View source for On God

{{for|other songs|On God (disambiguation)}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox song
| name     = On God
| cover    =
| alt      =
| type     = song
| artist   = [[Kanye West]]
| album    = [[Jesus Is King]]
| released = {{Start date|2019|10|25}}
| format   =
| recorded =
| studio   =
| genre    = [[Electronic music|Electronic]]
| length   = {{Duration|m=2|s=16}}
| label    =
* [[GOOD Music|GOOD]]
* [[Def Jam Recordings|Def Jam]]
| writer   =
* Kanye West
* Jahmal Gwin
* Michael Cerda
* [[Pi'erre Bourne|Jordan Timothy Jenks]]
* [[Federico Vindver]]
* [[Cyhi the Prynce|Cydel Young]]
* [[Mustard (record producer)|Dijon Isaiah McFarlane]]
| producer =
* Kanye West
* BoogzDaBeast
* Michael Cerda
* [[Pi'erre Bourne]]
}}
"'''On God'''" is a song by American rapper [[Kanye West]] from his ninth studio album, ''[[Jesus Is King]]'' (2019). The song's production was handled by West, BoogzDaBeast, and Michael "CameOne" Cerda, with co-production from [[Pi'erre Bourne]] and additional production from [[Federico Vindver]]. The producers served as co-writers alongside [[Cyhi the Prynce]] and [[Mustard (record producer)|Mustard]]. Cerda formed the song's melody in 2017, utilizing a [[Sequential (company)|Prophet Rev 2]] and [[Moog Sub 37]]. [[Young Thug]] indicated an appearance, though he ultimately did not make the final cut. An [[Electronic music|electronic]] track with [[Gospel music|gospel]] and [[House music|house]] elements, it relies on [[Synthesizer|synths]] and features an [[Interpolation (popular music)|interpolation]] of "[[Mercy (Kanye West song)|Mercy]]" by West, [[Big Sean]], [[Pusha T]], and [[2 Chainz]].
Lyrically, the song features West delivering [[the gospel]] about his life with the newfound context of [[Christianity]]. "On God" received moderately positive reviews from [[Music journalism|music critics]], who mostly commended the production. They often focused on the synths, though critical commentary towards West's rapping was somewhat negative. The song was one of the Award Winning Gospel Songs at the 2021 [[BMI Film & TV Awards|BMI Gospel Awards]]. It reached number 23 on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] and charted within the top 50 in eight other countries, including Canada and Latvia. The song has been certified [[RIAA certification|gold]] in the United States by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA).
==Background==
[[File:Young Thug - Openair Frauenfeld 2019 06.jpg|thumb|left|200px|alt=[[Young Thug]] performing in July 2019|[[Young Thug]] suggested over [[Twitter]] that he would appear on the song, though he was ultimately not featured.]]
American record producer Michael "CameOne" Cerda developed a passion for music production in 2007, being inspired by his friend and mentor Alex Vazquez to create beats daily. The producer later connected with a representative from West's [[record label]] [[GOOD Music]] in 2019 and subsequently received a text message about a sample package he made, "Hold this for Ye."<ref name="jsonl">{{Cite web|last1=Levy|first1=Piet|url=https://jsonline.com/story/entertainment/music/2019/10/31/how-milwaukee-producer-michael-cerda-ended-up-kanye-wests-jesus-king-album/4099275002/|title=How Milwaukee producer Michael Cerda ended up on Kanye West's 'Jesus Is King' album|work=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]|date=October 31, 2019|access-date=July 27, 2022|archive-date=May 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518182423/https://www.jsonline.com/story/entertainment/music/2019/10/31/how-milwaukee-producer-michael-cerda-ended-up-kanye-wests-jesus-king-album/4099275002/|url-status=live}}</ref> Cerda experienced disbelief and shock after reading the text and in the summer of 2019, the representative confirmed that he would be a contributor to ''Jesus Is King''.<ref name="jsonl"/> He revealed that "On God" was originally composed by him in 2017 before he knew the song would be on the album, crafting the melody on a [[Sequential (company)|Prophet Rev 2]] and [[Moog Sub 37]].<ref name="Genius"/> Cerda also said he was inspired by his love for [[Synthesizer|synth]] heavy melodies and for the sample's creation process, he began with the [[arpeggiator]] and mostly worked with The Legend plugin, using [[FL Studio|FL Studio 11]].<ref name="Genius">{{Cite web|last1=Ink|first1=Shy|url=https://genius.com/a/producer-cameone-explains-how-he-ended-up-working-on-kanye-wests-jesus-is-king|title=Producer CAMEone Explains How He Ended Up Working On Kanye West's 'Jesus Is King'|publisher=[[Genius (company)|Genius]]|date=November 4, 2019|access-date=July 27, 2022|archive-date=July 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726204639/https://genius.com/a/producer-cameone-explains-how-he-ended-up-working-on-kanye-wests-jesus-is-king|url-status=live}}</ref> The song was produced by West, BoogzDaBeast, and Cerda, with co-production from record producer [[Pi'erre Bourne]] and additional production from Federico Vindver. The producers co-wrote it with [[Cyhi the Prynce]] and [[Mustard (record producer)|Mustard]].{{efn|name="bmi"|Find additional credits for the song on the [https://repertoire.bmi.com/StartPage.aspx BMI Repertoire] by searching the work number #40758456.