| "Stop Trying to Be God" | |
|---|---|
| Song byTravis Scott featuringKid Cudi,Philip Bailey,James Blake, andStevie Wonder | |
| from the albumAstroworld | |
| Released | August 3, 2018 |
| Recorded | 2016–2017 |
| Genre | Alternativetrap |
| Length | 5:38 |
| Label | |
| Songwriters | |
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| Music video | |
| "Stop Trying to Be God" onYouTube | |
"Stop Trying to Be God" (stylized inall caps) is a song by American rapperTravis Scott from his third studio album,Astroworld (2018). The song features additional vocals fromKid Cudi,James Blake,Philip Bailey of the bandEarth, Wind & Fire, andStevie Wonder, who playsharmonica on the track as well. The song was written by Blake, Scott,J Beatzz,Mike Dean, andCuBeatz, being produced by all but the former.
In an interview withRolling Stone discussingAstroworld, Travis Scott'sA&R Sickamore said, "The record we worked on the longest is "Stop Trying to Be God". I think that was the oldest record on the album."[1]
In an interview withThe Fader, Mike Dean spoke about working on the song:
It was crazy. It took like a year for it to all come together. Travis had to first part done and it just developed. I got a call one day that Stevie was coming to the studio and I was like "I'll be right there" [laughs]. I recorded his harmonica. Like, I never record people very much anymore. I just get somebody else to do that. With Stevie, I'm not gonna switch to someone else.[2]
"Stop Trying to Be God" is an "indietrap" song.[3] It features deep-voiced humming from Kid Cudi, as well as "subtle organ" and a harmonica solo from Stevie Wonder. After the instrumental switches in the bridge, James Blake sings with "equally inspiring and haunting" vocals.[4][5] Lyrically, the song is a warning against developing aGod complex from one's ego.[6]
The music video was directed byDave Meyers, and has Biblical references. It opens with a herd of sheep walking down the street. Travis Scott is the shepherd, and is "resurrected in hellfire".[7][8]Kylie Jenner appears in the video as a gold-glowingVirgin Mary, who cradles Scott after he is scorched. Scott also appears as a figure resembling God as seen inMonty Python and the Holy Grail.[9] In the next sequence, Scott delivers a sermon before baptizing a line of people in a lake at a water park.[7][9] Scott eventually flies around on a dragon, commanding it to breathe fire upon a town and bringing about the Apocalypse.[7][10] He is confronted by God, who shoots lasers from his eyes and punishes Scott.[8][11][12] James Blake later appears singing in a graveyard.[13] The video ends with a recreation of Jesus in a manger, with Kylie Jenner reappearing and holding a lamb that sings.[9]
Travis Scott performed the song with James Blake at the2018 MTV Video Music Awards.[14] They also performed the song with Philip Bailey at the61st Annual Grammy Awards.[15]
| Chart (2018) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[16] | 87 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[17] | 19 |
| France (SNEP)[18] | 76 |
| Germany (GfK)[19] | 100 |
| Italy (FIMI)[20] | 97 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[21] | 94 |
| Portugal (AFP)[22] | 39 |
| Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[23] | 1 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[24] | 70 |
| USBillboard Hot 100[25] | 27 |
| USHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[26] | 18 |
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[27] | Gold | 35,000‡ |
| Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[28] | Platinum | 40,000‡ |
| Canada (Music Canada)[29] | Platinum | 80,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[30] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[31] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
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