by Kohl Jackson

Few artists have been in the pop culture spotlight as much as Kanye West. Despite his controversial reputation in recent years, there was a time in his career when his music carried a message of unity. One album that stands out in West’s discography is Jesus Is King. While the album initially struck some as unusual, a closer look reveals a thoughtful engagement with faith and scripture.

In 2019, Kanye West surprised the contemporary Christian music world by releasing a 27-minute gospel hip-hop album reflecting his views on Christianity. Like much of his other work, Jesus Is King is deeply introspective, revealing West’s outlook on life at the time. But the album also offers his perspective on Jesus Christ and the church. It achieved significant success, topping the Billboard 200 and winning a Grammy in 2021 for best contemporary Christian music album.

The question remains: how do the views expressed on this album align with traditional Christian teachings?

Track-by-Track Analysis

Track 1 – “Every Hour”
The album opens with the Sunday Service Choir, directed by vocal director Jason White, providing a clear gospel sound. The first references to traditional church worship appear in the opening verse: “Sing ‘til the power of the Lord comes down,” a nod to classic hymns. The lyrics echo Psalms, including direct quotations from Psalm 150:1 (“Praising the Lord, praise God in the sanctuary”) and Psalm 150:6 (“Let everything that have breath praise God”). Although West does not perform on this track, it aligns with popular gospel music, emphasizing reliance on God and continual praise.

Track 2 – “Selah”
The second track marks West’s first vocal contribution. The term “Selah,” debated in its meaning, is believed to indicate a pause for reflection, as used in the Psalms. West uses this song to introduce his personal walk with God and address his recent behavior. He acknowledges his over-the-top personality but frames it as a focus on his spiritual journey. Referencing Genesis, he compares public judgment of him to the judgment Noah faced before the flood: “Before the flood, people judge. They did the same thing to Noah.”

West also references his unreleased album Yandhi, contrasting its importance with his faith-driven work, and cites John 8:33 and John 8:36: “To whom the Son sets free is free indeed,” concluding with the familiar hymn line, “He saved a wretch like me.”

Track 3 – “Follow God”
This track samples the 1974 soulful song “Can You Lose By Following God?” by Whole Truth. West reflects on the challenge of living a Christ-like life and notes that people are more likely to criticize than commend righteous behavior. Galatians 6:1 underscores this message: “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” In an Apple Music interview with Zane Lowe, West explained, “For me, when I have people around who I would like to be where I’m at in my journey, there’s times where all I can do is pray and be patient because it’s gonna always be in God’s timing.”

Track 4 – “Closed on Sunday”
One of the album’s more popular tracks, “Closed on Sunday” shifts focus from personal faith to family faith. Its theme emphasizes prioritizing family and obedience to Jesus. Lyrics such as “My life is His, I’m no longer my own” and references to a Christian chicken brand underscore its relatable, culturally grounded message.

Track 5 – “On God”
Produced by Pi’erre Bourne, West attributes all his entertainment success to God. While he calls himself the “greatest artist restin’ or alive,” he frames this boast in a way that points back to divine blessing. Jeremiah 9:23-24 warns against boasting in personal accomplishments and encourages believers to boast in the Lord instead, providing an interesting lens for evaluating the song.

Track 6 – “Everything We Need”
West reinforces that God provides all that is necessary for fulfillment. Lines like “Life too short, go spoil yourself” might seem hedonistic in isolation, but in context, they emphasize enjoying God’s provisions. The song closes by referencing Adam and Eve, highlighting humanity’s inherent abundance: “You gon’ do what Adam do? Or say, ‘Baby, let’s put this back on the tree’ ‘cause we have everything we need.”

Track 7 – “Water”
This track heavily employs water as a Christian symbol, representing purification and Christ’s love. West makes specific requests to Jesus, including, “Jesus, clean the music,” and the album’s complete lack of curse words or sexual content reinforces its spiritual focus.

Track 8 – “God Is”
Featuring substantial worship elements, West shares his personal testimony: “God is the force that picked me up” and “You won’t ever be the same when you call on Jesus’ name.” He reflects on overcoming addictions and idols, emphasizing transformation through faith.

Track 9 – “Hands On”
West addresses skepticism from Christians about his conversion: “Yes, I understand your reluctancy, yeah, but I have a request, you see. Don’t throw me out, lay your hands on me. Please pray for me.” Although West’s public life suggests deviation since the album, the idea of flawed individuals being used for God’s purpose is long established in Christian tradition, from biblical figures to saints such as Augustine. Sudden conversions often invite skepticism, but Jesus Is King repeatedly revisits this theme.

Tracks 10 & 11 – “Use This Gospel” / “Jesus Is Lord”
“Use This Gospel” originated from the unreleased Yandhi album, reworked to reflect West’s conversion. The final track condenses Philippians 2:10-11: “Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess, Jesus is Lord,” offering encouragement akin to Paul’s message to the Philippian church. The album occasionally references West’s blessings, which some interpret as prosperity gospel, though it can also be seen as gratitude for God’s provision. As West told Zane Lowe, “I’m not a theologian, I’m a recent convert.” With this in mind, Jesus Is King is biblically rich despite the controversy surrounding its artist.

Conclusion

Jesus Is King presents a unique intersection of gospel music and hip-hop, offering an introspective and scripture-driven exploration of West’s faith journey. From the Sunday Service Choir’s worshipful opening to West’s candid testimony, the album demonstrates both devotion and complexity. While some critics question the sincerity of his conversion, the album’s content reveals careful engagement with biblical texts and Christian themes.

In 2019, West may have been a recent convert, but Jesus Is King stands as a theologically interesting and culturally significant work, blending pop culture influence with spiritual reflection.