Understandably, it’s been a rocky few years for Chicago native and rapper Mr. West.
Last year, he met with the POTUS. Then came his visit to TMZ for a live interview. Also, can’t forget that he also created THE church service to be photographed at this year.
Specifically, his church service originates from an exclusive religious gathering for family and A-List friends turned into a church service on the road. Mr. West debuted the service to the public at this year’s Coachella. Complete with overpriced Yeezy merch that would impress even Jim Bakker.
Nonetheless, I’ve been hoping Mr. West would have a Get Out, come-to-Jesus moment which sort of came true. Now Mr. West is exclusively a “Christian everything” artist.
We applaud Mr. West for finding comfort in religion, everyone deserves a bit of peace and happiness for themselves.
The MAGA-supporting rapper even finally released his highly anticipated ninth studio album, Jesus is King.
Of course, this was after plenty of weeks of teased snippets, false release dates, and curious random sound bites.
Currently, the latest “Christian Genius Billionaire” antic is performing at a certain televangelist’s Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, on Sunday.
Even performing at Harris County jail, which is a beautiful thing for the inmates but Mr. West is not salvation.
“Beware the false prophet who comes to you in sheep’s clothing, but who are, inside, raging wolves. Ye will know them by their fruit.” – Matthew 7:15 https://t.co/vjuEZshnom
— Buffy Summers (@NotGeauxGabby) November 16, 2019
“Beware the false prophet who comes to you in sheep’s clothing, but who are, inside, raging wolves. Ye will know them by their fruit.” – Matthew 7:15 https://t.co/vjuEZshnom
— Buffy Summers (@NotGeauxGabby) November 16, 2019
Spiritual awakenings in music aren’t anything new. There’s a slew of artists that have walked away for the sake of religion, while some have even come back.
Also, Mr. West is no stranger to incorporating gospel into his music before, his iconic Rhymefest-Penned Jesus Walks catapulted him into legend status.
However, this particular religious rebirth seems more like a spectacle for his redemption rather than a celebration of religious revival.
In Mr. West’s latest, Jesus is King, sounds like a sleek gospel induced album although there’s an unintentional use of irony. As opposed to centering his album around the actual gospel of Jesus, he inverts it twists it about himself.
Being raised in a devout Christian home, I’m familiar with finding religion and reawakenings. Except, Mr. West’s words seem hollow, its shell-like lyrics are ready to be filled with pious adulation.
In short, the LP targets Black audiences with its exploitative use of gospel in the background of his rap album. Worst of all is the religious manipulation for profit from largely Black occupied spaces.
Without a doubt, Mr. West focuses on religion. Conversely, it’s a facade. Remove the thin veil and the message is about himself.
It was unquestionably evident during the performance at the historically Black institution, Howard University, where Mr. West doubled down on his comments in regard to slavery. These disrespectful comments insuinate that he wouldn’t be a slave, that he’d be free. This keeps inferring that slavery is a choice.
Continuing to draw a line in the sand, as far as abandoning the community that raised and embraced him.
Of course, fans were divided even further online as well as calling the performance an oxymoron. These recent comment don’t exactly make him appear like a humble disciple. It’s more like wholesale ripping off his own culture for greed.
Even more recent, the Calabassas rapper ironically said during the megachurch service “Jesus has won the victory. I told you about my arrogance and cockiness already. Now the greatest artist that God has ever created is now working for him.”
This earned praise from Fox News’ Fox & Friends host Ainsley Earhardt, claiming “So many people are being saved because of him.” Irresponsibly phrased, this skewed take continues to fuel Mr. West’s false prophecy and his MO as of late which’s white acceptance.
In contrast, there’s a difference between a spiritual and religious awakening.
Simply adding more religious and Jesus subtexts don’t change that it chronicles his notorious persecution complex which makes him a martyr. As opposed to the savior he wants and even aims to be.
Although this isn’t a pro-cancel-culture narrative, instead, it’s a difficult realization.
Choosing to walk away as a fan, personally speaking, is necessary when artists coddle and sympathize with certain menacing political movements and its political leaders that oppress the lives of many.
On the other hand, it’s for the best when artists become problematic so that we may stop enabling behavior and hit them where it hurts the most. Their wallets, since ultimately for artists like Mr. West, is far more valuable.
Image header courtesy of @abl via Unsplash.
