Kanye West performs Jesus is King to tearful prison inmates at Texas jail

Rapper made the appearance ahead of his talk at a 17,000 capacity church

Kanye West gave a surprise performance to inmates at a prison in Texas this weekend.

The rapper and producer performed to 200 selected prisoners and staff at Harris County jail, where he shared tracks from new album Jesus is King. He also went across the road to another facility where he put on a show for women inmates. Many were reportedly moved to tears.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said representatives for West got in touch about doing the performances, which recall the shows at Folsom State Prison in 1968 by the late Johnny Cash.

Jesus is King, which was released in October after a number of delays, has received mixed to negative reviews. However, it marked West’s ninth consecutive album to debut at the number one spot on the US Billboard 200.

In a two-star review for The Independent, the record was criticised for its confusing and divisive themes, and for how West’s constant last-minute meddling with the track mixes had only stripped the album of its cohesion.

West is due to address the 17,000-seat Lakewood Christian Church in Houston today (17 November), where he will speak about the album.