Every Reference From Kanye West DONDA Album Release Explained

Unpacking Kanye and Demna Gvasalia's work for the visual side of the DONDA album release party on August 5, 2021.
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HUGE thanks to Watching the Throne and all the other Kanye channels/accounts that document the man in such minute detail.
#kanyewest #balenciaga #donda

[@BlissFoster]

If you find content like this useful, I humbly ask that you support it on Patreon. And if you need another reason, I’m a 31 year old man living at his parents’ house 😅😅 Link in description 💫💫

[@wb5729]

Don’t look a day over 20!

[@dondasglory]

DO NOT USE MY PHOTO IN COVER WITHOUT MY PERMISSION.

[@BlissFoster]

@@dondasglory hi! 😊 the image in the thumbnail on the left of Kanye in the spike jacket was taken from a recent Complex article called “13 Takeaways From Kanye West’s Second DONDA Listening Event”. In that article, the image is credited to ‘Apple Music/Kanye West’. With that label, I assumed this photo was a screengrab of the livestream. If this is your photograph, I’m happy to give you credit for it, it’s an awesome shot 💫💫 Hit me up on IG and I’ll take a look amd then I’ll add in credit and a link to your IG so more people can check out your work. You may also want to reach out to Complex, I’m sure they’re good to give you credit for it as well.

[@dondasglory]

@@BlissFoster okay so u got the photo from complex thanks for letting me know now i will explain this to them i hope they dont make it hard. i thought u got the photo from me sorry.

[@StoneHands25]

@@dondasglory that's not your photo leave bliss alone!

[@fredytheweirdo8248]

I was one of the field participants. Being a part of this giant group of masked people, covered from head to toe felt so epic. The energy was something else.

[@yves1027]

how did you end up being one of the participants??

[@fredytheweirdo8248]

@@yves1027 there was this google forms link floating around a couple fan pages like 2 days before the show. Only requirements were to come in all black (even though they had an all black wardrobe there that they made us wear). Rehearsal was the day before & day of. Consisted mostly of us sitting around. Overall fun time.

[@RoboSonic876]

Eyyy I was too!!! Cool to see others post about it 😎😎😎

[@lionheart4529]

@@fredytheweirdo8248 I swear I normally troll others when I see comments like this by putting a 🧢 emoji. But after thoroughly reading this comment and your second. You sir are not a 🧢 artist but a true testimony. Awesome story bro! Thanks for sharing!

[@narcisoanasui246]

Sounds so fun omg. Once in a lifetime experience 😩

[@kobewankenobi248]

*What would’ve really been epic, is if we didn’t see him come out at all. But was one of the guys walking in the circle with the rest of the participants. Just completely blending in. Then, have the lights go dim, flicker back on, and see him floating. Would’ve been fire*

[@Cho0segoose]

i get what he was doing though. The circles of people around him represented his loneliness in fame

[@BigLeee]

Now that would've been boss!

[@YourLocalLeo]

ty kobe wan kenobi may you not get cut in half

[@wb5729]

The ending is most definitely Kanye rising up closer to his mother. The beam of light goes up out of the stadium and projects up into the heavens where Donda is. This album brings Kanye closer to his mother and is a tribute to her and so that’s the main reason he rises towards the sky above is the heavenly light

[@enkay7972]

You can’t rise up closer to a deceased person. I think this symbolizes more so of him getting closer to Jesus in his faith and journey.

[@wb5729]

@@enkay7972 heaven is where Donda is and where Jesus is your comment makes no sense

[@socialnerdia]

And/or rapture

[@pumezaqina1051]

that's when I cried and my eyes balled because I wish I could see my mother just one more time..i understand him completely.....boy just wanted to see his mother 😭😭😭😭😭😭💔💔

[@wb5729]

@@LN-jb6ky not being dismissive at all, it’s a shame you chose to interpret my words in that way

[@sagewaterdragon]

As someone whose only real exposure to the world of fashion is your channel, I missed all of these references and connections - thank you for making this!

[@MISTASHARPSHOOTA]

Ye's Margiela masks and Daft Punk's helmets are the reasons why I hide my face whenever it comes to creating. Preventing automatic, surface-level judgements on what the artist looks like helps so much in getting your purpose/message across. Beautiful analysis Bliss, well done!

[@lebaumel]

Dude, what you said its so important and accurate.

[@renebleu8711]

Yes. It’s important!

