In recent memory, no one has been dominating the hip hop and pop world like Kanye West, who solidified that status recently with his latest release Yeezus. This year’s VMAs were well aware of his influence and featured Mr. West performing a song off the album entitled “Blood on the Leaves.”

Whether producing, performing, or releasing interactive videos with playback control, Kanye West seems to be surrounded by success. So much so that he even claims to be a god in the subtly titled “I Am A God.” The VMAs agree with him, having featured his performances 7 times, and invited him to perform “Blood on the Leaves,” one of the tracks off of the infamous Yeezus. The song was performed in front of Steve McQueen’s “Lynching Tree,” which is ripe with symbolism about racism and slavery. Watch Kanye’s performance of “Blood on the Leaves” below.