’t even mind the somewhat random (yet moving) message at the end. It is, without question, the best song on this album and maybe the most pure Kanye song in a long, long time.

Edd: Another of the few great songs here and I agree with ol F-Cat’s assessment, with one exception – I love the LOX, I truly do, but at 12 minutes they needlessly drag the runtime out. I’ll stick with the original version, which we’ll get to later.

Fulvio says KEEP, Edd says CUT

21. “Heaven and Hell”

Fulvio: This is an INCREDIBLE song, musically. Like a 15/10 in production. And 3/10 lyrically. My man Ye is still in desperate need of a consistent ghostwriter.

Edd: Let’s be honest, Kanye has never been a great rapper, and that’s pretty evident here. Still, this feels like an evolution of the best stuff of Yeezus. Don’t love it nearly as much as Fulvio did but it’s good enough to remain.

Fulvio says KEEP, Edd says KEEP

22. “Remote Control”

Fulvio: This is a topic for another day, but Young Thug to me represents the point in time in hip hop when I realized I was getting old. He’s actually not even that bad on this track. But like 97% of his songs legit just make me feel like I’m 85. I am clearly not the target demographic anymore.

Edd: Didn’t like the remix, don’t like this. Give this song to SZA or somebody so it can be a better fit.

Fulvio says CUT, Edd says CUT

23. “Tell the Vision”

Fulvio: So, I actually really like this song. Some things are hard to explain 

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Edd: Yay, another half-finished filler song. This album is ETERNAL.

Fulvio says KEEP, Edd says CUT

24. “Jonah”

Fulvio: More like JoNOh. Please. NO. Also, did Kanye bite his own beat from 808s?

Edd: This Vory dude continues his streak of ruining every hook he’s on with his Ty Dolla Sign act. Ugh.

Fulvio says CUT, Edd says CUT

25. “Pure Souls”

Fulvio: DELETE. I gotta say, this is what happens when Kanye goes TWENTY SEVEN [Edit: 32(!)] tracks. The man starts singing like he’s at a karaoke bar on New Year’s Eve. Less is more, my guy

Edd: Poor Roddy Ricch. Y’all been telling me he’s been next up for years and he’s not bad, he just seems so … regular. He doesn’t add anything here that any of the 800 other Rappa Sangas couldn’t have done. Better than Vory I guess.

Fulvio says CUT, Edd says CUT

26. “OK OK”

Fulvio: I wonder how they decided to do this song…I bet just after he scorched the studio with his feature in “Off the Grid,” Kanye went up to Fivio and was like “HEY. THAT WAS DOPE. LET’S DO ANOTHER ONE.” And against everyone’s advice and better judgment, they did. Too bad.

Edd: Serious question to the Kanye stans: how do y’all sit through this deluxe album?! This LP ran out of steam 45 minutes ago and it won’t end! Anyway, the only interesting thing about this song is Yatchy sounding like Andre 3K whispering in a movie theater.

Fulvio says CUT, Edd says CUT

27. “New Again”

Fulvio: Not sure what this song set out to do. But all I can say with certainty is it is also a song!

Edd: This actually isn’t bad. It should have been on Jesus in King, that album needs help. But this album has more than enough filler already.

Fulvio says CUT, Edd says CUT

28. “Jesus Lord”

Fulvio: Under the newly re-arranged song order, Pt. 1 somehow comes before Pt. 2. Only Kanye could do this. And he’s done this in previous albums, putting remixes ahead of originals. Make it make sense! Please!

Edd: I know he’s not everyone’s taste but Jay Electronica is incredible and carries this song. The tighter runtime means it stays in place of the remix.

Fulvio says CUT, Edd says KEEP

29. “OK OK Pt 2”

Edd: You know, I like this way better than the original version. Shenseea adds a much-needed female element to the album. For an album dedicated to a Black woman you’d think we’d get more of that, but Kanye and common sense don’t go together.

Fulvio says CUT, Edd says KEEP

30. “Junya Pt 2”

Edd: OH LOOK IT’S TY DOLLA SIGN! That’s an instant cut.

Fulvio says CUT, Edd says CUT

31. “Jail pt 2”

Edd: Hey, I have a great idea, let’s add accused homophobe DaBaby and accused sexual assaulter Marylin Manson to this song for no good reason! INSTANT CUT.

Fulvio says CUT, Edd says CUT

32. “Keep My Spirit Alive Pt 2”

Edd: This is not much better than the original and I’m certainly not feeling the Nick Jr.-sounding hook. Thank God this album is finally over.

Fulvio says CUT, Edd says CUT

The Eddits:

Fulvio: Take out my cuts and you end up with 12 tracks. Not all classics, for sure, but way less filler or skip material. It’s now an album that actually feels somewhat cohesive and true to the title, the inspiration and the central theme of the LP, instead of feeling like we were subjected to a shuffle playlist of Kanye leftovers and new stuff.

Donda gets a C+ from me. But somewhere in the gristle and excess of this actual album is an A-caliber album. Here’s what I would have arrived at:

1. “Donda Chant”

2. “Life of the Party”

3. “Off the Grid”

4. “Praise God”

5. “Believe What I Say”

6. “Lord I Need You”

7. “Never Abandon Your Family”

8. “Donda”

9. “Keep My Spirit Alive”

10. “Jesus Lord pt 2”

11. “Heaven and Hell”

12. “Tell the Vision”

That’s it. Done (da).

Edd: Look, y’all, I tried. Even at 12 songs this is FAR from a great album but it’s much more streamlined and listenable. This version is kind of like Yeezus and Jesus is King birthed a petulant man-baby, so it’s quite the reflection of its creator.

1. “Hurricane”

2. “Believe What I Say”

3. “Life of the Party”

4. “Off the Grid”

5. “Jail”

6. “Up from the Ashes”

7. “Junya”

8. “OK OK pt 2”

9. “Keep My Spirit Alive”

10. “Heaven and Hell”

11. “Lord I Need You”

12. “Jesus Lord”

Who had the superior Donda, Edd or Fulvio? Let us know your 12 picks below.