Disney+ is worth the cost

(Photo by MCT Campus, Photo illustration by Kamryn Rogers) “JESUS IS KING,” but Yeezy is not God

Kanye West’s new album has some moments of brilliance but they are overshadowed by Kanye himself.

BY KAMRYN ROGERS PRINT CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Kanye West’s new album “JESUS IS KING” reached No. 1 on the US Billboard 200, tying Eminem’s record for the most consecutive studio albums to debut at number one. After announcing, then missing his deadlines, the album finally surfaced Oct. 25. And while this might’ve been a marketing scheme, it’s still shorter than most shows, consisting of 27 minutes that could be better used to watch paint dry.

The album starts off with “Every Hour” which is led by West’s Sunday Service Choir. The vibrant and uplifting aura of this song makes you hopeful for the rest of the album. That optimism rapidly diminishes as “Closed on Sunday” starts to play and “you my Chick-fil-a/ hold the selfies, put the ‘Gram away” sounds through the speakers. The natural reaction is to force a laugh for the painful punchline, which is not an emotion that gospel music should inspire.

The few songs that shine through the ashes are “Follow God” and “Use This Gospel” that have catchy verses and simple but intriguing beats. “Follow God” is sampled from Whole Truth’s “Can You Lose by Following God” while “Use This Gospel” found its inspiration from “Costume Party” by Two Door Cinema Club. Nine out of the 11 songs on “JESUS IS KING” are repleted from not only gospel samples but other genres as well, which helped make the songs more enjoyable and also highlighted West’s talents as a producer.

There’s a way to mix hip hop and gospel and he should know how to do it after winning a Grammy for “Jesus Walks” in 2005. Gospel music intends to uplift, entertain, and preach the Gospel of Jesus, but West chooses “JESUS IS KING” to recognize that all his success is “On God” which differs from “I Am a God,” the claim he made on his album in 2013 “Yeezus.”

West’s album makes just as much sense as West’s love for President Donald Trump. For someone who preaches embracing every individual, his album focuses mostly on his own personal interests instead of trying to appeal to his broader audiences.

This album did not “Rise and Shine” like Kylie Jenner’s one-hit-wonder. While both offered comedic relief, only one was meant to be funny. His effort to blend his hip hop and his newly found gospel styles were commendable but at times it felt like he got in the way of his own masterpiece. More songs featuring his Sunday Service Choir would’ve allowed for a more authentic gospel album rather than an album that lacked focus. West has already announced that gospel music will be the center of his musical attention from here on out but if West would like to be taken seriously in the Gospel industry, he should focus more on religion and less on himself.

The Wonderful World of Disney+

Disney+ was released to the public Nov. 12 and it offers a wide range of Disney classics, Marvel movies, and National Geographic documentaries.

BY EMMA HUTCHIN PHOTO EDITOR

Disney fans don’t have to wait any longer because Disney+ has finally been released to the public.

Released Nov. 12, Disney’s new streaming service houses tons of classic “golden-age” movies ranging from Disney princesses to “Lion King.” Once logged into an account, users can choose between Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic media.

At a mere $6.99 per month, the app is affordable and offers a one-week free trial. The slightly more expensive plan, $12.99 per month, gives you access to Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN. With the large selection of movies and television shows to choose from, the cost is worth it.

As of now, there are 18 Disney+ originals to watch including two scripted series, “Star Wars: The Mandalorian” and “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.” There are five non-fiction docuseries and five short shows. Soon, new Marvel episodes will be introduced to the streaming service including “Loki” and “Hawkeye.”

The perfect day-in activity, Disney+ offers countless blasts to the past, and even includes Disney Channel shows from the early 2000s. Shows like “Wizards of Waverly Place” and “Good Luck Charlie” entice audiences due to them never being available on Netflix streaming services.

After a few issues with the initial launch and problems logging in, the app is back up and running properly. It can be downloaded on mobile phones, Smart TVs, tablets and computers.

As Christmas break approaches, consider getting a Disney+ account to re-watch all your favorites and even find something new to enjoy. There’s something for the whole family and at a lower cost than rival Netflix, the service was definitely worth the wait. (Photos by MCT Campus)

ClassiC shows

Hannah Montana (2006) That’s So Raven (2003) Kim Possible (2002) Shake It Up (2010) Boy Meets World (1993)

Movies

Cars (2006) The Little Mermaid (1989) Toy Story (1995) Lilo & Stitch (2002) Mary Poppins (1964)

Disney+ originals

The Mandalorian (2019) High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (2019) Encore! (2019) Noelle (2019)