I Am a God

Last updated

"I Am a God"
Song by Kanye West
from the album Yeezus
ReleasedJune 18, 2013
Recorded2013
Genre
Length3:52
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)

"I Am a God" is a song by American rapper Kanye West from his sixth studio album Yeezus (2013). The song credits God as a featured performer. It was produced by West, Hudson Mohawke, Daft Punk, and Mike Dean, and includes vocals from Justin Vernon of Bon Iver. The song contains samples of "Forward Inna Dem Clothes", written by Capleton and H. Hart, and performed by the latter, and "Are Zindagi Hai Khel" by Manna Dey, R. D. Burman and Asha Bhosle.

Contents

West explained the message of "I Am a God" on various occasions, once claiming that it was for those who lacked confidence in themselves. The song includes elements of industrial and electronic music. West hypes himself up throughout it and references Jesus in comparison to him. The song received widely positive reviews from music critics, with West's arrogance being praised by a number of them.

"I Am a God" charted on both the US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 and US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts at number 9 and 37 respectively in 2013. West debuted the song by performing it live at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala in May 2013 and later performed it on multiple occasions throughout that year. One line in the song was changed to being rapped without instrumentation when West updated the album on Apple Music in 2016.

Background

Daft Punk contributed production to the song. Red daft punk.PNG
Daft Punk contributed production to the song.

Since its release, West has talked about the message of the song in numerous interviews. In an interview with W in June 2013, it was made known that the song was inspired by a 'diss' from a major fashion designer during Paris Fashion Week, where West was informed that he would be invited to a widely anticipated runway show only on the condition that he agree not to attend any other shows. [1] Thomas Bangalter of French duo Daft Punk revealed in an April 2013 interview centered around their album Random Access Memories that during the recording sessions, the duo used part of their time to work with West on music for the rapper's next album. [2] In reference to the material recorded by West, Bangalter stated that "It was very raw: he was rapping – kind of screaming primally, actually" and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo of Daft Punk added that "Kanye doesn't give a fuck." [2] Bangalter stated in a July 2013 interview that the duo "were the first people that Kanye came to" when working on Yeezus and they stand among the album's major producers. [3] [4] Hudson Mohawke co-produced the song and also stands among the album's major producers; [4] he had previously helped produce West's work in 2012 on the GOOD Music collaboration "Mercy". [5] Prior to working with West on Yeezus, Justin Vernon of Bon Iver had appeared on his 2010 single "Monster" from My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy . [6] Vernon stated of collaborating with West again: "After Twisted Fantasy, I kind of assumed that I'd get the call again at some point. I get along with Kanye really well and I think his musical decisions are exquisite." [6]

Before it was officially announced that West's sixth studio album was titled Yeezus, it had been rumored to be titled I Am God, which caused controversy. [7] The information was later revealed that it was likely for there to be a song titled "I Am a God" on West's then-upcoming album. [7] West's camp said the title was a reference to Psalm 82: "I said, 'You are gods, / And all of you are children of the Most High." [8] West offered an explanation of the song in 2015 during the course of an interview with Show Studio, stating:

The reason why I made the song 'I Am A God' is so those people that feel less than can turn it up and say it loud and embrace it for themselves, that God is inside all of us. It wasn't about specifically me. It was about us as a race; that we are an extension of God, that we all have God inside of us. [9]

Accusations of blasphemy led by the title were defended by Priest Father Matthew Moretz on August 30, 2013. [10] The song credits God as a featured performer, which had been rumoured before the album's release. [11] [12] During a 2013 interview with Zane Lowe on BBC Radio 1, West responded to criticism of claiming to be a God by delving into the topic of classism and self-hate, positing the question: "Would it have been better if I had a song that said, 'I Am a Nigger?' Or if I had a song that said, 'I Am a Gangsta'? Or I had a song that said, 'I Am a Pimp'? All of those colors and patinas fit better on a person like me, right?" [13] West would go on to offer further explanations in the midst of his performances during The Yeezus Tour in October of that year. [14]

