Donda (company)

Last updated
Donda
Founded2012;11 years ago (2012) in USA
Founder Kanye West
Key people
 Virgil Abloh
ProductsFilms, music videos
BrandsDonda Sports

Donda (styled DONDA) is a creative content company founded by American rapper and fashion designer Kanye West (Ye). [1] The company was named after West's mother, Donda West, and shares the name with his tenth studio album, released in 2021.

Contents

History

West announced the company on January 5, 2012, via a series of Twitter posts. [2]

In his announcement, West proclaimed that the company would "pick up where Steve Jobs left off"; Donda would operate as "a design company which will galvanize amazing thinkers in a creative space to bounce their dreams and ideas" with the "goal to make products and experiences that people want and can afford." [3]

The announcement garnered widespread media attention, including coverage by The Guardian , [4] The Washington Post , [5] The Huffington Post , [6] The Wall Street Journal , [7] and Time magazine, which proclaimed the company's announcement the first major social media moment of 2012. [8]

Culture

West was secretive about the company's operations, maintaining neither an official website nor a social media presence. [9] [10]

In stating Donda's creative philosophy, West articulated the need to "put creatives in a room together with like minds" in order to "simplify and aesthetically improve everything we see, taste, touch, and feel". [11] Contemporary critics have noted the consistent minimalistic aesthetic exhibited throughout Donda creative projects. [12] [13] [14]

Continuing a trend consistent in previous Kanye West projects, [15] an additional hallmark of Donda projects has been multi-disciplinary collaboration, often featuring prominent contributions from major figures in various creative fields. Prominent examples include painter George Condo, photographer Luis Tarin, video artist/film director Steve McQueen, performance artist Vanessa Beecroft, artist Wes Lang, stage designer Es Devlin, audio/visual designer Jadis Mercado, artist/sculptor Takashi Murakami, photographer Jackie Nickerson, fashion designer Riccardo Tisci, and fashion house Maison Martin Margiela. [16] [17] [18] [19] NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown is the chair president of the sports fashion line Donda Sports. [20]

Projects

Film

On May 23, 2012, Donda debuted its inaugural creative project, a film entitled Cruel Summer , as part of the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. The film is a seven-screen surround vision experience.

Cruel Summer was shot using a specialized camera rig, which allowed the directors to capture multiple angles simultaneously. [21] The film, developed in collaboration with the Doha Film Institute, design firm 2x4 and architecture firm OMA, was presented in a specially designed theater — christened "Surround Vision" — featuring seven screens which surrounded the audience. [22]

On March 7, 2015, West debuted a collaborative short film with director Steve McQueen entitled All Day/I Feel Like That. [23] The film premiered at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris, France, followed by its American debut at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in July 2015. [24]

Album/singles art

Donda provided packaging design for the following albums and singles:

Music videos

Print

Stage design

The video for West's "New Slaves" was projected using guerrilla methods on over 60 buildings worldwide. New Slaves projection.jpg
The video for West's "New Slaves" was projected using guerrilla methods on over 60 buildings worldwide.

Marketing

Prominent marketing projects include:

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kanye West</span> American rapper and producer (born 1977)

Ye is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and fashion designer. One of the world's best-selling music artists, with over 160 million records sold, West has won 24 Grammy Awards, the joint tenth-most of all time, and the joint-most Grammy awards of any rapper along with Jay-Z. Among his other awards are the Billboard Artist Achievement Award, a joint-record three Brit Awards for Best International Male Solo Artist and the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GOOD Music</span> American record label

GOOD Music is an American independent record label founded by rapper Kanye West in 2004. The label signed an exclusive long-term worldwide label agreement with the Island Def Jam Music Group in 2011. In 2012, the label released its debut compilation album Cruel Summer. In 2015, Pusha T was appointed the president of the label by West, while record executive Steven Victor was appointed COO. On December 19, 2022, Pusha T announced that he was stepping down and was no longer on speaking terms with West.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kanye West albums discography</span>

American rapper and record producer Ye, better known as Kanye West, has released 10 studio albums, two collaborative studio albums, one compilation album, one demo album, two live albums, one video album and six mixtapes. All ten of his studio albums have been certified at least gold in the United States. As of June 2021, West has certified 25 million equivalent solo albums units in the United States, placing him among the highest-certified music artists in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pusha T</span> American rapper (born 1977)

Terrence LeVarr Thornton, better known by his stage name Pusha T, is an American rapper, songwriter, and record executive. He rose to prominence as one-half of the Virginia-based hip hop duo Clipse, which was mainly active from 1994 to 2010, alongside his older brother No Malice. As Clipse, the two released three studio albums upon signing to Pharrell's Star Trak Entertainment; they became best known for their 2002 debut single "Grindin'".