}}<ref name="Tidal">{{cite web|url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/121012112|title=Kanye West / Jesus Is King|publisher=[[Tidal (service)|Tidal]]|url-access=registration|access-date=July 23, 2022|archive-date=October 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025183453/https://listen.tidal.com/album/121012112|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2016, fellow rapper [[Young Thug]] contributed vocals to West's seventh studio album ''[[The Life of Pablo]]''.<ref name="hnhh">{{Cite web|last1=A.|first1=Aron|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/young-thug-asks-kanye-west-if-his-verse-about-the-devil-is-still-on-jesus-is-king-news.92271.html|title=Young Thug Asks Kanye West If His Verse 'About The Devil' Is Still On 'Jesus Is King'|work=[[HotNewHipHop]]|date=October 2, 2019|access-date=July 22, 2022|archive-date=July 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220722085637/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/young-thug-asks-kanye-west-if-his-verse-about-the-devil-is-still-on-jesus-is-king-news.92271.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On September 18, 2018, shortly after West announced his then-upcoming album ''Yandhi'', the rapper tweeted in response that if not featured on it, he will never speak to him again and ended the tweet with "#OnGod".<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Cowen|first1=Trace William|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2018/09/young-thug-kanye-not-on-yandhi-never-talking-again|title=Young Thug to Kanye: 'If I'm Not on ''Yandhi'' I'm Never Talking to U Again'|work=[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]|date=September 18, 2018|access-date=February 7, 2020|archive-date=December 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202064913/https://www.complex.com/music/2018/09/young-thug-kanye-not-on-yandhi-never-talking-again|url-status=live}}</ref> West's wife [[Kim Kardashian]] later revealed a track list for ''Jesus Is King'' on September 27, 2019, including "On God".<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Silbert|first1=Jake|url=https://hypebeast.com/2019/8/kanye-west-yandhi-new-album-tease-kim-kardashian-tracklist|title=Kim Kardashian Posts Another Potential 'Jesus Is King' Tracklist (Update)|work=Hypebeast|date=September 27, 2019|access-date=February 7, 2020|archive-date=December 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205070423/https://hypebeast.com/2019/8/kanye-west-yandhi-new-album-tease-kim-kardashian-tracklist|url-status=live}}</ref> Speculation began that the track was to include a feature from Young Thug due to the title, after ''Yandhi'' had been scrapped.<ref name="Hs">{{Cite web|last1=McGarrigle|first1=Lia|url=https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-young-thug-feature/|title=Young Thug Tweets At Kanye To Ask If His Verse Made 'Jesus Is King'|work=[[Highsnobiety]]|date=October 3, 2019|access-date=February 7, 2020}}</ref><ref name="complex"/><ref name="bb-thug">{{Cite web|last1=Saponara|first1=Michael|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/young-thug-kanye-west-jesus-is-king-question-tweet-8532067/|title=Young Thug's Kanye West 'Jesus Is King' Tweet: See It Here|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=October 3, 2019|access-date=July 22, 2022|archive-date=July 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220722085637/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/young-thug-kanye-west-jesus-is-king-question-tweet-8532067/|url-status=live}}</ref> During a listening session for the album in New York City on September 29, 2019, vocals from the rapper were not included.<ref name="bb-thug"/> However, Young Thug asked West over Twitter if his "verse about the devil" was still on ''Jesus Is King'' three days later, marking the first time he tweeted to him since September 2018.<ref name="hnhh"/><ref name="Hs"/><ref name="complex">{{Cite web|last1=Epsinoza|first1=Joshua|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2019/10/young-thug-asks-kanye-west-if-his-devil-verse-made-final-cut-of-jesus-is-king-album|title=Young Thug Asks Kanye If His 'Verse About the Devil' Made 'Jesus Is King'|work=Complex|date=October 3, 2019|access-date=February 7, 2020|archive-date=March 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302072636/https://www.complex.com/music/2019/10/young-thug-asks-kanye-west-if-his-devil-verse-made-final-cut-of-jesus-is-king-album|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="bb-thug"/> West did not reply that same day and the rapper ultimately failed to make the final cut.<ref name="complex"/><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Butler|first1=Bethonie|last2=Izadi|first2=Elahe|last3=Chu|first3=Hau|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/10/25/kanye-west-finally-releases-jesus-is-king-movie-tie-in-kenny-gs-cameo-heres-what-know/|title=Kanye West's 'Jesus Is King': From Kenny G to the IMAX film, here's what to know.