Recording

On June 12, 2013, six days before Yeezus was released, a video was uploaded on West's website of him recording vocals for "I Am a God" with producers Rick Rubin and Mike Dean. [15] Record producer Noah Goldstein revealed that after first hearing West say "I am a God," everyone was like "OK, that's where we're going-- let's go all the way there." [6] Hudson Mohawke elaborated, revealing the track to be one of the first songs that West had for the album and stated that it "was like the blueprint." [6] Goldstein compared the recording process of the track to that of the 2011 collaborative song "New Day" by West and Jay-Z from Watch the Throne . [6] In October 2016, a demo of the track was uploaded to SoundCloud, which featured a new verse and synth line. [16] This version was later sampled into "Modern Jam" by Travis Scott in July 2023. [17]

Composition

West repeats "God!" in an exasperated way at the end of "Black Skinhead" to show the mind of the character portrayed on Yeezus as mutating the external idea of God into an internal one. [18] This leads into West hyping himself up on "I Am a God". [18] The song, like most tracks on Yeezus, includes elements of industrial music. [19] The electronic soundscape of the song was mainly crafted by the producers Daft Punk. [20] West screams within it. [21] The song samples "Forward Inna Dem Clothes", written by Capelton and H. Hart, and performed by the former, and "Are Zindagi Hai Khel" by Manna Dey, R. D. Burman and Asha Bhosle. [22] West uses certain lyrics to draw a comparison between Jesus and himself, with the former being the most high. [23]

West updated "I Am a God" solely on Apple Music in April 2016. [24] At one minute and 15 seconds into the song, the beat was changed to cutting out under the line "Y'all better quit playing with God." [24]

Release and reception

Critics often praised West's arrogance. Kanye West OFWGKTA Carnival 2013 (cropped).jpg
Critics often praised West's arrogance.

"I Am a God" was released on June 18, 2013, as the third track on West's sixth studio album Yeezus. [25] Before its release on the album, he debuted the song at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala in New York City on May 6, 2013. [1] [26] West performed the song wearing a "studded mask" and dedicated it to his then-fiancé Kim Kardashian. [21]

Since release, "I Am a God" has received universal acclaim from music critics. Jon Dolan of Rolling Stone looked at it as an example on Yeezus of where "Kanye's lyrics are pretty focused" and he renders "his classic themes as petulant primal screams." [27] Dolan called the song "a lurching, nightmarish throbber." [27] The staff of Billboard wrote of the song: "Through shooting synths, squeals and mushed bass, Kanye revels in all the negativity he's endured -- the hate received for everything from his fashion sense to brand of hip-hop -- and proclaims himself to be a god 'until the day I get struck by lightning.'" [28] Ryan Dombal of Pitchfork claimed that the song "is not simply the latest self-important blast from one of pop culture's pre-eminent egoists. For starters, the track sounds less triumphant than breathtakingly vexed, crashing in with a gnarled dancehall vocal sample and paranoid sawtooth synths that aim to destroy. Here, Kanye raps about loyalty, respect, threesomes, and, yes, croissants with the urgency of someone being chased by a 30-ton steamroller." [29] Dombal claimed for the primal screams to pierce the song and bring "the beat's heaving evil" to a brief halt. [29]

Alexis Petridis of The Guardian viewed "I Am a God" as what "offers up a bass pulse overlaid with epic, cavernous synthesisers" that he claimed to be influenced by Daft Punk. [30] Petridis looked at the song's short-circuiting as being "simultaneously incredibly powerful and deeply disconcerting." [30] Slate 's Forrest Wickman cites "I Am a God" as one of the album's tracks that "rattle as if they'd been produced by industrial hip-hop group Death Grips" and compared the song's heavy bass to the band's single "Come Up and Get Me." [19] Randall Roberts of the Los Angeles Times wrote of West's performance: "Here's a man so powerful that he can boss around both massage therapists and waiters, as he does in 'I Am a God': 'I am a god / So hurry up with my damn massage / in the French … restaurant / hurry up with my damn croissants.' If it weren't embedded within a truly frightening song featuring curdling screams and deep bass, the line would be laughable. As presented, his intentions are unclear — other than to remind you that, you know, 'I am a god!'" [31] Rolling Stone ranked the track at number 65 on their list of the 100 best songs of 2013, writing of it: "This is the greatest hate-rap screed by a deity with dangerously low blood sugar in ages." [32] NME ranked the track at number 18 on their list of the 50 best songs of 2013, writing: "Mesmeric in its arrogance and undeniable in its greatness, only Kanye would've had the stones to attempt a song like this with such poker-faced seriousness, and only he could've managed to pull it off." [33]

