Rapper Kanye West is facing backlash after calling himself “the new Jesus” on his new album “Vultures 1,” which includes a song called “Carnival” that’s reportedly filled with sexual violence and obscene language. West, who is now known as Ye, released the latest album on Feb. 10 as a collaboration with Ty Dolla $ign, which was infused with profane language.
The 46-year-old rapper recited during his song, “They served us the porn since the day we was born / Anybody pissed off, gotta make ’em drink the urine. Now I’m Ye-Kelly, b—, now I’m Bill Cosby, b— / Now, I’m Puff Daddy rich, that’s Me Too me rich.” After more verses filled with crude sexual references and a reference to pop star Taylor Swift, West states: “I’m the new Jesus, b—, I turn water to Cris.'” The rapper mentions actor Bill Cosby and R&B singer R. Kelly, who have both suffered from adverse reputations after sexual assault allegations were brought up against them.
Cosby’s criminal conviction was later overturned, but he was found civilly liable for sexual assault. Sean “Diddy” Combs is another celebrity who has formerly had sexual assault convictions brought up against him. West calling himself the “new Jesus” prompted criticism from Christian commentators on social media and responses from others seeking to defend the rapper. Christian rapper Bryson Gray tweeted, “Kanye fans getting mad at Christians for calling him out only comes from emotions. We are holding him to standards that he has publicly set for himself. Cool, you don’t care how inconsistent he is. That doesn’t change the facts, though.”
In recent years, West has claimed to have found a Christian faith. Before controversy surrounding anti-Semitic comments plagued his reputation in the last two years, he released music with Christian themes. He also began hosting “Sunday Services,” which drew thousands for live events at American megachurches that starred different famous Christian leaders and Christian celebrities. West recently made headlines after having a lower-budgeted Super Bowl commercial promoting his Yeezy fashion line. He was also spotted at the game wearing a crucifix mask from designer Alexander McQueen.
Advertisers have previously been urged to drop the rapper over anti-Semitic remarks that he made that have drawn the ire of many, including conservative commenter Ben Shapiro and Jewish advocacy groups. In December, a few weeks before the release of his new album, West issued an apology in Hebrew to the Jewish community. In a social media post, the rapper “sincerely” apologized to the Jewish community for “any unintended outburst caused by [his] words or actions.” He maintains that he didn’t mean to demean anyone.
West stated, “I am committed to starting with myself and learning from this experience to ensure greater sensitivity and understanding in the future. Your forgiveness is important to me, and I am committed to making amends and promoting unity.” In 2022, West appeared to compare himself to Moses, the biblical figure who received God’s Ten Commandments and led the enslaved Israelites out of Egypt. “No one asked Moses how much he slept,” West had written on his Instagram story, with the post displaying white text over a black background.