Ultralight Beam (feat. Kirk Franklin, The-Dream, Kelly Price & Chance The Rapper)
Kanye West
The Spiritual Quest in 'Ultralight Beam'
Kanye West's 'Ultralight Beam' is a profound exploration of faith and spirituality, featuring a diverse array of artists including Kirk Franklin, The-Dream, Kelly Price, and Chance The Rapper. The song opens with a prayer-like chant, rejecting the presence of evil and embracing the divine. This sets the tone for a track that is as much a gospel song as it is a hip-hop anthem, blending the sacred with the contemporary.
Throughout the song, the lyrics convey a deep yearning for faith and divine intervention in a world filled with challenges and darkness. Kanye West and The-Dream express a desire to maintain faith amidst adversity, seeking an 'ultralight beam'—a metaphor for divine guidance and enlightenment. The phrase 'This is a God dream' emphasizes the idea that the experience they are seeking or undergoing is transcendent and divinely inspired. Kelly Price's verse touches on the struggle with depression and the search for light in times of darkness, while Chance The Rapper's verse deals with personal growth, resilience, and the protection of one's loved ones from negativity.
The song culminates with a prayer by Kirk Franklin, which is inclusive and forgiving, offering solace to those who feel unworthy or have strayed. It's a message of redemption and hope, reinforcing the theme of seeking and finding refuge in faith. 'Ultralight Beam' is not just a musical piece; it's a spiritual journey that invites listeners to reflect on their own beliefs and the power of grace in their lives.