Commercial performance

Upon the release of Yeezus, the song debuted at number 9 on the US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 and lasted for one week. [34] That same week, "I Am a God" entered at number 37 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. [35] The entry stood as the first time that God had ever charted on US Billboard charts as a credited artist and associate chart production manager Alex Vitoulis initially added God to the artists of the Billboard computerized charts system, which caused laughter. [12] The following week, the song descended 11 places to number 48 on the chart. [36]

Live performances

West masked while performing "I Am a God" at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York City, 2013. Kanye West Barclays Center.png
West masked while performing "I Am a God" at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York City, 2013.

"I Am a God" was first performed live by West at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala on May 6, 2013. [1] West later performed the song at the 2013 Governors Ball Music Festival on June 9, nine days before the album's release, alongside other tracks from it. [37] At the opening concert of The Yeezus Tour in Seattle's KeyArena, the song was the ninth to be performed by West. [38] West delivered a live performance of the song at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on November 19 as part of the tour. [39] The performance began with West being picked up off the ground by women after he had ended a performance of "Black Skinhead" lying on his back. [39] West left the line "Hurry up with my damn croissants!" to be shouted by the crowd. [39]

In the media

In August 2013, The Association of French Bakers penned a letter to West over the lyrics "In a French-ass restaurant/Hurry up with my damn croissants," telling him to be patient. [40] The letter stressed that a croissant cannot be rushed because one is comparable to a work of art, though the bakers gave West a pass and stated that they take his lyrics seriously. [40] The trailer of 2013 film House of Versace was set to the song, which included Gina Gershon saying lines such as "I was a girl in power since the day I was born" and "I am Versace!" [41] "I Am a God" was used in the trailer of the 2016 film Assassin's Creed . [42] The song was featured in the trailer for 2018 video game UFC 3 . [43] In February 2018, Chilean-American composer Nicolas Jaar, under the alias A.A.L. (Against All Logic), sampled it on his song "Such A Bad Way". [44] In 2019, it was used in the film Waves , directed by Trey Edward Shults and produced by A24.

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the Yeezus liner notes. [22]

Charts

Chart (2013)Peak
position
Australian Streaming Tracks (ARIA) [45] 32
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles ( Billboard ) [46] 9
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [47] 37
US On-Demand Songs ( Billboard ) [48] 14

Certifications

Certifications and sales for I Am a God
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [49] Gold500,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kanye West albums discography</span>

American rapper and record producer, Ye, better known as Kanye West, has released 10 studio albums, three collaborative studio albums, one compilation album, one demo album, two live albums, one video album, and five mixtapes. All ten of his studio albums have been certified at least gold in the United States. As of June 2021, West has certified 25 million equivalent solo albums units in the United States, placing him among the highest-certified music artists in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stronger (Kanye West song)</span> 2007 single by Kanye West

"Stronger" is a song by American rapper Kanye West, released as the second single from his third studio album, Graduation (2007). The production was handled by West, with an extended outro co-produced with Mike Dean. The composition is electronic in nature, employing drums and synthesizers as the most prominent instruments. For the track, West repeats a vocal sample of "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" by French house duo Daft Punk in the background while he delivers lyrics about the resolve that comes when one is faced with adversity, paraphrasing Friedrich Nietzsche's dictum "What does not kill me makes me stronger" for the song's refrain. West has described the song as an "emancipation" as it allowed him to vent his frustration over mistakes made in the year prior.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Good Life (Kanye West song)</span> 2007 song by Kanye West

"Good Life" is a song by American rapper Kanye West from his third studio album, Graduation (2007). Featuring singer T-Pain, the song includes background vocals from John Legend and Ne-Yo. West and Toomp handled the production, with additional production from Mike Dean. T-Pain thought of the concept when dining out with West, while he also recorded numerous hooks that the rapper used for his feature. On October 2, 2007, the song was released to US rhythmic contemporary radio stations by Roc-A-Fella and Def Jam as the album's third single. A pop number, it samples Michael Jackson's "P.Y.T. " and features synths. Lyrically, the song sees West celebrating his success and being determined to succeed, and T-Pain also reflecting on his success.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hudson Mohawke</span> Scottish music producer

