Kanye West brought Sunday Service to Howard University, but not everyone was here for it.
The rapper arrived to one of the country’s most prestigious historically black colleges around 8 a.m. on Saturday during the school’s homecoming weekend. Hundreds of Howard students and alums showed up for the impromptu performance, which was announced on social media Friday night. According to The Washington Post, West performed gospel versions of his popular songs including “Jesus Walks” and “Fade,” along with a few traditional African-American hymns.
He also addressed the high incarceration rates of African-Americans. “Why lock people up? They need people to make more slaves … I got family locked up!” he said, while someone in the crowd yelled, “We all got family locked up!”
At one point during Saturday’s service, West acknowledged his polarizing views. “You don’t always have to agree with me, but if they throw the slave nets again, how about we don’t all stand in the exact same place?” he said, prompting some laughter.