Rapper Kanye West paid a surprise visit to two Harris County jails in Houston, Texas, on Nov. 15, 2019, and the response was nothing short of transformative.
West performed tracks from his latest album “Jesus is King” in a visit that was reserved solely for inmates and kept secret from the public. As per CBS DFW, Kanye and his choir performed for more than 200 male inmates at the Harris County jail before crossing the street to perform for a smaller crowd of female inmates in a separate wing.
©YouTube Screenshot | Harris County Sheriff's Office
According to the Houston Chronicle, West used an underground tunnel to access the Baker Street women’s jail for his second performance. West also delivered a motivational speech to the inmates, allegedly telling the gathered crowd, “This is a mission, not a show,” as per Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, who later tweeted about the event.
The rapper performed on an elevated platform; surrounded by dancers, every member of his crew and choir was dressed in matching navy blue sweats. Inmates, dressed in regulation orange, were pictured with their hands in the air, some with tears streaming down their faces in appreciation of the goodwill gesture.
Stylemaker of the Year winner Kanye West at the 14th Annual ACE Awards in New York City on Nov. 1, 2010 ©Getty Images | Jamie McCarthy
“It was kind of a last minute request. It came from his team,” Gonzalez told KSAT. “They wanted to stop by to do an impromptu performance.” The sheriff continued:
“It really was like a worship service. Really uplifting, not only for the inmates that are here, but you could see some down on their knees for prayer too. Even some of our team were brought to tears. It was a very powerful moment.”
Gonzales, moved by Kanye’s visit, later tweeted:
“@kanyewest visited us today. I know he has a busy weekend in H-Town surrounding his visit to @lakewoodchurch, so appreciate him and his choir spending time with us.”Jason Spencer, the public affairs director for the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, also tweeted:
“Say what you want about the man. But @kanyewest and his choir brought some light to people who needed it today at the Harris County Jail.”
Two hours later, Spencer shared a photo of the rapper in an elevator. West was caught on camera smiling in the background of the candid snap, captioned:
“Took a quick selfie to document my #NoShaveNovember progress and got photo bombed by @kanyewest and @SheriffEd_HCSO. Had no idea they were back there.”Kanye’s impromptu jail gigs were performed two days before the rapper was due to speak and host a “Sunday Service” performance at Pastor Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church in Houston. West was invited to Lakewood by Osteen a few weeks after his “Jesus is King” album release.
According to CNN, Texas Governor Greg Abbott hoped West’s performance would encourage other artists to follow his lead. “What Kanye West does to inspire the incarcerated is transformative, saving one soul at a time,” Abbott said.
“Inmates who turn to God may get released earlier [because] of good behavior,” the governor continued, “and may be less likely to commit future crimes.”
Many members of the public think so too. Responding to Spencer’s tweet, one user wrote, “I’ve been on that side of the fence, and I remember a couple of guys coming and ministering to us through music in Harris County.
“It changed my life. Keep going, brother Kanye.”