Ross Matthew Birchard, better known by the stage name Hudson Mohawke, is a Scottish-American producer, composer, and DJ from Glasgow. He is known for his work in 21st century hip-hop and electronic music. A founding member of the UK label collective LuckyMe, his fractured take on hip-hop made him a leading figure in the late-2000s wonky scene. He released his debut album Butter in 2009 on Warp Records. He has followed with the solo albums Lantern (2015) and Cry Sugar (2022), both on Warp.

<i>Yeezus</i> 2013 studio album by Kanye West

Yeezus is the sixth studio album by the American rapper and producer Kanye West. It was released on June 18, 2013, through Def Jam Recordings and Roc-A-Fella Records. West gathered a number of artists and close collaborators for the production, including Mike Dean, Daft Punk, Noah Goldstein, Arca, Hudson Mohawke, and Travis Scott. The album also features guest vocals from Justin Vernon, Chief Keef, Kid Cudi, Assassin, King L, Charlie Wilson, and Frank Ocean.

"New Slaves" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Kanye West, from his sixth studio album Yeezus (2013). It was produced primarily by West, with additional production by Ben Bronfman, Mike Dean, Travis Scott, Noah Goldstein, Sham Joseph, and Che Pope. The song's lyrics discuss slavery and segregation, as well as racism in general, materialism, and stereotypes of African Americans in the United States. It features vocals from American recording artist Frank Ocean, whom West previously collaborated with on Watch the Throne (2011). The song's coda features a sample of "Gyöngyhajú lány" by Hungarian composer Gábor Presser, who later sued West in 2016 over its use.

"Hold My Liquor" is a song by American rapper Kanye West, from his sixth studio album Yeezus (2013). It was primarily produced by West and longtime collaborator Mike Dean, who also provides a guitar solo, with additional production from Arca and Noah Goldstein. It features vocals from rapper Chief Keef and singer-songwriter Justin Vernon of Bon Iver. It is a house ballad that is built upon a pulsating synth beat with metallic stabs. In the song, West stumbles into an ex-girlfriend's home for reckless sex, with lyrics that contain references to substance abuse and issues with relationships and self-image.

"On Sight" is a song by American rapper Kanye West from his sixth studio album, Yeezus (2013). It was produced by West and Daft Punk, with additional production by Benji B and Mike Dean. The song includes an electronic sound that was mainly contributed by Daft Punk, who were the first people West became involved with for the album. The song itself was first heard when performed live by West at the Governors Ball Music Festival in 2013.

"Bound 2" is a song by American rapper Kanye West, featured as the final track from his sixth studio album, Yeezus (2013). It was produced by West and Che Pope, with additional production being handled by Eric Danchick, Noah Goldstein, No ID and Mike Dean. The song features vocals from American soul singer Charlie Wilson and serves as the album's second single. "Bound 2" incorporates samples from "Bound" by Ponderosa Twins Plus One and the lines "Uh-huh, honey" and "Alright" from Brenda Lee's "Sweet Nothin's". The song also interpolates Wee's "Aeroplane (Reprise)" for the bridge, sung by Charlie Wilson.

"Black Skinhead" is a song by American rapper Kanye West, from his sixth studio album Yeezus (2013). It was produced by West and Daft Punk. The song's lyrics center on racial tensions and the crumbling mental state of the character West portrays on the album. The song premiered on Saturday Night Live in May 2013, with West performing it in front of a projected backdrop. He has since performed the song live on various occasions, including at the Glastonbury Festival and the Billboard Music Awards in 2015. It was universally praised by music critics and ranked by numerous sites, including Rolling Stone and NME, as one of the best tracks of 2013. The song's accompanying music video was directed by Nick Knight and features computer-generated imagery of West, with interactive options including "screen grabbing" and adjusting the speed of his vocals. The video was released in July 2013 and has received positive reviews from critics.

