Kanye West’s Jesus is King Album Review by Masekepe Matsebane….
I almost did not make it past Every Hour, the first track of Jesus is King Album. The simple reason is that I am not a fan of American inspired church choir gospel kind of music, or whatever it is called. Or worse, I am not a fan of the kind of Kirk Franklin and Dr Tumi gospel. I always keep it traditional. I am a Solly Moholo, Sechaba, Hlengiwe Mhlaba and Amadodana fan. That should explain it. But the piano on the song kept me.
I have in the past watched a few Kanye West Sunday Sessions and I was hooked. So in my mind, as Every Hour played, I visualised the dancing and singing during the Sunday Sessions more than what I was listening to, to be honest. But the words were quiet uplifting. They kept reverberating. “Sing till the power of the lord comes down”. “Every hour, every minute”. I do not think it should be construed as mere singing, but it should go further to how we act and how we live our lives. I am not exemplary Christian with the best biblical grasp or metaphors to throw around, so I will keep it this simple. And for a man who has not made it to Church since 2012, please don’t expect a lot.
You do not get to hear Kanye on the first track. That alone kept me listening. I was in suspense. I wanted to hear why he kept it like that. And when he started, it was more of an affirmation than anything. An affirmation of the body of work we are now talking about. Of what we will continue to hear about. The first words are “Jesus is King, we the soldiers”. The message alone is enough. The name of the song is Selah. The biggest affirmation on the song is when he mentions John 8:33 which says we are the descendants of Abraham. We have never been slaves to anyone. Probably a direct answer from Kanye to the world. Has he been a slave to the world, to fame, to deities and so forth? Money, girls, material? He seems to rebut that. The music is beautiful. There is a loud stomp that seems to suggest how authoritative the sound is or should be. You cannot miss it. Selah practically saves the album. It also keeps hard-core hip hop fans and historic Kanye stans listening to the music as it has elements of hip hop, the message, production and that rhythm that moves you. It has what we have come to know Kanye for.
One thing that is probably lacking for me in this album is consistency. And this is a subjective opinion. Follow God sounds like the old hip hop that was here even before Kanye started. Maybe in the days of NWA, Rakim, Snoop Dogg and the Dog Pound days. The melody is smooth. The lyrics continue the God theme in the album, and the biggest is on what Christ Like is and what Christ is not. Kanye confronts his demons and what he struggles with. Posting on Instagram when he did not even like the likes. Seeking affirmation from people who did not even love him. He references where he screamed at his dad, and his dad told him that it’s not Christ Like. Living right, respecting others. But the question is, which he asks, why don’t we get told when we are Christ Like? Quiet interesting.
What is a church without the humming? Closed On Sunday starts the exact same way. The congregation, in this case the choir, remain the backbone of the track. Again, Kanye insists that he is no longer a slave to the old. He is changed. He only bows to the King on the throne. And he sings the whole verse. Something Kanye probably never realised he should do more. It’s a punchy song. On God is a further explanation of why and how his change came about. The song is funky. A few great elements with Kanye-like flows and metaphors. There are new beautiful elements, but if you listen deep enough, you hear that famous Kanye line saying “okay” on Lamborghini Mercy. You only hear it clearly at the end. But the second last line from Kanye that “I cannot let my family starve” should hit home.
The inclusion of Ty Dolla Sign and Ant Clement bring a different element to the project. The trappy, current vibe that allows you to dab at a concert, on the pulpit or just in church. The raps are great, and the message from Kanye is for people to switch their attitudes, do not look for more when you have everything you need, God.
For me, this is an introduction to what should be the best part of the album. Track number seven of the 11 song project. Water, as the track is named, is or should be Kanye’s finest work in a very long time. Supported by a wavy, vibey bassline, and harmonies choruses from Ant Clement backed by the choir, Kanye brings the tightest, deepest writing of his career. This is more than a song, it is a prayer. While Kanye in his mood on the song can depress you, Ant gives it a fitting touch that goes straight to your heart. And everything else cleanses you. The track is about being pure like a new-born daughter. Perhaps a reference to Kanye’s daughters. And when he comes on, Kanye calls for everything to be cleaned, purified, strengthened, given line anew, safety and so on. He calls for pure conversations like water. The most amazing piece of art you will hear. And even after the lyrics and the vocals, with the sound of a following water in an ocean, and the well-arranged instruments, Ant takes the song to its closing with consistent, beautiful melodies. Such beauty.
I know you are tired of reading, if you made it here. I wanted to give a quick synopsis of the last four songs starting with God Is, followed by Hands On with Fred Hammond, Use This Gospel and Jesus is Lord, but I can’t. If you have ever heard of Wendy Rene on After Laughter Comes Tears, then you get a picture of what the women in the beginning does. Pity she is not credited. Such a beautiful voice. The notes the woman keeps are amazing. A soulful feel the album never knew it needed. And for Kanye, this again is a chance to show off over what God has done to him, and he does so singing. The same way a brother in church would take the microphone and give a testimony over beats, over song. Kanye says “I know God is the force that picks me up”. Nothing better. He finished it by saying “this is not about a damn religion”, and later says “every man can overcome addiction”. This by now, should tell you that it is an album for everyone. What God is. For everyone.
Hands On if beautiful. Here, Kanye lambasts Christian who criticised and judged him when he said he wants to do a Gospel album. He says Christians made him feel like nobody loves him. But we know this. Some Christians will judge you because you Christian differently to how they do. The most judgemental bunch. In fact, they want to claim authority, salvation and the way of the Lord to themselves. Too much hatred and jealousy in the church than out.
But what is a church service without those two ragged ass brothers that are known to be too dangerous and never close to salvation giving testimonies? Anyway, Kanye starts this beautiful song with a beautiful instruction. Behind the humming and a keyboard, where one key is applied, he asks us to “use this gospel for protection. It is a hard to heaven”. He then once again continued to proclaim God the father of the Kingdom. The key continues, the humming is still there. Before you know it, right in church, and you can imagine him in a suit, clear voice and an upright pose, Pusha T gives his testimony of his life and salvation. He is followed by No Malice, who also shares his testimony.
Just as you think it is done, Kenny G brings the most humbling melodic jazzy feel that goes straight to your heart. He has a solo saxophone, which later Kanye adds a nice, heavy beat to it, while that single key is consistent in the background. Amazing stuff. If you even listened to McCoy Mrubata or Zim Nqawana, then you might have an idea of what I am talking about. You will nod, smile, and feel your skin changing. Something in you will change. You will not be the same.
Truth is, Kanye West is not mad. He does what many can never dare to attempt. His life story has been so colourful that everything he does will always invite scrutiny, but if you are to listen to the music alone in isolation and leave out all your feelings for him, then you will agree that the album is a winner. If you are a Christian, then even better. But give him a chance. He is no KRS One or others who have done it consistently. But this offering is quiet brilliant. Encouraging, assuring, uplifting and above one, a project that proves Kanye to be close to a musical genius. And the tracks are not too long. Jesus is King is an amazing body of work.
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