Kanye West announced the release date for his album weeks ago at an impromptu concert at George Washington University. His album released hours after midnight on Oct. 25 after West wanted to finalize parts of the album.
West had spent weeks teasing the launch of “JESUS IS KING,” his alleged gospel album that would introduce his entrance into Christianity. After tentative release dates and released track lists, the album finally dropped hours after it’s final date.
Many fans took to social media at midnight on Oct. 25 to voice concerns that the album would be further postponed.
West tweeted briefly after that he would not rest until the album was finally released.
The Sunday after West’s album released, he tweeted a link with a live stream labeled, “SUNDAY SERVICE,” which featured the Sunday Service Choir in Inglewood’s The Forum Venue in Los Angeles.
The service was free and open to the public, with a limit to two tickets per household. The event was also streamed on Youtube with promotion on Twitter. The service consisted of West’s music along with preaching from his friend Adam Tyson.
The choir opened the show, and then launched directly into West’s album with the Chick-fil-A and a mixture of his other religion based songs.
In the livestream, there is a visible amount of seats left empty.
“JESUS IS KING,” after many re-recordings and extra work for the album, left fans wanting more. West’s testament to Christianity is apparent through the lyrics, but it’s not what some might describe as gospel.
West cites scripture and biblical stories throughout the album, but never sings himself. There is background singing from a presumed choir, but West doesn’t stray from his rap style.
The Sunday Service Choir’s involvement in the album is noticeable, but not present enough alongside of West’s consistent rap sound.
Earlier in the album, West ties the commercial chicken-based food chain Chick-fil-A directing his love at God, or possibly his wife Kim Kardashian West.
“Closed on Sunday, you my Chick-fil-A / Hold the selfies, put the ’Gram away,” West sings.
West frequently makes references to current societal issues such as single parents, social media overuse, incarceration and racial profiling.
“JESUS IS KING,” speaks to West’s public emergence of a Christian. In his song, “On God,” West raps about parts of society that he supports with his faith.
“Single mothers know they got my heart / And all my brothers locked up on the yard / You can still be anything you wanna be / Went from one in four to one in three / Thirteenth amendment, gotta end it, that’s on me,” West raps.
The gospel and rap album features loud undertones of West’s perspective of incarceration in America. In his song, “Hands On,” and “Use This As Your Gospel,” West touches on his past and a glimpse into his faith.
“Got pulled over, see the brights/ What you doin’ on the street at night? / Wonder if they’re gonna read your rights / Thirteenth Amendment, three strikes / Made a left when I should’ve made a right,” West raps.
Many of West’s lyrics are allegorical and can be interpreted in different ways. Many of the lyrics could be directed towards West’s faith, family or fans.
