Wednesday, May 23, 2012
SEX! LIES! VIDEOTAPE! And then there's Jesus...
Here's a little throwback for you. Mr. West is someone who isn't scared of controversy. As a matter of fact, he wears it proudly on his sleeve. From criticizing the President of the United States to interrupting Taylor Swift's acceptance speech at the MTV Music Awards, Kanye isn't scared to speak what's on his mind. One controversial act in particular was when he stirred up the world of pop culuture with the video and song "Jesus Walks."
What is so controversial about the song? What impact did the video have on you if any? Why does America have an uneasiness when mentioning religion in mainstream media?
[composed by Blog Group 4]
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The song is controvesial because mainstream america cannot handle the truth nor face the monster they have created. Popular music, especially hip hop and rap, has a singular and powerful message about how everyone should live their lives and how to measure success. This message is cars, money, hoes, the more the better. The music industry has so much power and censorship abilities that any artist that does not conform to this message simply does not succeed and their art is simply not displayed. I have always noticed this about deep meaningful artists, because they don't succeed as if analysis of our world and intelligence is frowned apon. I think this song is an absolute breath of fresh air. Kanye has temporarily broken out of the norm and rapped about something deep, real, and meaningful, in this case religion and Jesus. The song even points out that nobody lets you sing about Jesus but they let you sing about cars, money, and hoes. Its almost as if censorship has been flipped and corrupted in ways never thought possible. We are acutually excluding music that can positively change lives. As you can see, the subject matter troubles me. This song is controversial because mainstream america cant handle real music, only fake stuff.
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree with your arguments about society and the music that are popular and what is sensored, I do not think that Kanye is the guy to talk about it. It seems that what happens when anyone makes a stand to become religious or to "Find Jesus" they are simply coming out of a dark place in their life, or are as I believe in Kanye's case trying to sell more records. The video shows many upsetting images, showing the world out of control and briefly shows this white dove, flying in front of dark and gray clouds. The symbolism is sensationalist and shows a very image based argument appealing to pathos but not really logos. The part I found interesting was the woman who was running away from the hood and into the church is given stares and intriguing glancing towards her. Then she is left laying alone on the floor in front of the alter. Not sure what was meant by this imagery.
DeleteI find it interesting that Kanye puts himself as the preacher in this video. I think putting religion in music is so controversial because people are so different in their views. I see the twistedness that people can sing about drugs and sex but not God, but at the same time, music is another place that we don't want religion thrown in our faces. We get it so much everyday, especially being on a college campus. Music is our way to relax and we take solace in the fact that it is not preaching to us. I get that Kanye wants to make it okay for him to rap about this but I just think he is not the guy to do it. He already has such a bad reputation and to me this looks like a stunt to sell more records and be provocative instead of really trying to get religion into the music scene.
ReplyDeleteThis song is really inspirational music... I also agree that putting religious thing in the music might result some controversial, but for me, as a Christian, it doesn't seem like that Kanye is trying to convert atheists into believers. It seems like he just want people to realize how the has been changed...but also seems like that he used religion to sell more records too..
ReplyDeleteThe controversy about this song even can start from the title. The reason why does America have an uneasiness when mentioning religion in mainstream media is, I think, the religeon might be not only the choice but also the root of life value. As a christian also, it is not easy to watch that kanye wears and stands like a pastor. This music video focus on what the artist want to say not to respect the various audience.
ReplyDeleteThe controversy of this song most certainly, in my opinion, comes from the image of Kanye as a pastor in the church. While I feel as if you take this video and song with an open mind, you shouldn't be offended given the messege and lyrics of the song. I think that Kanye might have purposfully wanted to do something drastic for his video, possibly with the idea that it will draw more attention to it and people may actually pay attention to his lyrics and messege he is trying to come across. I thought it was very interesting that he brings up the fact that it's totally fine for a rapper to get on stage and rap about drugs, money, hoes ect. yet when it comes to throwing religion and Jesus in the mix, everybody has a total melt down and calls it offensive. While I can completely understand and almost agree with the use of profanity, especially during scenes where Kanye is in the church, can be taken as offensive, I do however think the overall messege and approach he took with this video fits well with the type of society we live in.
ReplyDeletethroughout the song Kanye talks about how it's the fact that he is singing a song about Jesus that wont make people want to buy his record and since he's talking about religion no one is going to want to listen to his song. these things aren't necessarily true, it's a good song with a good message. the part of the video that turns me off from it is the fact that Kanye is the preacher. He is in no position to be preaching to the rest of us about how we should find G-d and atone for our sins. I think this video would be more meaningful if he was one of the people that decided to turn away from their bad habits using religion.
ReplyDeleteI think that many artists try to use religion as a way to sell their music but fail because their music isnt religous. Many believe that you cant rap about Jesus unless your music is of the Christian Genre. I find it ironic that Kanye raps about Racism when he could be portrayed a racists in the video because the only people that are being chastised were black people. The ones that were conflicting harm on the victims were white.
ReplyDeleteSame as Jason, I am impressed by the part that the sexy dressed women walked in the church and was given stares. Before that, people in the church was also shaking heads and dancing following the rhythm. But when they saw the 3 men who were not supposed to be here, they stopped having fun and put up serious faces. This part reveals the hypocrisy of the society.
ReplyDelete'to the hustlas, killas, murderas, drug dealas even the strippas,
ReplyDeletejesus walks with them, to the victims of welfare for we living in hell here hell,jesus walks with them' I liked this line most, because kanye is trying to send people the message that no matter which positions people are in, they can sitll get salvation regardless what they have done. This can bring positive power to those who want redemption.
Religion is generally not involved in mainstream music because it is a very polar topic. Mainstream music is made to appeal to the most broad audience possible. This usually means leaving out topics that divide people or that people feel very strongly about. Also, Kyle I don't think there is really much censorship on religion in music. It's more that the major record labels don't want to release religious music because it won't sell nearly as well.
ReplyDeleteI really like the style of the song. I am not a american or a christian so i not very familiar with the content so i can not go deep in the song. But i reaaly like the music and the hip hop. The voice and the funny style is all my favourite. The big difference, super sex women and the serious church come together inn the video and this is a big shock to me
ReplyDeleteKanye is definitely making a point about religion in mainstream music. You never hear christian songs or any other religious songs on mainstream radio unless it is a hidden message. i think that Kanye is also trying to speak as an advocate for his religion to his fans. He also says that he doesn't care if this song messes up his reputation, as long as it gives him better standing with "God." It's interesting to hear a mainstream music artist make a song like this.
ReplyDelete