Redbone and Me & Your Mamma are really great, the rest are a bit middling, but excusable considering it's a new genre for him. Never really was a fan of his rapping, but always been impressed with his versatility. He's a bit of a wunderkind.
Music Childish Gambino (Donald Glover)
- Thread starter Solius
- Start date
I've tried to like the Tamia version but I just love the Fabolous/Ashanti version more, maybe because I heard it first.
Massive Prince influence on this album i think.
More Funkadelic/Bootsy/Sly & The Family Stone I'd say.
I think George Clinton even plays on a couple of tracks.
This guy is a genius. His show Atlanta and that Redbone song show his brilliance.
That 'so into you' cover was shit though.
That 'so into you' cover was shit though.
I do like the fabulous/ashanti version also.
Have you heard the fabulous/tamia version?
Too many versions!
I recently decided that I had to give this guy a fair shot, and that I would listen to an album all the way through. Had a pop at "Because the Internet". Had to listen to it twice in a row, mind straight up blown. With really good headphones on, you can tell that there's some reaaaal subtle shit with the bass and the general ambient noise.
Dude's got a midas touch, how the feck does one guy have so many talents?
Dude's got a midas touch, how the feck does one guy have so many talents?
He's incredible. Had redbone on repeat all day.
I prefer his acting to his music but his music has improved so much since Camp so I'm excited to see where he goes next.
No idea why I never bothered listening to this guy before, perhaps because of a subconscious idea that actor turned rapper wouldn't be any good, but he popped up on Google Play Music so I gave "Because The Internet" a listen and absolutely love it.
Added his other stuff to my list to check out later.
Added his other stuff to my list to check out later.
His newest album (Awaken, my love!) is fantastic, more of an R&B and Soul one, definitely worth a listen!
Incredibly talented man, is Donald. Atlanta is probably the best comedy of the last few years too.
Got tickets to see him in Toronto in Sept. 
Dropped this in the middle of hosting SNL
Where he also dropped a new track
Whilst just generally being funny
He's currently the genius Kanye West thinks he is.
Where he also dropped a new track
Whilst just generally being funny
He's currently the genius Kanye West thinks he is.
He's a cool guy. I love the Atlanta series.
Nailed it. Glover/Gambino is lightyears ahead of that clown, Kanye.
He is stupidly talented.
Not to derail the thread but 808 & heartbreak is one of the best albums of past 20 odd years(Not to forget his other classic albums) and influenced a whole range of people, just because Kanye has unfortunately had a mental break down in public doesn't mean all his music is suddenly rubbish.
And like he's not annoying at out which you would have thought is a pretty impossible thing to do.
He'll be lucky to end with a discog half as good as Kanye's. And I'm a big Bino fan.
He's a GOAT tier Hip Hop producer (and producer in general) undoubtedly, possibly the GOAT, but also one that uses 10-20 guest producers on his tracks. He's great, but he's also no Quincy Jones. He's a middling rapper and a rubbish fashion designer to boot. Part of his breakdown is due to his utter conviction he's some uniquely important "genius", never being told he's not a uniquely important genius, and believing that this "genius" applies to all aspects of his life and work, and demands to be listened to.
Glover on the other hand can genuinely be called a unique polymathic talent, operating at a ridiculously high level across multiple forms.
Obviously he's not specifically the producer Kanye is (nor been doing it for nearly as long - plus he uses Producers as well) but currently (at least since Atlanta & Awaken My Love came out) he's begun proving he’s the all round creative powerhouse Kanye seems to think he is, says he is, but has never really demonstrated he is. Outside of making some truly horrible shoes.
IMHO, of course.
He'll end it with a lot more writing, directing and acting credits though. And probably make significantly nicer shoes if he ever tries.
It's probably unfair to bring Kanye into this tbf. But it seemed current and relevant. Especially as the new track is kinda Kanye-ish. And certainly the kind of thing Kanye should be doing if he's as important an artist as he thinks he is. And music is a side gig to Glover!
Also this...
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Binoooooo!
Seeing him live in Sept.
Seeing him live in Sept.
Yeah, scarily so. Seems like he can do anything he wants to, and succeed at it.
That This is America song and video are amazing, that first bit with the gun shot then change of tempo is quite shocking His performance in the vid is stellar as well.
I’ve kinda always been aware of who he is but i’d Never really sat down watched anything he had done or listened to anything but I think it was with the song Redbone that really got me. Love it. It’s so good.
