Stem Player Release Disqualifies Ye From Billboard

Kanye West recently released Donda 2 for the world to consume through the Stem Player but his decision to release the album through his Stem Player disqualifies him from the Billboard charts.

New Album On Stem Player

Kanye had decided to put Donda 2 on his Stem Player device. This also means that you can’t find Donda 2 on any streaming service. To get the album, you must buy the $200 streaming device. You can download the album after buying the device.

Currently, this is the only way to listen to Ye’s new album. He first released four tracks of the album and then he released 12 more songs. It is unknown if Kanye will release more tracks but as of know the 16 tracks are available for owners of the Stem Player. This is clever way of releasing an album, though, unfortunately it’s also against the Billboard charts eligibility requirements.

Kanye West
Credit: Getty Image

Why This Disqualifies Ye?

The Billboard charts will also no longer count album’s that are bundled with merchandise and concert tickets. Donda 2 falls under that category because you have to purchase the Stem Player in order to get the album. This new rule has been in place for some time. Artist sell merchandise as an add-on to be counted on charts.

The Unique Device

Kanye and Kano Computing joined together and created the Stem Player. The device has gained newfound popularity with the release of Donda 2. The Stem Player allows music to be downloaded on the device giving the controller custom of the music being played. The device can separate the vocals, drums, bass, and sampled into stems. You will have the ability to edit each sound.

Stem Player
Credit: Jay Peters/ The Verge

The design of the device is also simple. The device fits into the palm of your hand like a small skipping stone. On the top of the device are also the controls for the stems. These buttons control loops, direction, speed, and play/pause. The volume, effects, and menu are located on the side of the device. The USB and headphone ports are also on the side.

Xavier “Writer X” Griffin | Facebook @WriterX93 |Twitter @WRITER_X_713