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Jesus Is Born

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Not to be confused with Jesus Is King.
Jesus Is Born
Studio album by
Sunday Service Choir
ReleasedDecember 25, 2019
Recorded2019
GenreGospel
Length83:57
Label
Producer
Kanye West chronology
Jesus Is King
(2019) 		Jesus Is Born
(2019) 		Jesus Is King Part II
(TBD)

Jesus Is Born is the debut studio album by American gospel group Sunday Service Choir, led by American rapper Kanye West. It was released on December 25, 2019, through INC. The album was released to coincide with Christmas and it follows the release of West's Christian-themed ninth studio album Jesus Is King, which was released two months prior in October 2019.[1] West announced the former's release date the day before the latter was released, with the group's choir director Jason White later confirming the release.

Background and recording

Kanye West, pictured in 2013, formed the Sunday Service Choir in January 2019

On the first Sunday of 2019, West began the first "Sunday Service" rehearsal, where he performed gospel arrangements of songs from his discography and other songs with choir group The Samples and frequent collaborators such as Tony Williams and Ant Clemons. In April 2019, West has claimed that he was "radically saved" around the time of the group's first public performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.[2] West's ninth studio album Jesus Is King was released in October 2019, with Sunday Service providing featured vocals on the track "Every Hour" and additional vocals on "Selah", "Everything We Need" and "Water".[3]

Release and promotion

In a pre-recorded promotional interview with Zane Lowe released a day before Jesus Is King, West announced that a Sunday Service album entitled Jesus Is Born would be released on December 25, 2019 to coincide with Christmas.[4] It was later confirmed that the album will be released on that date at a special Christmas Eve edition of Sunday Service by the group's leader Jason White, with him doing so while addressing the audience.[5] A video was shared by Complex that shows Sunday Service in the studio with a note marking the Christmas release.[6] On December 25, 2019, Jesus Is Born was released for digital download and streaming by INC.[7] The album's release differentiated from the release of Jesus Is King due to it undergoing no delays.[8] West tweeted a link of where Jesus Is Born is available for streaming on December 25, 2019, accompanying the link with the album's cover art.[9]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?6.5/10[10]
Metacritic74/100[11]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[12]
ClashMusic7/10[13]
Exclaim!7/10[14]
The Guardian[15]
NME[16]
Pitchfork7.4/10[17]
PopMatters[18]
Spectrum Culture[19]

Jesus Is Born was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, the album received an average score of 74, based on five reviews.[11] Aggregator AnyDecentMusic? gave Jesus Is Born 6.5 out of 10, based on their assessment of the critical consensus.[10]

NME's Rhian Daly described the album as "a record that is gospel through-and-through, with no quantifying statements necessary" and opined that it is not essential to "believe in a higher being or have any interest in gospel music" to appreciate the album.[16] In Billboard, Bianca Gracie praised the album for focusing more on the choir than Jesus Is King, while claiming that Jesus Is Born "builds upon West's immersive reawakening."[20] Gracie also noted that the album "wouldn't be a Kanye West-led album without a few nods to his own discography" and wrote that it "balances heritage with millennial innovation."[20] Shane Cashman from Pitchfork looked at the album as where West "assembled a massive choir to channel his Christian message in a joyous, all-consuming wave of sound" and viewed him as "using the choir as a living, breathing sampler," due to West selecting old songs to be recontextualized by the choir, despite the lack of any samples.[17] Neil Z. Yeung of AllMusic viewed the album as being "imbued by the influences of traditional gospel predecessors" and claimed that West's "production touches can be subtly heard throughout," despite the lack of vocals from him.[12]

Dean Van Nguyen was less enthusiastic in The Guardian, claiming that Jesus Is Born is not likable for those uninterested in the "religious rebirth" of West, though stated that "the album certainly fulfils its prayerful remit" and "is more full-bodied than its predecessor."[15] In a mixed review, Daniel Bromfield of Spectrum Culture wrote that despite the absence of vocals from West on the album being refreshing, "the lack of his fingerprints is disappointing."[19] Bromfield elaborated, noting that West "hasn't written any new songs" for the album and branded the content as "slim pickings."[19]

Commercial performance

After a-day-and-a-half of tracking, Jesus Is Born debuted on the US Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart at number two. The album sold 6,000 album-equivalent units, 3,000 of which came from pure album sales, though it was held off the top spot by Jesus Is King with 10,000 units.[21] The following week, the latter debuted at number 73 on the US Billboard 200, standing as the second highest entry of the week on the chart.[22] That same week, Jesus Is Born sold 10,000 album-equivalent units and remained at number two on the US Top Gospel Albums chart; this was following its first full week of tracking.[23] The album entered at number three on the UK Christian & Gospel Albums chart, one place behind Jesus Is King at number two.[24]

