Believe What I Say
by Kanye West (featuring Buju Banton)

Album: Donda (2021)
Charted: 28
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Here, Kanye West gives us an insight into his state of mind as he raps about media criticism of his outspokenness.

    Just one time for the record, just one time for the record
    Don't agree with the message, don't agree with the methods


    And the issues in his marriage with Kim Kardashian.

    I be goin' through things I had to wrote
    Celebrity drama that only Brad'll know
    Too many family secrets, somebody passin' notes
    Things I cried about, I found laughable


    Like Kanye West, Brad Pitt also went through high-profile divorce from his fellow celebrity wife.
  • The song starts with a sample of the intro to Lauryn Hill's 1998 hit song "Doo Wop (That Thing)." Hill's vocal harmonizing continues throughout the track.

    West previously sampled Hill when he repurposed her "The Mysteries Of Iniquity" as the hook for the original version of 2003's "All Falls Down." The Chicago rapper couldn't clear the sample for legal reasons, so he interpolated Hill's song instead and hired Syleena Johnson to re-sing her parts.
  • Jamaican dancehall artist Buju Banton contributes to the bridge before concluding the track. He reprimands his lady for being gullible and for believing the lies others spread about their relationship.
  • "Believe What I Say" had been in the works at least a year before the release of Donda. West first previewed the song with a snippet posted on his Twitter account on September 26, 2020.
  • West co-produced the track with Dem Jointz. The California producer contributed to four Donda tracks, including "Jail." FnZ, Ojivolta and BoogzDaBeast also assisted with the production.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Mike Campbell

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Kerry Livgren of Kansas

Kerry Livgren of KansasSongwriter Interviews

In this talk from the '80s, the Kansas frontman talks turning to God and writing "Dust In The Wind."

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"They're Playing My Song

"How much does it cost? I'll buy it?" Another songwriter told Jonathan to change these lyrics. Good thing he ignored this advice.

Ramones

RamonesFact or Fiction

A band so baffling, even their names were contrived. Check your score in the Ramones version of Fact or Fiction.