"Blood on the Leaves" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Kanye West from his sixth studio album Yeezus (2013). In the song, West presents his thoughts on how fame can cause the destruction of relationships, while making comparisons of contemporary times to the lynching of African Americans in the United States during the pre-civil rights era. West delivers his vocals through an Auto-Tune processor, like on his 2008 album 808s & Heartbreak. It contains samples of both singer Nina Simone's 1965 rendition of Billie Holiday's song "Strange Fruit", and "R U Ready" by the duo TNGHT, who co-produced the track.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All Day (Kanye West song)</span> Kanye West song

"All Day" is a song by American rapper Kanye West. It features Trini-American rapper Theophilus London, Canadian rapper Allan Kingdom, and English musician Paul McCartney. The song was produced by West and ten others. Having initially leaked in August 2014 after being announced for release as a single by West, he premiered the song on March 2, 2015 via Power 106 and Hot 97. The following day, it was released for digital download and streaming as a standalone single, through GOOD Music and Def Jam. The song contains a re-recorded sample of "When the Wind is Blowing" by Paul McCartney and Wings and an interpolation from "Dance with Me" by Jamaican singer Noel Ellis. It includes elements of industrial and drill music, alongside synthesizers. The lyrics center around West boasting about being successful and winning in life, with West comparing certain lyrics to the work of Jay-Z.

"I'm In It" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Kanye West, from his sixth studio album, Yeezus (2013). It was produced by West, Evian Christ, Dom Solo, Noah Goldstein, Arca and Mike Dean. The song features vocals from Justin Vernon and Assassin and a sample of "Lately" by Kenny Lattimore. In the song, West describes numerous sexual fantasies using very sexually explicit lyrics. The song has received mixed reviews from music critics, with its explicit lyrics receiving the most criticism. Despite charting in the United States in 2013, the song is one of the worst performing songs on Yeezus.

"Send It Up" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Kanye West, from his sixth studio album Yeezus (2013). It was produced by West, Daft Punk, Gesaffelstein, Brodinski, Arca and Mike Dean. Like other songs on the album, it features an industrial hip hop sound, with elements of electronic music. The song features vocals from American rapper King Louie, who improvised his contributions. It contains a sample of "Memories" by Jamaican reggae and dancehall singer Beenie Man. Eight days before its release on the album, West performed the song live at the Governors Ball Music Festival, along with four other tracks from Yeezus.

"FML" is a song by American rapper Kanye West from his seventh studio album The Life of Pablo (2016), which features vocals from Canadian singer The Weeknd. It contains a sample of "Hit" by Section 25, which two of the band members praised West for sampling. In the song, West references his issues with mental health. The song charted in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada in 2016.

"Freestyle 4" is a song by American hip-hop artist Kanye West that features vocals from rapper Desiigner, which is from West's seventh studio album, The Life of Pablo (2016). It was remixed by Tyler, the Creator in March 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kids See Ghosts</span> American hip hop duo

Kids See Ghosts was an American hip-hop supergroup composed of musicians Kanye West and Kid Cudi. Formed in 2018 during West’s Wyoming sessions, the duo released their eponymous debut album in June of that year, through their respective label imprints, GOOD Music and Wicked Awesome Records. The album was met with critical acclaim, debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200, and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The duo disbanded in 2022 due to personal disagreements, and although they reconciled the following year, there has been no information regarding the duo's status.

"Guilt Trip" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Kanye West, from his sixth studio album Yeezus (2013). It was produced by West, Mike Dean, S1, with an additional production credit for Travis Scott and Ackeejuice Rockers for the samples of "Chief Rocka" by Lords of the Underground and "Blocka" by Pusha T featuring Popcaan and Travis Scott. The song's lyrics deal with looking back at a failed relationship, similar to fellow Yeezus track "Blood on the Leaves". West provides his vocals through rapping and singing through an Auto-Tune processor, reminiscent of his 2008 album 808s & Heartbreak. The song includes vocals from rapper Kid Cudi, who later expressed negative opinions about his feature due to his vocals being recorded years prior.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wash Us in the Blood</span> 2020 single by Kanye West featuring Travis Scott

"Wash Us in the Blood" is a song by American rapper Kanye West featuring fellow American rapper Travis Scott. It was produced by West, Ronny J, and BoogzDaBeast, while co-produced by FnZ and A.G., with additional production from Dem Jointz and Israel Boyd. The producers wrote the song alongside Travis Scott, Aaron Butts and KayCyy Pluto. The song was released for digital download and streaming as a standalone single on June 30, 2020, through GOOD Music and Def Jam. Will Welch teased the song during an interview with West in April 2020.

