Kanye's Coachella Sunday Service

If we had Your eyes, We’d see things right.

If we could just see from Your point view,
Then most things won’t be as they seem,
If we had Your eyes, If we had Your eyes
– Michelle Williams, If We Had Your Eyes

For those of us watching YouTube’s stream of Kanye West’s Sunday Service through the lens of an eye, far away from the hills of Coachella’s festival grounds, many of us had “chuch”. My thoughts immediately went to the lyrics of Michelle Williams’ (of Destiny Child) song, “If We Had Your Eyes”.  

After all, it was Resurrection Sunday (or Easter for some folks), and we all were attending a song service that combined our love of Gospel and Hip-Hop music. Fifty or so blessed voices marched in with choir robes only Kanye West could design; harmoniously singing some of our favorite gospel songs:  Hezekiah Walker’s “Lift Him Up”, Richard Smallwood’s Psalm 8, commonly known as, “Oh Lord, How Excellent”, and the beloved GMWA Mass Choir’s “No Greater Love”. As an expression of Kanye’s spiritual beliefs, the choir uplifted the name of Jesus with remixes of “Summer Madness” by Kool and the Gang, Stevie Wonder’s “Do I Do”, and “Back to Life” by Soul II Soul.

DMX blessed us with prophetic prose and prayed for healing and restoration.  Kanye West blessed the mic with “Otis”, “Jesus Walks”, and “All Falls Down” before introducing a new song called, “Water.” Guest soloist, Teyana Taylor sang her version of “Never Would Have Made It” and Chance the Rapper rendered “Ultralight Beam” to the service.  Praise and worship never looked like this!

Sunday Service allowed patrons to bask in the glow of God’s love, moving many in the choir, those on social media, and even West to tears. Whether this was intended to be viewed through the lens of God’s eye, a third eye, a black pearl, or to serve as a focal point of reflection into our own lives, the lens provided a glimpse into the Black church and the healing that comes from letting everything go in song. Before closing out to the Jones Girls’ “Nights Over Egypt”, the band and percussion sections were given a chance to use their instruments to offer their praise to honor Jesus Christ the risen Savior, who we were celebrating that day.

Comment below! Let us know what the lens meant to you.

-a