|work=[[The Washington Post]]|date=October 25, 2019|access-date=February 7, 2020|archive-date=October 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025225326/https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/10/25/kanye-west-finally-releases-jesus-is-king-movie-tie-in-kenny-gs-cameo-heres-what-know/|url-status=live}}</ref> Prior to referencing the [[Constitution of the United States]]' [[Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution|13th Amendment]] that freed the slaves on "On God", West had controversially said in 2018 that slavery "was a choice".<ref name="music"/><ref name="Graves"/> He met with 2017–2021 US [[President of the United States|President]] [[Donald Trump]] that same year and suggested to "abolish" the amendment while wearing a [[MAGA hat|Trump hat]], stating that it is similar to "a trap door", so should not be part of the constitution.<ref name="Trump"/> West explained how the writers of the 13th Amendment "didn't look like the people they were amending" and it was illegal for any black Americans to read at the time, meaning that reading the amendment led to "get[ting] locked up and turned into a slave".<ref name="Trump">{{Cite web|url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-meeting-kanye-west-jim-brown/|title=Remarks by President Trump in Meeting with Kanye West and Jim Brown|date=October 11, 2018|via=[[NARA|National Archives]]|publisher=[[whitehouse.gov]]|location=[[Oval Office]]|access-date=August 1, 2022|archive-date=May 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507051057/https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-meeting-kanye-west-jim-brown/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Composition and lyrics==
[[File:President Donald Trump and Kanye West 2018-10-11 (Cropped 2).jpg|thumb|right|alt=[[Donald Trump]] and Kanye West meeting in October 2018|West references the [[Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution|13th Amendment to the United States Constitution]] on the song, which he discussed during a meeting with [[Donald Trump]] in 2018.]]
Musically, "On God" is an [[Electronic music|electronic]] track,<ref name="Vibe"/> with elements of [[Gospel music|gospel]] and [[house music]].<ref name="music">{{cite web|last=Wehner|first=Cyclone|url=https://themusic.com.au/news/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-review-track-by-track/TbdVQUBDQkU/27-10-19/|title='{{'}}Jesus Is King' Will Be A Touchstone': A Track-by-track Of Kanye West's New Album|website=[[The Music (magazine)|The Music]]|date=October 26, 2019|access-date=July 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611191829/https://themusic.com.au/news/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-review-track-by-track/TbdVQUBDQkU/27-10-19/|archive-date=June 11, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> It stands as a contrast from other tracks on ''Jesus Is King'', going against the primarily gospel and [[Hip hop music|hip hop]] style.<ref name="Vibe">{{Cite web|last1=Fitzgerald|first1=Kiana|url=https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/jesus-is-king-is-kanye-wests-attempt-to-get-right-with-god-665484/|title='Jesus Is King' Is Kanye West's Attempt To Get Right With God|work=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]|date=October 1, 2019|access-date=July 25, 2022|archive-date=July 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220725204941/https://www.vibe.com/music/music-news/jesus-is-king-is-kanye-wests-attempt-to-get-right-with-god-665484/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Bassett"/> The song [[Sampling (music)|samples]] the line "Yo Pi'erre, you wanna come out here?" from the American sitcom ''[[The Jamie Foxx Show]]'', using it as Pi'erre Bourne's producer tag.<ref name="sample">{{cite news|last1=Hore-Thorburn|first1=Isabelle|title=Listen to Every Sample on Kanye West's 'Jesus Is King' Here|url=https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-samples/|access-date=July 25, 2022|work=[[Highsnobiety]]|date=October 28, 2019}}</ref> Its melody is reliant on lush synths from Cerda,<ref name="Genius"/><ref name="Bassett"/><ref name="musicOMH">{{cite web|last=Devlin|first=Ben|url=https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/kanye-west-jesus-is-king|title=Kanye West – ''Jesus Is King''|work=[[musicOMH]]|url-access=limited|date=October 29, 2019|access-date=July 25, 2022|archive-date=January 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121213736/https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/kanye-west-jesus-is-king|url-status=live}}</ref> which [[crescendo]] and were described as reminiscent of West's third studio album ''[[Graduation (album)|Graduation]]'' (2007).<ref name="music"/><ref name="Ew"/><ref name="Pierre"/> According to [[AllMusic]] writer Neil Z. Yeung, the song contains "digital swirling".<ref name="AllMusic">{{Cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/jesus-is-king-mw0003318875 |title=''Jesus Is King'' – Kanye West |last=Yeung |first=Neil Z. |date=October 31, 2019 |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=July 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191026202926/https://www.allmusic.com/album/jesus-is-king-mw0003318875 |archive-date=October 26, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Trap music|Trap]] [[Drop (music)|drops]] and loud drums are also featured.