Michael George Dean is an American hip hop record producer, audio engineer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from Houston, Texas. He is best known for his synthesizer-heavy instrumentation and audio mixing for high-profile music industry artists. He began his career in 1992, producing albums for Southern rappers such as Scarface, Willie D, and Geto Boys, but has since worked on records for artists including The Weeknd, Beyoncé, Kanye West, Kid Cudi, Travis Scott, Jay-Z, Drake, Madonna, Selena Gomez, and Lana Del Rey, among others. As a non-vocal lead artist, Dean has released four solo studio albums: 4:20 (2020), 4:22(2021), Smoke State 42222 (2022), and 4:23 (2023).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hudson Mohawke</span> Scottish music producer

Ross Matthew Birchard, better known by the stage name Hudson Mohawke, is a Scottish-American producer, composer, and DJ from Glasgow. He is known for his influential work in 21st century hip-hop and electronic music. A founding member of the UK label collective LuckyMe, his fractured, colorful take on hip-hop made him a leading figure in the late-2000s wonky scene. He released his debut album Butter in 2009 on Warp Records. He has followed with the solo albums Lantern (2015) and Cry Sugar (2022), both on Warp.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big Sean</span> American rapper (born 1988)

Sean Michael Leonard Anderson, known professionally as Big Sean, is an American rapper. Anderson began his music career in 2007 and gained popularity in 2010 with his third mixtape Finally Famous Vol. 3: Big. He then signed a recording contract with GOOD Music and Def Jam Recordings and released his debut studio album, Finally Famous in 2011, which included the US top 10 single "Dance (Ass)". Anderson followed it with his second album, Hall of Fame (2013), while his third album, Dark Sky Paradise (2015), debuted atop the US Billboard 200. It also included the hit singles "I Don't Fuck with You" and "Blessings". His fourth album, I Decided (2017), contained "Bounce Back", his highest-charting US single, while his fifth album Detroit 2 (2020) was his third consecutive platinum album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pusha T discography</span> Hip hop recording artist discography

The discography of American rapper Pusha T consists of four studio albums, one extended play (EP), two mixtapes, 53 singles, two promotional singles and 33 music videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercy (Kanye West song)</span> 2012 single by Kanye West

"Mercy" is a song by American rapper Kanye West featuring fellow American rappers Big Sean, Pusha T, and 2 Chainz. The song, released April 3, 2012 through GOOD Music and Def Jam, serves as the lead single from the compilation album Cruel Summer (2012). The song's production was handled by Lifted, with additional production from West, Mike Dean, and Mike Will Made It, and additional instrumentation from Hudson Mohawke. The song heavily samples the dancehall song "Dust a Sound Boy" by Super Beagle. The song received mostly positive reviews from music critics who praised the bombastic production, the varying quality of the verses, and the wordplay of the individual rappers. The song was featured on the soundtrack for NBA 2K13.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cold (Kanye West song)</span> 2012 single by Kanye West featuring DJ Khaled

"Cold" is a song by American rapper Kanye West, released as the second single from the album Cruel Summer (2012). The song, which features DJ Khaled, was made available for purchase on the iTunes Store on April 17, 2012. Songwriting is credited to West, Chauncey Hollis, James Todd Smith and Marlon Williams, while production was handled by Hit-Boy. Lyrically, the song features West boasting about his personal issues and touching on subjects such as his relationship with Kim Kardashian, his breakup with Amber Rose, and his feelings on Wiz Khalifa and Kris Humphries. Additional vocals are included from DJ Pharris. The song received positive reviews from music critics, who praised West's lyrical performance and the boldness of his subject matter. The song contains an interpolation of "Lookin' at Me" (1997) as performed by Mase and Puff Daddy, and a sample of "Illegal Search" (1990) also performed by LL Cool J.

