Kanye West has returned with a new single and music video titled “Wash Us in the Blood” featuring Travis Scott and additional mixing duties from Dr. Dre. The track is the first offering from his forthcoming album God’s Country, the follow-up to 2019’s JESUS IS KING, and features artwork and direction from renowned cinematographer Arthur Jafa.
The project was initially teased in GQ’s April 2020 issue, describing a track called “Wash in the Blood” that featured “hard drums and Yeezus-like industrial horror noises that constantly shotgun-fires a rapping, dancing, moshing West across the concrete patio like it’s an arena stage.”
The official release feels very much in line with the iconoclastic Yeezus from 2013 — there’s thunderous drums and garish analog synths, heavy industrial underpinnings, and a revitalized Kanye West that brings back the pre-JESUS IS KING lyricist.
West has not released any music since last Christmas, when his Sunday Service Choir put out the 19-song collection Jesus Is Born, featuring gospel re-workings of West tracks, SWV’s “Rain,” and Ginuwine’s “So Anxious,” among others. Before that, West released Jesus Is King, a Number One album that included contributions from Timbaland, Ty Dolla $ign, and Clipse.
While West has been quiet for much of the year, the last few weeks brought a flurry of news. The star just announced a new arrangement with Gap to create a clothing line called Yeezy Gap. West’s deal with the company extends for 10 years with an option to renew after five, according to The New York Times; by that point, Gap is expecting West’s clothing line to be generating a billion dollars in sales.
In addition, West announced last week that he will join his longtime collaborator Kid Cudi to voice characters in an animated show inspired by their 2018 album Kids See Ghosts. On top of that, the rapper hopes to release both a James Turrell-directed Jesus Is King film and a version of the album produced by Dr. Dre. Like God’s Country, the various projects do not yet have release dates.
The project was initially teased in GQ’s April 2020 issue, describing a track called “Wash in the Blood” that featured “hard drums and Yeezus-like industrial horror noises that constantly shotgun-fires a rapping, dancing, moshing West across the concrete patio like it’s an arena stage.”
The official release feels very much in line with the iconoclastic Yeezus from 2013 — there’s thunderous drums and garish analog synths, heavy industrial underpinnings, and a revitalized Kanye West that brings back the pre-JESUS IS KING lyricist.
The song continues to build on his revitalized appreciation for God, but equally takes on the sociopolitical, with Ye addressing the broken justice system (“No choice to sell drugs/No choice, locked up”) and its affects on the marginalized. This mirrors Kanye’s recent social justice initiatives, as he donated $2 million USD to various causes, paying for George Floyd’s daughter’s college tuition and marched with Chicago Public Schools protesters in his hometown.
You can watch the video in the gallery above, and stream the single on services including Spotify and Apple Music below. The single is also available to pre-order from Kanye West’s official online shop in different formats including a 12-inch picture disc, 7-inch red vinyl, red cassette, CD and standalone digital single, all of which feature artwork by Arthur Jafa.
In related news, Kanye recently announced that some of his YEEZY GAP line will be produced in Wyoming and teased his KIDS SEE GHOSTS animated show with Kid Cudi and Takashi Murakami.
Kanye West has teased brand new music. On Twitter, he indicated that the video for a new track called “Wash Us in the Blood” will arrive tomorrow (June 30) at 10 a.m. It’s set for West’s next album God’s Country and may arrive with a visual from collaborator Arthur Jafa. Find West’s tweets, one of which features the single’s artwork by Jafa, below. Pitchfork has reached out to Kanye West’s representatives for comment and more information.
“Wash Us in the Blood” was previously mentioned in Kanye West’s April 2020 interview with GQ’s Will Welch. In addition, last month, Arthur Jafa revealed the title of God’s Country on Instagram Live.
“Wash Us in Blood” will mark Kanye West’s first new music since his 2019 gospel album Jesus Is King and the Sunday Service Choir’s album Jesus Is Born.