[@adamwalker3737]

The difference between Kanye and other celebrities, is that he uses fame to create art while others use art to get fame

[@BozoJeez]

@@typicalbullsfan9329 imagine hating on someone

[@TheCopyNinja106]

@@BozoJeez imagine idolizing someone who couldn’t give two fucks about you

[@BozoJeez]

@@TheCopyNinja106 idolizing who lol

[@kyoria2.030]

@@TheCopyNinja106 smh

[@joshualeclerc7944]

@@typicalbullsfan9329 Yeah bruh honestly I’m not gonna dedicate my whole life to Deciphering his entire discography lol I understand each lyric a second after I hear it. What’s the fun in that ?

[@joncarsello7987]

Fascinating! Honestly I’ve never been much of a Kayne West fan but your interpretation of this event has given me a greater respect for him. I love seeing Martin’s concepts applied in other artistic arenas. Your analysis is fantastic as always

[@femdivinemind7777]

I didn't know how much I wanted to find a channel like this until I found it...dinner parties at your house must be full of fantastic conversations!!

[@neranderthal]

3:45 Just adding that the bed has a stark resemblance to Tracey Emin's "My Bed" from 1999, like there is no way he wasn't inspired by that because the concept is almost exactly the same. Tracey's bed was a recreation of a depressive grieving phase in her life when she had remained in bed for four days without eating or drinking anything but alcohol.

[@Devananta-Rafiq]

We are just living in the post-Martin Margiela and Helmut Lang fashion world at this point. It's like everything are back to them.

[@journalsfromdavid]

Was just thinking about this

[@JasperJohn747]

Many, many references to Joseph Beuys - I Love America and America Loves Me from 1974. Vest, duvet coat, room, etc. Love your videos!

[@w.d.minihan8117]

I too immediately thought of the Margiela fitting rooms when I saw the 24 hour stream. One idea I had about the whole performance though, that ties into the discussion ya'll were having about masks. The almost paradoxical idea in Christianity that God cares about everyone on a personal level. I guess you could sum it up like "You're special, just like everyone else". I think that has a strong parallel to putting a Margiela mask on a high profile individual, like you mentioned earlier about simultaneous ego and anti-ego. I think this is reinforced by the final track being called "No Child Left Behind". In the equalizing state of being a child of God Ye truly is just another person, but doesn't lose any uniqueness in being so. This could also be reinforced by the fact that there is an absurd amount of features on what is believed to be a very personal album.

[@varenne33]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@ChristAcolyte]

Amazing analysis. You write better than a lot of so-called journalists.

[@yeezy7905]

🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@jsn1769]

Amazing.

[@chrischoi2954]

crazily well explained boss!!

[@Twocryingkittens]

The point made about Kanye silencing himself as a means of creative motivation is fantastic. Looking at the success of this album and the performance art he’s created as part of the whole Donda project seriously shows how effective it is for him- he’s Kanye, he likes to talk and be heard. Forcing himself to solely communicate his ideas through his work as an artist is just some real genius shit

[@Blessed_Sound]

Them walking around in a circle around a cube reminds me of what people do in Mecca. There’s a lot more to the show that people don’t realize.

[@dominickbradshaw]

Yeah he was literally performing rituals in everybody's faces.

[@befer]

i really really like the way you're storyteling, it shows that you know a lot about this stuff and you're genuinely passionate about it, it's contagious. Makes me actually be interested in fashion

[@jackw6285]

I think kanye wearing the cover also could’ve been a reference to Joseph beuys “i like America and America likes me” where he dons a similar cover, it should also be acknowledged kanye tweeted a photo of beuys wearing the cover on 2018. The whole donda release also gave me a beuys performance art type of vibe where he’s locking himself up and live-streaming his creative process of his album creation.

[@triple75]

Also that choreography at 12:06 feels symbolic to Tawaf during Hajj (Pilgrimage for Muslims) Kanye with square light as the Kaaba and the performers circle around. Just my theory! I mean Kanye is religious and might have took inspiration from a form of worship.

[@MyChannel-ww8mo]

Halal ye confirmed on donda?

[@tahirkasap2904]

yeah as a muslim that sticked out to me

[@josiahdavis1565]

close but no cigar

[@iceteazer8028]

He litteraly put out a Christian album

[@salimhaddad6875]

Thought the exact same thing when I saw it! He’s showing the unity in all religions. As long as you believe in god, one unity, one higher power, that is in all of us and all around us. We believe in the same ✊

[@angelpiti99]

Again, this is crazy. I’d never identify those references. Thanks again 4 the best fashion content

[@MAandS]

Im a huge Kanye fan but never dove into the merch and fashion. This was interesting as hell. You got a new sunscriber. I love learning new stuff. Especially about art.

