Kanye West Has Reportedly Already Played His New Album For People

Kanye West has been hard at work on a new album for months now. In the past several weeks, a number of reports have surfaced regarding the project, with some close to the controversial rapper suggesting that it was nearing completion and that he could release it at any point. Now, it seems some have already heard the set, though when it will actually drop is still unclear.

According to a report by British media outlet The Sun, West recently held a listening party for his forthcoming album in Italy. The rapper played the studio effort for a collection of as-yet-mostly-unidentified people on Sunday, October 1.

The Sun reports that according to several videos shared by those who were in attendance, as well as statements from some who were in the room, West bounced back and forth between happiness over the sound of the album and the crowd’s reaction and erratic behavior.

Fellow music artist Ty Dolla Sign was reportedly in attendance at the listening party. Rumors have been swirling that he’s involved in the album, though nothing was confirmed by his presence.

So far, no further details have been shared about West’s forthcoming album. Fans and the industry at large don’t know its title, any of the songs featured on it, any of the artists who may or may not have lent their talents to the project, or when any of it might be made available for the world to hear.

West’s previous album Donda was released in 2021 and was met with both critical acclaim and controversy. In February 2022, the rapper dropped a new set called Donda 2, but it was only available on his own speaker/music player, the Stem player. The set was also never completely finished, despite the hip-hop musician’s promises that it would be.

This new album will be especially important to West, as it will mark his return to the music business since making a series of controversial comments, including some that were considered antisemitic and critical of the Black Lives Matter movement. In the months that followed his string of rants and social media posts, he was dropped by most of his brand deals, his lawyers and agents abandoned him, and many in the music industry have turned their back on the rapper.