Marvin Sapp’s 11th solo album, titled Close, is set to drop on Friday, September 29th (2017). It features collaborations with gospel-greats, Kirk Franklin and Erica Campbell, as well as production by Rodney Jerkins. However, there’s one controversial issue surrounding it.
Marvin Sapp Gives Explanation About R. Kelly To His Fans
Even though the title track is already soaring up the gospel charts, “Listen,” a song written and produced by R. Kelly, is getting some unexpected attention because of the allegations of underage sex and physical abuse recently made against him. But Sapp is warning folks not to let the messenger get bigger than the message of the song.
“The album was completely done. My attorney, myself, and the record company did talk about possibly pulling it,” Sapp said. “Then I prayed on it. I later told the label that I’m crazy enough to believe that the message is always bigger than the messenger. I’m singing a song specifically designed to motivate, encourage and challenge people to listen to and for the voice of God.”
Sapp’s Responsibility
While other artists in Sapp’s position might choose to distance themselves from Kelly’s scandal, he is in a very unique position as a ‘man of the clothe.’ But he pointed out that his job is to minister people through their ups and downs:
“I’m hoping that people understand my heart,” Sapp said. “Whether the allegations (against R. Kelly) are true or false, my responsibility as a pastor and teacher is to pray for everybody who find themselves in bad situations and good situations. That’s what I’m going to do. I’m not supposed to condemn. That’s not my job.”
Why Kelly Wrote The Song
Kelly has been a fan of Sapp’s music for years and has performed his 2007 breakout hit “Never Would Have Made It” many times in concert. He said that Sapp has the only voice that can convey the true meaning of “Listen.”
“I wrote ‘Listen’ because I honestly feel like God is trying to tell the world something,” Kelly told Billboard in an emailed statement. “And there’s no other voice that could deliver that message from God but Marvin Sapp.”
What Caught Sapp’s Attention
The opening lyrics to “Listen” immediately caught Sapp’s attention. The song was brought to him by his longtime musician, who also happens to play for Kelly. Upon hearing it the first time, Sapp knew he had to record it.
“What really caught me were the first four lines: ‘You tried your way/It didn’t work/You put Him second/And you put yourself first,'” Sapp said. “Even though God may not speak audibly, if we really pay attention we can hear that God is trying to tell us something in the midst of the challenges we face.”
Thoughts ILOSM fam?’
