LA Monster

Last updated
"LA Monster"
Song by Kanye West
from the album Jesus Is King (intended)
ReleasedMarch 2020 (leak)
Recorded2019–2020
Length3:18
Producer(s) Dr. Dre [a]

"LA Monster" is an unreleased song by American rapper Kanye West. It was originally intended for West's ninth studio album, Jesus Is King (2019), and was played at multiple listening parties for it. Though it was teased on multiple track listings for the album, the song would fail to make the finished record. West's lyrics criticize the city of Los Angeles, alleging that its streets are run by Satan.

Contents

West would bring back "LA Monster" for Jesus Is King Part II , a collaborative album between West and American record producer Dr. Dre. It would be leaked online in March 2020, following the song "Up from the Ashes" being leaked in February. The album would be leaked in September 2023, with "LA Monster" featuring a verse from American rapper ASAP Ferg.

Background and recording

West previewed "LA Monster" at several listening parties for Jesus Is King. Jesus is King - The Forum, LA (48951268196).jpg
West previewed "LA Monster" at several listening parties for Jesus Is King .

In August 2019, American rapper Kanye West's then-wife, American media personality Kim Kardashian, announced that her husband's ninth album would be titled Jesus Is King . [1] On September 27, West held a listening party for the album at the Fox Theatre in Detroit, Michigan, where "LA Monster" was played. [2] That same day, Kardashian shared a tracklist for the album via Twitter, which included the song as the album's sixth track. [2] On September 29, the listening party in New York City altered the order of the track list, making "LA Monster" the eighth song played out of ten. [3] During the listening party, West announced the song's title as "Ugliest Nightmare". [4] Jesus Is King was released on October 25, 2019, [5] with the song being cut from its final track listing. [6]

On November 18, 2019, West announced on Twitter that he was working with American record producer Dr. Dre on a sequel collaborative project, entitled Jesus Is King Part II. [7] In March 2020, the reworked "LA Monster", intended for this album, leaked online, featuring co-production and mixing by Dr. Dre. [8] [9] [10] Another Jesus Is King Part II track, "Up from the Ashes", had previously leaked online in February 2020. [11] The full album would leak in its entirety on September 23, 2023, with "LA Monster" containing a verse from American rapper ASAP Ferg. [12]

Composition and lyrics

In "LA Monster", West claims that Satan runs the streets of Los Angeles (skyline pictured). Los Angeles Skyline at Night.jpg
In "LA Monster", West claims that Satan runs the streets of Los Angeles (skyline pictured).

In the song, West talks about his life and grapples with "the challenges of being in [ Los Angeles ] and what it can do to you." [13] West, who lived in the suburbs of Los Angeles with Kardashian at the time, raps about the city letting Satan run the streets. [14] West pleads to God to save the people of the city from the "LA Monster", an image of the wild lifestyle of Los Angeles. [15] West criticizes those who claim to be woke, saying that they are sleepwalking and have sold their souls. [16] Brian McCollum of the Detroit Free Press wrote that "LA Monster" continues the overarching spiritual theme of Jesus Is King by warning "against the temptations of superficial culture." [17] The Fader 's Alex Robert Ross described West's lyrics as "him praying to be removed from the sins of his city." [18]

Reception

Gary Graff of Billboard described the song as "prayerful". [19] Elias Leight of Rolling Stone reported on gospel artist Donald Lawrence praising the song's narrative as refreshing. [13] Lawrence compared "LA Monster" to gospel songs that have a vertical relationship with God, stating that West talking about his life was "something praise and worship doesn't allow you to do." [13]

Notes

  1. ↑ Only on the Jesus Is King Part II version.

References

  1. ↑ Holmes, Charles (August 29, 2019). "Kim Kardashian Teases Track List for New Kanye West Album 'Jesus Is King'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 14, 2019. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  2. 1 2 Gary Graff (September 27, 2019). "Kanye West Plays 'Jesus Is King' Album for Eager Detroit Crowd Ahead of Release: Inside the Event". Billboard . Archived from the original on December 26, 2019. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  3. ↑ Samuel Spencer (October 22, 2019). "Kanye West 'Jesus Is King' Album Tracklist, Guest Spots: Everything We Know So Far". Newsweek . Archived from the original on January 19, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  4. ↑ Kiana Fitzgerald (October 1, 2019). "'Jesus Is King' Is Kanye West's Attempt To Get Right With God". Vibe . Archived from the original on December 18, 2019. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  5. ↑ Leight, Elias (October 25, 2019). "Kanye West Releases 'Jesus Is King,' Capping Hectic Rollout Saga". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 25, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  6. ↑ Elias Leight (October 25, 2019). "Can Kanye West Save Gospel Choirs?". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on February 7, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  7. ↑ Orwitz, Edwin (November 18, 2019). "Kanye West and Dr. Dre Announce 'Jesus Is King Part II'". Complex. Archived from the original on November 19, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  8. ↑ Sasha Star (March 16, 2020). "Kanye West Music Leaking Again, New Song 'LA Monster' Surfaced Online: Reports". Urban Islandz. Archived from the original on April 2, 2020. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  9. ↑ William E. Ketchum III (March 17, 2020). "Unreleased Kanye West Song "LA Monster" From 'Jesus Is King' Leaks". Vibe . Archived from the original on March 23, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  10. ↑ Viral MVP (March 17, 2020). "Kanye West – LA Monster (Mixed by Dr. Dre)". OnSmash . Archived from the original on March 23, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  11. ↑ R. Gelenidze (February 20, 2020). "LISTEN: Kanye West's "Up From The Ashes," prod by Dr. Dre surfaces online (Full)". Southpawer. Archived from the original on March 31, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  12. ↑ Bustard, Andy (2023-09-26). "Kanye West & Dr. Dre's 'Jesus Is King 2' Album Leaks Featuring Eminem, Snoop Dogg & More". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
  13. 1 2 3 Elias Leight (October 25, 2019). "Can Kanye West Save Gospel Choirs?". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on February 7, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  14. ↑ "'Jesus Is King' Album: Kanye Warns Of Modern Evils, Says LA 'Run By Satan,' Only Making Gospel Music Here On Out". BroBible. September 29, 2019. Archived from the original on March 23, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  15. ↑ Sasha Star (March 16, 2020). "Kanye West Music Leaking Again, New Song 'LA Monster' Surfaced Online: Reports". Urban Islandz. Archived from the original on April 2, 2020. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  16. ↑ Douglas Ernst (September 30, 2019). "Kanye West's 'Jesus Is King' film gets exclusive Imax deal; songs arranged 'in the gospel tradition'". The Washington Times . Archived from the original on November 7, 2019. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  17. ↑ Brian McCollum (September 27, 2019). "Kanye West plays new album 'Jesus Is King' for fans in Detroit, previews new gospel movie". Detroit Free Press . USA Today. Archived from the original on March 1, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  18. ↑ Ross, Alex Robert (September 30, 2019). "Everything we saw and heard at Jesus Is King: A Kanye West Experience in New York". The FADER. Retrieved 2025-08-29.
  19. ↑ Gary Graff (September 27, 2019). "Kanye West Plays 'Jesus Is King' Album for Eager Detroit Crowd Ahead of Release: Inside the Event". Billboard . Archived from the original on December 26, 2019. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
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