This Easter Sunday morning was so spiritually uplifting, that Kanye West himself was driven to tears. Kanye has been turning heads as clips have leaked out showing him performing with a gospel choir and band, which the world has come to know as West’s “Sunday Services.” Finally ready to bring his righteous collective to light, the polarizing musical genius brought his services to the second week of Coachella 2019.
Kanye and his collection of talent wore the same plain garb. They all walked down a hill to gather in two circles a little after 9:14am pacific.
The band started to masterfully play the “Summer Madness” by Kool and the Gang, the record DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince Will Smith sampled for their classic “Summertime.”
Instrumentals for Stevie Wonder’s “Do I Do” and The Gal Band’s “Yearning For Your Love” and “Outstanding” followed, bringing the feel of a easy going family reunion BBQ.
“We’re stepping out on faith,” the choir director said. “Can you worship with us?”
“Jesus went to Calvary, to save the wretched like you and me. That’s love,” he would add shortly later over more instrumentation by the band.
The choir repeated his words, singing them.
“They hung him high, the stretched him wide… that’s love.”
A rendition of Kanye’s “Father Stretch My Hands” and “Power” came after. West was on his keyboard jamming.
The choir then sang over the beat to Watch The Throne’s “Otis” changing the lyrics but keeping the melody;
“He makes it easier to bear. he won’t forget us. oh no, he won’t forget us. Lovvvvvve!” The crooned. “His joy is our happiness. Jesus won’t leave us. Never leave us.”
The choir and band then flipped small parts of Stevie Wonder’s “As” and Soul II Soul’s “Back To Life.”
By this time, more and more people began forming around the congregation. No stage, just a hill-top. Lil Pump was among the spectators and Kanye’s tribe includes Fonzworth Bentley, Kid Cudi , Ty Dolla $ign and Teyana Taylor.
Taylor has her own spotlight, singing a solo of Marvin Sap’s “Never Would Have Made It.”
The jam session continues with Kanye’s crew singing “Follow Me” by Aly Us. The original lyrics are so poignant and universally resonating, they didn’t have to switch the words;
“I'm hoping to see the day./When my people/Can all relate./We must stop fighting./To achieve the peace./That was torn in our country./We shall all be free./Follow me./Why don't you follow me./To a place./Where we can be free./Come with.”
Kanye finally joined the fray minutes later, really jumping on the mix for he first time rapping , “All Falls Down.”
Behind that song was brand new West material, a record called “Water,” which he debuted.
“We are water,” the choir sang...”Your love’s water.”
“Let your light reflect on me,” West added, singing himself...Let your light reflect on me. We’ll get through it because of your love.”
Chance The Rapper came out as a surprise for his verse on “Ultra Light Beam” and DMX added a prayer.
“In the name of Jesus let us pray,” X said. Taking over the Pastor duties temporarily. “Father please walk with us through the bad times. As well as the good. May we be heard as well understood from the suburbs to the hood. May you judge is by our hearts and not by our mistakes. And see that we get our breakthrough however long that it takes.”
As the music kept playing, Kanye began to cry, holding his head in his hand. Cudi put his hand on Kanye’s shoulder to comfort him and DMX gave him a hug.
West ended with “Jesus Walks” where he finished the song on his knees and his eyes closed for several seconds. His band and choir performed an encore of more music for around another 30 minutes.
Despite the fact that West has seemingly turned off a lot of his fans with his political views and pledge of Allegiance to President Trump, the “Sunday Service” was a massive win where Kanye reminded people why his was in there good great graces originally, bringing great music to the forefront.
On Saturday night, West actually did touch Coachella’s proper stage, coming out as an unannounced guest of headliner Kid Cudi. Cudi and Kanye rocked for several minutes together to close and also brought out Ty Dolla and 070 Shake.