[@ubiifuruuu]

this has the potential to be the best video on this channel

[@ubiifuruuu]

maybe not im just a ye stan

[@MsBeeLyons]

Thank you for the brake down. People tend to call other people crazy when they themselves don’t understand.

[@murphsk8s869]

My interpretation/theory that the room was symbolic of the tomb Jesus was put in after he was crucified and then later ascended to heaven. Him being completely alone and exposed at the first show to him being surrounded at this one seems significant in some way if it was planned out. Loved the video though I wouldn’t have caught all of those references :)

[@triple75]

Also that choreography at 12:06 feels symbolic to Tawaf during Hajj (Pilgrimage for Muslims) Kanye with square light as the Kaaba and the performers circle around. Just my theory! I mean Kanye is religious and might have took inspiration from a form of worship. I could be wrong but it is all up for interpretation.

[@sclr]

@@triple75 this is exactly what i thought as i watched it.

[@femdivinemind7777]

Oh I like that! Possibly referencing an ego death....

[@lucysandywagen8206]

@@triple75 I agree and it is very smart

[@en_h_]

I agree. I think he is going on a completely other direction from most of the black, even white people in the industry in the sense of upholding human values as they’re vanishing in today’s society, even though at first sight one would just notice those “weird” to some maybe “controversial” outfits he been using

[@wolfbloodost9970]

Hey Bliss, I thought the Siberian bear hunting armour was an interesting note as historically Kanye album covers have always had bear designs.

[@nora-e6120]

The walking in circles around the stage looks like a Mekka reference

[@geeeewhiz.27]

so entertaining, so intelligent, love every single minute!!! I learn so much from every video, Bliss. thank you.

[@davidquigley-jones9657]

The bullet proof jacket is also a reference to Stormzy's Banksy stab proof vest worn at Glastonbury in 2019.

[@davidschneider9428]

happy to see you get mor recognition. totally deserved

[@danilomartinez8937]

Amazing fashion analysis! I initially thought about Balenciaga when I saw his clothes but had no idea for the merch! I initially thought back to the life of Pablo, and that reference. Mainly on the way Picasso would document everything. And in the way Kanye is now documenting the entire process, from the documentary to now the live stream. And even what seems to be a live version of the album being made. With Picasso documenting every steps of a piece being made with lith prints, dates, ideas and so forth. Love the videos!

[@liviuca]

the location reminds me of barney's cremaster cycle and so does the fake sky but myb I'm biased because I checked out kanyes twitter and among the last posts there was a book by/on barney. Enjoyed the video so much, thank u!

[@emin5488]

I noticed too !

[@GB-np4pi]

The listening party performance was so good. It wasn’t just Kanye running around doing whatever. No, he’s too calculated for that. He was giving us an insight into the creative process of Donda while STILL being in the process. He laid on the bed, he looked at notes, he worked out, he fell to his knees and cried, he prayed, etc. He took away the 4 walls of his infamous Mercedes Benz Stadium “dorm room” that he posted a pic of and let the world see him in work

[@hafgamez245]

This video was not at all what I was looking for, but I am so happy I watched the whole thing. Adds a whole other layer to the music. Thank you, sir.

[@makeup_onhermind]

I finally did it! Became a patron of yours! big fan of Margiela myself, since my early interest in avantgarde and darker fashion as a teen in the southern German countryside around 2005 or so. After a few years of fashion asceticism and minimalism, I have started to rekindle my love and passion for fashion and style and to consume content around it again 2 yrs ago. Your channel has really helped me to see it all in a more positive light of art and culture again after my perosnal rebellion against capitalism that made it hard for me to appreciate clothing anymore... I very much appreciated your Jacquemus video! I mean, pretty much all your videos. Which is why I finally became a patreon. much love from Germany.

[@BlissFoster]

Ayyyy, that means a ton to me, Martina!🙏🙏

[@makeup_onhermind]

@@BlissFoster yeaa excited to see what's up in the discord channel too :)

[@blairwarner3783]

Kanye's a genius when it comes to music and he picks up the best in the game or their field.

[@wb5729]

Is Kanye’s bed and some of his personal items on stage not a more direct reference to Tracy Emin’s “My Bed”?

[@mauriciosanchez123]

hope this brings u a lot of views bliss u deserve it

[@skateplusrice]

There’s something beautiful about the interlude where the word “donda” is incessantly repeated. in my perspective, it seems like when you say a word a million times, it begins to lose its meaning. With the Word “Donda” it was originally Kanye’s mother’s name, however with the constant talk of the album and the countless hours of work that Kanye is putting into the project, the word may be losing its meaning as the name of his mother as he continues to work on the project and as people continue to keep talking about it

[@mattyd6005]

donda song was his moms heartbeat

[@dontbeaneater]

i def agree with this take

[@kelvinleung6746]

It was also repeated 58 times. Donda was 58 years old before she passed.

