Review: 'JESUS IS KING'
“JESUS IS KING” by Kanye West revealed something about the rapper most of his listeners didn’t expect — his genuineness.
Stylistically, “JESUS IS KING” is quintessentially Kanye West. It reminisces on the characteristics of his older records. The gospel-soul samples such as the one utilized in “God Is” recalls his time as an in-house producer.
The dramatized and battleful tone of his 2013 album “Yeezus” is echoed in “Selah.” West’s auto-tuned vocals throughout the record unveil the connection to “808s & Heartbreak” to the vulnerability and messiness of “The Life of Pablo.”
The 11 song, 27-minute record is a journey through West’s mistakes, but focuses on his revelations and salvation with the help of features from Ant Clemons, Ty Dolla $ign, Fred Hammond and Kenny G.
“JESUS IS KING” stands out among the rest of his discography due to its simplistic and relatively shallow lyrics (compared to his previous records).
Rawiya Kameir, a contributing writer for Pitchfork, believes this album is splendidly produced but inherently flawed.
“Kanye albums used to stretch our perspectives and imaginations,” Kameir wrote. “Now they illuminate the contours of his increasingly shrunken world.”
While that statement may ring true for some of West’s listeners, the lyrics reveal a man honestly struggling and fighting for something he believes in. Sure he pulls surface level scripture and Biblical references, but it shows he is learning.
Christianity and religion are not new to West, but a devout faith and zeal in Jesus Christ are. All new believers go through the phase of memorizing “Sunday school scripture” because it lays a foundation. West is laying his foundation.
If a Christian rapper like Lecrae, KB, or Trip Lee were to be the one saying “From the rich to the poor / all are welcome through the door / You won’t ever be the same when you call on Jesus’ name,” no one would think twice.
Why does West’s past automatically disqualify him from a radical change? It is hard to believe, but it is certainly not impossible.
Some wonder how West will go about performing his older records, or if he will at all. Songs like “Gold Digger,” “Stronger” and “Ultralight Beam” are smash hits, but all explicit.
It’s too soon to tell whether or not West will continue to perform the songs that made him famous the way he has been for the past 15 years, but it’s something to watch for.
A change in his vocabulary and performance behavior may answer the questions of the legitimacy behind West’s switch.
Until then, all West asks for in “Hands On” is for someone to pray for him. He closes with the defensive plea, “I deserve all the criticism you got / If that’s all the love you, that’s all you got / To sing of change, you think I’m joking / To praise His name, you ask what I’m smoking / Yes, I understand your reluctancy, yeah / But I have a request, you see / Don’t throw me up, lay your hands on me.”
Conclusively, “JESUS IS KING” is a solid record with superb production connecting the Kanye West characteristics that make him the icon he is.
Whether or not you like the lyrics or believe their intent is genuine is ultimately determined by your belief in West’s actions speaking louder than his words.
