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Kanye West is keeping his fans on the edge of their seats after holding yet another listening party for his hugely-anticipated new album, Donda.

The rapper took to the stage for the second time in two weeks in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium to give fans another sneak peek of the record.

West is seemingly testing the patience of some fans and after missing the initial release date of 24 July, he decided to live in the Georgia stadium to complete his long-awaited project.

Thursday night’s event appeared to be more theatrical than the last one, with the capacity crowd treated to dancers, lighting and big screen graphics.

At one point the stadium went dark, only for lights to flash on to West, who was ascending into the air.

Despite not uttering a single word, Yeezy was seen dancing, running around and doing push-ups – as well as resting under a blanket on stage.

Fans in the stadium were treated to newly refined songs, with rumours flying that West had recorded new verses in the hours leading up to the event, as well as some new collaborations – including from Kid Cudi, The Weeknd and Lil Baby.

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Donda, which is named after his late mother, is now expected to hit streaming services later on Friday, with Apple Music taking pre-orders – but it remains to be seen whether West will release the album on time again.

Fans outside the stadium were able to listen to a live stream of the album on Apple Music.

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Elsewhere in the Atlanta venue, his estranged wife Kim Kardashian West was spotted with their children, thought to be in a sign of support for the rapper.

However, showbiz gossip site TMZ reports that the pair’s divorce is still going ahead.

Fans were also offered their COVID-19 vaccines at the event – despite West in the past voicing his opposition to the jabs.

The rapper has previously told Forbes: “It’s so many of our children that are being vaccinated and paralysed… So when they say the way we’re going to fix COVID is with a vaccine, I’m extremely cautious. That’s the mark of the beast.

“They want to put chips inside of us, they want to do all kinds of things to make it where we can’t cross the gates of heaven.”

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Kneecap announces surprise show after member charged with terror offence

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Kneecap announces surprise show after member charged with terror offence

Irish-language rap group Kneecap have announced a surprise London show, hours after one of their members was charged with a terror offence.

Liam O’Hanna, or Liam Og O Hannaidh, was charged with displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation, at a concert in London last November, the Metropolitan Police said on Wednesday.

Just hours later, Kneecap announced on their Instagram account that “we’re back”, adding that they would perform at the 100 Club on Oxford Street, London, on Thursday night.

The post also included a quote by former Sex Pistols vocalist John Lydon, who told ITV’s Good Morning Britain the rap trio “maybe (…) need a bloody good kneecapping” after footage of the band allegedly calling for the deaths of MPs emerged.

Kneecap performing in Belfast last year. Pic: PA
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Kneecap performing in Belfast last year. Pic: PA

Kneecap apologised to the families of murdered MPs last month, but said footage of the incident at their concert had been “exploited and weaponised”, adding that they “never supported” Hamas or Hezbollah.

The rappers had gigs cancelled after the footage emerged and politicians pushed for Kneecap to be dropped from the Glastonbury Festival line-up, with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch calling for Kneecap to be banned.

The group from Belfast in Northern Ireland is still set to headline Wide Awake Festival in south London on Friday.

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In response to O’Hanna being charged, Kneecap said that they “deny this ‘offence’ and will vehemently defend ourselves” and branded it “political policing” in a bid to “silence voices of compassion”.

The charge came after counter-terror police assessed a video said to be from a Kneecap concert.

In the footage, O’Hanna is allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London, on 21 November last year.

Officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command were made aware of a video circulating online on 22 April and an investigation led to the Crown Prosecution Service authorising the charge, the force said.

O’Hanna – who performs under the stage name Mo Chara – is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 18 June.

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Member of Kneecap charged with terror offence

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Member of Kneecap charged with terror offence

A member of Irish-language rap group Kneecap has been charged with a terror offence.

Liam O’Hanna, or Liam Og O Hannaidh, has been charged with displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation, the Metropolitan Police said.

The 27-year-old from Belfast – who performs under the stage name Mo Chara – is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 18 June.

It comes after counter-terror police assessed a video reported to be from a Kneecap concert.

The charge relates to a flag that O’Hanna allegedly displayed at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London, on 21 November last year.

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Officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command were made aware of a video circulating online on 22 April, the force said.

An investigation led to the Crown Prosecution Service authorising the charge.

Kneecap are due to headline Wide Awake Festival in south London on Friday.

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Chris Brown released on bail – but must pay £5m security fee

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Chris Brown released on bail - but must pay £5m security fee

US singer Chris Brown has been released on bail by a judge in London – and must pay a £5m security fee to the court.

The 36-year-old was granted bail at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday, but did not appear in person.

Brown had been remanded in custody by a judge in Manchester on Friday until 13 June.

He faces a charge of grievous bodily harm following an incident at a London nightclub in 2023.

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