Kanye West vs. Stan Walker | Head 2 Head

In the 12^th edition of Head 2 Head (2024), Kanye West and Stan Walker contend for the best rendition of “Ultralight Beam.” 

Welcome to Head 2 Head! On Head 2 Head, we pit at least two musicians performing the same song, comparing their respective performances.  Then, after much deliberation, we deliver a verdict of which performance was the best, or at least, subjectively, which performance moved us more.  In the X edition of Head 2 Head (2024), Kanye West and Stan Walker contend for the best rendition of “Ultralight Beam”. So, without further ado, let the Head 2 Head commence!

1. Kanye West, “Ultralight Beam” (Ft. Chance the Rapper, Kelly Price, The-Dream & Kirk Franklin)

The Life of Pablo // G.O.O.D. / Def Jam // 2016 

“We don’t want no devils in the house, God (Yes, Lord) / We want the Lord (Yes, Jesus) /… Jesus praise the Lord.” Amen, Amen! Kanye West is one of music’s most polarizing artists, period.  He’s said some bizarre, off-the-wall, and truly despicable things throughout his career.  However, that career has been illustrious, spawning ample hits.  He’s an innovator who has 24 Grammy awards to his name out of 75 nominations (to date). Two of those nominations came from a marvelous, minimal, rap-gospel song, “Ultralight Beam”.  “Ultralight Beam” commences his somewhat messy, 2016 album, The Life of Pablo.  Where does the gospel come into play? Well, this haunting number embraces his spiritual side, enlisting assists from Chance the Rapper, Kelly Price, The-Dream, and renowned gospel innovator, Kirk Franklin.  “Ultralight Beam” was not a pop hit, settling for no. 67 on the Billboard Hot 100, with just two weeks tallied. Despite modest performance, “Ultralight Beam” is incredibly memorable, and has been certified by the RIAA as multiplatinum. Notably, this track features eight producers: West, Chance the Rapper, Swizz Beatz, MIKE DEAN, Plain Pat, Noah Goldstein, DJDS, and Rick Rubin.

Following the sampled intro (excerpted above), Kanye West delivers the simple but memorable, tuneful chorus:  “We on an ultralight beam / We on an ultralight beam / This is a God dream / This is a God dream / This is everything / This is everything.” He follows with a simple verse, minimal, but not dissimilar to some Christian songs (“Deliver us serenity / Deliver us peace / Deliver us loving / We know we need it…”).  After another iteration of the chorus, The-Dream, with the assist from the choir, delivers the memorable post-chorus: “I’m tryna keep my faith / But I’m lookin’ for more…” Kelly Price takes the reins in the second verse, which is more lyrically complex.  She caps it off with ample faith: “Oh, no longer am afraid of the night / ‘Cause I, I look to the light.” Word! Chance The Rapper enters in with a sung bridge, also memorable, leading into an epic mostly un-pitched rap verse with no shortage of one-liners.  Some of the lyrical gems include the opening “Foot on the Devil’s neck ‘til it drifted, Pangaea,” “Treat the demons just like Pam / I mean, I fuck with your friends, but damn, Gina,” which references Martin, his own musical highlight, “Sunday Candy”, and some Biblical allusions, led by “Know what God said when he made the first rainbow.” Of course, Kirk Franklin ministers in the outro, true to self, with the choir concluding, with four key lyrics: “Faith, more, safe, war.” “Ultralight Beam” is minimalistic yet epic.  West crafted a rousing, spiritual masterpiece.

Appears in 🔻:

• 10 Recent Meaningful Songs Worth Spinning (2016)
• 50 Best Songs of 2016
• 15 Songs That Incorporate Virtues (2017)
• Secular Songs That ‘Take You to Church’ (2017)
• 13 Superb Gospel-Tinged Secular Songs (2018)
• Kanye West, Ultralight Beam: Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 20 (2024)

2. Stan Walker, “Ultralight Beam”

Live with The Levites // Sony Music Entertainment New Zealand Ltd // 2020

Australian-born, New Zealand singer Stan Walker is incredibly talented.  His voice soars, filled with expression.  When he sings, you believe every lyric and every note.  In 2020, alongside The Levites, the winner of the Australian Idol, Season 7, covered a brilliant, Grammy-nominated gospel-rap/ Christian rap song: “Ultralight Beam” by Kanye West.  Most of the original by West is sung or melodically rapped, but there is a mostly un-pitched rap verse by Chance The Rapper. Focusing on the highlight from his live album, Live with The Levites, Walker puts in serious work.  Notably, a year prior, Walker recorded “Ultralight Beam” on his EP, Faith Hope Love.

Stan Walker and The Levites superbly reproduce “Ultralight Beam.”  There are some tweaks to the instrumental, beginning with the drum groove.  The additional rhythm provides contrast to the minimalist original from The Life of Pablo.  In addition to the drums, there are some stellar instrumental contributions from the keys, bass, and guitar that give the Walker take distinction. Of course, the biggest reason why “Ultralight Beam” is a success in Stan’s hands is… wait for it… Stan! He delivers soulful, spirited vocals.  His ad-libs – the nuances and runs – cement this as his own interpretation. The backing choral vocals provide a sensational lift, adding color the production.  Something that differentiates the live version is the fact that everything is sung – melody is the modus operandi! Among the best moments is the vamp on “They don’t know,” performed by the choir, with Walker riffing, and touting the importance of equality (“When Black lives matter”). “Ultralight Beam” in the hands of Stan Walker = utterly stupendous.

Appears in 🔻:

• Stan Walker, Ultralight Beam: Covers No. 9 (2024)

The Verdict 👨🏿‍⚖️

So, who recorded and performed “Ultralight Beam” the best? Was it the original by Kanye West, featuring an assortment of talented musicians, or Stan Walker, and his spirited cover? Honestly, this one is tougher than anticipated.  West earned my seal of approval as releasing the best song of 2016, despite the fact that on the pop charts, “Ultralight Beam” peaked modestly. As for Walker, a dynamic vocalist, the authenticity is perceptible from the onset – I would believe anything he sings! Still, West’s original gets the edge for its celestial melodies, that stellar Chance The Rapper verse, and those two Grammy nominations.

Kanye West vs. Stan Walker: Head 2 Head No. 12 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Def Jam, G.O.O.D., Sony Music Entertainment New Zealand Ltd; Hernán Toro, Los Muertos Crew, RDNE Stock project, Thomas Ronveaux from Pexels]