The lyrics to Jesus Walks by Kanye West provide an avenue for him to express his religious views. Through his lyrics he also compares his views to society’s perspective. When Kanye says that the “devil is trying to break him down” he is admitting that he has made mistakes, but Jesus walks with him (“Jesus walks with me”). His lyrics show that he believes Jesus is conscious of his past mistakes and poor decisions, but continues to stay with him and guide him towards the right path. Even though, they haven't spoke in awhile “I want to talk to God but cause I’m afraid we haven’t spoke in so long,” God will still be there when he stumbles, “Jesus walks with me”. Kanye mentions that you can turn on able to turn on the radio and listen to a song about ``guns, sex, lies, video tapes'', but there are no songs about religion (at least they are not played as often). He wants everyone to know that because they may not attend church every Sunday that Jesus is “walking'' with them as well.
In conjunction with the lyrics of the song, the beat plays a major aspect in grabbing the attention of the listener. The song is held together by the continuous undertone beat (bum bum) that is sung by a choir of people. Kanye’s lyrics are another aspect of the song that holds the main beat together along with sounds from other instruments such as the piano and trumpet.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Excavation
Kayne preaching from podium, ghetto, prostitute, crappy hotel, homeless guy with alcohol, cardboard, and filled shopping cart, old black man in wheelchair with angel wings (acts as a God-like character stopping cars and later turns into dove), church, kids with wings on fence lend helping hand (God-like and turn into doves), stand still traffic, savior white old man with wings and beard (possibly God meddling by saving gang member), smoke and light surrounds/halos the God-like figures, storm with lightening, crowd around fire, burning car, beat up police car, church choir, police on defense/attack, white doves, church stained glass windows, filled church pews, candles, stereotypical church members throwing hands up, gang member with cornrows, collared shirt and bandana, rival gang members (in silver chain necklace, oversized clothing, hats, sweatshirts, bandanas), bible, guy in car creeping on the prostitute, street race, , suits and nice dresses of people in church vs. prostitute's skimpy skirt vs. gang attire, shirt and heels, attacking dogs, light flooding in through doors as the three enter, havoc filled streets, fire burns up their vices (alcohol homeless man gives up and bandana gang member throws down) after they find God through the church while prostitute falls to floor in empty church
Survey
This video as well as the lyrics are thought provoking. Its stirred up controversy in both religious and hip hop circles. In order to completely understand The Jesus Walks video you must have a knowledge of what the ghetto is, a knowledge of racisim, the religious views of Kanye, and a brief background of Kanye west.
A ghetto is characterized as being an area of the inner city consumed by minorities that has great disparity ie single parent, and low income homes. Gang violence, drug dealing, and prostitution are often associated with streets in ghettos. There is a lot of racism that takes place in the ghetto, both internal and from outsiders. Many people from the ghetto see it as such a negative place that they begin to hate themselves and their surroundings. Police and other authority figures profile people from the ghetto. The media also portrays people from the ghetto as untamed, and animalistic which leads to the people from the ghetto hating themselves and alleviating growth.
Though Kanye West was not raised in the ghetto, his parents made sure he could connect with his African American peers who were less privileged than he was. Kanye is known for being outspoken and speaking with no filter. he was born in Atlanta, GA to a former Black Panther who was one of the first black photojournalist, and who is now a Christian counselor (Father) and an English Professor (Mother). This most likely explains Kanye's character. He is very intelligent and articulate, but at times has very outrageous ways of expressing himself that sometimes makes him look less than intelligent and rowdy.
Kanye west has done interviews expressing negative views of Christianity. According to his blog he has apologized and expressed that He is a Christian and his negative views on the religion are just that, negative views on the traditions created by man. Jesus Christ is his personal lord and savior and Kanye only disagrees with the hypocrisy of people who claim to be Christian. "I one thousand percent believe in God, I believe in Karma, I believe in being a good person. I’m not trying to tell people what they should believe or not believe. To each is his own. I was in situations where someone constantly used Jesus to show me how baaaad a person I was or how not perfect or not Christ like I was. When I say I don’t want to be Christ like I’m saying I’m fine with not being perfect. I’m fine with being a human being. I’m happy with just that." Kanye West (The religious beliefs of Jesus walks Director Chris Milk were not found)
A ghetto is characterized as being an area of the inner city consumed by minorities that has great disparity ie single parent, and low income homes. Gang violence, drug dealing, and prostitution are often associated with streets in ghettos. There is a lot of racism that takes place in the ghetto, both internal and from outsiders. Many people from the ghetto see it as such a negative place that they begin to hate themselves and their surroundings. Police and other authority figures profile people from the ghetto. The media also portrays people from the ghetto as untamed, and animalistic which leads to the people from the ghetto hating themselves and alleviating growth.
Though Kanye West was not raised in the ghetto, his parents made sure he could connect with his African American peers who were less privileged than he was. Kanye is known for being outspoken and speaking with no filter. he was born in Atlanta, GA to a former Black Panther who was one of the first black photojournalist, and who is now a Christian counselor (Father) and an English Professor (Mother). This most likely explains Kanye's character. He is very intelligent and articulate, but at times has very outrageous ways of expressing himself that sometimes makes him look less than intelligent and rowdy.
Kanye west has done interviews expressing negative views of Christianity. According to his blog he has apologized and expressed that He is a Christian and his negative views on the religion are just that, negative views on the traditions created by man. Jesus Christ is his personal lord and savior and Kanye only disagrees with the hypocrisy of people who claim to be Christian. "I one thousand percent believe in God, I believe in Karma, I believe in being a good person. I’m not trying to tell people what they should believe or not believe. To each is his own. I was in situations where someone constantly used Jesus to show me how baaaad a person I was or how not perfect or not Christ like I was. When I say I don’t want to be Christ like I’m saying I’m fine with not being perfect. I’m fine with being a human being. I’m happy with just that." Kanye West (The religious beliefs of Jesus walks Director Chris Milk were not found)
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