You've heard it. That specific, gritty vocal line cutting through a dark beat: "I pray to God, but I don't pray to Buddha." It’s one of those snippets that gets stuck in your head after three seconds of scrolling. Honestly, it’s everywhere right now. If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or Instagram Reels lately, you’ve likely seen a gym edit, a luxury car showcase, or a "hustle culture" montage backed by this exact track. But finding the actual source of the praying to god but i don't pray to buddha lyrics is actually trickier than it looks because of how music propagates in the remix era.
The song is called "Dior" by artist Pop Smoke.
Wait, let's be precise. While Pop Smoke's "Dior" is the most famous song containing these themes, the specific viral audio often floating around is frequently a mashup or a specific verse from the Brooklyn drill scene. Specifically, the line "I pray to God, but I don't pray to Buddha" comes from the song "Movie" by Rio Leyva, featuring TyFontaine and Joony. However, the confusion usually stems from the fact that these lyrics echo a sentiment very common in New York Drill music—a subgenre where religious identity and street life often collide in the booth. It’s a raw, unapologetic look at faith from the perspective of someone living a high-stakes life.
The cultural weight behind the lyrics
Why does this specific line hit so hard? It’s not just about the melody. It’s the contrast. In the world of "Movie," the lyrics represent a very specific type of monotheistic devotion. When a rapper says they pray to God but not to Buddha, they aren't necessarily making a theological dissertation on Eastern philosophy. They are marking their territory. They are saying, "This is who I am, and this is what I believe," usually as a way to signal authenticity or "realness" in their upbringing.
Religion in hip-hop has always been a fascinating paradox. You have artists like Kanye West or Kendrick Lamar who dive deep into the complexities of sin and redemption. Then you have the drill scene, where the praying to god but i don't pray to buddha lyrics serve as a sort of spiritual armor. It’s about protection. When you’re rapping about the dangers of the street, mentioning God is a plea for safety. It’s heavy stuff. It's not just a "cool" line; for the people writing it, it's often a literal reflection of their daily reality.
The song "Movie" dropped and immediately resonated because of its production. Rio Leyva is a powerhouse producer, part of the Internet Money collective. He knows how to make a beat that feels expensive. When you pair that high-end sound with lyrics about exclusive faith, you get a "flex" anthem. People use these lyrics to show off their progress, their workouts, or their new gear because the song sounds like winning.
🔗 Read more: Anjelica Huston in The Addams Family: What You Didn't Know About Morticia
Why the internet is obsessed with this specific verse
TikTok is a weird place. A song can exist for years and then suddenly, because of one six-second clip, it's the biggest thing in the world. The praying to god but i don't pray to buddha lyrics benefitted from the "aesthetic" movement. Think dark rooms, neon lights, and high-contrast video editing.
- The Alpha Edit: The song became the unofficial soundtrack for "Sigma" or "Alpha" male content. The bluntness of the lyrics appeals to an audience that values directness and traditional strength.
- The Rhythm: The cadence of the line is perfect for a "beat drop." It builds tension and then releases it right as the bass kicks in.
- The Controversy: Sometimes, people get annoyed by the line. They see it as dismissive of other religions. That controversy? It drives engagement. Every time someone comments "What's wrong with Buddha?" the algorithm pushes the video to ten more people.
It's also worth noting how the song's popularity shifted. It moved from being a niche underground track to something used by massive influencers. This is the lifecycle of a modern hit. It starts in the streets (or the Discord servers), moves to the "edit" community, and eventually ends up as the background music for a cooking video or a travel vlog.
Decoding the actual song: "Movie"
If you actually sit down and listen to the full track "Movie," you realize it’s a vibe-heavy song. TyFontaine and Joony bring a melodic flow that balances out the aggressiveness of the lyrics. It’s not a gospel song, obviously. It’s a song about lifestyle, women, and success.
The line "I pray to God, but I don't pray to Buddha" is actually followed by lines about "looking like a movie." This is the core of the song's identity. It's about life being cinematic. When your life feels like a film, you need a soundtrack that feels epic. The religious reference provides a sense of gravity to an otherwise flashy track. It’s saying that even in the midst of the party and the fame, there’s a higher power involved. Sorta.
We see this pattern a lot in modern rap. Rappers like Lil Durk or 21 Savage often reference their faith (often Islam or Christianity) as a way to ground their lyrics. It adds a layer of "human-ness" to the persona. You aren't just a guy with a chain; you're a guy with a soul.
💡 You might also like: Isaiah Washington Movies and Shows: Why the Star Still Matters
How to find the right version of the song
If you are looking for the praying to god but i don't pray to buddha lyrics to use in your own content, you have to be careful which version you grab. Because the song went viral, there are dozens of "slowed + reverb" versions, "sped up" versions, and "bass boosted" versions.
- Original Version: Search for "Movie" by Rio Leyva feat. TyFontaine & Joony. This is the cleanest version of the track.
- The "Drill" Remixes: Many creators have layered these lyrics over Brooklyn Drill beats (think Pop Smoke style) to give it more "punch."
- The Instagram Audio: Often labeled under "Original Audio" by a random creator, look for the one with the most "uses" to find the high-quality clip.
Honestly, the "slowed + reverb" version is probably what you’re hearing in those atmospheric, moody videos. It stretches out the vocals, making that line about God and Buddha sound more ominous and profound than it does at its original tempo.
The impact on the artists
For Rio Leyva and the featured artists, this viral moment is huge. It’s the difference between a song having 100,000 streams and 100 million. In 2026, the "meme-ability" of a lyric is just as important as the quality of the mix. This specific line is a "hook" in every sense of the word. It hooks your attention and doesn't let go.
But there is a downside. When a song becomes a "meme" or a "TikTok sound," the actual meaning can get lost. People forget the artists' names. They just know "that one song about Buddha." This is why you see artists like TyFontaine engaging more with their fans on social media—they want to make sure that the people who like the snippet stay for the whole discography.
What you can do with this information
If you’re a creator, understanding the context of these lyrics helps you avoid "cringe" content. Don't just slap the song on any video. Use it for something that matches the "Movie" vibe. High-energy, high-contrast, and slightly gritty.
📖 Related: Temuera Morrison as Boba Fett: Why Fans Are Still Divided Over the Daimyo of Tatooine
If you're just a listener, appreciate the song for what it is: a snapshot of modern hip-hop culture where faith and the "flex" are inextricably linked. It’s a testament to how a single line, delivered with the right "swagger," can define a whole year of internet culture.
To get the most out of this track, check out the official music video if it's available, or look into Rio Leyva’s other production work. He’s a major player in the sound of the 2020s. Also, if you’re interested in the religious intersectionality of rap, look into the history of the Five-Percent Nation or the influence of West Indian culture on New York rap lyrics. It gives much-needed context to why these specific religious shout-outs happen so often.
The next time you hear those praying to god but i don't pray to buddha lyrics, you won't just be nodding your head. You'll know exactly what you're listening to, why it's viral, and who actually made the beat.
Actionable Next Steps
- Listen to the full track: Find "Movie" by Rio Leyva on Spotify or Apple Music to hear the verse in context.
- Check the Producer: Look up Rio Leyva's "Internet Money" discography if you like the polished, cinematic sound of the beat.
- Verify the Audio: If you are using the clip for a Reel, ensure you are tagging the original artist so they get the royalties they deserve—don't just use a "ripped" version.
- Explore the Subgenre: If you like this vibe, look for "Melodic Drill" playlists to find similar tracks that blend street lyrics with high-end production.