<i>Cruel Summer</i> (GOOD Music album) 2012 compilation album by GOOD Music

Kanye West Presents: Good Music – Cruel Summer, commonly referred to simply as Cruel Summer, is a compilation album by recording artists of American record label GOOD Music, released on September 14, 2012, by the label and Def Jam Recordings. American rapper Kanye West, head of the label, first revealed plans for a label collaborative album in October 2011. The album produced four singles—"Mercy", "Cold", "New God Flow", and "Clique"—that charted on the US Billboard Hot 100. The album features West himself, alongside GOOD Music signees Pusha T, Big Sean, Teyana Taylor, Cyhi the Prynce, Kid Cudi, John Legend, Common, D'banj and Malik Yusef, as well as affiliates 2 Chainz, Jay-Z and Travis Scott, among others. Production on the album was primarily handled by members of GOOD Music's production wing, Very GOOD Beats, including West, Hit-Boy, Hudson Mohawke, Travis Scott and Lifted, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New God Flow</span> 2012 single by Kanye West and Pusha T

"New God Flow" is a song by American rappers Kanye West and Pusha T. It was released as the third single from the compilation album Cruel Summer (2012), a collaboration between members of their record label GOOD Music. Produced by West, Anthony Kilhoffer and Boogz & Tapez, "New God Flow", which is a hip hop song, incorporates numerous samples into its arrangement. It features lines by Pusha T directed at American rapper and record producer Birdman. American rapper Ghostface Killah, whose song "Mighty Healthy" is prominently sampled in the song, is featured on an alternate version entitled "New God Flow.1" that appears on Cruel Summer. West and Pusha T performed "New God Flow" on several occasions, including the 2012 BET Awards and Jay-Z's Made in America Festival. The song was awarded Best Beat at the XXL Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Don't Like</span> 2012 single by Chief Keef

"I Don't Like" is the debut single by American rapper Chief Keef featuring fellow American rapper Lil Reese. Produced by Young Chop, it was released on March 11, 2012. The video for "I Don't Like" had over 28 million views on YouTube, before being taken down. The song was later remixed for the G.O.O.D. Music compilation album Cruel Summer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clique (song)</span> 2012 single by Kanye West, Jay-Z and Big Sean

"Clique" is a song by American rappers Kanye West, Jay-Z, and Big Sean from West's record label GOOD Music's debut compilation album, Cruel Summer (2012). The song features additional vocals from Cocaine 80s, Aude Cardona, and Travis Jones. It was produced by Hit-Boy, while co-produced by West, and additional production was handled by Anthony Kilhoffer alongside Noah Goldstein. Numerous rappers recorded verses for the song, yet only West, Jay-Z, and Big Sean made the final cut. Two days after it leaked, the song was debuted via West's website on September 7, 2012, and simultaneously released for digital download as the album's fourth and final single, through GOOD Music and Def Jam.

<i>My Name Is My Name</i> 2013 studio album by Pusha T

My Name Is My Name is the debut studio album by American rapper Pusha T. It was released on October 7, 2013, by GOOD Music and Def Jam Recordings. While leading up to the album's announcement, Pusha T released the mixtape Fear of God and the EP Fear of God II: Let Us Pray during 2011, along with collaborating on the GOOD Music's compilation album Cruel Summer. In 2013, he also released another mixtape Wrath of Caine. The album's production was handled primarily by Kanye West, along with several producers, including Pharrell Williams, The-Dream, Hudson Mohawke, Sebastian Sartor, Don Cannon, Swizz Beatz, Rico Beats, Mano and Nottz. It also features guest appearances from Rick Ross, Jeezy, 2 Chainz, Big Sean, Future, Pharrell Williams, Chris Brown and Kendrick Lamar, among others.

<i>Yeezus</i> 2013 studio album by Kanye West

Yeezus is the sixth studio album by American rapper and producer Kanye West. It was released on June 18, 2013, through Def Jam Recordings and Roc-A-Fella Records. West gathered a number of artists and close collaborators for the production, including Mike Dean, Daft Punk, Noah Goldstein, Arca, Hudson Mohawke, and Travis Scott. The album also features guest vocals from Justin Vernon, Chief Keef, Kid Cudi, Assassin, King L, Charlie Wilson, and Frank Ocean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Yeezus Tour</span> 2013–2014 concert tour by Kanye West

The Yeezus Tour was the fourth concert tour by American rapper Kanye West in support of West's sixth solo studio album, Yeezus (2013). The venture served as West's first solo concert tour in five years. Kendrick Lamar, A Tribe Called Quest, Travis Scott, and Pusha T served as opening acts on select dates. It had the second highest grossing leg of a tour during 2013, behind Paul McCartney's Out There! Tour. It was the highest-grossing hip-hop tour of 2013, grossing $31.8 million from 33 shows.

