Highlights

Album: The Life of Pablo (2016)
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Songfacts®:

  • This hip-hop R&B cut finds West rapping braggadocios rhymes about his desire for his career to be like a "highlight reel," full of outstanding moments. Young Thug, The-Dream, R&B songstress Kelly Price and former Debarge lead singer El DeBarge. also contribute vocals.
  • This is West's seventh song with "lights" in the title. The previous six are:

    2007 "Flashing Lights" from Graduation

    2008 "Street Lights from 808's & Heartbreak

    2010 "All of the Lights (Interlude)" from My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

    2010 "All of the Lights." from My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

    2016 "Ultralight Beam" from The Life of Pablo

    2016 "Low Lights" from The Life of Pablo
  • West begins his verse with a poke at his wife Kim Kardishan's ex, Ray J

    I bet me and Ray J would be friends
    If we didn't love the same bitch


    Ray J previously targeted the couple in 2013 with his single "I Hit It First" where his lyrics included: "I had her going North and her ass going South, but now baby choose to go West."
  • The song was helmed by regular West collaborator Mike Dean with:

    Atlanta producer Southside, who also worked on the original 'Good Friday' version of "Facts" with Metro Boomin.

    New York producer Velous, who is signed to French Montana's Coke Boys imprint. He also co-produced "All Day."
  • Kanye West performed the song on Saturday Night Live with Young Thug, The-Dream, Kelly Price and El DeBarge. It was West's sixth appearance as musical guest on the show.
  • An earlier version featured Madonna on the chorus, but her voice was replaced by Young Thug's. Kanye West and Madonna did previously collaborate on the Queen of Pop's Hard Candy track "Beat Goes On."

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