Year of Ye: Kanye West’s Most Interesting Moments of 2021

Kanye West has had quite the 2021. This year, the controversial rap and fashion mogul had several key moments, including an album release, making amends with his archnemesis, and a divorce. 

Check out some of the highlights below. 

Kim Files For Divorce

After seven years of marriage, Kim Kardashian West filed for divorce from Kanye. The two share four children together and are one of the most high-profile celebrity couples in recent memory. 

Donda Listening Parties

There were three different listening parties for the release of DONDA. The first two occurred at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The third was held at Soldier Field in Chicago, with a replica of Ye’s childhood home onstage. 

A sneak peek of Soldier Field before tonight’s Donda event 👀

(via ig: djleemichaels) pic.twitter.com/kLvBl6oF7m

— Barstool Chicago (@barstoolchicago) August 26, 2021

Moving into Atlanta’s Mercedes Benz Stadium

After hosting his first listening party for DONDA, Kanye moved into Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta to continue working on the album. The rapper set up studio space, living quarters and hired a chef to prepare his meals. 

Releasing DONDA

After changing the release date several times and three listening parties, DONDA arrived on August 29, 2021. The album features Jay-Z, Marilyn Manson, Lil Baby, DaBaby, etc. After the project dropped, Kanye accused Universal Music Group of releasing it without his consent, which the label denied. DONDA has been certified Gold by the RIAA, earned the top spot on the Billboard 200, and is Grammy-nominated. 

Kanye Sits Down With Drink Champs

In his first interview since releasing DONDA, Kanye sat down with N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN on Drink Champs. He trash-talked Just Blaze, Talib Kweli, John Legend, and more. He most notably said that signing Big Sean was one of the “worst things” he’s ever done. And revealed that Beanie Sigel was the first person to call him “Yeezy.” The interview is worth a listen if you haven’t already heard it. 

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Legally Changed His Name To Ye

Kanye filed to have his name legally changed to “Ye” in August, citing “personal reasons.” His request was granted by a judge in October

Reconciling With Drake

Yeezy and Drake put their longstanding feud to the side to come together to try and help free Larry Hoover. In a now-deleted Instagram post, Kanye announced the reconciliation by posting a picture of the two together.

What a beautiful night I had last night in Canada. Let’s make history December 9th. Free Larry Hoover Concert pic.twitter.com/2ri4r6wQcf

— J Prince (@jprincerespect) November 17, 2021

Begging Kim To “Run Right Back” 

During the Free Larry Hoover benefit concert that he put on alongside Drake earlier this month, West sang “I need you to run right back to me,” during his song “Runaway,” adding, “More specifically, Kimberly.”