LA Monster

"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.

"LA Monster"
Song by Kanye West
from the album Jesus Is King (intended)
Released	March 2020 (leak)
Length	3:18
Producer(s)	Dr. Dre[a]

The song was brought back 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. A version of the song featured on an album copy leaked on February 23, 2023 features an additional verse from fellow rapper ASAP Ferg.

Background and recording

Jesus Is King version

West previewed "LA Monster" at several listening parties for Jesus Is King.

In August 2019, 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.^[2] The same day, Kardashian shared a track list via Twitter that included "LA Monster" as the album's sixth track.^[2] A later listening party on September 29 in New York City altered the order of the album's track listing, making it 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, with "LA Monster" being missing from its final track listing.^[5]

Part II version

On November 18, 2019, West announced Jesus Is King Part II, a remixed version of Jesus Is King done by American record producer Dr. Dre.^[6] It included most songs from the original album, as well as several previously unreleased ones.^[7] The reworked version of "LA Monster" would leak in March 2020, featuring production and mixing by Dr. Dre.^[8][9] This would be the second leak from the album, as the track "Up from the Ashes" (also originating from Jesus Is King) leaked in February 2020.^[10][11]

Jesus Is King Part II would leak in its entirety on September 23, 2023. The version of "LA Monster" featured on this copy contains a verse from American rapper ASAP Ferg.^[7]

Composition and lyrics

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."^[5] West, who lived in the suburbs of Los Angeles with Kardashian at the time, raps about the city letting Satan run the streets.^[12] West pleads to God to save the people of the city from the "LA Monster", an image of the wild lifestyle of Los Angeles.^[13] West criticizes those who claim to be woke, saying that they are sleepwalking and have sold their souls.^[14] 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."^[15]

Critical reception

Gary Graff of Billboard described the song as "prayerful".^[2] Elias Leight of Rolling Stone reported on gospel artist Donald Lawrence praising the song's narrative as refreshing.^[5] 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."^[5]

Notes

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