Messiah or Madman?
One profitable prophet.
Introduction
Kanye West a.k.a. “Yeezus” believes himself to be a god. Many believe his ranting to be nothing more than that of an extreme narcissist, or even just an ordinary man with high self esteem and some even believe him to be a lunatic. But what if those critics are wrong, what if “Yeezus” is the savior we’ve been promised through Christian theology.
Through research I’ll be trying to answer the simple question: “Is Kanye West really a god? And if not, what is he? And what does it mean for us?” As perhaps West is a prophet, or a simple philosopher, rather than the embodiment of Christ. If this be the case, should we heed his words, or ignore him until after he’s gone.
By researching West’s life, starting from his upbringing, his beginnings in music, all the way to his current standing, his fashion line and even personal life perhaps there will be enough evidence to support this seemingly outlandish claim. I plan to study not only his history, but his lyrics, his interviews, his speeches, but also to compare his teachings with those of the bible and other prophets. I also plan to study religious scholarship, to see where West could fit in.
Kanye West may be provocative, he might be hated by many conservative Christians, but wasn’t Jesus cast out as well?
About Kanye West
West was Born in Atlanta Georgia on June 8th, 1977, Following his parents divorce when he was three his mother, Donda West-an english professor raised him in the South Side of Chicago, and spent summers with his father-an award-winning photographer who then went on to be a successful church counselor. Perhaps this is what began West's connection with religion.
After graduating from Polaris High School West completed one year of art school at Chicago State University. West then moved to New York in 2001 to pursue his music career, he ended up working producing for Jay-Z, Ludacris, and Beyonce.
Then in 2002 West signed his own deal with Rock-a-fella Records to record an album. But on the way home from a recording session one night tragedy struck, and West fell aslep at the wheel and was involved in a near-fatal head on collision, leaving him with a fractured jaw, wired shut. This Near death experience could have perhaps brought clarity to West, as many regard near death experiences as a religious experience. Or maybe not, either way, the accident prompted West's award winning single "Through the wire," and basically skyrocketing him to fame. The rest is basically history. From hardships and torment; came fame and respect. And now we have all heard of the Gospel of Kanye.
About Jesus
Jesus Christ is someone almost everyone has heard of. Born out of exceptional circumstances to say the least Jesus spent his early years as a carpenter. Not much is known of his early years but it is said that after hearing "John the Baptist's preaching he ended up joining the crowd being Baptised in the Jordan River, following this baptism Jesus went to the desert to pray, and again, the rest is history.
Parallels Between the Two
Both West and Christ were raised pretty humbly, acheiving greatness later in life. Christ through meeting "John the Baptist," West though the influence on Jay-Z's "The Blueprint" album. Each of these influential men had something to say, whether about the institutions that bind us, or about God himself. Both men have also had a brush with death, Jesus, through death and resurrection knew extreme suffuring, and West, who had a near-fatal accident, which changed everything. So what's really that different about these two?
Both had something to say, loyal followers, and ample critics. While Jesus was more humble, by far, but perhaps that both were a victim of societal norms in that regard.