Kanye West, one of the most well known hip-hop MCs in the music industry, released a surprising gospel album, entitled Jesus is King. The release was on October 25, 2019, a year after Kanye served as creative director for the Pornhub Awards. So, it should carry some weight that in recent interviews, Kanye has been openly honest about his addiction to pornography and the negative impact it causes in popular culture today.
Some critics have wondered if this album was somehow Kanye’s attempt to revive his music sales or possibly atone for his past support for President Trump. While it did revive his music sales by becoming the first to ever top the Billboard 200, Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, Top Rap Albums, Top Christian Albums and Top Gospel Albums all at the same time, his favorable opinion about Trump didn't change in the slightest. Could it be Kanye’s motivation is displayed within the album itself? Consider the separation between hip-hop and the Christian music industry as a whole and you’ll realize all Kanye stood to lose with his release of Jesus is King.
As an artist, you have to admire Kanye for being fully transparent about what he believes and has created throughout his career. On the album, he covers his belief in God, his family relationships and his criticism for Christian's who have doubted the sincerity of his new found faith. And as with past albums, Kanye collaborates with a host of producers, from Benny Blanco, E*vax, Finatik N Zac, Francis Starlite, Labrinth, Mike Dean, Pièrre Bourne, Ronny J, Timbaland, and Warryn Campbell, among others.
While there’s not a throwaway song on the album, for me, the gospel-soul God Is has become the shining jewel off Jesus is King. On it, Kanye gives a heartfelt confession of his faith which is altogether beautiful.
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Sources: Rolling Stone + CBN News + Charles Platiau + Janine Joles