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"Donda Chant" is the opening track from Kanye West's tenth studio album, Donda (2021). It only contains uncredited vocals from Syleena Johnson, who repeats the name "Donda" sixty times in a range of melodies.[1][2] The unusual nature of the track attracted media attention after release.

Background[]

Johnson was previously featured on "All Falls Down", one of Kanye's earliest hits. She flew out to San Francisco on July 15, 2021, to record for the song.[3] In an interview, Johnson said that the decision to make a melody out of Donda's name came from the request to have the album have some sort of "healing component." Though she did record a track of her saying the name in the range of cadences and rhythms that saw release, she said she had no idea that it would just be released like that.[4] She also said that she recorded another song that did not make the album.[4]

The repetition of the name Donda has been seen as a representation of a resting heartbeat, alluding to Donda West's death in November 2007.[5][6]

Lyrics[]

[Interlude]
Donda, Donda, Donda, Donda, Donda, Donda
Donda, Donda, Donda, Donda, Donda, Donda
Donda, Donda, Donda, Donda, Donda, Donda
Donda, Donda, Donda, Donda, Donda, Donda
Donda, Donda, Donda, Donda, Donda, Donda
Donda, Donda, Donda, Donda, Donda, Donda
Donda, Donda, Donda, Donda, Donda, Donda
Donda, Donda, Donda, Donda, Donda, Donda
Donda, Donda, Donda, Donda, Donda, Donda
Donda, Donda, Donda, Donda, Donda, Donda

References[]

Donda
Singles
"Hurricane" • "Life Of The Party"
Radio singles
"Believe What I Say" • "Off The Grid"
Other tracks
"Donda Chant" • "Jail" • "God Breathed" • "Praise God" • "Jonah" • "Ok Ok" • "Junya" • "24" • "Remote Control" • "Moon" • "Heaven and Hell" • "Donda" • "Keep My Spirit Alive" • "Jesus Lord" • "New Again" • "Tell The Vision" • "Lord I Need You" • "Pure Souls" • "Come to Life" • "No Child Left Behind"
Deluxe tracks
"Up From The Ashes" • "Never Abandon Your Family"
Chronology
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