After eight albums full of rap and R&B songs, Kanye West dug deep into his church roots and released his ninth album Jesus is King on Friday, October 25. When people hear the words “Christian music,” smooth background music full of guitars and pianos mixed in with soft or gospel voices come to mind. West released Jesus is King as a Christian rap album, different than what he usually produces. According to an interview with celebrity gossip guru Perez Hilton, West states that he remains 100 percent serious about never performing his old music in its original form again. Along with the album release, an IMAX movie was released the day before to help tell the story behind why West produced the album. 

The album starts off with “Every Hour,” which contains his Sunday Service choir. West formed this group when he began doing his pop-up Sunday church services where his choir performs with him. Compared to others on the album, this song maintains the sounds of old school gospel music, a good choice considering that West does not sing in this song. The choir sings the song in unison and brings out harmonies that make listeners feel the presence of the Lord with them.

West’s next song, “Selah,” starts off with an organ playing; he then starts rapping about God while referencing multiple Bible verses. In the middle of the song, bass drums start banging and his Sunday Service choir begins singing “Hallelujah,” which brings chills to listeners. Overall, the powerful background music and the addition of the Sunday Service choir in the song helps listeners understand how much West appreciates and worships the Lord.

Following this song, “Follow God,” starts off with an old school song playing with an older man singing the following lyrics:

“Father, I stretch

Stretch my hands to you,”

These lines signify how West lost himself and began searching for a light in his life. West felt something was missing from his life, and this song talks about how he began finding God’s love and how God saved him from his sins. The song ends with a haunting scream and “Closed on Sunday” begins immediately. 

“Closed on Sunday” begins with guitar plucking and the Sunday Service choir humming in the background. The song makes listeners laugh as West quotes and mentions the popular fast-food chain restaurant Chick-fil-A. West then sings the following lyrics:

“Closed on Sundays, you’re my Chick-fil-A

Closed on Sundays, you’re my Chick-fil-A.”

These lines reference the popular and notably Christian restaurant Chick-fil-A, which closes on Sundays so workers can attend church. Originally, Christians would not work on Sunday so that they could devote the day to worshiping and serving the Lord. West wrote this song to make people rethink how they spend their Sundays, saying that people should spend their time worshipping and with their families. 

The album also consists of four songs with features from various artists, specifically “Use this Gospel” featuring Clipse and Kenny G. This song starts off with one piano note played repeatedly while West repeatedly sings “oh.” West then only sings the chorus of this song while letting Clipse, the brother duo, rap the two verses. At the end of the song, Kenny G. plays a solo on the saxophone. The song brings goosebumps to listeners as the powerful background music and lyrics make people rethink their relationship with God. West made this song with the intention that fans would use this song to protect them from their sins and help them start over. 

Overall the release of the album shocked fans, as they initially felt skeptical about how the album would turn out. West provides a new take on gospel music as he mixes rap with a church choir which made listeners sit back and think about their lives.

“I really liked the album. I enjoyed the production and I can tell he took his time in production and features,” Magnet junior Rashida Jalloh said. 

The Chant’s Grade: B