5 Of The Best Tracks From Kanye's Gospel Era
Kanye West is known as one of the most controversial, talented and outspoken artists of our generation. From his widely-acclaimed debut album “The College Dropout” with its high-pitched soul samples to the polarising and borderline blasphemous “Yeezus”, through to the self-proclaimed gospel album “The Life Of Pablo”, God, spirituality and religion have always been a big part of the music of Kanye.
“Jesus Walks” on the College Dropout proclaimed that Kanye needed Jesus “the way school need teachers/the way Kathie Lee needed Regis”.
“Never Let Me Down” featured Jay-Z bragging, but also J-Ivy stating that “it’s not me, it’s He that’s lyrical, I’m not a miracle, I’m a heaven-sent instrument.”
Clearly, Kanye has wrestled with his spirituality for years, and that’s been plain to see through his music. He now is a self-proclaimed Christian, and has proceeded to conduct a number of interviews with personalities such as Zane Lowe, Jimmy Kimmel, and Charlemagne, where he expounds on his Christian faith. He started Sunday Service in 2019, a church service filled with gospel remakes of popular songs, and rehashes of gospel classics, which he ended up taking to Coachella, various famous churches in the USA and arenas around the world.
There has been some controversy as to the veracity of Kanye’s Christianity, and whether he really means what he professes - we can only pray that he is truly a believer and that God continues to guide and lead him into truth. Meanwhile, he’s been releasing some amazing music, and we thought we’d give a list of 5 of our favourites from his two 2019 releases “JESUS IS KING” and “JESUS IS BORN”.
1. Every Hour (Jesus Is King, 2019)
A beautiful refrain imploring us to “sing till the power of the Lord comes down”, with a classic 80s gospel album feel - it actually sounds like a sample that Kanye West would use!
2. Lift Up Your Voices (Jesus Is Born, 2019)
Remaking Sia's “Elastic Heart” here, this track takes us straight into worship. Beautiful. Definitely needed the reprise…”for all the things He has done”…
3. Hands On (Jesus Is King, 2019)
A really heartfelt song here from Kanye - he opens up about how he feels about the judgement from the Christian community. Accompanied by Fred Hammond with some beautiful vocals.
4. Rain (Jesus Is Born, 2019)
The best cover on the album hands down. The first of 2 SWV covers here, they remake a love song by SWV into a Kirk Franklin-esque call for the Holy Spirit to rain down on us. Opening with some beautiful bass work, the song builds into a classic church choir groove with a very Kanye twist. The vamp very much reminds us of “Melodies From Heaven” - works with the whole rain metaphor!
5. Ultralight Beam (Jesus Is Born, 2019)
“FAITH”. Remixing the Ultralight Beam from “The Life Of Pablo” almost seems like Kanye is trying to truly signify his move into Christian music - removing the profanity and cleaning it up to be a pure gospel record with just a choir really works! Jason White beautifully directs the choir throughout the album, and this song is no different - he takes the lead and coaxes the singers to higher and higher heights. Philip Cornish accompanies on organ with very tasteful chord placements, providing a strong bedrock for Jason and the choir to soar! We still aren’t exactly sure what an Ultralight Beam is though…anyone?