Songfacts®:

• This head-nodding cut features verses by Kendrick Lamar and Big Sean, while '70s soul singer Betty Wright croons the hook. While both Sean and K.Dot address their faith during their rhymes, Wright takes us to church with her gospel singing. "He just said, 'Go to church. Give 'em that holy ghost thang,'" the veteran soul singer told Genius regarding Khaled's instructions to her. "When I heard the track - oh my goodness. The track was just out of this world."
• Khaled spoke about the collaboration process during a New York City listening party: "I told Kendrick that I needed him to catch the Holy Ghost. No rules, no nothing. I told Big Sean the same thing. After I got the verses I got Ms. Wright, and I gave her some vibes, the tools for this hook. Basically, I told her to go to church."
• Wright said she was drawn to the song's message. "'Holy Key' is about not being into just things," she explained. "There's so many records that [are] only about stuff you have. When I think of Khaled and saying 'We the best,' the reason I love that is because he has a good spirit. He loves people. He's out there on that Snapchat and Instagram inspiring people all day long. I never heard him hate on anybody."
• This was Betty Wright's 11th Hot 100 hit and her first since 1990, when "How 'Bout Us," with Grayson Hugh, peaked at #67.