<i>Based on a T.R.U. Story</i> 2012 studio album by 2 Chainz

Based on a T.R.U. Story is the debut studio album by American rapper 2 Chainz. It was released on August 14, 2012, by Def Jam Recordings. The album features guest appearances from fellow rappers Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Drake, Nicki Minaj and Playaz Circle cohort Dolla Boy, along with singer-songwriters The-Dream, Mike Posner, The Weeknd and Chris Brown. The album's production was handled by Brick Squad Monopoly's Southside, Mike Will Made It, Sonny Digital, Kanye West, Hit-Boy, Drumma Boy, DJ Mustard, Mr. Bangladesh and DJ Spinz, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyhi the Prynce</span> American rapper and singer

Cydel Charles Young, known professionally as CyHi the Prynce, is an American rapper and singer. In 2009, Young signed his first major-label contract with Akon's Konvict Muzik, in a joint-venture with Def Jam Recordings. In 2010, he gained further mainstream attention for his work with rapper Kanye West, appearing on West's highly acclaimed album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010). Young would also heavily co-write lyrics for West's discography in the following years, resulting in six Grammy Award nominations for Best Rap Song.

<i>Donda</i> 2021 studio album by Kanye West

Donda is the tenth studio album by American rapper Kanye West, released through GOOD Music on August 29, 2021, with distribution handled by Def Jam Recordings, as his final release with the label. The album features a wide range of guest performances from artists including Jay-Z, the Weeknd, Playboi Carti, Lil Baby, Travis Scott, Lil Durk, Lil Yachty, Don Toliver, Kid Cudi, Young Thug, Marilyn Manson, Jay Electronica, Roddy Ricch, and Pop Smoke, among others; vocals from Chris Brown were also included prior to the album being updated. A deluxe edition was released on November 14, 2021 and featured guest vocals from André 3000, Tyler, the Creator, and KayCyy. West, BoogzDaBeast, Dem Jointz, Mike Dean, and Ojivolta primarily helmed the albums production. West recorded much of the material at multiple locations in the summer of 2021, including Bighorn Mountain Ranch in Wyoming and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

