Return of the Throne?

The night of July 22, 2021, Kanye West held the first listening party for his tenth studio album, Donda. Although Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium was the physical location for the event, my attendance was virtual by way of a Clubhouse room where every speaker had their profile picture as either Kanye, them and Kanye, Donda and Kanye, or something Kanye related. Of course, in true Ye fashion, the listening party did not begin at the scheduled time. And, of course, as a true Ye fan, there was no way I was going to log off and risk missing a single verse: patience, young grasshopper. The wait was enjoyable though, as it allowed for the sharing of various personal Kanye stories. Then, finally, the music started.

We, fans of Kanye, had been yearning to hear Donda since the originally announced release date of July 24, 2020. Almost exactly one year later, we got our first listen. Hearing his new music was rejuvenating. His spirit, felt. There is no denying the magnificence that is Kanye West when he’s in his element.

What made my heart skip a few beats, though, was the last track of the night. Little did we know, Kanye had a surprise in store for us: a Jay-Z feature. As soon as I heard that voice I know so well, my mouth instantly dropped, as I am certain did everyone else’s who heard it.

Ye and Hov had just given us something we’d all missed. Them. Together. My prayers had been answered.

Not only had the “Moses and Jesus” of hip-hop reunited on a track after seven-plus years of a very strained relationship, but Jay-Z also gave us more than anyone would have reasonably expected… a renewed hope in the possibility of Watch the Throne II. In the now titled “Jail” on Donda, when Hov said, “this might be the return of the throne,” I couldn’t tweet it fast enough.

Those eight words Jay-Z spoke immediately took me back in time to December 3, 2011: the two’s Watch the Throne concert at the New Orleans Arena… The night’s performances of the greatness Ye and Hov had created together, as well as their solo hits. The two stages. The Givenchy-designed American flag. The numerous times we rocked out to “N****s in Paris”, as they started it over and over again.

Their combined energy is a matchless force. May the throne return; it’s been gone far too long.