'This is a mission, not a show': Kanye West performs at Harris County Jail

Kanye West, prior to his appearance at Lakewood Church, performs with members of the gospel choir at two Harris County jails.

The secret performance from West and his Sunday Service Collective started with one performance for more than 200 men at the 701 San Jacinto building, reports the Houston Chronicle.

• Read more: Kanye West to give interview at Joel Osteen church

West later turned up in the main Baker Street jail to do a second show for a smaller crowd of women.

West performed songs from his latest album Jesus is King for the inmates. "This is a mission, not a show," says West.

Dure the finale of West's low-key concert, many of the male inmates knelt down in prayer together while several of the women inmates cried.

What @kanyewest does to inspire the incarcerated is transformative.

Saving one soul at a time.

Inmates who turn to God may get released earlier b/c of good behavior & may be less likely to commit future crimes.

It would be great if other artists followed Kanye’s lead. https://t.co/kK3cTk8dtp

— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) November 16, 2019

West’s representatives told the Chronicle that they contacted Sheriff Ed Gonzalez on Wednesday to coordinate the secret performance at the jail. West’s team had also contacted the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to officer a live concert at one of the state’s 104 prisons, but the department declined, noting that they needed more time to coordinate such an event