Many people may have forgotten, but Kanye West said he would release a new album, Jesus is Born, on Christmas Day.
The rapper and producer made the announcement in a pre-recorded interview with Zane Lowe on Beats 1 Live in October, ahead of the release of his latest album, Jesus is King. He referred to it as a “Sunday Service” album.
It is unclear whether Jesus is Born will be another gospel-influenced record, a traditional hip-hop album, or West covering his favourite Christmas songs.
Jesus is King arrived after a string of delays, and received mixed to negative reviews from critics.
While West has been relatively quiet on social media, Complex shared a clip showing his Sunday Service choir in the studio with a note marking the Christmas Day release.
At a preview of his documentary, also titled Jesus is King, West told his Chicago audience that he was only planning to make gospel music from now on.
“It’s no surprise, but still no less disappointing, that with all of West’s last-minute meddling of the album’s mixes the record lacks cohesion,” The Independent said of West’s latest album.
“Jesus is King feels more like a collection of well-produced skits than a full studio album, and fans will no doubt be wondering whether all the hype and stress that preceded its unveiling was worth it. “Thou shalt love thy neighbour, not divide,” West raps on “On God”. But on this album and as an artist, divide is all he seems to be doing.”