I’ve kinda always been aware of who he is but i’d Never really sat down watched anything he had done or listened to anything but I think it was with the song Redbone that really got me. Love it. It’s so good.
I like that he doesn't mind performing and showing his gut. Abs are so overrated.
Man. It might not be high art, but that This is America video and song has some layers to it. When I first heard it doing chores around the house, I couldn’t help but wiggle my booty a bit... checking out the video after and seeing the video totally changed the connotations of the song for me.
Quality.
One of the best music videos I've seen in ages.
Watched it. Video was good, song was trash. People online saying how it's a masterpiece and that he's a genius. Just goes to show how low the bar is these days.
Have to agree.
The song is average at best, but the video is brilliant social commentary art.
The song on its own isn't anything special lyrically but I think it sounds great. I also think it was probably written with the video in mind. The song itself is vague and probably could mean just about anything but when paired with the video it's clear what he was trying to do.
People aren’t saying he’s a genius just for this. It’s combined with the fact he’s also been an acclaimed TV writer since his college days (he won a Writers Guild Award while on 30 Rock, which he joined while still at NYU) starred in another acclaimed, award winning sitcom (Community) created, wrote, directed and starred in his own acclaimed award winning show (Atlanta) and did stand up, and made hip hop albums, a funk album and now contemporary soul/trap stuff, and is about to play Simba in the new Lion King and Lando in a new Star Wars.
AND has made this video.
So I don’t think the bar is particularly low, really. If he’s not there yet, he’s well on his way. He probably needs to sustain it for a while longer, but if he’s not eligible, I can’t really think of who is?
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I think it's a great video personally. A real social commentary that makes you think, incorporating historical events, gun violence juxtaposed with popular dance, shock, pretentious money lyrics in a ridiculing manner (in my interpretation), all the stuff going on in the background / use of props. I think it's one of those that you understand a bit better if you read about it from someone who's analysed it properly.
Though it's not something that I'd classify as a masterpiece or revolutionary, but it's about as interesting as you could make a video that's 4 minutes long and I'd be all for more videos of its ilk.
Though it's not something that I'd classify as a masterpiece or revolutionary, but it's about as interesting as you could make a video that's 4 minutes long and I'd be all for more videos of its ilk.
Which is the point of the song.
It's a great video, but I do think this shows that there's a real lack of awareness around 'art' within music videos, unless it involves an artist that is expected to deliver such themes within their work.
Donald Glover has reached a level where people almost can't criticise him, because he's so talented, and on the one hand it's great - but on the other hand you get lots of snarky comments such as "Gambino is the genius Kanye thinks he is" (even though i'm sure Gambino would probably call Kanye a genius, considering he's called him a prophet & a huge inspiration in the past)
Also - he gets placed on this pedalstal as if he's the first to do it, or what he's doing is so much better than what the others are doing -and it's just not true.
The This is America video comes at an apt time in American Social History where, with the help of social media & representation in media, minorities are expressing their thoughts and pushing boundaries with each project they put out.
Long may it continue personally.
Donald Glover has reached a level where people almost can't criticise him, because he's so talented, and on the one hand it's great - but on the other hand you get lots of snarky comments such as "Gambino is the genius Kanye thinks he is" (even though i'm sure Gambino would probably call Kanye a genius, considering he's called him a prophet & a huge inspiration in the past)
Also - he gets placed on this pedalstal as if he's the first to do it, or what he's doing is so much better than what the others are doing -and it's just not true.
The This is America video comes at an apt time in American Social History where, with the help of social media & representation in media, minorities are expressing their thoughts and pushing boundaries with each project they put out.
Long may it continue personally.
With that being said, my biggest takeaways from the video;
1 - he looks exactly like Fela Kuti, coupled with the african dances - it actually reminds me of africa, even the uniform the kids are wearing
2 - the church massacre
3 - guns are treated better than the bodies of those he kills
4 - the kids are watching, while being ignorant to what's around them
5 - jim crow pose
6 - cops bring the most chaos in the back
7 - there is no escape
8 - suicide/mental health (someone killed themselves at some point)
9 - abandoned cars (traffic light arrests/killings maybe?)
10 - mass incarceration
11 - get out
12 - black people dance and sing through it all, despite this.
1 - he looks exactly like Fela Kuti, coupled with the african dances - it actually reminds me of africa, even the uniform the kids are wearing
2 - the church massacre
3 - guns are treated better than the bodies of those he kills
4 - the kids are watching, while being ignorant to what's around them
5 - jim crow pose
6 - cops bring the most chaos in the back
7 - there is no escape
8 - suicide/mental health (someone killed themselves at some point)
9 - abandoned cars (traffic light arrests/killings maybe?)