[@skateplusrice]

@@kelvinleung6746 wow thats powerful

[@TheAGODAMI]

😒 *AcTuaLLy RepeTiTioN bRinGs abouT fRuiTioN iT is NoT the loSinG oF anY daMn poWeR buT the sTRenGTheNinG oF said poWeR, manTRa, oR woRd as a foRCe aLL on iT's oWn.!!!* 🔑

[@sararichardson737]

You get an A+ for this piece Bliss. You’re on fire. Thank you.

[@kagethadon380]

This is so cool man i love fashion and i could watch this for hours, the whole story’s behind designs and artists are amazing 🔥

[@techloto]

Thank you for providing the much needed context.

[@7somekindofsomething]

Kanye really is one of the greatest artists to ever live. Even if you aren’t a fan of his music, fashion etc his influence and depth is undeniable.

[@Whodnl]

Dad wake up, Bliss Foster just drop a classic video

[@maxgonzalez8849]

I always wanted a Kanye video from you

[@brunokawelke]

The "blanket jacket" could also be a reference to the piece by Joseph Beuys "I like America and America likes me" that Kanye referenced earlier in his work. In the performance art piece Beuys wears a huge blanket while living with a coyote in small room.

[@danimosher9558]

As an FYI, that “Siberian bear hunting armor” actually comes from a Cabinet of curiosities and is believed to be a piece of art rather than armor for hunting.

[@devinkk]

THANK YOU

[@houtxn1480]

I actually got to see the siberian hunting armor in person. It's located at the Menil collection museum in Houston Texas. It was extremely creepy to see in person honestly but I couldn't take my eyes off it for a while. Very interesting piece to view.

[@user-ci9wy8rh9k]

The bed mock up at 3:45 is also a reference to Tracey Emin's iconic and controversial installation "My Bed"

[@ninety12]

@blissfoster the people walking in a circle seems to be a reference to a painting by Gustave Dore called the prisoners round.

[@dannostudio]

Documentation was definitely rare in the industry especially in the 90s. The only other known documentaries from the fashion industry during the time was Christy Turlingtons 1994 Catwalk, Peter Lindberghs Models, and then Margiela’s bts documentation.

[@dannostudio]

As well as Isaac Mizrahi’s unzipped documentary.

[@icallmyselfARI]

WHAT??? Was not expecting you to cover this 🤩

[@GV_777YT]

Why did i decided to watch this at 2 am in the morning?! Now i wanna get uo and fix a few ideas that you wonderful video gave me!

[@IrinkaAndreeva]

I haven’t read comments if someone pointed out but people walking in black could reference Tawaf around the Kaaba, also square light in the middle, although pilgrims are walking anti-clockwise, there could be some meaning to it. Just a thought, because I don’t have much information, maybe someone knows more regarding. Love your videos, please keep it up, I’ve learned so much. Thank you!

[@brandonsanchezrojas]

1. This channel about to blow tf up 2. Kanye is way too excellent its not even funny

[@facundopor2]

He is really legendary, i expect a mbdtf 2 in donda, that kind of vibe

[@xquizifiedmovement2779]

All the way in South Africa and I love this,! Subscribing.

[@cchukwunyem]

this was extremely beautiful, especially when you connected the ascension to the birth of a new Kanye.

[@dpo2078]

oh wow the algorithm blessed me ive never seen this channel

[@cazzenova9286]

this was an incredible introduction to your channel, must now watch it all

[@lloydricks7916]

Bliss, this is my first view of ya'! You killed it, informative and believable! Do you, Bliss! Dope shirt!

[@petervanderpas1615]

Love that you’re a Ye Stan too Bliss 🥂

[@LI-kb3jy]

Just came across your channel and I don’t think I’ll be watching something else till I’m done with all the videos you’ve posted. Thanks for the great content, intelligent explanation, awesome quotes. 👏🏻

[@sans_transition]

This video is amazing. thank you for sharing your knowledge on KZbin, I am learning a lot thanks to you!

[@julianross1084]

Hey man I’m a clothing designer myself and I absolutely love your channel subscribed instantly

[@GebbzSteelo]

this is so well done, bravo !! bliss foster is the GOAT

[@MollyPorter]

I saw your pic in the NYTimes!

[@brucehewitt8639]

I just wanted to thank you for your videos they are some of the best and most intellectual content I’ve consumed in a long time. They have also helped me understand my own creative process.

