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Stop Trying to Be God
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Stop Trying to Be God
| artist = Travis Scott featuring Kid Cudi, James Blake, Philip Bailey and Stevie Wonder
| album = Astroworld
| released = August 3, 2018
| venue =
| genre = Alternative trap
| length = 5:38
| label =
* Grand Hustle
* Epic
* Cactus Jack
| writer =
| producer =
| misc =
}}
"'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. It was produced by Scott, J Beatzz and Mike Dean, with co-production credits going to CuBeatz.
Background
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."
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.
Composition
"Stop Trying to Be God" is an "indie trap" song. 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. Lyrically, the song is a warning against developing a God complex from one's ego.
Music video
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". 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'. In the next sequence, Scott delivers a sermon before baptizing a line of people in a lake at a water park. Scott eventually flies around on a dragon, commanding it to breathe fire upon a town and bringing about the Apocalypse. He is confronted by God, who shoots lasers from his eyes and punishes Scott. James Blake later appears singing in a graveyard. The video ends with a recreation of Jesus in a manger, with Kylie Jenner reappearing and holding a lamb that sings.
Live performances
Travis Scott performed the song with James Blake at the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards. They also performed the song with Philip Bailey at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.
Charts
Certifications
References
Category:2018 songs
Category:Travis Scott songs
Category:Songs written by Travis Scott
Category:Songs written by James Blake (musician)
Category:Songs written by Mike Dean (record producer)
Category:Songs written by Kevin Gomringer
Category:Songs written by Tim Gomringer
Category:Philip Bailey songs
Category:Kid Cudi songs
Category:James Blake (musician) songs
Category:Stevie Wonder songs
Category:Song recordings produced by Travis Scott
Category:Song recordings produced by Mike Dean (record producer)
Category:Song recordings produced by Cubeatz
Category:Music videos directed by Dave Meyers (director)
Category:Alternative hip hop songs
Category:Trap music songs
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