[HOST] Kanye West’s “Sunday Service” is the performance arm of Yeezy’s recent
turn to gospel music.
[HOST] Beginning in January 2019 as an invite only gathering at his Calabasas, California
home, ‘Sunday Service’ has moved to everywhere from the Adidas headquarters, to the hills
of Coachella to most recently at an AME Church in Queens, New York.
[HOST] While Kanye is present at every ‘Sunday Service,’ the primary voices heard are The
Samples choir led by Jason White.
Kanye: It’s a idea that we had to open up our hearts and make music that we felt was
as pure and as positive as possible.
[HOST] Kanye first mentioned the name “Sunday Service” on 2012’s “New God Flow.”
[HOST] The Samples in coordination with with Ye, lead audiences in holy renditions of Mr.
West’s hits like ‘Through The Wire,’ which becomes ‘Through The Fire.’
[HOST] As well as “Ultralight Beam”
[HOST] But it’s not just Kanye cuts, other contemporary hits get similar treatment.
They covered Travis Scott & Drake’s “SICKO MODE...”
[HOST] Legendary rock band Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and “Come As You Are.”
[HOST] No Doubt’s “Don’t Speak,” became “Lord Speaks” which drew heartfelt praise
from the band’s front woman Gwen Stefani.
She said quote.
[HOST]I’m in shock hearing this song turned into a worship song at Kanye’s Sunday Service
- I literally started crying
[HOST] Mariah Carey had similar words for Ye after hearing her 1997 cut, “My All,”
get the Sunday Service spin.
She wrote quote.
[HOST] This choir is killing this arrangement and song!
I neeeed to speak to whoever put the arrangement together and rewrote the lyrics..
Beautiful.
Thank you
[HOST] Singer Sia even joined in while at a service on Kanye's holy rendition of 'Elastic Heart.'
[HOST] But the reception isn’t all love.
After The Clark Sisters 1980 gospel cut, “Ha-Ya” was redone at Kanye’s Easter Sunday Coachella
appearance, they posted their thanks but made sure to include that, quote.
[HOST] We own the rights to this music.
[HOST] Kanye also interpolated Tracy Chapman, who is notoriously protective of her music,
by turning her 1988 cut, “Fast Car” into “Great God.”
[HOST] Now, gospel covers of popular songs are not anything new and have been happening
in churches for decades.
One example, Nick Jonas’ gospel version of his song “Jealous” has more than 15
million views on YouTube.
[HOST] Kanye’s said to be focusing on gospel music for the rest of his career so this is
probably is not the last time we’ll see him cover a secular song, with a religious
twist.
[HOST] I’m Jacques Morel with Genius News, bringing you the meaning and the knowledge
behind the music. Peace!