Rapper and producer Kanye West’s ninth studio album, “Jesus Is King,” has debuted on Billboard’s Top 200 albums chart at No. 1, the magazine reported Sunday.
The popularity of West’s new gospel album, released Oct. 25, places him in a tie with the rapper Eminem for the most consecutive No. 1 debuts in the history of the chart.
The Billboard Top 200 ranks the most popular albums of the week, based on data collected by Nielsen Music. The rapper Jay-Z still holds the record for the most No. 1 debuts on the Billboard Top 200, with a total of 14, although they were not consecutive.
West also made his first ever appearance on Billboard’s religious charts, opening at No. 1 on both the Top Christian albums and Top Gospel albums tallies, the magazine said.
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Reflections on Christianity have been part of West’s music since his 2004 debut album “The College Dropout.” His 2013 album “Yeezus” featured a single titled “I Am a God” that identified God as a featured performer.
Still, “Jesus is King” is West’s first album that focuses solely on Christian themes. During a surprise appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” last month, the musician declared, “I now have given my life to Jesus Christ, and I work for God.”
The 11-track album is free of curse words and full of religious references. The rapper reportedly asked everyone working on the project to fast and abstain from premarital sex.
The album also hints at criticism that’s been levied against West, who supports President Donald Trump and has made controversial political statements, like suggesting that slavery was a choice. In “Closed On Sunday,” he refers repeatedly to the Christian-owned fast food chain Chick-fil-A, which is popular among conservative Christians because it doesn’t open on Sundays and its charitable arm donates to anti-LGBTQ causes.
Source: ‘Jesus Is King’ Is Kanye West’s Ninth Consecutive No. 1 Album Debut: Billboard