References

  1. ↑ Destefano, Mike (January 16, 2020). "Joe Perez Spent Eight Years Working for Kanye West and Now He's Revealing His Donda Archive. Here's Why". Complex . Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  2. ↑ Osei, Anthony (January 5, 2012). "Kanye West Announces Creative Company Donda". Complex. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
  3. ↑ Graham, Mark, Kanye West's Epic 1600-word Twitter Rant: Neatly Organized for your Reading Pleasure Archived 2014-02-27 at the Wayback Machine , 5 January 2012, VH1, retrieved 4 August 2015.
  4. ↑ Dredge, Stuart, Kanye West's Donda wants to 'pick up where Steve Jobs left off', 6 January 2012, The Guardian, retrieved 3 August 2015.
  5. ↑ Chaney, Jen, Kanye West and the Donda Twitter rant: A translation, 6 January 2012, The Washington Post, retrieved 3 August 2015.
  6. ↑ Staff, Kanye West Twitter Rant: Donda, His New Company, Education & Design Plans, 5 January 2012, The Huffington Post, retrieved 3 August 2015.
  7. ↑ Chai, Barbara, Kanye West Writes 86-Tweet Opus, 5 January 2012, The Wall Street Journal, retrieved 3 August 2015.
  8. ↑ Carbonne, Nick & Conniff, Kelly, The Year in Social Media, 19 December 2012, Time, retrieved 4 August 2015.
  9. ↑ Hope, Clover, Kanye West has a Dream: Inside his Creative Agency Donda, 19 August 2013, Vibe , retrieved 4 August 2015.
  10. ↑ Pasori, Cedar, How Kanye West's Creative Company Donda is making its own Brand of Cool, 3 November 2014, Complex, retrieved 4 August 2015.
  11. ↑ Graham, Mark, Kanye West's Epic 1600-word Twitter Rant: Neatly Organized for your Reading Pleasure Archived 2014-02-27 at the Wayback Machine , 5 January 2012, VH1, retrieved 4 August 2015.
  12. ↑ Sargent, Jordan, Donda: Kanye West Goes G.O.O.D. Trill Hunting with His Minimalist Design Company, 13 November 2013, Spin , retrieved 4 August 2015.
  13. ↑ Babcock, Gregory, Kanye's Stylish Pastor Releases Donda-Designed Book, 23 June 2015, Complex, retrieved 4 August 2015.
  14. ↑ Lewis, Brittany, Every Music Cover Kanye West's Creative House Donda Has Created So Far…, 3 November 2014, Global Grind, retrieved 4 August 2015.
  15. ↑ McQueen, Steve, Kanye West, 19 January 2014, Interview , retrieved 5 August 2015.
  16. ↑ Alexander, Ella, Why Margiela Teamed Up With Kanye, 6 November 2013, Vogue , retrieved 4 August 2015.
  17. ↑ Staff, Behind Kanye West's Methodical Conquest of the Art World, 28 November 2013, Artspace, retrieved 4 August 2015.
  18. ↑ Saka, Ren & Castro, Vanessa,12 Things to Know About Vanessa Beecroft, Kanye West's Visual Art Collaborator, 5 December 2013, Complex, retrieved 4 August 2015.
  19. ↑ Deleon, Jian, Wes Lang Designed Kanye West's Tour T-Shirts, and Now You Can Buy Them At PacSun, 2013, 'GQ', retrieved 4 August 2015.
  20. ↑ Rose, Jordan (February 7, 2022). "Antonio Brown Announces He's President of Ye's Donda Sports, Locks Down $2 Million Super Bowl Suite 'for the Kids'". Complex.
  21. ↑ Staff, Kanye West Cruel Summer Pavilion, 2x4, retrieved 9 January 2012.
  22. ↑ Rosenfeld, Karissa, Kanye West's seven-screen pavilion / OMA, 24 May 2012, ArchDaily, retrieved 9 January 2012.
  23. ↑ Malle, Chloe, West with the Night: Kanye Takes over The Fondation Louis Vuitton, 8 March 2015, Vogue, retrieved 5 August 2015.
  24. ↑ Williams, Maxwell, Kanye West and Steve McQueen Debut Collaborative 'All Day/I Feel LIke That' Video at LACMA Gathering, 25 July 2015, The Hollywood Reporter , retrieved 5 August 2015.
  25. ↑ Meek Mill - Burn Feat. Big Sean (Prod. By Jahlil Beats) | Stream & Listen [New Song], 4 May 2012, retrieved 2015-08-11
  26. ↑ "New Music: Kanye West and Pusha T - "New God Flow"". 2 July 2012. Retrieved 2015-08-11.
  27. ↑ Greenwald, David, 2 Chainz Enlists Kanye West's Donda For Album Art, 5 July 2012, Billboard , retrieved 9 January 2012.
  28. ↑ "Clique". Joe Perez. Retrieved 2016-06-05.
  29. ↑ Diep, Eric, Kanye West Reveals "Cruel Summer" Album Art, 2 August 2012, Complex, retrieved 9 January 2012.
  30. ↑ "Listen: Pusha-T Featuring Future: "Pain"". Pitchfork . 8 October 2012. Retrieved 2015-08-11.
  31. ↑ "Pusha T featuring Popcaan & Travi$ Scott – Blocka (Produced by Young Chop)". HYPETRAK. Retrieved 2015-08-11.
  32. ↑ Strong, Nolan, Kanye West's Company Donda Designs Artwork For Lil Wayne Album, 30 January 2013, AllHipHop, retrieved 31 January 2013.
  33. ↑ "Video: Big Sean f/ Lil Wayne & Jhené Aiko – 'Beware'". Rap-Up . 2010-10-18. Retrieved 2013-08-16.
  34. ↑ Callahan-Bever, Noah, G.O.O.D. Music: New Religion, 23 July 2012, Complex, retrieved 4 August 2015.
  35. ↑ Fox, T.S., G.O.O.D. Music: New Religion, 20 January 2015, Hypebeast, retrieved 5 August 2015.
  36. ↑ "News: Rich Wilkerson Jr. Releases Debut Book, Sandcastle Kings - The Gospel Music Association". 24 June 2015. Retrieved 2015-08-08.
  37. ↑ Schwarz, Hunter, Kanye West Projected "New Slaves" And A Video With Scott Disick Onto The Sides Of Buildings Last Night, 16 June 2013, BuzzFeed, retrieved 4 August 2015.
  38. ↑ Green, Mark Anthony, Kanye West Gets New Creative Direction, May 2013, GQ , retrieved 4 August 2015.
  39. ↑ "Watch Kanye West's American Psycho-Themed Short Film Starring Scott Disick and Jonathan Cheban". Pitchfork . Retrieved 2015-08-08.
  40. ↑ "Watch Kanye West's Remixed Canyons Trailer". Vulture. 2 August 2013. Retrieved 2015-08-08.
  41. ↑ Li, Arby, The Kanye West for adidas Yeezy Season 1 Anorak, 12 February 2015, Hypebeast, retrieved 4 August 2015.
  42. ↑ Marcus, Ezra, Kanye West Sends Out Mysterious New York Fashion Week Invites Archived 2015-08-02 at the Wayback Machine , 11 February 2012, Radio.com, retrieved 4 August 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.