Kanye West has revealed that his gospel choir Sunday Service is returning – but there is a catch for those selected. Taking to Instagram on Thursday, Kanye announced he was recruiting male singers for the choir and that auditions would take place that same day in Los Angeles. But for those chosen for the choir, Kanye said they will have to fully shave their heads.
Kanye announced that children as young as five are eligible to audition for the choir – which the rapper formed back in 2019. He wrote: ‘Sunday service the next frontier is recruiting male choir members. Those selected are required to shave their heads. Shaved heads are not required to audition. ‘The audition location is in Los Angeles and will be given upon RSVP. Open auditions will be held on Thursday, March 13, at 4 PM. Auditions are open to ages five and up.
Kanye West has revealed that his gospel choir Sunday Service is returning – but there is a catch for those selected
Taking to Instagram on Thursday, Kanye announced he was recruiting male singers for the choir and that auditions would take place that same day in Los Angeles. He added: ‘Call 424-547-2394 now to secure your audition spot.’ Sunday Service was initially given exemption from federal income tax as it was listed as what is known as a 501(c)(3) organisation.
They are classified as ‘religious, educational, charitable, scientific, literary, testing for public safety, fostering national or international amateur sports competition, or prevention of cruelty to children or animals organisations’. But Sunday Service was reportedly stripped of its charity status last year.
The rapper, who is facing lawsuits from former staff and was infamously dumped from a string of big-brand deals over his anti-Semitic outbursts, has now been hit with the ruling after failing to file tax returns for the group for three years. According to the IRS website, the gospel group’s tax exemption status was revoked on May 15.
The reason was ‘for not filing a Form 990-series return or notice for three consecutive years,’ The US Sun has reported. When Kanye first kicked off the Sunday Service, the gospel choir performed with the Grammy winner every weekend.
He wrote: ‘Sunday service the next frontier is recruiting male choir members. Those selected are required to shave their heads. Shaved heads are not required to audition’
But for those chosen for the choir, Kanye said they will have to fully shave their heads Sunday Service pictured). Their first public performance came at the Coachella festival in 2019, and they have collaborated with Texas-based Pastor Joel Osteen – who hosted Kanye at the Lakewood Church, Houston – in November that year. Tickets for the event were free, but holders resold them online for up to $500.
Kanye has faced legal issues with some of his Sunday Service members and staff – who filed class action lawsuits against the rapper in 2020 for alleged mistreatment. At the time, more than 500 performers and around 300 crew members claimed the performer-turned fashion designer had violated California work laws by underpaying them and denying them food and restroom breaks.
Kanye announced that children as young as five are eligible to audition for the choir – which the rapper formed back in 2019
Sunday Service was initially given exemption from federal income tax as it was listed as what is known as a 501(c)(3) organisation. Among them was Sunday Service performer Michael Pearson who alleged he was paid a flat day rate of $250 and was not permitted breaks. He also claimed performers stood all day or sat on the floor and walked home when transport was not provided.
It was reported in June Kanye settled with the hundreds of Sunday Service performers and staff for $1.35million. But they were seeking more than $10.5million in damages.