<ref name="music"/><ref name="Pierre"/> West's rapping is accompanied at times by an [[Interpolation (popular music)|interpolation]] of his 2012 collaborative single "[[Mercy (Kanye West song)|Mercy]]" with [[Big Sean]], [[Pusha T]], and [[2 Chainz]], which in turn samples YB's "Lambo" from the same year.<ref name="sample"/><ref name="Pierre"/><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Thompson|first1=Desire|url=https://www.vibe.com/features/lists/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-samples-list-667734/|title=Kanye West's ''Jesus Is King'': 11 Samples And Interpolations|work=Vibe|date=October 25, 2019|access-date=July 25, 2022|archive-date=December 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211224130158/https://www.vibe.com/features/lists/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-samples-list-667734/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In the lyrics of "On God", West preaches [[the gospel]] about his life within the context of [[Christianity]] after converting to it.<ref name="Ew"/><ref name="AllMusic"/><ref name="Clash">{{Cite web|last1=Rosebury|first1=Will|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/kanye-west-jesus-is-king/|title=Kanye West - ''Jesus Is King''|work=[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]]|date=October 29, 2019|access-date=July 28, 2022|archive-date=July 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220728134644/https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/kanye-west-jesus-is-king/|url-status=live}}</ref> He focuses on how religion has served him, using lines such as "How you got so much favor on your side?/'Accept him as your lord and savior,' I replied".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/kanye-west-jesus-is-king/|title=Kanye West – ''Jesus Is King''|website=Pitchfork|date=October 29, 2019|first=Rawiya|last=Kameir|access-date=August 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029051120/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/kanye-west-jesus-is-king/|archive-date=October 29, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> West also mentions the 13th Amendment, referencing his slavery comments and highlighting his stance on [[prison reform]] by rapping he has "gotta end it".<ref name="Graves"/><ref name="Pierre"/><ref name="O'connor">{{cite web|last=O'Connor|first=Roisin|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-review-album-stream-tracklist-features-lyrics-sunday-service-a9171816.html|title=Kanye West review, 'Jesus is King': Rapper continues to divide on this confusing album|work=[[The Independent]]|date=October 25, 2019|access-date=August 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025210548/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-review-album-stream-tracklist-features-lyrics-sunday-service-a9171816.html|archive-date=October 25, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Progress">{{cite web|last=Progress|first=Matthew|url=https://nowtoronto.com/music/album-reviews/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-review/|title=Review: ''Jesus Is King'' is Kanye West's vision of heaven|work=[[Now (newspaper)|NOW Magazine]]|date=October 29, 2019|access-date=August 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200506011139/https://nowtoronto.com/music/album-reviews/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-review/|archive-date=May 6, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The rapper uses his taxes paid to the [[Internal Revenue Service]] (IRS) to excuse pricing his merchandise and [[Adidas Yeezy|Yeezy]] sneakers highly,<ref>{{cite web|last=Mac|first=Sam C.|title=Review: Kanye West's ''Jesus Is King'' Is a Compelling But Veiled Act of Self-Worship|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review-kanye-west-jesus-is-king-is-a-compelling-but-veiled-act-of-self-worship/|work=[[Slant Magazine]]|date=October 30, 2019|access-date=July 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030195321/https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review-kanye-west-jesus-is-king-is-a-compelling-but-veiled-act-of-self-worship/|archive-date=October 30, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> justifying the prices to feed his family<ref name="NR">{{cite web|url=http://www.noripcord.com/features/quick-takes-october-2019|title=Quick Takes (October 2019)|work=No Ripcord|date=November 8, 2019|access-date=July 31, 2022|archive-date=November 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125081640/https://www.noripcord.com/features/quick-takes-october-2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Fere">{{cite web|last=Fere|first=Ryan|url=http://www.rapreviews.com/2019/11/kanye-west-jesus-is-king/|title=Kanye West :: ''Jesus Is King''|work=RapReviews|date=November 12, 2019|access-date=July 31, 2022|archive-date=June 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614152146/https://www.rapreviews.com/2019/11/kanye-west-jesus-is-king/|url-status=live}}</ref> and not have to appear on the TV series ''[[Dancing with the Stars]]''.<ref name="Graves"/><ref name="Pierre"/><ref name="Variety"/>