Nine of Jesus Is Born's 19 tracks charted on the US Billboard Gospel Songs chart. This led to West's music taking up 20 of the 25 positions on the chart at once, including tracks released under his real name and by the Sunday Service Choir, respectively; the former of which are not included on the album. "Father Stretch" stood as the highest charting track from Jesus Is Born, reaching number ten on the US Gospel Songs chart, though music released under West's real name prevented the song from charting higher.[25]

Track listing

Track listing adapted from Apple Music.[26]

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Count Your Blessings"Timothy Wright5:27
2."Excellent"Brenda Joyce Moore3:29
3."Revelations 19:1"Stephen A. Hurd5:33
4."Rain"
4:48
5."Balm in Gilead"The Clark Sisters2:08
6."Father Stretch"Kanye West5:52
7."Follow Me / Faith"
  • William Jennings
  • Eddie Lewis
  • Kyle Smith
  • Grier
  • West
7:02
8."Ultralight Beam"
  • Grier
  • West
3:21
9."Lift Up Your Voices"
7:48
10."More Than Anything"Rick Robinson6:54
11."Weak"
  • Grier
  • Morgan
3:05
12."That's How the Good Lord Works"
4:43
13."Sunshine"The Clark Sisters4:14
14."Back to Life"
3:19
15."Souls Anchored"
3:59
16."Sweet Grace"Grier1:38
17."Paradise"
4:13
18."Satan, We're Gonna Tear Your Kingdom Down"Shirley Caesar3:23
19."Total Praise"Richard Smallwood3:15
Total length:83:57

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from Tidal and Instagram and may be incomplete because official liner notes for the album have not been released yet.

  • Kanye West – executive production,[27] production[28]
  • Nikki Grier – production,[28] arrangement (tracks 4, 7, 9, 11, 14–17)[29]
  • Jason White – production, choir director,[28] arrangement (tracks 1–13, 15–19)[29]
  • Philip Cornish – production,[28] music director, keys,[30] arrangement (tracks 6–10, 12–15, 17)[29]
  • Steve Epting – arrangement (tracks 4, 7, 9, 11, 14, 15, 17)[29]
  • Jawan McEastland – arrangement (track 16)[29]
  • Paul Cornish – keys[30]
  • Nick Clark – bass[30]
  • Rico Nichols – drums[30]
  • Darius Woodley – drums[30]
  • Roland Gajate-Garci – drums[30]
  • Kyla Moscovich – horns[30]
  • Lasim Ahmed Richards – horns[30]
  • Marion Ross III – horns[30]
  • Cameron Johnson – horns[30]
  • Lemar Guillary – horns[30]
  • Chris Johnson – horns[30]
  • The Samples – choir
  • Mike Dean – mixing[31]
  • Ant Clemons[32]

Charts

Chart (2020) Peak
position
UK Album Downloads Chart (OCC)[33] 53
UK Christian & Gospel Albums (OCC)[24] 3
US Billboard 200[34] 73
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[35] 5
US Top Gospel Albums (Billboard)[36] 2

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label Ref.
Various December 25, 2019
INC [7]