So far in 2020 (prior to the coronavirus pandemic), Kanye West continued to offer Sunday Service sessions. At one, he and Chance the Rapper paid tribute to the late Kobe Bryant. West also threw a Yeezy Season fashion show that featured a performance from his daughter, North West.
In addition to releasing Jesus Is King and Jesus Is Born, West staged two different Biblical operas in 2019: the Sheck Wes–starring Nebuchadnezzar opera at the Hollywood Bowl and Mary at the waterfront Miami Marine Stadium. He also gave a special Sunday Service performance at Coachella 2019.
Prior to the release of Jesus Is King, West’s last full-length solo album ye was released in 2018. It arrived as part of a string of albums he produced, including his joint KIDS SEE GHOSTS project with Kid Cudi.
See which of Kanye West’s songs landed on Pitchfork’s list of “The 200 Best Songs of the 2010s.”
You can watch the video in the gallery above, and stream the single on services including Spotify and Apple Music below. The single is also available to pre-order from Kanye West’s official online shop in different formats including a 12-inch picture disc, 7-inch red vinyl, red cassette, CD and standalone digital single, all of which feature artwork by Arthur Jafa.
In related news, Kanye recently announced that some of his YEEZY GAP line will be produced in Wyoming and teased his KIDS SEE GHOSTS animated show with Kid Cudi and Takashi Murakami.
Kanye West has teased brand new music. On Twitter, he indicated that the video for a new track called “Wash Us in the Blood” will arrive tomorrow (June 30) at 10 a.m. It’s set for West’s next album God’s Country and may arrive with a visual from collaborator Arthur Jafa. Find West’s tweets, one of which features the single’s artwork by Jafa, below. Pitchfork has reached out to Kanye West’s representatives for comment and more information.
“Wash Us in the Blood” was previously mentioned in Kanye West’s April 2020 interview with GQ’s Will Welch. In addition, last month, Arthur Jafa revealed the title of God’s Country on Instagram Live.
“Wash Us in Blood” will mark Kanye West’s first new music since his 2019 gospel album Jesus Is King and the Sunday Service Choir’s album Jesus Is Born.
So far in 2020 (prior to the coronavirus pandemic), Kanye West continued to offer Sunday Service sessions. At one, he and Chance the Rapper paid tribute to the late Kobe Bryant. West also threw a Yeezy Season fashion show that featured a performance from his daughter, North West.
In addition to releasing Jesus Is King and Jesus Is Born, West staged two different Biblical operas in 2019: the Sheck Wes–starring Nebuchadnezzar opera at the Hollywood Bowl and Mary at the waterfront Miami Marine Stadium. He also gave a special Sunday Service performance at Coachella 2019.
Prior to the release of Jesus Is King, West’s last full-length solo album ye was released in 2018. It arrived as part of a string of albums he produced, including his joint KIDS SEE GHOSTS project with Kid Cudi.
See which of Kanye West’s songs landed on Pitchfork’s list of “The 200 Best Songs of the 2010s.”
While West has been quiet for much of the year, the last few weeks brought a flurry of news. The star just announced a new arrangement with Gap to create a clothing line called Yeezy Gap. West’s deal with the company extends for 10 years with an option to renew after five, according to The New York Times; by that point, Gap is expecting West’s clothing line to be generating a billion dollars in sales.
In addition, West announced last week that he will join his longtime collaborator Kid Cudi to voice characters in an animated show inspired by their 2018 album Kids See Ghosts. On top of that, the rapper hopes to release both a James Turrell-directed Jesus Is King film and a version of the album produced by Dr. Dre. Like God’s Country, the various projects do not yet have release dates.
Kanye West is the kindest hearted, generous and noble singer that I have ever known. All this while being a talented musician who has the power to Bring Music to Life ! He owns the power to empower a whole generation through his music. Different schools of thought criticize him, but I am an ardent fan.
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