Kanye West’s Album Title Yeezus Causes Controversy
June 6, 2013 by Emma Reynolds
Kanye West’s career in the music industry started with the release of his hit, Jesus Walks. It was then that he created a name for himself, setting him apart from many other performers in the business. The song relays a message about society’s relationship to religion. And while it’s true that West is no Jay-Z, and his reputation in Hollywood is anything but pleasant, than why is his latest album causing so much tabloid controversy?
West’s new album, titled Yeezus, is set for release June 18 and has critics and fans alike questioning who Kanye thinks he is. “Yeezus” is both a nickname Kanye’s peers gave him, but also a mocking of the name “Jesus.” This album also has a song titled I Am a God. But it’s not solely the mockery of a religion, it’s the person behind the music. Celebrities like Madonna have poked fun at the Christian religion in the past. Like on her 2006 tour where she crucified herself in front of fans, and in 1989 when she burned crosses in her Like a Prayer music video. Although poking fun at a religion in the public eye will never avoid controversy, Madonna has accomplished far greater in her career than West, making critics and fans more accepting. She arguably created the pop genre and redefined the music industry single-handedly, making people a little less shocked of her actions as a performer. As for West… not quite.
This isn’t the first time West has created controversy. In 2005, West blamed President Bush for not providing enough aid to the African-American Hurricane Katrina victims. And let’s not all forget when he interrupted Taylor Swift at the 2009 MTV Music Awards during her acceptance speech for an award he thought Beyonce should have won.
In addition, West is expecting a child with Kim Kardashian, who may have more haters than she does fans. Time will tell what is to come of West’s album and may be the true test of how loyal his fans are.