CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Kanye West is getting back to his Chicago roots, literally.
The 44-year-old rapper is reportedly recreating his South Shore childhood home in the middle of Soldier Field for his next “Donda” listening party happening Thursday in Chicago.
“Donda” will be a tribute album to the rapper’s mother, Donda West, who died in 2007.
West on Saturday shared a photo of the replica to his Instagram page and several media outlets on Tuesday tweeted photos of the reconstruction.
The upcoming listening party will be the third the “Power” singer will host for his much-anticipated ninth studio album. West previously held two in Atlanta last month after renting out and living in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium to complete the project.
Songs featuring JAY-Z, Pop Smoke, Lil Baby, and others were played during the first listening session while the second one revealed new features from the Weeknd, Jay Electronica and the Lox.
Fans had high hopes that the album would go on sale following the Atlanta listening events but to their chagrin, it didn't. Many have their fingers crossed that it will drop soon after Thursday's listening party.
Attendees won't be required to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccine or negative test result at Thursday's event, according to The Chicago Tribune. A Chicago Park District spokeswoman told the newspaper that capacity will be limited to 38,000 fans, compared to the 63,000 that fill a sold-out Chicago Bears game. The "Donda" listening party comes as the city is seeing an increased number of daily COVID-19 cases and the delta variant rages.
The Chicago Tribune also reported that West’s mother owned the South Shore home for more than 17 years and sold it in 2003. The 1,600-square-foot home reportedly changed hands several times and even went into foreclosure since she sold it. West purchased it in 2018 for $225,000, according to the Chicago Tribune. The home is located at 7815 S. South Shore Dr.
Donda West was a regular fixture in her son's professional life, often appearing with him during interviews and onstage. She was a longtime faculty member at Chicago State University where she also served as chairperson of the English department. She retired in 2004 to go work full-time as her son’s manager.
Her 2007 book, "Raising Kanye: Life Lessons from the Mother of a Hip-Hop Superstar," recounts her experiences as West's mother.
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