==Release and reception==
On October 25, 2019, "On God" was included as the fifth track on West's ninth studio album ''Jesus Is King''.<ref name="AllMusic"/> The song was met with moderately positive reviews from [[Music journalism|music critics]], with general praise for the production. Cyclone Whener from ''[[The Music (magazine)|The Music]]'' highlighted the song's combination of gospel and house music, noting that it sometimes recalls the era of [[Daft Punk]]'s ''[[Discovery (Daft Punk album)|Discovery]]'' (2001) and going on to compliment West's progressive lyricism.<ref name="music"/> At ''[[musicOMH]]'', Ben Devlin declared that the song "dazzles with shiny synth textures".<ref name="musicOMH"/> Echoing this sentiment, Jordan Bassett of ''[[NME]]'' wrote it "shimmers with space-age synths".<ref name="Bassett">{{cite web|last=Bassett|first=Jordan|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-review|title=Kanye West – 'Jesus Is King' review: an iconoclast sounds peaceful and fulfilled on this jubilant gospel collection|website=[[NME]]|date=October 25, 2019|access-date=February 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025210547/https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-review|archive-date=October 25, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Writing for ''Spectrum Culture'', Daniel Bromfield cited the song as including "one of the great Pi'erre Bourne beats".<ref name="Bromfield">{{cite web|last=Bromfield|first=Daniel|url=https://spectrumculture.com/2019/10/27/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-review/|title=Kanye West: ''Jesus Is King''|work=Spectrum Culture|date=October 26, 2019|access-date=February 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028191359/https://spectrumculture.com/2019/10/27/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-review/|archive-date=October 28, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', Brendan Klinkenberg lauded the beat's "effervescent triumph".<ref>{{cite web|last=Klinkenberg|first=Brendan|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/kanye-wests-jesus-is-king-904921/|title=Review: Kanye West, 'Jesus Is King'|work=[[Rolling Stone]]|url-access=limited|date=October 28, 2019|access-date=August 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028235236/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/kanye-wests-jesus-is-king-904921/|archive-date=October 28, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Will Rosebury from ''[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]]'' observed that the song is able "to thematically balance out" through West touching on "his life within the context of his new found faith", while ''[[Now (newspaper)|NOW Magazine]]''{{'}}s Matthew Progress praised his prison reform stance for offering a [[Left-wing politics|left-wing political position]].<ref name="Clash"/><ref name="Progress"/> In a lukewarm review for ''[[The Independent]]'', Roisin O'Connor picked it as a "rare standout" on the album for West's referencing of the 13th Amendment and "the [[Grammy Awards|Grammys]]' latency at recognising black artists", yet criticized him rapping against division when that "is all he seems to be doing" as a whole.<ref name="O'connor"/> Alphonse Pierre expressed mixed feelings in ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'', declaring that West's skills "as a studio curator and beatmaker haven't completely waned" and positively comparing the song's synths to ''Graduation'', though noted his "sloppy rapping" and called the lyrical content "self-sacrifice at its most self-absorbed".<ref name="Pierre">{{Cite web|last1=Pierre|first1=Alphonse|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/on-god/|title='On God' by Kanye West Review|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|date=October 25, 2019|access-date=February 7, 2020|archive-date=December 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216162304/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/on-god/|url-status=live}}</ref> Similarly, ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''{{'}}s Brian Josephs said that the "glitzy synths" are reminiscent of the album, yet complained of West preaching too heavily.<ref name="Ew">{{Cite web |url=https://ew.com/music-reviews/2019/10/28/kanye-west-unreliable-pastor-jesus-is-king/ |title=Kanye West is an unreliable pastor on ''Jesus Is King'' |last=Josephs |first=Brian |date=October 28, 2019 |work=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |access-date=May 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101075216/https://ew.com/music-reviews/2019/10/28/kanye-west-unreliable-pastor-jesus-is-king/ |archive-date=November 1, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Z. Yeung highlighted the "digital swirling" of the production, while disregarding West's "troubling alignment with prosperity gospel teachings" as embarrassing.<ref name="AllMusic"/>
[[File:Kanye West at the Met Gala in 2019 2.png|thumb|left|200px|alt=West at the 2019 [[Met Gala]]|A number of reviewers criticized West's verse, with some panning his lyricism and a few citing a lack of originality.]]
