Kanye West's Jesus Is King: Gospel Album, Merchandising, and Sunday Service

Kanye West released his ninth album, Jesus Is King, on October 25, 2019, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 with 225,000 copies sold. The album, a collection of gospel tracks, was preceded by a series of Sunday Service performances starting January 6, 2019, at his private church in Calabasas, California, and later at universities across the US. The release was accompanied by a pop-up in Los Angeles and an online store selling merchandise including socks, t-shirts, hoodies, shorts, and sweatpants featuring Jesus imagery, priced between $20 and $260. The album's release date was originally set for September 27 but was delayed multiple times due to constant revisions. It coincided with the premiere of an IMAX film shot at James Turrell's Roden Crater in Arizona. Kanye's net worth is estimated at $250 million, and his wife Kim Kardashian's at $350 million. The album follows Kanye's controversial endorsement of President Donald Trump, which led to a loss of some fans and gain of alt-right supporters. He reduced political exposure and replaced it with weekly religious gatherings. Sunday Service combined music, fashion (selling YEEZY clothing), and religion, creating a social media-friendly faith. Critics in the US were lukewarm, but the album was a commercial success. The article also notes historical precedents of pop musicians' spiritual awakenings, such as Little Richard, Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens, Run DMC, MC Hammer, Lupe Fiasco, and Chance the Rapper.