''The Thief Next to Jesus'' is the ninth and final studio album by American rapper Ka, released on August 19, 2024, through Ka's own label Iron Works.

Background

surprise release A surprise album or surprise release is an album or single with little or no prior announcement, marketing or promotion. The strategy contrasts traditional album releases, which typically feature weeks or months of advertising in the form of sing ...

d ''The Thief Next to Jesus'' exclusively for purchase for $20 through his website on August 19, 2024, with only a music video for the single "Such Devotion" being made available for streaming. The album's release was announced on

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, with Ka writing: "Thank you for still being interested after my 2 years away. I really wanted to come back with something meaningful. This one holds a special place for me. Hope it moves you in the same way." ''The Thief Next to Jesus'' was later made available for streaming on September 19, 2024. ''The Thief Next to Jesus'' is Ka's last known recording; he died on October 12, 2024, at the age of 52.

Critical reception

''The Thief Next to Jesus'' received little attention upon release, but was well-regarded by critics. ''

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'' writer Matthew Ritchie gave the album an 8.1/10, praising the use of gospel samples along with its themes of

Christianity Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion, which states that Jesus in Christianity, Jesus is the Son of God (Christianity), Son of God and Resurrection of Jesus, rose from the dead after his Crucifixion of Jesus, crucifixion, whose ...

and its links to

African Americans African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from any of the Black racial groups of Africa ...

. Ritchie wrote, "Breaking down the tools used to oppress Black folks has always been at the forefront of Ka's writing, and the frank manner in which he parses and critiques the Black American connection to Christianity here produces stunning moments."

Anthony Fantano Anthony Nicholas Fantano ( ; born October 28, 1985) is an American Music journalism, music critic and internet personality who runs ''The Needle Drop'', a YouTube channel with a tie-in website and Twitch (service), Twitch streaming channel. Self ...

called the album "incredible and highly impressive" and gave it a rating of 9/10, praising the album's production and lyricism. Fantano also highlighted the themes of the album, discussing how Ka's faith was affected deeply through "years of witnessing and experiencing trauma as well as injustice". ''

Vulture A vulture is a bird of prey that scavenges on carrion. There are 23 extant species of vulture (including condors). Old World vultures include 16 living species native to Europe, Africa, and Asia; New World vultures are restricted to Nort ...

'' included the album on its list of the "Best Albums of 2024 (So Far)".

Accolades

Track listing

Personnel

* Ka – vocals,

production Production may refer to: Economics and business * Production (economics) * Production, the act of manufacturing goods * Production, in the outline of industrial organization, the act of making products (goods and services) * Production as a stat ...

* Michael Fossenkemper – mastering * Scotty Hard – mixing * Connor Schultze – recording *

Preservation Preservation may refer to: Heritage and conservation * Preservation (library and archival science), activities aimed at prolonging the life of a record while making as few changes as possible * ''Preservation'' (magazine), published by the Nat ...

– additional

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editing * Mark Shaw – design

Footnotes

References

* * * * * * *

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Thief Next to Jesus, The 2024 albums Ka (rapper) albums