Some reviews were negative. Wren Graves from ''[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]]'' derided the song as "twinkling cheese"; he branded it "a dollar-store ripoff" of West's 2010 single "[[All of the Lights]]" and was disappointed in the lyrical content that "feels less than sincere", despite coming across as promising.<ref name="Graves">{{Cite web |url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2019/10/album-review-kanye-west-jesus-is-king/ |title=Kanye West Even Bores God with the Passionless ''Jesus Is King'' |last=Graves |first=Wren |date=October 28, 2019 |work=[[Consequence (publication)|Consequence]] |access-date=February 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028191359/https://consequenceofsound.net/2019/10/album-review-kanye-west-jesus-is-king/ |archive-date=October 28, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The staff of ''No Ripcord'' assured that the rapper using "excuses to charge high prices to feed his family" makes him sound like "a petulant rich man who needs to justify his outrageous choices".<ref name="NR"/> On a similar note, ''RapReviews''{{'}} Ryan Feyre said West "prays about not letting his family starve" while not realizing "he's a part of the richest family in the entertainment industry", seeing his excuse for high prices as weak.<ref name="Fere"/> In a review of ''Jesus Is King'' for ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'', Andrew Barker named "On God" one of the worst tracks and criticized West's lyricism.<ref name="Variety">{{Cite web|last1=Barker|first1=Andrew|url=https://variety.com/2019/music/reviews/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-review-1203384481/|title=Album Review: Kanye West's 'Jesus Is King'|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=October 26, 2019|access-date=February 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119013013/https://variety.com/2019/music/reviews/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-review-1203384481/|archive-date=November 19, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Steven Edelstone provided a highly negative review at ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]'', picking the "party-happy" song as one of the album's low points and stating West "attempts to defend his expensive clothing" on what is supposed to be "a spiritual anthem".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2019/10/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-review.html |title=Kanye West's ''Jesus Is King'' Is a Divine Failure |last=Edelstone |first=Steven |date=October 28, 2019 |website=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]] |access-date=August 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213141229/https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2019/10/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-review.html |archive-date=December 13, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
"On God" was nominated for Top Gospel Song at the [[2020 Billboard Music Awards|2020 ''Billboard'' Music Awards]], ultimately losing the award to fellow album track "[[Follow God]]".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Atkinson |first1=Katie |title=2020 ''Billboard'' Music Awards Winners: Complete List |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/bbmas/9465082/2020-billboard-music-awards-winners/ |website=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015130746/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/bbmas/9465082/2020-billboard-music-awards-winners/ |archive-date=October 15, 2020 |date=October 14, 2020 |access-date=July 19, 2022}}</ref> At the 2021 [[BMI Film & TV Awards|BMI Gospel Awards]], the former stood among the Award Winning Gospel Songs.<ref>{{cite web |title=2021 BMI Trailblazer of Gospel Awards |url=https://www.bmi.com/award-shows/trailblazers-2021/ |publisher=[[Broadcast Music, Inc.|BMI]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705020123/https://www.bmi.com/award-shows/trailblazers-2021/ |archive-date=July 5, 2021 |date=June 7, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>
==Commercial performance==
Upon the release of ''Jesus Is King'', "On God" entered the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] at number 23.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-full-album-hot-100-chart/|title=Kanye West's 'Jesus Is King': All 11 Songs Debut on Hot 100|last=Zellner|first=Xander|date=November 4, 2019|magazine=Billboard|url-access=subscription|access-date=August 2, 2022|archive-date=April 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403195954/https://www.billboard.com/pro/kanye-west-jesus-is-king-full-album-hot-100-chart/|url-status=live}}</ref> The song lasted for two weeks on the Hot 100.<ref name="hot-100"/> It charted identically on the US [[Hot Christian Songs|Christian Songs]] and [[Billboard charts|Gospel Songs]] charts, debuting at number four on both.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/8543012/jesus-is-king-makes-history-hot-christian-songs|title='Jesus Is King' Makes History On Hot Christian Songs, Hot Gospel Songs Charts|magazine=Billboard|last=Asker|first=Jim|date=November 7, 2019|access-date=August 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116040126/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/8543012/jesus-is-king-makes-history-hot-christian-songs|archive-date=November 16, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The song also entered the US [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs]] chart at number 12.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/2019-11-09|title=Top Hip-Hop Songs / R&B Songs Chart – November 9, 2019|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105112950/https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-b-hip-hop-songs/2019-11-09|archive-date=November 5, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> On September 1, 2021, "On God" was certified [[RIAA certification|gold]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) for amassing 500,000 certified units in the US.<ref name="Riaa"/>
