Dom Kennedy Reflects on Challenges to Bringing “Yellow Album” to Streaming Platforms

West Coast rapper Dom Kennedy recently opened up about the ongoing struggle to get his 2012 Yellow Album on streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. Despite the project's undeniable influence on LA’s hip hop scene, the financial barriers tied to sample clearances and guest features have kept it off digital platforms. Kennedy revealed that the cost to clear the project for streaming would be around $2 million.

The hefty price tag stems from the album’s stacked feature list and the samples used throughout. “Those are real expensive,” Kennedy said, citing appearances from Rick Ross, Kendrick Lamar, Freddie Gibbs, and Too Short as examples of what’s driving up the costs. He noted that his fans are well aware of these challenges but shared his frustration at having to keep such a beloved project in digital limbo.

For many, Yellow Album represents one of the last great mixtapes of its era. Released during a time when mixtapes were often more culturally significant than studio albums, it has since cemented its place in LA hip hop history. Tracks like “My Type of Party” helped Kennedy break through, but the entire project is filled with star power and undeniable West Coast vibes. The fact that it was a mixtape, not a studio album, makes its list of guest appearances even more impressive.

There are still people out there who have never heard Yellow Album simply because they don’t know it exists or where to find it. Without an official release on streaming platforms, the project remains hidden from many hip hop listeners who may have missed it when it first dropped. For those who know about it, its absence from DSPs only adds to its mystique, keeping it as a hidden gem from the mixtape era.

Despite the obstacles, Kennedy remains hopeful about the future of Yellow Album. He’s even considered releasing a version of the project without the original guest features, similar to how Wiz Khalifa eventually cleared Cushion Orange Juice for streaming. But for now, fans will have to keep revisiting mixtape sites or YouTube if they want to hear this piece of LA hip hop history.

The Yellow Album Soundcloud Link