Source: Michael Hickey / Getty
On the last Sunday in April 2020, John P. Kee and Hezekiah Walker showed gospel fans across the globe the power of not only their catalogs but the power of gospel music.
The two titans had a Verzuz battle on Instagram Live Sunday, bringing over 95,000 viewers at one point to see them play their gospel classics. Gospel stars such as Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Kirk Franklin, Jonathan Nelson and more were in the comments like the rest of us as if it were revival and the church brought all the heavy hitters out.
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Using his wide range of hits, Kee broke out youth choir favorites such as “Rain On Us,” “I Won’t Let Go,” and more to keep the crowd riveted. Walker didn’t leave much on the table with his own catalog, playing classics such as “Lift Him Up,” “Any Way You Bless Me,” and “I’ll Make It.” Unlike other Verzuz battles between the likes of Teddy Riley and Babyface from earlier this month, no one in the comments kept score and instead threw their hands up in exalted praise of both men’s talents.
You can relive the battle (and the minor sound difficulties) down below plus see some of the reactions from fans via Twitter.
Need to hear the playlist? Click here!
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John P Kee and Hezekiah Walker literally wrote the soundtracks for youth choirs across America..
— Stephanie Alston (@Steph_R_Alston) April 26, 2020
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On my way to this John P. Kee and Hezekiah Walker concert pic.twitter.com/bsiCzcJXFB
— FOST (@GeorgeFoster72) April 26, 2020
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“Jesus Is Real” x Pastor John P. Kee aka The Prince of Gospel nothing left to say .. 🙌🏽💙💛 pic.twitter.com/EPUXGzSIVt
— Maurice Alpharicio (@MAlpharicio_) April 27, 2020
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Which piece of candy you taking for this Hezekiah Walker vs John P Kee battle? pic.twitter.com/lo1h7SksSM
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) April 26, 2020
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If John P Kee, Hezekiah Walker and Fred Hammond go on tour, I'll be front row with this design on a face mask pic.twitter.com/cOETW6gAsH
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) April 27, 2020
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For some of Us, this isn’t just church music. John P. Kee and Hezekiah are a part of a blueprint. This music is is our foundation, culture and lifestyle. Songs we sang at 8, 9 and 10 for the sake of fun or tradition.. are now songs that CARRY us as adults.
— immediately, no. (@seattlejawn) April 27, 2020
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CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENT:
— Candice Marie Benbow (@CandiceBenbow) April 26, 2020
If you signed up to help in the kitchen for the John P. Kee and Hezekiah Walker evening program and you don’t plan to stay after church, we need you back here at 1 o’clock. We gon start feeding promptly at 5.
Thank you.
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I have to say, despite the sound challenges, that Bishop @HezekiahWalker and Pastor @Keetwit BATTLE blessed my WHOLE soul! OMGGGG, please do this again! I love you both! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! That was a gift for the world!
— JLF (@Happy2BeJudith) April 27, 2020
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Warms my heart to see so much gospel on the TL. We used to do this every Sunday on here for a minute 😂
— B 🥷🏿🇬🇾 (@Brannin) April 27, 2020
