Posted by Kanye West may be all types of silent amid the George Floyd protests right now, but he still contributed inspiration to the movement this past weekend.
On Sunday (May 31), gospel legends Kirk Franklin and Fred Hammond joined Verzuz for a much-needed “healing” edition of the popular battle series. During round 14, Franklin came with Kanye’s 2016’s The Life of Pablo cut “Ultralight Beam” – and it reminded social media just how hard that song really goes and how relevant it is for the current times.
Immediately, the song began trending on social media.
“I know Kanye in the sunken place, but Kirk, Kelly and Chance all did what needs to be done on Ultralight Beam,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
I know Kanye in the sunken place, but Kirk, Kelly and Chance all did what needs to be done on Ultralight Beam pic.twitter.com/OsQElrzoGz
— America, you raggedy bitch! (@crystoofancy) May 31, 2020
“I hate #him but Ultralight Beam was perfect,” another wrote.
I hate #him but Ultralight Beam was perfect.
— Victoria M. Walker (@vikkie) May 31, 2020
Hammond’s answer to “Ultralight Beam” was a Kanye cut of his own, by the way, as he played “Hands On” from Jesus Is King. In the end, Franklin was mainly considered the “winner,” though everybody truly won with the feel-good battle.
And though ‘Ye has been loudly quiet, his wife used her platform to speak out against racism. In an Instagram post, Kim Kardashian West paid tribute to Floyd as well as Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor.
View this post on InstagramText "FLOYD" to 55156 #blacklivesmatter
Kanye West Will Reportedly Drop 1st Single From Next Album ‘God’s Country’ Soon
Check out more reactions to “Ultralight Beam” below.
When kirk franklin dropped Ultralight beam #Verzuz pic.twitter.com/E6m9m96V3f
— this is me?? (@mykdjmaliq) May 31, 2020
y’all remember hearing ultralight beam for the first time?
— empress palpatine (@kaiadrsmi) May 31, 2020
Ok but Ultralight Beam still gets me. There is something about that song. Wow.
— Bolu Babalola (@BeeBabs) May 31, 2020
My only comment about yesterday Verzuz is I wish Kirk Franklin let Kelly Price's verse on ultralight beam run cause man….
— Trade with tha Waves (@DribbLeLiKeMiKe) June 1, 2020
this part of ultralight beam will always give me the chills #BlackLivesMatter #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/lsLCuhFmlM
— FEIVELLE (@h4rlsey) June 1, 2020
Me hearing ultralight beam beat pic.twitter.com/ZOm9JIXeGk
— Benny⚡️ (@Bennizz89) June 1, 2020
With everything going on in the world at the moment .. I’ve been listening to this song on repeat these last few days because as crazy as it sounds , it gives me hope that we’re going to get through this difficult time but we can’t do it alone #BLM https://t.co/OjPnyuZXTW
— Master Shifu (@wismrtnz) June 1, 2020
Something about chance the rapper saying “This my part, nobody else speak”… that’s getting to me in Ultralight Beam. This is our struggle, our pain and our anger- unless you are an alliance, please be quiet.
THIS IS OUR PART, nobody else speak.
— lyss palado ♍️ (@alyssapyt) June 1, 2020
you can hate Kanye but not that Ultralight Beam classic , no!! pic.twitter.com/fEOihTl9or
— it's complicated. (@broztitute) May 31, 2020
Since ultralight beam is trending and no one can deny its greatness, here’s the opening of the song in Detroit for the saint Pablo tour! Top 3 concerts for sure! Twitter will no doubt ruin the video quality. pic.twitter.com/y89btT96g6
— Don’t Touch DJ? (@DBryantsWorld) May 31, 2020
Ultralight beam is trending and I just want to say that it is such a beautiful song ?
— g ? (@JiggyGregg) May 31, 2020
“Ultralight Beam” is such a powerful record. I wish Ye’s head wasn’t so far up that white man’s ass.
— IVAN MIZZAYxEARSTYLE (@imkbrad) May 31, 2020
Hey man. I have some strong thoughts about Kanye. But Ultralight Beam is something I’m keeping.
— I Yield My Time. (@itsmewhiteman) May 31, 2020
Ultralight Beam used to it harder than a negro spiritual on a hot summer day ?????????????????? #Verzuz pic.twitter.com/UhMAKbm6fd
— #blkcreatives netwrk? (@blkcreatives) May 31, 2020
ultralight beam is a bop tho
— Rome❼ (@Rxme_116) May 31, 2020
(Ultralight Beam is a fucking genius song) Fuck Kanye
— BrieKnowsBest (@Brieyonce) May 31, 2020