Rapper Kanye West surprised students at Howard University with a pop-up Sunday Service.
Hundreds of young people turned out to hear his version of a musical, non-traditional gospel on Saturday morning.
Accompanied by his wife, Kim Kardashian, and two of his children, North and Saint, he arrived on the last day of their Homecoming week and performed on the university’s lawn.
Student Kennedy Shelton, 21, told the PA news agency: “It was exciting yet conflicting considering his political ideas don’t line up with mine, but the service was good and I think the spirituality of the moment transcended any politics or personal opinions.”
Milan Smith, 18, added: “Definitely was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“Howard University is an unpredictable school so when they announced that he was coming I couldn’t pass it up.
“The choir in his Sunday Service is really amazing it gave me chills honestly and it was great vibes and I enjoyed listening to the music and words of God.
DC Howard University ready #SundayService pic.twitter.com/xuEZBZpca1
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) October 12, 2019
“He talked about how God has brought his sanity and clarity back to him and how he started doing Sunday Service to get closer to God.
“He didn’t really speak much it was more so about the music and just feeling the words of the gospel songs.
“Kim Kardashian was there with Saint and North and they had two gentlemen come to speak about how Kim has helped them get out of prison and they now have their lives back on track.”
Kanye having church, and I’m glad Because I was hellish last night #HUHC19 pic.twitter.com/E0AVMuIOM7
— Kennedy Shelton (@kbelle1998) October 12, 2019
However, not everyone enjoyed his performance.
Howard University professor Keneshia Grant wrote on Twitter: “This Kanye church thing makes me uncomfortable. There, I said it.”
Chair of the Howard University department of Afro-American studies Greg Carr added: “If @kanyewest is indeed at #HowardU this morning, send him to the third floor of Founder’s Library after he’s done. I have some books for him.”
If @kanyewest is indeed at #HowardU this morning, send him to the third floor of Founder's Library after he's done. I have some books for him.#TheMiseducationOfTheNegro
— Greg Carr (@AfricanaCarr) October 12, 2019
The rapper caused an outcry last year when he appeared on gossip website TMZ’s TV show saying: “When you hear about slavery for 400 years… For 400 years? That sounds like a choice.”
But in a new interview with the New York Times he clarified his comments, saying: “I said the idea of sitting in something for 400 years sounds – sounds – like a choice to me, I never said it’s a choice.”