References

  1. ^ Leight, Elias (October 25, 2019). "Kanye West Releases 'Jesus Is King,' Capping Hectic Rollout Saga". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 25, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  2. ^ D'Souza, Shaad (October 9, 2019). "Kanye West's pastor worked on Jesus Is King, says Kanye was "radically saved"". The Fader. Archived from the original on October 12, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  3. ^ "Jesus Is King / Kanye West". Tidal. Archived from the original on October 25, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  4. ^ Lamarre, Carl (October 24, 2019). "Kanye West Announces New 'Jesus Is Born' Album Before 'Jesus Is King' Even Drops". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 24, 2019. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
  5. ^ Zidel, Alex (December 25, 2019). "Kanye West & Sunday Service Confirm "Jesus Is Born" Drops Today". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved December 25, 2019.
  6. ^ O'Connor, Roisin (December 25, 2019). "Jesus is Born: Is Kanye West going to release a new album today?". The Independent. Retrieved December 25, 2019.
  7. ^ a b Castro, Danilo (December 25, 2019). "How to Stream & Download Kanye West's 'Jesus Is Born'". Heavy.com. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  8. ^ Klinkenberg, Brendan (December 25, 2019). "Kanye West Releases New Album 'Jesus Is Born'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  9. ^ Alter, Rebecca (December 25, 2019). "Listen: Kanye West's Sunday Service Album 'Jesus Is Born'". Vulture. Retrieved December 25, 2019.
  10. ^ a b "Jesus Is Born by Sunday Service Choir reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  11. ^ a b "Jesus Is Born by Sunday Service Choir Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  12. ^ a b Yeung, Neil Z. "Jesus is Born – Sunday Service Choir". AllMusic. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  13. ^ Thomas, Laviea (January 2, 2020). "Sunday Service - Jesus Is Born | Reviews". Clash Magazine. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  14. ^ Patrick, Ryan B. (January 6, 2020). "Sunday Service Choir Jesus Is Born". Exclaim!. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  15. ^ a b Nguyen, Dean Van (December 27, 2019). "Kanye West's Sunday Service Choir: Jesus Is Born review – gospel venture tests the faith". The Guardian. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  16. ^ a b Daly, Rhian (December 26, 2019). "Sunday Service Choir – Jesus Is Born review". NME. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  17. ^ a b Cashman, Shane (January 8, 2020). "Kanye West / Sunday Service Choir: Jesus Is Born Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  18. ^ Uitti, Jacob (January 23, 2020). "Sunday Service Choir / Kanye West: Jesus Is Born (review)". PopMatters. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  19. ^ a b c Bromfield, Daniel (January 5, 2020). "Sunday Service Choir: Jesus Is Born". Spectrum Culture. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  20. ^ a b Gracie, Bianca (December 26, 2019). "Kanye West's 'Jesus Is Born' Album Review: New Project Continues His Captivating Transformation". Billboard. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  21. ^ Asker, Jim (December 31, 2019). "Kanye West's Sunday Service Choir Debuts on Top Gospel Albums With 'Jesus Is Born'". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  22. ^ Walker, Joe (January 6, 2020). "Travis Scott's 'JACKBOYS' Debuts at No. 1". Rap-Up. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  23. ^ Asker, Jim (January 9, 2020). "Kanye West's Sunday Service Choir Soars on the Top Gospel Albums Chart With 'Jesus Is Born'". Billboard. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  24. ^ a b "Official Christian & Gospel Albums Chart Top 20 |". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
  25. ^ McIntyre, Hugh (January 8, 2020). "Kanye West Controls Almost The Entire Gospel Songs Chart This Week". Forbes. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
  26. ^ "Jesus Is Born by Sunday Service Choir on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved December 27, 2019.
  27. ^ Bloom, Madison (December 25, 2019). "Kanye's Sunday Service Choir Release New Album Jesus Is Born: Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 25, 2019.
  28. ^ a b c d "Nikki Grier on Instagram: "Update.... We're #1 on iTunes!!!!! #JesusisBorn #sundayservice OUT NOW!!!! 🚀🚀🚀🚀 I had the pleasure of writing 7 songs and Producing this album with my brothers @jasonwhiteco @philthekeys & Kanye West🙌🏾! Let me know what your favorite song is in the comments"". Instagram. December 25, 2019. Retrieved December 27, 2019.[non-primary source needed]
  29. ^ a b c d e "Credits / Jesus Is Born / Sunday Service Choir – TIDAL". Tidal. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  30. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "lemarguillary on Instagram: "What an honor to take part in this album with this group of unbelievably talented musicians! Respect to you all!! #SundayService #JesusIsBorn #KanyeWest #trombone #trombonist #schilke #hornsection #trumpet #kanyewestsundayservice #flugelhorn #gospel"". December 25, 2019. Retrieved December 27, 2019.[non-primary source needed]
  31. ^ "TheRealMikeDean on Instagram: "And another one! Worked Christmas Eve to get this out for y'all. Glad to help spread to word of god on holidays. Fitting."". Instagram. Retrieved 2019-12-26.[non-primary source needed]
  32. ^ "Ant Clemons on Instagram: "JESUS IS BORN! To end this phenomenal year! I'm so proud to be apart of this amazing album put together for your family from ours @jasonwhiteco @officiallythesamples @nikkigrier @philthekeys #happy2behere"". Instagram. December 25, 2019. Retrieved December 28, 2019.[non-primary source needed]
  33. ^ "Top 40 Album Downloads Chart Archive". Official Charts Company. January 3, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  34. ^ "Sunday Service Choir Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  35. ^ "Sunday Service Choir Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  36. ^ "Sunday Service Choir Chart History (Top Gospel Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
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