many who see it as just another ploy to make money. One reviewer said, “It’s not about Jesus. It’s about Kanye.” Well, it’s all subjective. Sure, Kanye has been in the press for some
pretty controversial statements in the past, some of which caused an uproar within the African American community. Then again, not many rap or rock stars can say they have never been contro- versial. Does that mean the music is bad? No, it doesn’t. Critics are picking this album apart, looking for anything they can find to judge the artist by, some calling it “self-indulgent.” One critic went so far as to accuse West of name dropping” for fi- nancial gain, citing the lyrics to “Closed on Sun- day.”
“Closed on Sunday, You’re My Chick-Fil-La You’re my number one, with a lemonade.” Of course, he is alluding to the fact that the
chicken restaurant is famously Christian owned, and always closed on Sunday, so he uses that as a metaphor. In the song, he goes on to say things like “put away your cell phones” “Get down on your knees and pray,” and “love your daughters, always keep them safe, watch out for vipers, don’t let them intoxicate.” And “raise your sons, train them in the faith/with temptations make sure they’re wide awake. Follow Jesus, listen and obey.” You get the point. So, with all of this very Christian type advice, the critic rags on Kanye for mentioning Chik-Fi-La,” like that’s the first time an artist has name dropped a chain store or any of the other countless instantly recognizable names that pop up throughout all of music. The album begins with a church choir,
leading into “Every Hour,” and every song on the record is a testament to his relatively newfound Christian faith, from “Follow God” to “Jesus is Lord.” There are also quite a lot of family ori- ented lyrics, all preaching the importance of a Christian family. “Use This Gospel” could easily be a Sunday morning praise song (Perhaps with- out the rap part, although there are some very good lyrics there too, like “Hold on to your brother when his faith’s lost”). Kanye actually sings very well. The tune features a magnificent sax solo from Kenny G, and guest rappers Clipse, the brother rap duo of Pusha T and No Malice.
The song is a reworking of “Law of Attraction” from Yandi, his unreleased new album that was leaked online. West decided to shelve the album as part of his new faith. He has stated that he was getting much too arrogant and egotistical, calling himself Yahdi and Yeezus, promoting a Godlike persona. In 2013, he released “I am God.” Now, he is making music “for God.” Still, other critics trash talk the artist, say-
ing he is singing about what God has done for HIM, rather than what he has done for God. oth- ers say it is less of a gospel album and more about Kanye working through his well-documented mental health issues. It was inevitable that a superstar like West would be judged very harshly for attempting to change his image. My bottom line is, no matter what crit- ics think or even what West himself was trying to convey, this is a good album. Bear in mind, I have never been a rap fan. Not since the days of Run DMC and later Puff Daddy. West has a whole lot of good, positive messages herein, and to me, that is the whole point. Critics be damned.
-Michael Buffalo Smith
WE ONLY HAVE ONE PLANET.
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