Kanye West: JESUS IS KING

@kanyewest

Kanye West’s newest album, JESUS IS KING, was released on Friday, October 25. This Christian hip-hop record includes 11 songs and several collaborators, such as Ty Dolla Sign, Clipse, Kenny G, and his Sunday Service collective, a gospel group that has performed several times with West.

The rapper plans to release a 31-minute IMAX film to accompany “Jesus is King”, which will be screening in theaters nationwide for one week only.

This gospel-focused record is almost contradictory to many of West’s previous profanity-laced albums, yet it seems to be the most controversial. He continues to use clever rhymes, metaphors, and analogies in his tracks, but these new songs have biblical symbols and references strewn throughout, alongside the inclusion of church-associated sounds and musical styles.

Despite Kanye’s attempts to reach his audience and bring in new listeners by depicting his own faith, his album has been met with confusion and questioning. Throughout the rapper’s career, West has often been the subject of much judgement and backlash, due to his controversial statements and actions. Who could forget his famous appearance on at the 2009 VMAs during Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech? His albums, the majority of which are explicit, often depict drug and alcohol abuse, mental illness, the objectification of women, and racial bias and injustice. He has also been featured in politics when supporting President Donald Trump’s campaign and suggesting that slavery was a “choice.”

Lyrically, Jesus is King is very broadly biblical. West touches on many popular biblical principles, parables, and symbols commonly presented in Christian church services. I personally did not hear much introspection or soul-searching, except for his confessions and general reflection. He seems to be summarizing several key accounts in the Bible that he has learned to share with his audience. West confronts his personal struggles with identity, culture, media, addiction, and fame in his career and recent religious awakening.

Why are we so quick to judge, yet so slow to celebrate? As a Christ-follower, I believe that we try to avoid comparison to those misrepresenting our faith because there have been innumerable instances of so-called “Christians” and their judgmental and hate-fueled motivations throughout history. We also think about the way in which the media depicts Christianity and the celebrities that represent our religion. What we ignore, is the fact that when we choose to discount an individual’s claim of faith, we become the hypocrites we claim to have no association with. Who am I to place limits on God by saying that a salvation is impossible, when that is Jesus’ main purpose? He bridged the gap between our hopeless, undeserving world to be our source of hope and redemption by making us new creations. Much like God welcomes us into His arms whole-heartedly, we should receive new brothers and sisters in the faith in the same way, instead of hesitating to share the love and acceptance He first showed us. Also, imagine the span of Kanye’s influence as an artist and the hearts his music is able to reach and resonate with. Whether or not he continues to claim Christ tomorrow, individuals are continuing to be exposed and introduced to the Savior that all so desperately need. I believe Kanye summarizes his new conversion and album perfectly in his song “God Is”:

“You won’t ever be the same when you call on Jesus’ name. Listen to the words I’m sayin’, Jesus saved me, now I’m sane.”

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JESUS IS KING on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/0FgZKfoU2Br5sHOfvZKTI9?si=FChpw82_SOmxJmTnPXE5Cg