"On God" charted similarly to its US performance in Canada and Australia, debuting at number 21 on both the [[Canadian Hot 100]] and the [[ARIA Charts|ARIA Singles Chart]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-hot-100/2019-11-09|title=Canadian Music: Top 100 Songs – November 9, 2019|work=Billboard|access-date=August 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104165945/https://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-hot-100/2019-11-09|archive-date=November 4, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mediaweek.com.au/aria-chart-tones-and-i-sets-another-record-selena-kanye-new/|title=ARIA Chart: Tones and I sets another record, Selena & Kanye new|work=[[Mediaweek (Australian magazine)|Mediaweek]]|last=Manning|first=James|date=November 3, 2019|access-date=August 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107065052/https://www.mediaweek.com.au/aria-chart-tones-and-i-sets-another-record-selena-kanye-new/|archive-date=January 7, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The song was most successful in Latvia, reaching number 18 on the [[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|Latvian Singles Chart]].<ref name="Latvia"/> In Iceland and Estonia, it charted at numbers 24 and 28 on the [[Music of Iceland|Icelandic Singles Chart]] and [[Eesti Ekspress|Eesti Tipp-40]], respectively.<ref name="Iceland"/><ref name="Est"/> The song also peaked within the top 50 in Denmark, Lithuania, and Portugal.<ref name="Den"/><ref name="Agata"/><ref name="Port"/>
==Credits and personnel==
Credits adapted from [[Tidal (service)|Tidal]] and the [[Broadcast Music, Inc.|BMI Repertoire]].{{efn|name="bmi"}}<ref name="Tidal"/>
{{Div col}}
* [[Kanye West]]{{spaced en dash}} production, songwriter
* BoogzDaBeast{{spaced en dash}} production, songwriter
* Michael Cerda{{spaced en dash}} production, songwriter
* [[Pi'erre Bourne|Jordan Timothy Jenks]]{{spaced en dash}} co-production, songwriter
* [[Federico Vindver]]{{spaced en dash}} additional production, songwriter
* [[Cyhi the Prynce|Cydel Young]]{{spaced en dash}} songwriter
* [[Mustard (record producer)|Dijon Isaiah McFarlane]]{{spaced en dash}} songwriter
* [[Mike Dean (record producer)|Mike Dean]]{{spaced en dash}} mastering engineer
* [[Manny Marroquin]]{{spaced en dash}} mixer
* Chris Galland{{spaced en dash}} mix engineer
* Jeremie Inhaber{{spaced en dash}} assistant mixer
* Robin Florent{{spaced en dash}} assistant mixer
* Scott Desmarais{{spaced en dash}} assistant mixer
* Andrew Drucker{{spaced en dash}} recording engineer
* Josh Bales{{spaced en dash}} recording engineer
* Josh Berg{{spaced en dash}} recording engineer
* Randy Urbanski{{spaced en dash}} recording engineer
{{Div col end}}
==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Chart performance for "On God"
|-
! scope="col"| Chart (2019)
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position
|-
{{single chart|Australia|21|artist=Kanye West|song=On God|rowheader=true|access-date=February 6, 2020}}
|-
{{single chart|Canada|21|artist=Kanye West|rowheader=true|access-date=February 6, 2020}}
|-
{{single chart|Czechdigital|80|year=2019|week=44|rowheader=true|access-date=February 6, 2020}}
|-
{{single chart|Denmark|34|artist=Kanye West|song=On God|rowheader=true|refname="Den"|access-date=February 6, 2020}}
|-
! scope="row"| Estonia (''[[Eesti Ekspress]]'')<ref name="Est">{{Cite web|last=Nestor|first=Siim|url=https://ekspress.delfi.ee/areen/eesti-tipp-40-eesti-rahvas-jumaldab-kanye-westi-varsket-gospel-oopust?id=87971437|title=Eesti Tipp-40: Eesti rahvas jumaldab Kanye Westi värsket gospel-oopust|website=[[Eesti Ekspress]]|language=et|date=November 5, 2019|access-date=February 6, 2020|archive-date=August 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200825125047/https://ekspress.delfi.ee/areen/eesti-tipp-40-eesti-rahvas-jumaldab-kanye-westi-varsket-gospel-oopust?id=87971437|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 28
|-
{{single chart|France|89|artist=Kanye West|song=On God|rowheader=true|access-date=February 6, 2020}}
|-
! scope="row"| Greece International Digital Singles ([[IFPI Greece|IFPI]])<ref name="greece">{{cite web|url=https://www.ifpi.gr/digital_iel.html|title=Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) – Week: 43/2019|publisher=[[IFPI Greece]]|access-date=February 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104155610/http://www.ifpi.gr/digital_iel.html|archive-date=November 4, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| 64
|-
! scope="row"| Iceland ([[Tónlistinn]])<ref name="Iceland">{{cite web|url=https://plotutidindi.is/lagalistinn/|title=Tónlistinn – Lög - Vika 44 – 2019|publisher=Plötutíðindi|access-date=February 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191108121214/https://plotutidindi.is/lagalistinn/|archive-date=November 8, 2019}}</ref>
| 24
|-
