Kanye West is typically considered a secular rap artist, but he’s veered into Gospel music territory over the last few years as his faith deepens. After albums such as Jesus Is King and Jesus Is Born with the Sunday Service, the eccentric billionaire has emerged as a celebrated favorite among many of his Christian fans.
On December 2, Billboard immortalized Kanye in the Gospel space by crowning him Top Gospel Artist of 2021 and Top Christian Artist. But Pastor Mike McClure Jr., who goes by Pastor Mike Jr., isn’t exactly impressed. Pastor Mike Jr. has his own accomplishments as a recording artist.
In August, Pastor Mike Jr. was nominated for seven awards at The Stellar Awards. He wound up taking home a trophy in the 2021 Artist of the Year category as well as one in the Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year for his hit song I Got It and one for Rap/Hip-Hop Gospel Album of the Year for Big: Freedom Sessions.
After The Shade Room shared Kanye’s news on Instagram, Pastor Mike Jr. was quick with a response, writing, “Kanye West isn’t a Gospel Artist. He’s a rapper who did a gospel album.
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“Ye is an inspiration musically PERIOD. So many people are afraid to speak truth for fear of being cancelled! Something about this doesn’t feel right, and I believe we have to speak up. As cool as the Donda listening party was it felt so demonic. So NAH”
Kanye West held three public listening parties for the Donda album, but the last one in Chicago was arguably the most controversial. During the Solider Field event, he brought out DaBaby and Marilyn Manson as some sort of statement on cancel culture.
Both artists have faced numerous controversies this year. In July, DaBaby was under fire for comments he made during Rolling Loud Miami that were perceived as homophobic and sexist. Meanwhile, Marilyn Manson has been accused of numerous sexual assaults by multiple women.
Kanye West Defends DaBaby & Marilyn Manson's 'Donda' Appearances: 'They Can’t Cancel Us All'
Just last month, Manson was accused of frequently locking women in a solitary-confinement soundproof cell in an effort to punish them for being “bad.” Speaking to Rolling Stone, former assistant suing Manson for sexual assault and other charges, Ashley Walters, said he was basically proud of it.
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“He always had a joking, bragging tone,” she said. Meanwhile, another former assistant, Ryan Brown, denied ever seeing any women confined in the so-called “Bad Girls’ Room” but admitted, “It was common knowledge that’s what everybody had called it.” Manson didn’t exactly hide it either. He once said in a 2012 interview, “If anyone’s bad, I can lock them in it, and it’s soundproof.”
Pastor Mike Jr. apparently wasn’t feeling the display at the Donda listening event. Check out his comments above.
