KANYE WEST: *Donda 2* Getting a Fake Release

UPDATE (10:45 a.m. ET): Kanye has clarified his statement about needing to buy a Stem Player, saying Donda 2 can also be streamed on a Stem website for free — but it still won’t be available elsewhere.

Kanye West has found a new way to keep fans from hearing Donda 2 — by making sure they can only listen to it on his self-designed Stem Player.

That means Ye’s remaining supporters will have to pay $200 for one of the devices needed to play the album. Unfortunately, the Stem doesn’t play much outside of Kanye, a concept that’s divided his fan base. The billionaire rapper explained his position on Instagram, saying, “Today artists get just 12% of the money the industry makes. It’s time to free music from this oppressive system. It’s time to take control and build our own. Go to StemPlayer.com now to order.”

Comments ranged from:

“I fully understand the business decision for Donda 2 to be exclusive to the Stem player, but as a 33-year-old I also fully understand that $200 can get me a lot of stuff at Trader Joe’s.”

to

“Kanye is smoking Whitney Houston-grade crack if he thinks I’m spending $200 for his version of an MP3 just to listen to Donda 2.”