| "Stop Trying to Be God" | |
|---|---|
| SongbyTravis Scott featuring Kid Cudi, James Blake, Philip Bailey and Stevie Wonder | |
| from the album Astroworld | |
| Released | August 3, 2018 |
| Genre | Alternative trap |
| Length | 5:38 |
| Label | |
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| Music video | |
| "Stop Trying to Be God"onYouTube | |
"Stop Trying to Be God" (stylized in all caps) is a song by American rapper Travis Scott from his third studio album Astroworld (2018). The song features additional vocals from Kid Cudi, James Blake, Philip Bailey of the band Earth, Wind & Fire and Stevie Wonder, who plays harmonica on the track as well. The song was written by Blake, Scott, J Beatzz, Mike Dean, and CuBeatz, being produced by all but the former.
In an interview with Rolling Stone discussing Astroworld, Travis Scott's A&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 with The 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 "indie trap" 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 a God complex from one's ego.[6]
The music video was directed by Dave 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-glowing Virgin Mary, who cradles Scott after he is scorched. Scott also appears as a figure resembling God as seen in Monty 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 the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards.[14] They also performed the song with Philip Bailey at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.[15]
| Chart (2018) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[16] | 87 |
| Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[17] | 19 |
| France (SNEP)[18] | 76 |
| Germany (Official German Charts)[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‡ |
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‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
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Kid Cudi songs
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| A Kid Named Cudi |
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| Man on the Moon: The End of Day |
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| Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager |
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| WZRD |
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| Indicud |
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| Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven |
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| Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin' |
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| Kids See Ghosts |
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| Man on the Moon III: The Chosen |
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| The Boy Who Flew to the Moon, Vol. 1 |
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| Entergalactic |
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| Insano |
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| Other singles |
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| Featured singles |
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| Promotional singles |
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| Other songs |
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| Unreleased songs |
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| Studio albums |
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| Live albums |
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| Soundtracks |
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| Compilations |
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| Singles |
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| Featured singles |
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| Other songs |
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| Songwriting credits |
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| Tours |
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| Related articles |
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