Kanye West’s ‘Yeezus’: Tribute or Travesty?

Kanye West’s new album, available June 18, is expected to be called “Yeezus.” The title may be a riff on the artist’s nickname, “Yeezy”, but it is certainly a play on the name Jesus as well, and will certainly raise questions as a result.  Is this title a tribute or a travesty?

As a rabbi who is endlessly fascinated by the historical character called Jesus, and genuinely moved by some of the teachings attributed to him in the New Testament, I remain calm as these questions begin to swirl as whatever I think about Jesus and his story, he is not a divine figure for me.  That said, the place of faith in popular culture, even other peoples’ faith, affects us all regardless of what faith or even no-faith we follow.

We have to wonder, is this artist’s work a tribute to Jesus, or is it irreverent to the point of being offensive?  Could it actually be a bit of both?  Could it be that what borders on the offensive, or even crosses the border, for some, is actually a deeply spiritual message for others?

Read the rest here