Kanye West caused a fresh round of religious controversy earlier this week, as reports ran rampant that the rapper was about to drop a new album called “I Am God.”
Yet, new reports claim the rumor was a bit premature, that Kanye only plans to release a song with that title, rather than an entire album. The source continued that the real title is actually “I Am A God.”
Regardless of the exact title, this is not the first time Kanye has played with religious imagery in his music.
In 2004, West released “Jesus Walks,” which contains the lyrics “God show me the way because the devil trying to break me down/(Jesus Walks)/The only thing that that I pray is that my feet don’t fail me now (Jesus Walks).”
The song won West a Grammy in 2005, and prompted questions about his religious beliefs.
Kanye has stated multiple times he considers himself a Christian. “Christianity is embedded in who I am, so I will still say things like this is a blessing, amen, and still say prayers; things that your Grandmother embedded in you,” West said in a 2009 interview.
Yet, his Christian beliefs have not prevented him from using controversial religious images in his music promotion. Perhaps most shocking of all was West’s 2006 Rolling Stone cover, where the rapper appeared adorned with a crown of thorns, mimicking the crucifixion. The article was controversially titled “The Passion of Kanye West.”
Yet, somewhere between 2006 and now, West’s ego has become god-like. Also in the 2009 interview, West commented on how his brand is something to “believe in.” “What I have to realize and what shocks people, or polarizes people is that I’m actually a brand,” Kanye said. “I’m something that people build up and believe in.”
Given these comments, his interrupting antics, and self-indulgent rants, it comes as no surprise he plans to release a song or album titled “I Am God.”
With all this God talk encircling West, how does baby Mama Kim Kardashian fit into the analogy? If Kanye is God, surely Kim is not the virgin Mary…
