"God"
Song by Kendrick Lamar
from the album Damn
Recorded2017
Genre
Length4:08
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Riera
  • Sounwave
  • DJ Dahi
  • Bēkon
  • Cardo
  • Tiffith
  • Yung Exclusive
  • Hector
  • Walton

"God" (stylized as "GOD.") is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar, from his fourth studio album Damn, released on April 14, 2017. The thirteenth and penultimate track on the album (second on the Collector's Edition of Damn[2]), the song was produced by Riera, Sounwave, DJ Dahi, Bëkon, Cardo, Tiffith, with additional production by Yung Exclusive, Mike Hector and Teddy Walton.

The song details Lamar's successes, how it feels, and why he works so hard to get to where he is today.[3] The song also finds Lamar declaring his faux-divinity as a rap god.[4]

Background

Before the release of Damn, the album itself was rumored to be centered around God.[5] It was soon confirmed by Lamar himself.[6] Lamar has been a devout Christian since approximately his late teen years or adolescence.[7][8]

Lyrics

According to Jake Woolf of GQ magazine, Lamar trolls Canadian musician and rapper Drake by imitating his singing voice on the song's chorus.[7]

Live performances

Lamar performed "God" live at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 23, 2017.[9]

Lamar has performed "God" at every show as an encore on the Damn tour.[10]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the official Damn digital booklet.

Charts

Chart (2017) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[11] 50
France (SNEP)[12] 192
Ireland (IRMA)[13] 57
Portugal (AFP)[14] 55
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[15] 70
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[16] 9
UK Singles (OCC)[17] 81
US Billboard Hot 100[18] 58
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[19] 33

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[20] Gold 35,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[21] Gold 40,000‡
United States (RIAA)[22] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ "BMI | Songview Search".
  2. ^ India, Lindsey (December 8, 2017). "Kendrick Lamar Surprises Fans With 'Damn.' Collector's Edition". XXL. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
  3. ^ Kendrick Lamar – GOD., retrieved April 24, 2017
  4. ^ "Kendrick Lamar Wrestles With God and Fame on His New Album". RELEVANT Magazine. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  5. ^ Okayplayer. "Will New Kendrick Lamar Album Address God? | Okayplayer Okayplayer". www.okayplayer.com. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  6. ^ "Kendrick Lamar Hints His Next Album Will Center On God". Vibe. March 2, 2017. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  7. ^ a b Woolf, Jake (April 14, 2017). "Kendrick Lamar's Latest Drake Troll Could Be His Best Ever". GQ. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  8. ^ "The Radical Christianity Of Kendrick Lamar". BuzzFeed. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  9. ^ "Kendrick Lamar Setlist at Coachella Festival 2017". setlist.fm. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  10. ^ Masley, Ed (July 13, 2017). "Kendrick Lamar launches DAMN. Tour in Glendale with triumphant one-man show of force". AZ Central. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
  11. ^ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  12. ^ "Kendrick Lamar – God." (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  13. ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved April 21, 2017.
  14. ^ "Kendrick Lamar – God.". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  15. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201716 into search. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  16. ^ "Swedish Heatseekers Chart - 14 April 2017". Retrieved March 17, 2017.
  17. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  18. ^ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  19. ^ "Kendrick Lamar Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  20. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
  21. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Kendrick Lamar – God". Music Canada. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  22. ^ "American single certifications – Kendrick Lamar – God". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
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