“JESUS IS KING” – Preach, Kanye, Preach!

Kanye has always been labelled as a “rabble-rouser” of the music industry, seen through his criticism of Taylor Swift, his support for Trump, him urinating on his trophies, paparazzi violence, and even him self-proclaiming as a God. Growing famously in the hip-hop community, Kanye West is no stranger to dark lyrics glorifying drugs, sex, and money throughout his entire career. To make a long story short, in 2002, a car accident almost took his life. Yet, it was a miracle instead. The way God let him survive really touched his heart. Ever since, Kanye put out several Christian songs—including the most popular one, Jesus Walks—as an expression of gratitude, distributed on each of his albums. As life goes on and the faith starts to grow bigger—after the brightest, his happy family with Kim Kardashian and their children, even the darkest, being cancelled by the media—he proudly decided to make this full gospel album, JESUS IS KING.

“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

And I know, I know God is the force that picked me up

I know Christ is the fountain that filled my cup”

 – God Is by Kanye West

JESUS IS KING is the ninth studio album from an American controversial producer-rapper, Kanye West. It debuted on October 25, 2019, as a surprise substitute for his initial upcoming project, Yandhi. The album is blessed by the presence of Ty Dolla $ign, Kenny G, and especially the Sunday Service Choir—which is a group of worship singers created by Mr. West himself. Currently, Kanye West’s JESUS IS KING also wins Best Contemporary Christian Music Album at 2021 Grammys.

“How you get so much favor on your side?”

“Accept Him as your Lord and Saviour,” I replied”

– On God by Kanye West

To some extent, JESUS IS KING is the turning point of Kanye’s career, which kick-starts his role as a musician completely devoted to God. The 11-track album shows how the old Kanye is dead and the new Kanye is reborn in the name of Jesus. The album also exhibits Kanye’s knowledge of the Bible, seen by biblical references of “selah” (סֶלָה) on Selah, Jezebel’s wickedness on Closed on Sunday, “Yeshua” (יֵשׁוּעַ) on Hands On, and many more. JESUS IS KING is a beautiful artwork to remind us that God is still here in every circumstance. In one of his dialogues with a celebrity pastor Joel Osteen, Kanye stated that it is God’s calling that allows him to use his platform to spread peace and the love of religion. Christ has freed himself from his demons in the past, so it’s his turn to repay what He did. In other words, God saved a wretch like Kanye West and Kanye West has found the light right from the source. Kanye West has found his stroke of serendipity.

 

Journalist: Billiam Susanto 

Editor: Ivana Belinda