“Jail” is the triumphant return of Kanye West and JAY-Z, also known as The Throne. The duo has now made amends after their once brotherly relationship stood still. This is the first track that the two have been on together since Drake’s 2016 single “Pop Style”, where JAY-Z only appeared for two lines.

“Jail” also serves as the beginning of DONDA’s narrative structure. We find Kanye in the midst of a crisis, spiraling out of control as his marriage falls apart and his public image falls apart once again.

JAY-Z recorded his verse at 4PM on July 22, 2021, just four hours before the first Donda listening party at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.