"Modern Jam" is a song by American rapper Travis Scott featuring fellow American rapper Teezo Touchdown from the former's fourth studio album Utopia (2023). The song was produced by Scott and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, with additional production from Jahaan Sweet and Mike Dean.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Bagley, Christopher. "Kanye West, the Transformer, on his New Album Yeezus and Kim Kardashian". W . Archived from the original on October 27, 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  2. 1 2 Weiner, Jonah (April 13, 2013). "Daft Punk Reveal Secrets of New Album – Exclusive". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on July 30, 2018. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  3. "Daft Punk Speaks On Producing Kanye West's 'Black Skinhead' For 'Yeezus' LP". Vibe . Vibe Exclusive. July 10, 2013. Archived from the original on February 4, 2019. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  4. 1 2 Nostro, Lauren (June 19, 2013). "Here Are The Full Liner Notes on Kanye West's "Yeezus"". Complex . Archived from the original on July 20, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  5. "Hudson Mohawke contributes to Kanye's new G.O.O.D. Music track". FACT Magazine . FACT. April 6, 2012. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Dombal, Ryan (June 24, 2013). "The Yeezus Sessions". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on November 6, 2018. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  7. 1 2 Harling, Danielle (March 27, 2013). "Kanye West's "I Am A God" Believed To Be Song Title, Not Album". HipHopDX . Archived from the original on May 7, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  8. Makarechi, Kia (June 24, 2013). "Kanye West's 'I Am A God' Inspired By Fashion Week Diss". HuffPost US . The Huffington Post. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved December 19, 2013.
  9. "In Camera: Kanye West". Show Studio. Archived from the original on October 29, 2017. Retrieved October 6, 2015.
  10. "Priest defends Kanye West's 'I Am A God' from accusations of blasphemy – watch". NME . August 30, 2013. Archived from the original on December 9, 2018. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  11. Menzie, Nicola (June 13, 2013). "'God' to Make an Appearance on Kanye West's New 'Yeezus' Album?". Christian Post . CP Entertainment. Archived from the original on July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  12. 1 2 Trust, Gary (June 28, 2013). "Weekly Chart Notes: Kanye West Brings 'God' To Billboard Charts". Billboard . Chart Beat. Archived from the original on January 11, 2017. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  13. Kaufman, Gil. "Kanye West's BBC Interview: Five Things We Learned About The 'God'". MTV . Archived from the original on October 27, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  14. Kahn, Andrew; Wickman, Forrest (February 11, 2016). "All of Kanye West's "rants" from the 2013 Yeezus tour, transcribed". Slate . Archived from the original on March 7, 2019. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  15. Makarechi, Kia (June 12, 2013). "Kanye's 'I Am A God' Studio Video Shows 'Yeezus' Sessions With Rick Rubin & Mike Dean". HuffPost UK . The Huffington Post. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved December 19, 2013.
  16. Britton, Luke Morgan (October 3, 2016). "Kanye West: Listen to unheard demos for 'I Am A God' and 'FML'". NME . Archived from the original on June 23, 2018. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  17. Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (July 28, 2023). "Travis Scott Uses Decade-Old Kanye West 'Yeezus' Beat On 'Utopia'". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on August 21, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  18. 1 2 Lambert, Chris (November 12, 2017). "'Black Skinhead': The Politics of New Kanye West on 'Yeezus'". Daily Dot . Archived from the original on November 12, 2017. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  19. 1 2 Wickman, Forrest (June 14, 2013). "Yeezus leak: Kanye West's new album has leaked, is dark and uncommercial". Slate . Archived from the original on June 17, 2019. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  20. Findlay, Mitch (September 19, 2018). "Kanye West's "Yeezus:" Unpacking A Truly Divisive Album". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on December 10, 2018. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  21. 1 2 Zuckerman, Esther (May 7, 2013). "Watch Kanye West Scream 'I Am a God' and Sing at Kardashian at the Met Gala". The Atlantic . Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  22. 1 2 Kanye West (2013). Yeezus (PDF) (Media notes). Def Jam Recordings. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 3, 2013. