Kanye West’s New Music Video Appears to Depict the Rapture
By Movieguide® Contributor
Kanye West, now legally known as Ye, released the music video for the song “Heaven and Hell” from the certified platinum “Donda,” his 10th studio album which debuted last summer. Ever bold in his musical and personal life choices, West gives audiences quite an interesting visual and theological entry into the history of his involvement with Christianity.
The music mogul is known for his controversies and headline-making stunts, and this latest musical offering follows suit.
The music video opens with hooded figures skulking around a high-rise apartment complex, seemingly up to no good. The camera then zooms in on the figures, showing masked men, women, and even a baby in a stroller, all of whose faces are covered in a thick black fabric but with discernible facial features. While the camera pans around the scene, the lyrics describe an empty existence and false idols. West then goes on to tell the people to take responsibility for their eternal lives and cry out to God:
You cray? We cray too
You pray? We pray too
Never too late for Him to save you
This your movie ‘cause no one can play you
Devil, lay down. Devil, lay down.
This that level make devils pray now.
Hope appears to the hooded figures as West stands silhouetted against a single mystical light in a swirling tunnel of clouds. He continues to urge the lost souls to:
Pray for new life, pray for new breath
Hey, Lord, make sure it’s safe for who’s left
The lyrics continue to urge people to turn to the Lord as a tornado of souls are taken up to heaven. The music almost stops as the action turns back to Earth, showcasing those who are presumably left behind to suffer the consequences of their unrepentant sinful nature.
Such chilling visuals bring to mind the work of Hieronymus Bosch and the grotesque figures in his painting “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” or perhaps even the literary work Dante’s “Inferno.”
West does not shy away from the severity of judgment nor does he water down the message of the consequences if people fail to embrace the only saving grace which humanity has – faith in Jesus Christ.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
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