Jesus Walks

Recorded between 2000 and 2003 at Sony Music Studios and Light at the End of the Tunnel in New York, it samples the ARC Choir's Walk With Me. Rhymefest told the Guardian in 2006 that he found a gospel song by a choir of reformed drug addicts, and that West brought it to life by adding the army sounds. The track runs at 87 beats per minute in E-flat minor, with a drill-sergeant intro. The first verse is told from the viewpoint of a drug dealer, and West reportedly spent six months finding the second. Executives and friends told him it would never reach radio.

It was the fourth single from the album, released on 25 May 2004 with Heavy Hitters on the B-side. It peaked at 11 on the Billboard Hot 100, won the Grammy for Best Rap Song at the 47th Grammys, and was named best single of 2004 in the Pazz and Jop poll. Rolling Stone placed it at 19 in its 100 best songs of the 2000s. Three videos were made: a preacher story by Michael Haussman, a Deep South film by Chris Milk, which won Best Male Video at the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards, and a one-day Chicago shoot co-directed by West with Coodie and Chike.

Live

West played it on the School Spirit Tour in early 2004 and at the House of Blues in Chicago on 5 May 2004. He opened the 2004 BET Awards from behind a pulpit with a choir and drumline, and the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards with a 32-member choir. Wikipedia says it has been in all his headlining tours.