10 - mass incarceration
11 - get out
12 - black people dance and sing through it all, despite this.
Care to mention examples of music videos that have come out in recent years that artfully communicates a message? Genuinely curious, as I’m not really plugged in with regards to music videos these days.
Or one by someone whose also concurrently writing, producing and starring in an equally important TV series, whilst casually dabbling in blockbusters on the side?
This is my thing with Glover. He's doing all fecking sorts of shit, and has been for ages now. It's not that he's some cool nouveau thing with a sexy video (though I'm sure he is to many - and tbf, it's only since Atlanta & Awaken that he's really stepped into this tier) If you've ever listened to a Community commentary track, you'd know Dan Harmon has been gushing about him for years.
Here he was last year, basically saying he was already funnier than the stuff they were writing for him, when he was on the show 5 or 6 years go.
Tbf, the Kanye stuff was an unfortunate consequence of timing. Had Kanye not had (another) epic breakdown in the same week, it wouldn't have even come up. As a writer, I consider Glover that before I consider him a musician anyway. Though for my own money, as someone perpetually rankled by Kanye "greatest artist of all time" West and his self promotion, I'd personally never miss an opportunity to get a dig in. And I'm a big fan of his beats. POWER is one of the best beats of this Century fwiw... It's also 80% an old Afromerica tune just sped up slightly (POW! Take that Kanye!)... Okay I'll stop now
This is my thing with Glover. He's doing all fecking sorts of shit, and has been for ages now. It's not that he's some cool nouveau thing with a sexy video (though I'm sure he is to many - and tbf, it's only since Atlanta & Awaken that he's really stepped into this tier) If you've ever listened to a Community commentary track, you'd know Dan Harmon has been gushing about him for years.
Here he was last year, basically saying he was already funnier than the stuff they were writing for him, when he was on the show 5 or 6 years go.
Tbf, the Kanye stuff was an unfortunate consequence of timing. Had Kanye not had (another) epic breakdown in the same week, it wouldn't have even come up. As a writer, I consider Glover that before I consider him a musician anyway. Though for my own money, as someone perpetually rankled by Kanye "greatest artist of all time" West and his self promotion, I'd personally never miss an opportunity to get a dig in.
And I'm a big fan of his beats. POWER is one of the best beats of this Century fwiw... It's also 80% an old Afromerica tune just sped up slightly (POW! Take that Kanye!)... Okay I'll stop now
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off the top of my head;
The entire Beyoncé - lemonade doc
Pretty much everything from Kendrick’s TPAB
Denzel curry - parents
Solange - cranes in the sky & don’t touch my hair
Everything Janelle Monáe has released recently
Jay z - Marcy me & the story of OJ
Danny Brown - ain’t it funny
NERD - 1000
There’s plenty more.
Music videos have been great in recent years, Glover’s is in the top tier for sure but the over pouring reaction suggests that not enough people are paying attention to what else is out there.
Or one by someone whose also concurrently writing, producing and starring in an equally important TV series, whilst casually dabbling in blockbusters on the side?
This is my thing with Glover. He's doing all fecking sorts of shit, and has been for ages now. It's not that he's some cool nouveau thing with a sexy video (though I'm sure he is to many - and tbf, it's only since Atlanta & Awaken that he's really stepped into this tier) If you've ever listened to a Community commentary track, you'd know Dan Harmon has been gushing about him for years.
Here he was last year, basically saying he was already funnier than the stuff they were writing for him, when he was on the show 5 or 6 years go.
Tbf, the Kanye stuff was an unfortunate consequence of timing. Had Kanye not had (another) epic breakdown in the same week, it wouldn't have even come up. As a writer, I consider Glover that before I consider him a musician anyway. Though for my own money, as someone perpetually rankled by Kanye "greatest artist of all time" West and his self promotion, I'd personally never miss an opportunity to get a dig in.
He’s absolutely one of the most versatile creatives out there, and very talented at everything he touches. I never said anything else on the contrary.
The problem with versatility is that you very rarely master any one skill
In the case of Gambino I think he’s more skilled in TV than music, we’re all gushing about the music video but very few are gushing about the actual song.
I’m not in the mood to defend Kanye tbh, as a person he’s absolutely lost.
Some of the dance moves he was hitting are eerily similar to the ones from this video: