"Everything We Need" is a song by American rapper

Kanye West Ye ( ; born Kanye Omari West ; June 8, 1977) is an American rapper, singer and record producer. One of the most prominent figures in hip-hop, he is known for his varying musical style and polarizing cultural and political commentary. After ...

from his ninth studio album, ''

Jesus Is King ''Jesus Is King'' is the ninth studio album by American rapper Kanye West. It was released by GOOD Music and Def Jam Recordings on October 25, 2019. It follows a Christianity, Christian theme, in stark contrast from previous works by West, w ...

'' (2019). The song features guest appearances from American singers

Ty Dolla Sign Tyrone William Griffin Jr. (born April 13, 1982), known professionally as Ty Dolla Sign (stylized as Ty Dolla $ign or Ty$), is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, and record producer. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Griffin gai ...

and

Ant Clemons Anthony Clemons Jr. (born September 26, 1991) is an American singer, rapper and songwriter from Willingboro Township, New Jersey. He rose to prominence as a guest performer on Kanye West's 2018 single " All Mine", after which he contributed to ...

, and additional vocals by the

Sunday Service Choir The Sunday Service Choir (commonly referred as Sunday Service) is an American gospel group led by rapper Kanye West and conducted by choir director Jason White. Beginning in January 2019, and initially produced by Jack and Michael Skolnick, the g ...

. It was come up with during a freestyle session in the fall of 2018, inspired by a conversation West had with Clemons about

Jesus Jesus (AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, and many Names and titles of Jesus in the New Testament, other names and titles, was a 1st-century Jewish preacher and religious leader. He is the Jesus in Chris ...

and religion. The song was recorded as a new version of the leaked track "The Storm". A

gospel Gospel originally meant the Christianity, Christian message ("the gospel"), but in the second century Anno domino, AD the term (, from which the English word originated as a calque) came to be used also for the books in which the message w ...

and R&B ballad with trap elements, "Everything We Need" is reliant on a sparse arrangement. Lyrically, it is themed around being ready for meeting any hardship and need after a religious rebirth. The song received lukewarm reviews from

music critics Music journalism (or music criticism) is media criticism and reporting about music topics, including popular music, classical music, and traditional music. Journalists began writing about music in the eighteenth century, providing commentary on ...

, who mostly complimented the vocals of Ty Dolla Sign and Clemons. Some highlighted the

song structure Song structure is the arrangement of a song, and is a part of the songwriting process. It is typically sectional, which uses repeating forms in songs. Common piece-level musical forms for vocal music include bar form, 32-bar form, verse–chorus ...

, though critics were generally split towards West's verses. "Everything We Need" reached number 33 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100, becoming one of Clemons' first two appearances on the chart. It peaked within the top 50 in 10 other countries, including Australia and Iceland. The song was certified

gold Gold is a chemical element; it has chemical symbol Au (from Latin ) and atomic number 79. In its pure form, it is a brightness, bright, slightly orange-yellow, dense, soft, malleable, and ductile metal. Chemically, gold is a transition metal ...

in the United States by the

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(RIAA), giving West his record-setting 85th single to attain this certification. On

Easter Easter, also called Pascha ( Aramaic: פַּסְחָא , ''paskha''; Greek: πάσχα, ''páskha'') or Resurrection Sunday, is a Christian festival and cultural holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, described in t ...

2019, it was performed by the

at the

Coachella Festival Coachella (officially called the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and sometimes known as Coachella Festival) is an annual music and arts festival held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, in the Coachella Valley in the Colorad ...

. The group performs the song in West's film ''

'', which accompanied the album.

Background and recording

West and

first worked together on the rapper's single " All Mine", recorded in Wyoming for his eighth studio album '' Ye'' (2018). In September of that year, Clemons received a phone call from his manager, who told the singer that West wanted to meet him in Chicago. When he arrived in the city, Clemons walked into a room with West, fellow rapper

Chance the Rapper Chancelor Johnathan Bennett (born April 16, 1993), known professionally as Chance the Rapper, is an American rapper. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, he released his debut mixtape '' 10 Day'' (2012) during one of his high school suspension ...

, and conservative influencer

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, where he freestyled with the rappers. Clemons recalled that the group went "back and forth just freestyling", with them coming up with "Everything We Need" during the session. He also expressed excitement in having collaborated with West and

a second time, comparing it to "getting struck by lightning twice" and declaring that he felt "blessed with being able to sing about God on a record with these guys". Clemons contributed vocals to "Everything We Need" and fellow ''Jesus Is King'' track "

Water Water is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula . It is a transparent, tasteless, odorless, and Color of water, nearly colorless chemical substance. It is the main constituent of Earth's hydrosphere and the fluids of all known liv ...

"; he revealed both tracks came from conversations with West about

and religion, asserting, "A lot of the best songs come from conversations." Of his time around West, Clemons commented that it "has been like the best time to absorb my surroundings" and recalled trying to listen to "hear a lot of the things that you want to know, without even having to ask". Ty Dolla Sign had become a regular contributor to West's work by 2018, having collaborated with him on three of the seven songs on ''Ye''. Around the time of the album's release, the two both teased the idea of a collaborative project. West also said he is simply "trying to go week after week and improve on the craft", as well as naming Ty Dolla Sign among the strongest artists alive and explaining that "anything I can do to support, get around, produce, take my hands and chop up I'm with it". After Ty Dolla Sign appeared on "Everything We Need", West featured on his single "

Ego Death Ego death is a "complete loss of subjective self-identity". The term is used in various intertwined contexts, with related meanings. The 19th-century philosopher and psychologist William James uses the synonymous term "self-surrender", and Jung ...

" in July 2020. At the time of the song's release, the musician declared that it is "always an honor working with my brother 'Ye", saying he is "a genius" and the two "make incredible records" whenever they collaborate. In July 2019, West's track "The Storm" was leaked online by an unknown source. The track featured vocals from Ty Dolla Sign and deceased rapper

XXXTentacion Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy (January 23, 1998 – June 18, 2018), known professionally as XXXTentacion, was an American rapper and singer-songwriter. Though a controversial figure due to his widely publicized legal troubles, XXXTentacion gai ...

, originally recorded during the sessions for West's scrapped album ''Yandhi'' and standing among the multiple songs that leaked from the album. "Everything We Need" was recorded as a new version of "The Storm". The song omits multiple elements from the original, including layers of

bass Bass or Basses may refer to: Fish * Bass (fish), various saltwater and freshwater species Wood * Bass or basswood, the wood of the tilia americana tree Music * Bass (sound), describing low-frequency sound or one of several instruments in th ...

, an audio clip from TV series ''

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'', and XXXTentacion's verse. Alongside the guest appearances of Ty Dolla Sign and Clemons, it features additional vocals from West's

group the

. The song stands along with "Water" as one of the numerous tracks that the group had premiered prior to the album's release. "Everything We Need" was one of the three tracks that led to ''Jesus Is King''s release being delayed by mixing modifications.

Composition and lyrics

Musically, "Everything We Need" is a gospel and R&B

ballad A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of the popular poetry and song of Great Britain and Ireland from the Late Middle Ages until the 19th century. They were widely used across Eur ...

, with elements of contemporary trap. It is sonically

minimalist In visual arts, music, and other media, minimalism is an art movement that began in the post-war era in western art. The movement is often interpreted as a reaction to abstract expressionism and modernism; it anticipated contemporary post-mi ...

, relying on a sparse arrangement. The song includes guitar, contributed by co-writer Bradford Lewis. West enthusiastically raps a series of brief, sharply delivered verses, which are succeeded each time by the song's

chorus Chorus may refer to: Music * Chorus (song), the part of a song that is repeated several times, usually after each verse * Chorus effect, the perception of similar sounds from multiple sources as a single, richer sound * Chorus form, song in whic ...

and

bridge A bridge is a structure built to Span (engineering), span a physical obstacle (such as a body of water, valley, road, or railway) without blocking the path underneath. It is constructed for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle, whi ...

. These sections are sang gently by Clemons and Ty Dolla Sign, with the soulful chorus being multi-tracked. The artists accompany West's vocals at points, while a

falsetto Falsetto ( , ; Italian language, Italian diminutive of , "false") is the vocal register occupying the frequency range just above the modal voice register and overlapping with it by approximately one octave. It is produced by the vibration of the ...

is contributed by Clemons. Lyrically, "Everything We Need" follows the theme of using the blessings that freely flow from a religious rebirth to be prepared to meet every hardship and need. Ty Dolla Sign and Clemons deliver lyrical melodies on the chorus, including singing "ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh oh". The two also assert, "We have everything we need." West makes numerous witty remarks, such as "What if Eve made apple juice?/ You gon' do what Adam do?"

Release and reception

On October 25, 2019, "Everything We Need" was included as the sixth track on West's ninth studio album ''Jesus Is King''. West led the Sunday Service Choir through a performance of the song atop a hillside set named "The Mountain" at

Coachella Coachella (officially called the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and sometimes known as Coachella Festival) is an annual music festival, music and arts festival held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, in the Coachella Valle ...

on April 21, 2019, coinciding with

. This marked the song's debut, though the title had not been formally announced at the time. A performance of the song by the group is included in West's

concert film A concert film or concert movie is a film that showcases a live performance from the perspective of a concert goer, the subject of which is an extended live performance or concert, by either a musician or a Stand-up comedy, stand-up comedian. Ea ...

'', which accompanied the album's release. Kanye West at the Met Gala in 2019 2

"Everything We Need" was met with lukewarm reviews from

, who generally praised Ty Dolla Sign and Clemons' vocals. Matthew Progress from '' NOW Magazine'' named the song the album's top track, citing it as the main example of "some of the most captivating melodies" on any of West's projects. Progress commented that "a smooth yet jubilant chorus and bridge" is delivered by Ty Dolla Sign and Clemons, which is "spliced in between West's short, sparse verses" on the R&B-styled "wavy

church Church may refer to: Religion * Church (building), a place/building for Christian religious activities and praying * Church (congregation), a local congregation of a Christian denomination * Church service, a formalized period of Christian comm ...

" ballad. ''

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'' correspondent Roisin O'Connor identified Clemons as the best feature on ''Jesus Is King'', expressing that "his gentle,

Bon Iver Bon Iver ( ) is an American indie folk band founded in 2006 by singer-songwriter Justin Vernon in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Vernon had originally formed Bon Iver as a solo project, but it eventually became a band consisting of Vernon (vocals, guit ...

-esque tones" perfectly match West's "sharp delivery". In ''

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'', Aaron McKrell stated that Clemons and Ty Dolla Sign contribute "a catchy, soulful refrain". At ''

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'', Carl Lamarre picked it as the fourth best track on the album, feeling grateful for the guest artists' "soothing vocals" that "inject spiritual warmth to Ye's lackluster quips" and "revive the track". Similarly, Brian Josephs of ''

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'' said the song "skates on Ty Dolla Sign and Ant Clemons rapturous vocals" that manage to provide "the Kanye-isms

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levity". Writing for ''

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'', Aidy James Stevens noted a stark difference between the song and its Sunday Service performance, declaring that "a calm, contented mood" is set by Clemons' "soft falsetto" and a "bare-bones arrangement", providing "everything we need". Cyclone from ''

The Music The Music was an English alternative rock band, formed in Kippax, Leeds in 1999. Comprising Robert Harvey (vocals, guitar), Adam Nutter (lead guitar), Stuart Coleman (bass) and Phil Jordan (drums), the band came to prominence with the releas ...

'' viewed the song as a "retooled" version of "The Storm", focusing on how West "raps eccentrically". In a mixed review for ''RapReviews'', Ryan Feyre assured that Ty Dolla Sign's chorus on "Everything We Need" "could make the sun rise" and is one of the album's "more riveting vocal performances", though felt disappointed in how West's "anemic songwriting falters". On a similar note, ''

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'' critic

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saw West's unambitious rapping as "buffeted by transcendent guest singers ..Clemons and Ty Dolla Sign". Andrew Barker of ''

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'' viewed the song as underdeveloped, feeling that "an absolutely glorious, multitracked vocal hook" is featured from the musician, yet West "never quite figures out what to do with it". In a negative review, ''

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''s Dean Van Nguyen derided its "sonic minimalism" and nakedness as "equally slender" to West's lyrical style throughout ''Jesus Is King'', while declaring that the assertion of having everything needed "feels a bit rich" after the rapper had previously asked

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founder

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for US$1billion.

Commercial performance

Following the album's release, the song entered the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 at number 33. With this entry, it became one of Clemons' first two appearances on the chart, simultaneously with "Water". The former also debuted at number five on both the US

Christian Songs Hot Christian Songs is a music chart published weekly by ''Billboard'' magazine in the United States. It ranks the popularity of Christian songs using the same methodology developed for the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, the magazine's flagship songs c ...

and

Gospel Songs Gospel music is a traditional genre of Christian music and a cornerstone of Christian media. The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of gospel music vary according to culture and social context. Gospel music is compo ...

charts. It was less successful on the US ''Billboard''

Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs The Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart ranks the most popular R&B and hip hop songs in the United States and is published weekly by '' Billboard''. Rankings are based on a measure of radio airplay, sales data, and streaming activity. The chart had 100 ...

chart, reaching number 17. On July 20, 2022, the song was certified

by the

(RIAA) for pushing 500,000 certified units in the United States, making West become the first artist to have 85 singles earn this certification as a lead act. "Everything We Need" was most successful in Iceland, peaking at number 19 on the Icelandic Singles Chart. Similarly, the song debuted at number 20 on the Latvian Singles Chart. It peaked at numbers 26 and 27 on the

ARIA Singles Chart The ARIA Charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling songs and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA became the offici ...

and NZ Singles Chart, respectively. The song further charted within the top 50 in Canada, Estonia, Denmark, Norway, Lithuania, and Sweden.

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal and the BMI Repertoire. *

production, songwriter *

FnZ FNZ (also known as Finatik N Zac) are an Australian record production duo composed of Michael "Finatik" Mulé and Isaac "Zac" De Boni. The group was formed in 2009, signing to fellow producer Jim Jonsin's Rebel Rock Entertainment the following ...

(Michael Mulé and Isaac DeBoni) production, songwriter * Ronny J production, songwriter * BoogzDaBeast co-production, songwriter * Federico Vindver co-production, songwriter * Mike Dean additional production, songwriter, mastering engineer, mixer *

songwriter, featured artist *

songwriter, featured artist * Bradford Lewis songwriter, guitar * Cydel Young songwriter * Josh Berg songwriter * Gerard A. Powell songwriter *

additional vocals * Jess Jackson mixer * Sage Skolfield assistant mixer * Sean Solymar assistant mixer * Andrew Drucker recording engineer * Jamie Peters recording engineer * Jesse Ray Ernster recording engineer * Josh Bales recording engineer * Josh Berg recording engineer * Randy Urbanski recording engineer * Shane Fitzgibbon recording engineer * Zack Djurich recording engineer

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Notes

References

{{authority control 2010s ballads 2019 songs Contemporary R&B ballads Gospel songs Kanye West songs Song recordings produced by Kanye West Song recordings produced by Mike Dean (record producer) Songs written by Ant Clemons Songs written by Cyhi the Prynce Songs written by Kanye West Songs written by Mike Dean (record producer) Songs written by Ronny J Songs written by Ty Dolla Sign Ty Dolla Sign songs Songs written by Federico Vindver