Kanye West‘s Donda stem player — the innovative device that allows users to curate their own listening experience by customizing individual components of a song — is finally making its way to those who ordered one, and it comes with a few surprises.
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According to various social media posts from fans who’ve got their hands on the product, Kanye’s Donda stem player features three new songs in addition to the original 27 album cuts that are available on streaming services.
The most notable of these new songs is the André 3000-assisted “Life of the Party,” which Drake leaked on his SiriusXM radio show in early September at the height of his reignited rivalry with Kanye.
While 3 Stacks’ lauded guest verse remains intact (albeit censored, much like the rest of the album), Ye’s combative verse from the leaked version, which heard him return fire at his OVO nemesis, is replaced with his original verse that Tyler, The Creator praised as “warm and true.”
“Southside gang mentality way heavy,” Ye raps. “I was thinking out the box even in a Box Chevy/And my favorite art teacher name was Mrs. Levy/’Round the time I learned to put my feelings to a medley.”
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“Life of the Party” also features an outro from DMX, borrowed from a viral video of him attempting to comfort his daughter during an amusement park ride, as well as sampled ad-libs from The Notorious B.I.G. during Kanye’s hook.
Big Boi, T.I. + Scarface Heap Praise On André 3000's 'Life Of The Party' Verse
Additionally, the Donda stem player contains “Up From the Ashes,” a song originally recorded for Kanye West’s previous album Jesus Is King, and an updated version of “Never Abandon Your Family,” which was played during Kanye’s first Donda listening session in Atlanta back in July (but was cut from the final tracklist).
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Elsewhere, Kid Cudi‘s guest appearance on the Young Thug-assisted “Remote” is restored. It’s unclear whether these new Donda songs will make their way to streaming services or remain stem player exclusives.
Unveiled just days before Kanye West‘s 10th studio album hit streaming services in August, the Donda stem player was developed by Ye’s Yeezy Tech brand and the electronics company Kano.
The game-changing gadget features four touch-sensitive light sliders that allows listeners to manipulate a song’s “stems,” including vocals, drums, bass, samples and more. It appears to be just the first step in Mr. West’s foray into the tech industry.
The Donda stem player is available through Kanye West’s official website for $200.
