Anyone who caught Chance the Rapper‘s weekend-closing headlining set at this summer’s Pitchfork Music Festival also witnessed its heavy dose of contemporary gospel music, specifically due to the appearance of Kirk Franklin and a choir of backup singers. The biblical push shows no sign of slowing down, as evidenced by Chance’s appearance on BJ the Chicago Kid’s recent single, “Church.” The track dropped on Fake Shore Drive on Saturday and it’s the latest preview of BJ’s forthcoming album, In My Mind. “Church” also features Compton MC Buddy, and the three sing-rap verses alluding to the ways in which Sunday services play necessary roles in their otherwise, er, nonspiritual recreational lives. There isn’t any mention online of who produced the track, but the smooth beat stretches out backwards-sounding guitar licks and a drum pattern that slows down the track with a steady hi-hat and a boxy snare hit on the four. It’s the space where gospel rap and Acid Rap merge, and it’s today’s 12 O’Clock Track.