! scope="row"| Latvia ([[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|LAIPA]])<ref name="Latvia">{{cite web|url=https://www.parmuziku.lv/muzikas-zinas/latvija/muzikas-paterina-tops-44-nedela-8205|title=Mūzikas Patēriņa Tops/ 44. nedēļa|language=lv|publisher=[[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|LAIPA]]|access-date=February 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104102112/https://www.parmuziku.lv/muzikas-zinas/latvija/muzikas-paterina-tops-44-nedela-8205|archive-date=November 4, 2019}}</ref>
| 18
|-
! scope="row"| Lithuania ([[AGATA (organization)|AGATA]])<ref name="Agata">{{cite web|url=https://www.agata.lt/lt/naujienos/savaites-klausomiausi-w44/|title=2019 44-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)|language=lt|publisher=[[AGATA (organization)|AGATA]]|date=November 4, 2019|access-date=February 6, 2020|archive-date=November 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105121436/https://www.agata.lt/lt/naujienos/savaites-klausomiausi-w44/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 34
|-
{{single chart|Dutch100|90|artist=Kanye West|song=On God|rowheader=true|access-date=February 6, 2020}}
|-
{{single chart|Portugal|48|artist=Kanye West|song=On God|refname="Port"|rowheader=true|access-date=February 6, 2020}}
|-
{{single chart|Slovakdigital2|80|year=2019|week=44|rowheader=true|access-date=February 6, 2020}}
|-
{{single chart|Sweden|75|artist=Kanye West|song=On God|rowheader=true|access-date=February 6, 2020}}
|-
{{single chart|UKrandb|17|date=20191101|rowheader=true|access-date=February 6, 2020}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|23|artist=Kanye West|rowheader=true|refname="hot-100"|access-date=February 6, 2020}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboardchristiansongs|4|artist=Kanye West|rowheader=true|access-date=February 6, 2020}}
|-
! scope="row"| US [[Billboard charts|Gospel Songs]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/kanye-west/chart-history/gsi/|title=Kanye West Chart History (Hot Gospel Songs)|magazine=Billboard|access-date=February 6, 2020|archive-date=November 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121172208/https://www.billboard.com/artist/kanye-west/chart-history/gsi/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 4
|-
{{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|12|artist=Kanye West|rowheader=true|access-date=February 6, 2020}}
|-
! scope="row" | US [[Rolling Stone Top 100|''Rolling Stone'' Top 100]]<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/charts/songs/2019-10-25/ |title=Top 100 Songs |date=November 4, 2019 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=February 6, 2020 |archive-date=November 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104181216/https://www.rollingstone.com/charts/songs/2019-10-25/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| 5
|}
{{col-2}}
===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"
|+2019 year-end chart performance for "On God"
!scope="col"|Chart (2019)
!scope="col"|Position
|-
! scope="row"| US Christian Songs (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite web|title=Hot Christian Songs – Year-End 2019|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2019/hot-christian-songs|work=Billboard|access-date=February 6, 2020|archive-date=December 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205223206/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2019/hot-christian-songs|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 43
|-
! scope="row"| US Gospel Songs (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite web|title=Hot Gospel Songs – Year-End 2019|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2019/hot-gospel-songs|work=Billboard|access-date=February 6, 2020|archive-date=December 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206085854/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2019/hot-gospel-songs|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 8
|}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"
|+2020 year-end chart performance for "On God"
!scope="col"|Chart (2020)
!scope="col"|Position
|-
! scope="row"| US Christian Songs (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite web|title=Hot Christian Songs – Year-End 2020|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2020/hot-christian-songs|work=Billboard|access-date=December 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203142832/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2020/hot-christian-songs|archive-date=December 3, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 52
|-
! scope="row"| US Gospel Songs (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite web|title=Hot Gospel Songs – Year-End 2020|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2020/hot-gospel-songs|work=Billboard|access-date=December 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203142540/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2020/hot-gospel-songs|archive-date=December 3, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>
| 7
|}
{{col-end}}
==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications and sales for "On God"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Kanye West|title=On God|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2019|certyear=2021|refname="Riaa"|access-date=July 19, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true|noshipments=true}}
==Notes and references==
'''Notes'''
{{notelist}}
'''Citations'''
{{Reflist}}
{{Kanye West songs}}
[[Category:2019 songs]]
[[Category:Electronic songs]]
[[Category:Kanye West songs]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Kanye West]]
[[Category:Songs written by Cyhi the Prynce]]
[[Category:Songs written by Kanye West]]
[[Category:Songs written by Mustard (record producer)]]
[[Category:Songs written by Pi'erre Bourne]]