Ascension
by Gorillaz (featuring Vince Staples)

Album: Humanz (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song features US rapper and Odd Future collaborator Vince Staples spitting rhymes about inequality, racism and humanity's doomed fate. Gorillaz founder Damon Albarn told Billboard magazine of his teenage daughter, Missy: "Some of the decisions for this record were fuelled by wanting to impress her still."

    Missy, according to the article, is a big fan of Vince Staples.
  • Staples talks about the sky falling during the song's hook, one of a number of celestial/astronomical themes scattered throughout the Humanz album. Other tunes linked to the concept include "Saturnz Barz," and "Andromeda."

    Albarn explained that the space themes were inspired by Ethel, the late mother of his partner who loved astronomy. He added that Humanz features themes around space and death because he likes to imagine her spirit in another constellation.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Brandi Carlile

Brandi CarlileSongwriter Interviews

As a 5-year-old, Brandi was writing lyrics to instrumental versions lullabies. She still puts her heart into her songs, including the one Elton John sings on.

Reverend Horton Heat

Reverend Horton HeatSongwriter Interviews

The Reverend rants on psychobilly and the egghead academics he bashes in one of his more popular songs.

Classic Metal

Classic MetalFact or Fiction

Ozzy, Guns N' Roses, Judas Priest and even Michael Bolton show up in this Classic Metal quiz.

"Stairway To Heaven" Lawsuit: A Timeline

"Stairway To Heaven" Lawsuit: A TimelineSong Writing

Untangling the events that led to the "Stairway To Heaven" lawsuit.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.

Gene Simmons of Kiss

Gene Simmons of KissSongwriter Interviews

The Kiss rocker covers a lot of ground in this interview, including why there are no Kiss collaborations, and why the Rock Hall has "become a sham."