Kanye West Is Billboard's Top Gospel Artist Of 2020: Report

BY Erika Marie 2.2K Views
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Kanye West, Top Gospel Artist, Billboard, President, Jesus Is King
The rapper's gospel albums and Sunday Service Choir have helped make him the leading force in gospel music this year.

We may not have heard much from Kanye West's Sunday Service Choir once the rap mogul announced his bid for the presidency, but that doesn't mean that he hasn't been a leading force in the gospel circuit. Kanye West had hopes of becoming America's Commander-in-Chief, but they were curtailed after President-Elect Joe Biden edged out incumbent President Donald Trump. West has, however, been making waves in the gospel arena—most recently taking home four Billboard Music awards in gospel categories.

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As Billboard has released their end of the year tallies, Kanye West celebrates a big win as the Top Gospel Artist of 2020. The outlet broke down how that happened for the Yeezy mogul, as his Jesus Is King and Jesus is Born projects were staples on the charts throughout the year. The Sunday Service Choir was named Top Gospel Group of the year by Billboard, while West's songs "Follow God" and his Travis Scott-assisted "Wash Us in the Blood" dominated the Hot Gospel Songs chart.

Many couldn't have predicted years ago that in 2020 Kanye would be the No. 1, Top Gospel Artist in the world, but stranger things have happened this year. Now, fans await the release of his highly-anticipated Donda album.

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About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.