LSU Players Walk-Up Music Stirs Debate
Two LSU baseball players had their walk-up songs blocked during the College World Series (CWS) in Omaha, Nebraska, according to a report from WAFB on Tuesday. The decision, made by NCAA officials, has drawn scrutiny over the reasoning behind the music ban — and sparked a broader conversation around censorship and intent.
Freshman outfielder Derek Curiel and sophomore pitcher Kade Anderson, a top prospect expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming MLB Draft, were each denied use of their chosen walk-up songs. Both songs — “God Is” and “All of the Lights” — are by artist Kanye West, whose music has increasingly been excluded from public events due to his controversial public remarks and antisemitic statements in recent years.
For those wondering why Curiel didn’t have his usual walk-up song in Omaha: pic.twitter.com/QTXTjhIblY
— Koki Riley (@KokiRiley) June 24, 2025
NCAA officials reportedly determined that any music by West was unsuitable for inclusion during CWS games, regardless of lyrical content. The blanket decision appears to have been made based solely on the artist’s identity and public controversies, rather than the specific songs chosen.
Confusion initially surrounded the decision. Curiel appeared to believe his song was rejected due to its Christian message. In response to a fan on Instagram who asked whether the NCAA banned the song because it was “a Christian song,” Curiel replied, “yes sadly.” However, further reporting clarified that the decision was not based on the song’s religious themes, but rather on the artist himself.
WAFB sports reporter Jacques Doucet later confirmed through NCAA sources that the ban was explicitly tied to Kanye West’s involvement with the songs.
A source close to situation has told me Derek Curiel’s song was banned because of the artist (Kanye West), not because of its Christian genre or content. #LSU @LSUbaseball https://t.co/1eAyglZKLR
— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) June 25, 2025
The move triggered a response from Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, who criticized the NCAA’s decision publicly on social media platforms. “The NCAA made a terrible call no matter how they explain it,” she wrote. “They owe him an apology… Derek Curiel – we have your back. Just keep it up. You’re a great role model.”
LSU went on to win the national championship, but the controversy surrounding the banned walk-up songs has sparked questions about how far governing bodies should go in regulating content based on an artist’s personal conduct — particularly when the specific material in question contains no objectionable language or themes.