The world might not really know what to make of Kanye West right now, based on the extremely mixed reception of his most recent release, ‘Jesus Is King‘ – but for a couple hundred Texas jail inmates, the guy is probably pretty okay by them.
West stopped by a Houston jail on Friday to perform a bunch of songs off ‘Jesus Is King’ for an audience of inmates, two days before he’s due to appear at televangelist Joel Osteen‘s gigantic Lakewood Church.
The rapper and about 100 singers and musicians performed for 200 male inmates at the Harris County Jail in Houston, Texas, before popping across the road to perform for a smaller crowd of female inmates.
It was reportedly an almost total surprise for the people in the jails, as organisers had kept the whole thing very hushed up.
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez tweeted about the appearance, saying:
“I know he has a busy weekend in H-Town surrounding his visit to @lakewoodchurch, so appreciate him and his choir spending time with us.”
By all accounts, it looked like a pretty fun time – as fun as you can expect in jail, I mean. Like his other Sunday Service shows, this one was heavy on the faith aspect, which was clearly important to lots of the audience.
WATCH: a look inside the @HCSOTexas jail as @kanyewest performed for inmates and shared motivational words. @abc13houston pic.twitter.com/V6NCBDOPXe
— Shelley Childers (@shelleyabc13) November 15, 2019
Say what you want about the man. But @kanyewest and his choir brought some light to people who needed it today at the Harris County Jail. pic.twitter.com/ornRlEldNP
— Jason Spencer (@JSpencer_PR) November 15, 2019
On this date, @kanyewest visits @HCSOTexas jail system. “This is a mission, not a show”- Kanye
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) November 15, 2019
Happening now: @kanyewest’s choir and production crew packing up outside the Harris County Jail. Both male and female inmates were treated to small concerts in advance of West’s @lakewoodchurch appearance this wknd. More via @KHOU: https://t.co/Mwv07kVTEM #khou11 #htownrush pic.twitter.com/BIsYSJojqy
— Jason Miles (@JMilesKHOU) November 15, 2019
“God is good.” That’s the message from dozens of choir members as they leave the @HCSOTexas jail, where they performed with @kanyewest for 2 groups of inmates today. @abc13houston pic.twitter.com/1GmoezH84z
— Shelley Childers (@shelleyabc13) November 15, 2019
The walk to find faith, mercy, grace & forgiveness isn’t straight and definitely is not easy.
Everyone’s journey is as unique as the individual. And hope can be found anywhere.
All of this news about Kanye West in Houston reminds me: who are we to judge? https://t.co/h3198l8klk
— Melissa Correa (@MelCorrea_HOU) November 15, 2019
Who’da predicted that the guy who’d hew closest to Johnny Cash‘s whole schtick would be Kanye fucken West. Good on him.
