Live from the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, Kanye West fulfilled one of his lifelong goals of creating an opera-style musical experience on Sunday, Nov. 24.
Directed by Vanessa Beecroft, the opera had a total of 15 acts featuring West’s songs, such as “Say You Will”, “Our King”, and Sheck Wes’ “Mo Bamba”, to name a few.
What appeared to be act 10 according to a post on West’s Twitter account, started with Kanye West narrating a story from the Book of Daniel in the Bible while the instrumental of West’s “Wolves” was played by an orchestra in the background.
Rap artist Sheck Wes entered the stage donning all purple, while black men draped in all white shirts and pants stood around in a half-circle. A man wearing a mask and silk gold gown prompted on a pedestal was rolled out to the center of the stage as the men looked on. His entrance, which represented a statue, sparked a domino effect of men bowing as he graced the stage.
West premiered the choral-filled visual to a packed house. The audience was filled with Kanye West fans, industry reps and celebrities, including Chance The Rapper and some Kardashians.
The story of Nebuchadnezzar is one of many complexities. He was known as the greatest warrior king, but also an enemy of God. From youth, Nebuchadnezzar was trained in militia and government administration until he was crowned king in 605 BCE.
Known for restoring and building impressive temples in Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar also spearheaded the Babylonian Exile of the Jews in which he destroyed the temple in Jerusalem and the Kingdom of Judah.
As Bible legend would tell it, the Babylonian king also tried to coerce three Jewish men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednago to worship a golden idol, similar to what West demonstrated in his opera. When they refused, Nebuchadnezzar threw them into a burning furnace. Unscathed, the three men proclaimed God as their source of protection.
West may have found significance in Nebuchadnezzar’s story because of the fact that the king denounced the God of Daniel until he was driven insane, eating grass and growing his hair and nails like a wild animal. Bible verse 4:25 says that he was “driven away from among men, and did eat grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven until hairs grew like the feathers of eagles and his nails like bird’s claws.”
After seven years, Nebuchadnezzar’s sanity returned. West suffered a mental breakdown that landed him in the hospital. He later revealed that he suffered from bipolar disorder. His return to music has been marked by his transition to Christianity.
West recently released gospel album Jesus Is King, which has been promoted through his tour Sunday Service, an outside musical celebration of Christianity intertwined with secular music and Kanye West hits.
The super producer has made major headlines by performing at Houston megachurch Lakewood pastored by Joel Osteen. He also sent fans in a frenzy when he posted a photo of himself and Dr. Dre, announcing a part two to Jesus Is King.
A Kanye West Opera, Nebuchadnezzar is currently streaming exclusively on Jay-Z’s music streaming service TIDAL.
