Childish Gambino is actually a comedian, but he’s also a rapper
I like Donald Glover. My introduction to him came through videos produced by Derrick Comedy, and then I was glad to see him pop up on NBC’s Community and hear that he’s gotten to write for 30 Rock. Yet, when my friend linked me to a mixtape by some guy called Childish Gambino, I looked at the cover art and still first thought, “Hey! It’s the Bro Rape guy!”
He has definitely kept himself busy since that three-year-old skit, though. I’m surprised that I hadn’t heard about Donald Glover’s efforts as an underground hip-hop artist before now, considering his past releases have been covered by blogs like the LAist and worked with artists like MC Chris to supply the memorable track “The Stand” for Derrick Comedy’s first film, Mystery Team.
And yet, here I am, a little late to the party but throwing my two cents in about it anyway. Childish Gambino’s style is a mixture of hilarity and ridiculousness, of nerdcore and street bravado alike. Not every track is perfectly produced or executed, but there’s even something intriguing about the rough edges. None of it detracts from the infectiousness of Donald Glover’s timbre, how clever lyrics like two of you chains equals one of my shirt sir/you got Jacob Jeweler/I got Anna Wintour (from the song “New Prince (Crown On The Ground)”) manage to be, trying to guess which indie favorites he samples (including Grizzly Bear and Animal Collective), or simply the challenge in testing whether you get each pop culture reference.
Childish Gambino – New Prince (Crown On The Ground)
Donald Glover might may just be poised to contend with current comedy giants without copying what’s already out there. He’s got his own flavor, and you’re probably going to want to get in on it now.
