For someone who only listens to Country music on a daily basis, this is a new experience for me. I was just exposed to some good music. The name is Childish Gambino.
Equal parts deep and clever, the music of actor, rapper Donald Glover, also known as, Childish Gambino, manages to cover a range of topics, all over fresh, self-produced beats. His affinity for referencing his own life experience, his witty humor and obscure cultural references set him apart. Glover came up with the stage name Childish Gambino after using a Wu Tang Clan Rap Name Creator. Glover reveals his struggles through his lyrics, his thoughts on race and identity, while at the same time reminding you that he’s one of the best in the game now, even if he’s wearing shorts.
This music is linked, and made from the things that the singer/rapper hybrid has been through. It is different from any other music. It’s not just rap, or casual music, but a little of both. Its different if you aren’t used to this kind of music, but it’s not as bad as most of the rap music there is today. I think its different from the other rap music, because he links it to the struggles of his own life, which makes me understand some of it, because I understand the struggles of life.
Primary producers Gambino and Ludwig Goransson mix the edgy sounds of indie rap and indie pop with the best the mainstream world of R&B has to offer. Cool, radio-friendly crooner Llyod shows up on the creamy West Coast dream called “Telegraph Ave,” while “3005”comes with a chorus so uplifting and bright, it makes the nerdy stay-at-home wallflower at its center sound epic and sexy.
In addition to his music chops, Glover was a writer for The Daily Show in 2005 and the NBC series 30 Rock from 2008 to 2009, where he also had an occasional cameo appearance. In 2009 he was presented the Writers Guild of America Award for Best Comedy Series for his work on the third season of 30 Rock. Glover has a successful acting career and is currently featured on the NBC show Community. He is also a stand up comedian, with his latest comedy special WERIDO wired originally airing on Comedy Central in November 2011. He also helped launch the Sketch Comedy group Derrick Comedy.
The songs themself cover a wide variety of tones and moods from the laid back tone of Sweatpants to the musical embodiment of fights in the hood, titled WORLDSTAR. With this album, Gambino has cemented his position as one of the modern greats. The beats, which were made by both Glover himself and producing greats such as Brainfeeder’s Thundercat and Swedish producer Ludwig Goransson, complement Gambino’s voice in a unique and enjoyable way.
The music itself isn’t really that bad. It’s different for me because all I listen to is country music, so this is a little out of my comfort zone. But, personally, I think Gambino is a good artist. I feel personally that it’s really good, and kind of inspirational because he ties the music, kind of like each song in with his own life. I say inspirational because he is an example because he may have been through a lot in life, and now here he is a rapper, and making lots of money. You should give a try.
