Our favorite football player who was ever injured in a “keg flip” has a new rap album coming out called Camp. Donald Glover / Childish Gambino picked a very fitting, playful title for his first release after signing with Glassnote Records earlier this fall. Lucky for us, we don’t have to wait until its November 15th release date because it’s currently streaming on NPR… RIGHT NOW! So please do your ears and brain a favor, stop whatever you’re doing and listen because it’s wonderful.
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But it’s not a satirical character, it’s an honest character portrayed seriously. Eminem could be the biggest feminist in the world in his private life, but what is being put out in the mainstream is incredibly harmful and offensive. Even as a joke it wouldn’t be acceptable, just like rape jokes. It’s playing into a dangerous culture, and without a counterbalance.
The overwhelming majority of people who will listen to this are not going to stop and think, “This is a character, the things he is saying should not be taken seriously and he’s actually against them”. They’re going to say, “Wow, that rhymed really well, so that makes it okay for me to agree and repeat it”.
^
He’s made it pretty clear Gambino is a character, it’s not “Donald Glover raps”
I gave it a listen. I’ve liked some of his past stuff. And while it’s technically good, it made me feel pretty uncomfortable.
I couldn’t reconcile my views with the things he was saying. His lyrics are littered with paranoid misogyny and racism. Literally every other song is about how women only care about his money and he thinks they all go around poking holes in his condoms. And his paranoia is leveled must prominently at black and white women.
I get that such themes exist in the lyrics of a variety of hip hop artists, and even in some of Childish’s previous work. But it’s so omnipresent here that it sounds like the ramblings of a madman. Like someone growing detached from reality. They’re the kinds of things you wouldn’t be surprised to hear at a particularly robust Tracy Morgan gig. However, coming from someone like Donald Glover, popularly known to have a pretty good head on his shoulders, I was really taken aback.
I’m afraid I won’t be listening further, or buying this album.
I loved Donald Glover on Community and when I found out about Childish Gambino through the Nerdist it was awesome and I love all the stuff he has come out with.
Been looking forward to this album. After listening to the album, I was a little disappointed. It’s good, just not great.
I do like that he stopped rapping about his dick, though.
Fuck these backpackers. Good shit.
Pre-ordered it a long while ago. Really amazingly phenomenal. This surpassed all the other albums I’ve bought this year. All that’s left musically for me this year is Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ Dragon Tattoo score (if it’s somehow released next month).
OhYeah, listened to it last night. Everything I wanted from the album. Been waiting to buy a CG album for years, now I finally get the chance.
Oh fuck yes. I can’t wait to get my hands on this. Donald Glover should be on the Nerdist Podcast again. Maybe perform a lil Childish?? Shit would be dopenesssss
If you haven’t had a chance to see Mr Gambino you need to do yourself a favor and get to a show stat!
Such a good album…can’t wait to actually own it.