Not Just a Rapper: Donald Glover

"Stone Mountain, Georgia got somethin'- for ya"

Actor, writer, comedian, and hip-hop artist Donald Glover, aka "Childish Gambino," is an unusual talent. His upbringings didn't include gangs, totin' guns, or selling drugs, yet that isn't to say his childhood was easy. In the small town of Stone Mountain, Georgia (population 5,000), Glover grew up lower middle-class with several foster children in his home. Battling through a high school he didn't belong in, he took advantage of the opportunities his parents gave him and ended up at NYU.

Donald Glover in High School

"(Mom) workin' two jobs so I can get into that white school,

And I hate it there,

They all make fun of my clothes and wanna touch my hair"

Childish Gambino  - "Outside" - Camp

After NYU, Glover saw a future in comedy and eventually scored a writing job for NBC's TV show 30 Rock. He simultaneously strove for an acting career, which consisted mostly of small roles until Community came knocking on his door in 2009. As his fame spread on television, it also spread in his other fields. Donald's stand-up earned him multiple Comedy Central specials, including hit act "Weirdo" released in 2011; however his rise in stand-up is incomparable to his success in music during this time. Going by the pseudonym "Childish Gambino" (retrieved from an online Wu-Tang clan name generator), Glover released multiple successful albums/mixtapes/EPS from 2009-2012.

"I do not talk; I am just a rapper"

Glover's aspirations of becoming a rapper date back to before he even arrived at college. In the song "My Shine"  from his 2011 EP, Gambino states that he was "rappin' back when Lance had chemo" in response to critics who claim he only started rapping to bank off his semi-successful television career. People can speculate on his motives to become a rapper, but the truth is that his first official release, Sick Boi (2008), came a solid year before his fame was even notable. In any case, Glover makes it clear that rapping is merely a hobby and only one of his many talents.

Gambino at ACL 2012

"But now I got them lined up at the lobby door, 
It makes me wonder what this rappin' shit's a hobby for.
Oh, that's right because I'm gifted in another field, and another field, and another field."

Childish Gambino - F*ck It All - Culdesac


"Welcome to the Culdesac"

Childish's first major success came in 2010 when he released Culdesac to the world for free via his website. This album put Gambino on the hip hop map.

Culdesac - July 2010

His alternative rap style topped off with a slight indie vibe captivated hip/hop hipsters everywhere, including fellow classmate Colin Ainsworth, who around this time introduced me to Gambino and Culdesac. Although I heard complaints on this album varying from "he's too white" to "why did he record with a stuffed-up nose," for the most part the critical reception among peers and among rap critics was positive. The album not only displayed Glover's talent as a rapper, but it was also very original in it's design. The use of actual instruments, the variety of beats, and the genuine, relatable message by Gambino made the album a breath of fresh air to teenage non-conformists across the nation. While the album never made the Top 100, it acted as a key stepping stone to a greater Gambino.

"Alright, Gambino is a mastermind"

Gambino's EP (March 2011) releasing 5 songs stunned fans everywhere. Lyrically and musically, the release surpassed Culdesac by a landslide. Gambino was bold with his words, already bragging on himself and spitting disses into haters' faces. In the final song of the EP, "Not Going Back", Gambino insists that his success will not end, and his prediction has stood strong. The most radical and ingenious song in the EP is easily "Freaks and Geeks". The flare Gambino emits in this song resonates in every listener's mind, only to be added onto by the incredible music video:

"Everyone hated me, I'm more hip hop than you'll ever be"

Camp globalized Gambino. The album, first of his to be released with a record company, debuted in November 2011 and immediately caught fire, rising to #2 on US Billboard's Weekly Top Rap albums shortly after. With intriguing instrumentals and well-produced tracks, Camp appealed to a wider audience but didn't lose the Childish die-hards who were still welcomed by his unique, hipster swagger. Gambino also addressed personal issues in the album. In the songs "Outside", "Hold You Down",  and "That Power", Gambino tells stories of his experiences with racism as a child and how race still plays a major role in his life, particularly how some tend to categorize races and won't accept a black rapper who isn't the stereotypical, "fuck the police" thug. Additionally, Childish reaches out to an ex-girlfriend who he can't get his mind off of in "Letter Home". The monologue digs deep into the heart of Glover; despite his numerous recent outings with attractive women, he still strives to win back a girl from his past. Ultimately, Camp achieved success because it captivated both the indie teenagers and the hip-hop junkies with its perfect balance of mainstream-style rap and original Gambino flare. In my opinion, this is easily his best album yet and has no weak songs.

"Thug" rapper Lil Wayne

Childish Gambino

"I wanna hang with Lil' Wayne, I just hope I'm black enough"

- Gambino








"I'm a star, how could I not shine?"

In summer 2012, Childish released the mixtape R O Y A L T Y off of his website for free. The tape has an old-school hip-hop vibe with several guest rap artists, an obscene amount of scratching, and an almost angry tone from Gambino. He severely veered away from his past work in R O Y A L T Y, presenting a dark, "ghetto-like" rap style similar to artists like 2-Chainz and Wocka Flocka. Although most Gambino fans would like to see the Culdesac-Camp Gambino return, the mixtape in itself is not bad. The critical reception was positive, although many noted that the mixtape surprised them and lacked the "sincerity and unique nature" of Gambino's prior work. Whether or not R O T A L T Y satisfied Childish fans, this was certainly not the last we will hear of Gambino. Due to the style of this album and the responses following, I suspect a Camp-like studio release by Gambino in 2013.


Also Check Out: 
Mixtapes:
I Am Just A Rapper 
I Am Just A Rapper 2
Songs:
"Eat Your Vegetables"
"Break (AOTL)"
"Rolling in the Deep" - Jamie xx - Gambino Remix