[@odysseusdadon1234]

Would love to see more kanye content. I got into fashion from listening to him. Maybe a video on brand yeezy?

[@gilliandoplemore9357]

i can believe you posted about this. so excited to watch. love it

[@jamelsmith9676]

Bro... I’m happy I bumped into your channel. High quality shit! I’m subscribed

[@yeezy7905]

Amazing video. Would love another video on Kanye, maybe about Yeezy? :)

[@Lilstarshine]

You're amazing!!!!! What a great analysis!!! Bravo! A+ from the art professor!

[@BlissFoster]

Hey thank you 😊

[@NIGHTTIMEstudio]

Greattt video dawg. I've been procrastinating a video on Vestments I've been working on but you kinda motivated me to finish and publish it

[@seviregis7441]

Love your analyses and how you titrate out the fashion details in various other art

[@JJRiot]

Amazing video Bliss. I got into runways last year so couldn't have found a better channel.

[@samuelsmith5400]

Also I noticed one of the songs on the track list is called psalm 4:5 which says 4 “Tremble and[d] do not sin;(J) when you are on your beds,(K) search your hearts and be silent. 5 Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the Lord.(L)” which is another reason why he had his bed there

[@ethanlopez9069]

Also his all red outfit is taken straight from Akira, which he’s referenced a lot of other times like his stronger music video

[@BitcoinTradersClub]

congrats on the views here bliss

[@shroompoleon]

Right when you said “ ascend” I thought about Kanye quest

[@stoenchu122]

I did not expect this video to be so good..

[@oxiary]

Ok 6 months later im still blown away by all the references 8:39 Kanye did this since 2018?? He replaced "i" with "we" and seeing Maison doing that in the first place ASTRONISHING

[@dm_hater8388]

The outfits in the thumbnail are absolutely superstar-only aesthetic

[@Vence.]

Bliss, you're a sound guy, you've got your head right. I wanna be your mate.

[@leadenstride]

the swans teeth shirt with the eyes is wild

[@thydevdom]

Wow. Great video. Didn’t think I’d watch the whole video. Good job!

[@yungbizzop]

Love your content bro. Thanks !

[@trailerparkart2429]

Thank you for this video! I am a Ye super fan. So to get a peek inside the mind that is Ye, is beautiful and so greatly appreciated!!!

[@Christiandios]

Thank you for sharing your deep understanding of the event.

[@apartedaarte6896]

Great analysis! I think the face mask thing, as an exploration of the vacuity of being a celebrity and wanting to erase his public image, may also be seen as a reaction to the pursuit of beauty and perfection that lead to the death of his mother (as she died in a consequence of a plastic surgery) by contradicting it, and, on top of that, also serves as a symbol of grief by being all black.

[@nataliaserranodiaz138]

v interesting video thanks :) also the reference of the bed sounds a bit like tracey emin? just maybe… dunno

[@isabeltalamas9130]

Kanye's bed set-up looks reminiscent of Tracey Emins "My Bed"

[@kendramullen7324]

I totally remember Margiela causing havoc back in the day. Loved all of his stuff.

[@BlissFoster]

Havok is a great word for it 😌 You should check out my Margiela series! There’s so much crazy stuff in there

[@louiswatchesyou7652]

Good video, but after I watched quite a few The Casual videos I knew from Reggie that Demna's 'E' is pronounced like the 'e' in them, not pronounced like dim from dimming a light.

[@omd0]

Yo this flipping phenomenal!!! Subscribed

[@maruxarn]

Aaaah, exercising some youtube algorithm karate, are we?

[@BlissFoster]

🤼‍♂️

[@josephperez221]

No

[@doeeyed7498]

I see the bear-hunting armour I click And of course magnificent analysis, thank you Bliss

[@D3athW1ng]

That Spike Jacket screams "leave me a lone" .. to me. It's a call to not wanting anyone to touch, bother, or come close to you ... The duvet one ... fck if I know what that says. 😂 That's all Ye.

[@dreamloops1100]

oh shii, u finna blow now. luv u bliss. awesome vid

[@lamontesfashions5063]

I support you man I'm a black blood gangster from Detroit I live in Dallas Texas now I've been making clothes for 30 years

[@trisbreezydc2]

Loved this! And all your vids!

[@swaranbains8326]

Kanye has this wording of his name, Ye and how it ties in the bible with the completeness and whole of the individual. When he said something like being a fan of Kanye is being a fan of yourself. Idk

[@sergedanel6736]

This video is brilliantly put together you're so interesting man, subscribed