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The LSU baseball team is fresh off its eighth national championship at the College World Series with a two-game sweep of Coastal Carolina. Controversy has ensued in the days to follow.
Tigers outfielder Derek Curiel detailed that the NCAA cut his Kanye West walk-up song in Omaha. It’s a song he’s used throughout the season, and even into the postseason.
That mysterious decision led to an uproar on social media. Why was the music cut?
The song played is “God Is” by Kanye West, released on his Jesus is King album in 2019. Curiel has entered the batter’s box to the tune throughout the year.
On Sunday, he said the lyrics from the song were cut as he took his at-bats. Only the instrumental music was heard. He wasn’t quite sure why the move was made.
“I don’t know if it was religious or Kanye West or what,” he said while speaking in Omaha.
“I’m a little upset that the NCAA didn’t allow that song to be played.”
“I don’t know if it was religious or Kanye West or what.”
“I just want people to know me as a guy who plays baseball + that loves Jesus.” @LSUbaseball Derek Curiel Sunday after the national championship… pic.twitter.com/GiXcRDJKAb
— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) June 24, 2025
Kanye West’s music has been a point of contention given his past history of bigotry and antisemitism. It led Texas A&M’s football team to put a brief pause on using his hit, “Power” prior to entering Kyle Field.
That was a decision made by Aggies brass. Fans begged for the college football entrance to be reinstated. It’s since returned to College Station.
It seems West’s involvement played a role at the College World Series, too. Reports claim that all Kanye West walk-up music was cut in Omaha.
Yes. NCAA made all the players that had a Kanye walkup change their song. I heard that from Jacob Morrison
— Noah Bieniek (@NoahB77_) June 24, 2025
Former LSU pitcher Ben McDonald further confirmed that news, though he made an interesting point. Derek Curiel was allowed to use the tune throughout both the Regional and Super Regional rounds. Yes, both were played at Alex Box Stadium, the Tigers’ home ballpark, but both rounds also came as segments of the NCAA’s postseason tournament.
Ok…it has come to my attention….apparently this is not about the song which is refreshing to hear but about the artist….which I understand! Having said that….it still doesn’t explain why the song was allowed during Regional/Super Regional play.
Maybe location played a role. This seems to be the first instance in which the NCAA took it upon themselves to make the call. As noted with Texas A&M, it was the school’s decision to cut the Kanye West music at sporting events. The same is true with BYU.
The NCAA has not responded publicly to the decision.