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  23. Bialer, Jake (November 1, 2013). "Is 'Kanye West' More Popular Than 'Jesus Christ'?". HuffPost US . Archived from the original on September 5, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  24. 1 2 Kramer, Kyle (April 19, 2016). "Kanye West Is Updating 'Yeezus' Now, Too". VICE . Archived from the original on June 18, 2019. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  25. Jeffries, David. "Yeezus – Kanye West". AllMusic. Archived from the original on June 21, 2013. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  26. Cooper, Leonie (May 7, 2013). "Kanye West unveils 'I Am A God' at punk themed Met Gala". NME . Archived from the original on September 30, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  27. 1 2 Dolan, Jon (June 14, 2013). "Kanye West, 'Yeezus'". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on December 10, 2018. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  28. "Kanye West, 'Yeezus': Track-by-Track review". Billboard . June 14, 2013. Archived from the original on June 24, 2018. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  29. 1 2 Domball, Ryan (June 18, 2013). "Kanye West, 'Yeezus'". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on September 20, 2018. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  30. 1 2 Petridis, Alexis (June 17, 2013). "Kanye West: Yeezus – review". The Guardian . Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  31. Roberts, Randall (June 17, 2013). "Review: Kanye West's wildly experimental, narcissistic Yeezus". Los Angeles Times . Los Angeles. Archived from the original on June 20, 2013. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  32. "100 Best Songs of 2013: Kanye West, I Am a God". Rolling Stone . December 4, 2013. Archived from the original on June 18, 2019. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  33. Emily Barker (November 26, 2013). "NME's 50 Best Tracks Of 2013". NME . Archived from the original on September 7, 2018. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  34. "Kanye West – I Am A God (Featuring God) – Chart History". Billboard . Archived from the original on February 7, 2019. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  35. "Top Hip-Hop Songs / R&B Songs Chart – July 6, 2013". Billboard . Archived from the original on December 10, 2018. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  36. "Top Hip-Hop Songs / R&B Songs Chart – July 13, 2013". Billboard . Archived from the original on December 9, 2018. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  37. Makarechi, Kia (June 10, 2013). "Kanye's Governors Ball Show: 'I Am A God,' 'On Site' And A Few Words (VIDEOS)". HuffPost UK . The Huffington Post. Archived from the original on December 25, 2013. Retrieved December 19, 2013.
  38. "Marvel at footage of Kanye West's Yeezus tour, featuring a mountain and a Jesus impersonator". FACT Magazine . FACT. October 21, 2013. Archived from the original on August 4, 2014. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  39. 1 2 3 Kamer, Foster (November 20, 2013). "Live Review: Kanye West as Yeezus Christ Superstar in Brooklyn". Complex . Archived from the original on April 13, 2019. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  40. 1 2 Couch, Aaron (August 30, 2013). "French Bakers Ask Croissant-Craving Kanye West to Have Patience". Billboard . Archived from the original on September 2, 2013. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  41. Schreiber, Abby (November 2, 2013). "Thanks to This Amazing New Trailer, We're Warming Up to Gina Gershon as Donatella". Paper Mag . Archived from the original on January 21, 2018. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  42. Gallagher, Caitlin. "The 'Assassin's Creed' Trailer Song Makes A Divine Boast Only One Artist Could Pull Off". Bustle . Archived from the original on May 28, 2016. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
  43. Good, Owen. "EA Sports UFC 3 announced for Xbox One, PS4". Polygon . Archived from the original on November 12, 2017. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  44. Maicki, Salvatore (February 24, 2018). "Nicolas Jaar samples Kanye West on his new record". The FADER . Archived from the original on October 5, 2018. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  45. "Issue1218" (PDF). Pandora Archive . Archived from the original (PDF) on July 18, 2013. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  46. "Kanye West Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  47. "Kanye West Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  48. "Kanye West Chart History (On-Demand Songs)". Billboard . Archived from the original on February 14, 2019. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  49. "American single certifications – Kanye West – I Am a God". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved June 21, 2023.