Jesus Is King

Jesus Is King is the ninth studio album by American rapper and producer Kanye West, released on October 25, 2019, through Def Jam Recordings and G.O.O.D. Music. The album features guest appearances from Clipse, Ty Dolla Sign, Serenity, Ant Clemons, Bodega Bamz, Sunday Service Choir, and Fred Hammond. West's album was influenced by his Sunday Service gatherings, which he started in Calabasas, California, and features a mix of Gospel music and Christian hip hop styles, with collaborations from Dr. Dre, Timbaland, and Pi'erre Bourne. The album's release was preceded by a series of listening parties and events, including a performance at the George Washington University and a screening at the Forum (Inglewood, California).

Background

The concept of Jesus Is King began to take shape during Kanye West's Sunday Service gatherings, which started in January 2019 and featured performances from West, Chance the Rapper, Kirk Franklin, and the Sunday Service Choir. The album's themes of Christianity and spirituality were influenced by West's own experiences with faith and his relationships with Dr. Dre, Jay-Z, and Rick Rubin. The album's title, Jesus Is King, was announced in August 2019, along with a release date and a list of featured artists, including Nicki Minaj, Justin Vernon, and Chris Rock. The album's production was handled by West, Dr. Dre, Timbaland, and Pi'erre Bourne, among others, and features a mix of Gospel music, Christian hip hop, and electronic music styles, with influences from Kirk Franklin, Tye Tribbett, and Mary Mary.

Production

The production of Jesus Is King was handled by a team of producers, including Kanye West, Dr. Dre, Timbaland, and Pi'erre Bourne. The album features a mix of live instrumentation and electronic production, with contributions from Mike Dean, No I.D., and Boi-1da. The album's sound was influenced by West's work with Jay-Z on The Blueprint and Watch the Throne, as well as his collaborations with Justin Vernon on My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and Yeezus. The album's production also features samples from classical music and Gospel music, including works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Mahalia Jackson. The album's mixing and mastering were handled by Mike Dean and Andrew Dawson, who have worked with West on numerous projects, including College Dropout and Late Registration.

Release_and_Reception

Jesus Is King was released on October 25, 2019, through Def Jam Recordings and G.O.O.D. Music. The album was preceded by a series of listening parties and events, including a performance at the George Washington University and a screening at the Forum (Inglewood, California). The album received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising its innovative production and West's vocal performance. The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, with over 264,000 album-equivalent units sold in its first week. The album also reached number one on the US Billboard Gospel Albums chart and the US Billboard Christian Albums chart, and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Tracklisting

The tracklisting for Jesus Is King features 11 tracks, including the singles Follow God and Closed on Sunday. The album's tracklisting is as follows: 1. Every Hour (feat. Sunday Service Choir) 2. Selah 3. Follow God 4. Closed on Sunday 5. On God 6. Everything We Need (feat. Ty Dolla Sign and Ant Clemons) 7. Water (feat. Ant Clemons) 8. God Is 9. Hands On (feat. Fred Hammond) 10. Use This Gospel (feat. Clipse and Kenny G) 11. Jesus Is King

Commercial_Performance

Jesus Is King was a commercial success, debuting at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart with over 264,000 album-equivalent units sold in its first week. The album also reached number one on the US Billboard Gospel Albums chart and the US Billboard Christian Albums chart, and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album's singles, Follow God and Closed on Sunday, both reached the top 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, with Follow God peaking at number 7 and Closed on Sunday peaking at number 10. The album's success was fueled by its innovative production and West's vocal performance, as well as its themes of Christianity and spirituality, which resonated with fans of Gospel music and Christian hip hop.

Cultural_Impact

Jesus Is King had a significant cultural impact, with its themes of Christianity and spirituality resonating with fans of Gospel music and Christian hip hop. The album's innovative production and West's vocal performance were widely praised, and the album's success helped to further establish West as a major force in the music industry. The album's influence can be heard in the work of other artists, including Chance the Rapper, Kirk Franklin, and Tye Tribbett. The album's cultural impact was also felt beyond the music industry, with its themes of faith and spirituality resonating with fans of Christianity and religion. The album's success helped to further establish West as a cultural icon, and its influence can be seen in the work of other artists, including Drake, The Weeknd, and Kendrick Lamar. Category:Kanye West albums