Rapper and producer Kanye West has unleashed another memorable promotional campaign for a coming album.
Donda is already one of the most discussed albums of the year even before its release, thanks to a series of listening parties held in stadiums, intriguing social media posts and fans kept on their toes via bits of selectively revealed information.
However, despite the mystery surrounding the project, West has already revealed some juicy information about the album.
Here are five things we know about Donda.
1. It should be out this week
It takes a brave person to predict when a Kanye West album will arrive.
True to form, the rapper has announced various release dates over the past month, only to skip past them without explanation.
However, the latest news that Donda will be out either on Thursday or Friday carries some weight.
This is down to West’s manager, Abou “Bu” Thiam, commenting on a fan's Instagram account that the album will drop on streaming services at the conclusion of the third The Donda Album Experience preview event at Chicago’s Soldier Field stadium on Thursday.
While we hope for the best, we'll believe it when we hear it.
2. It features his mother
It is only right the subject of the album features in the songs.
During previous live-streamed preview events, you can hear a speech by West's late mother, college educator Donda West, opening a particular song.
The speech focuses on the important bonds and responsibilities that come with family.
West also uses his mother’s voice as a vocal sample in a number of other untitled tracks shown as part of the preview.
3. He reunites with Jay-Z
One of hip-hop’s biggest soap operas could take an intriguing new turn.
From producing Jay-Z's key albums to rapping as equals as part of the blockbuster album Watch The Throne, we have seen West’s and Jay-Z's relationship move from mentor/protege to cold enemies in the space of a decade.
West provided hope that this could change, when premiering a new collaborative track with Jay-Z at the August 5 preview show in Atlanta, with lyrical references of a new Watch The Throne album in the works.
4. He collaborates with the usual suspects
For such an emotionally charged project, it is understandable that West kept his collaborators close.
Both preview events played tracks featuring the familiar voices of hip-hop stars Travis Scott and Kid Cudi.
Fans are particularly ecstatic about the latter, with Cudi known for getting the best out of West in the 2008 album 808s & Heartbreak and their 2018 joint release Kids See Ghosts.
5. It comes with cool new merchandise
A new Kanye West album means exciting new merchandise.
At present, two items are available from his website. One is a black long-sleeved tee which, at $100, comes with a digital copy of the album.
The second offering is a red or blue jacket designed in collaboration with fashion brand Gap. Available in spring, the jackets cost $200.
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The five pillars of Islam
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Where to buy art books in the UAE
There are a number of speciality art bookshops in the UAE.
In Dubai, The Lighthouse at Dubai Design District has a wonderfully curated selection of art and design books. Alserkal Avenue runs a pop-up shop at their A4 space, and host the art-book fair Fully Booked during Art Week in March. The Third Line, also in Alserkal Avenue, has a strong book-publishing arm and sells copies at its gallery. Kinokuniya, at Dubai Mall, has some good offerings within its broad selection, and you never know what you will find at the House of Prose in Jumeirah. Finally, all of Gulf Photo Plus’s photo books are available for sale at their show.
In Abu Dhabi, Louvre Abu Dhabi has a beautiful selection of catalogues and art books, and Magrudy’s – across the Emirates, but particularly at their NYU Abu Dhabi site – has a great selection in art, fiction and cultural theory.
In Sharjah, the Sharjah Art Museum sells catalogues and art books at its museum shop, and the Sharjah Art Foundation has a bookshop that offers reads on art, theory and cultural history.
Emiratisation at work
Emiratisation was introduced in the UAE more than 10 years ago
It aims to boost the number of citizens in the workforce particularly in the private sector.
Growing the number of Emiratis in the workplace will help the UAE reduce dependence on overseas workers
The Cabinet in December last year, approved a national fund for Emirati jobseekers and guaranteed citizens working in the private sector a comparable pension
President Sheikh Khalifa has described Emiratisation as “a true measure for success”.
During the UAE’s 48th National Day, Sheikh Khalifa named education, entrepreneurship, Emiratisation and space travel among cornerstones of national development
More than 80 per cent of Emiratis work in the federal or local government as per 2017 statistics
The Emiratisation programme includes the creation of 20,000 new jobs for UAE citizens
UAE citizens will be given priority in managerial positions in the government sphere
The purpose is to raise the contribution of UAE nationals in the job market and create a diverse workforce of citizens
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How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
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“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
