Kanye West's $200 Music Gadget: Details & Release

Kanye West's "Donda" Album Promotion and the Stem Player

Kanye West, now also known as “Ye,” is undertaking extensive promotional efforts for his forthcoming tenth studio album, “Donda.” The album is a tribute to his late mother, Donda West.

A large listening event was previously held in July at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. West even resided within a locker room at the stadium during this period.

Recreating Childhood Memories for a Chicago Listening Event

For an upcoming listening event in his hometown of Chicago, the artist is currently reconstructing his childhood home at Soldier Field.

Introducing the Stem Player: A $200 Music Device

Alongside the release of the album, West is launching a $200 music device called the Stem Player, developed under his Yeezy Tech brand.

This device is engineered to deconstruct songs into their individual stems – isolating components such as vocals, bass lines, samples, and drum tracks.

Users can then manipulate these elements, adding effects and remixing the song as desired.

Device Features and Compatibility

The Stem Player is reported to include a pre-loaded copy of the new “Donda” album.

However, a frequently asked questions section on the product website clarifies that the device is not limited to “Donda” and can be utilized with other music as well.

Collaboration with Kano

Interestingly, the Stem Player was developed in collaboration with Kano, a London-based startup.

Kano specializes in creating educational devices designed to teach children subjects like programming.

Despite releasing several Disney-branded products, Kano experienced layoffs in 2019.

A New Direction for Kano

This partnership appears to have revitalized the company, with the device featuring Kano’s branding alongside Yeezy Tech on its silicone exterior.

Previous Concepts and Teenage Engineering

West had previously mentioned a similar device during an interview concerning his 2019 album, “Jesus Is King.”

At that time, the project was a collaboration with design firm Teenage Engineering.

West stated to Zane Lowe that the portable stem player was intended “to spread the gospel.”

Release Timeline

The Stem Player is scheduled for release this summer.