Kanye West Revives Controversial Sunday Service Choir

The unpredictable hip-hop figure Kanye West, has announced the revival of his Sunday Service Choir after years of inactivity.

West revealed via Instagram that auditions will take place Thursday, March 14, open to all interested vocalists seeking to join the performance collective.

The announcement included the startling requirement that all chosen applicants must shave their heads in order to be accepted into the choir.

This weird requirement raises eyebrows given West’s recent controversies and documented fascination with Nazi ideology that has alienated many former fans and collaborators.

The head-shaving mandate bears similarities to allegations made in a lawsuit filed by Trevor Phillips, a former employee of West’s Yeezy fashion line and Donda Academy.

Phillips claimed in his April 2024 legal action that he experienced severe discrimination and harassment while working under the rapper-turned-fashion designer.

The lawsuit further alleged that West wanted to implement similar head-shaving requirements for students attending his Donda Academy schools, named after his late mother.

Even more disturbing, Phillips stated West had planned to lock students in cages, allegedly inspired by his interest in Adolf Hitler.

The Sunday Service Choir, which started in January 2019, originally generated considerable goodwill for West, serving as a performance hub during his more Christian-focused musical period.

His evolving religious and political views have become increasingly controversial since then, culminating in explicit antisemitic statements and Nazi sympathies over the past two years.

His actions on social media have included selling Swastika-themed items, claiming to be a Nazi, and expressing his love for Hitler.

This dramatic shift stands in stark contrast to the Christian identity West emphasized during the choir’s initial run several years ago.

The Controversial Legacy of the Hip-Hop Icon

Despite the controversies that have been going on for a while, Ye is considered one of the most successful artists in the industry, having won 24 Grammy Awards and sold 160 million records worldwide.

He has had five singles reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100, the most recent being “Carnival” from his joint “Vultures” projects with Ty Dolla $ign in 2024.

Through collaborations with brands like Nike, Louis Vuitton, Gap, and Adidas with his Yeezy line, West has also made a successful breakthrough into the fashion design industry.

West’s first six solo albums were listed on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums, and Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential persons in the world twice.

The return of Sunday Service begs the question of whether West, in the midst of his increasingly extreme public pronouncements and behavioral controversies, can restore its original essence.