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

The Ass in Assassin: Earl Sweatshirt

Tyler, The Creator dropped an album (Bastard) when he was 18 on Christmas Day of 2009. It was... out there to say the least. Released for free download on the Odd Future website, Tyler sells his album by saying, 

"Tyler Creator ( or Ace) Releases This Full Length Self Produced Album, Mostly About His Father, Rape, Box Logos And Jesus. Also Featuring Unicorns And Transexuals. Click The Title To Download." (or just click here)

And no, he wasn't lying. That is truly what the album deals with from most to least prevalent. Revered by some, Bastard made a statement about Tyler and Odd Future: "We will scare you while impressing you and if you don't like it, fuck off." About 3 months later, after a few more Odd Future releases, a 10-song album was released on the same website. EARL by Earl Sweatshirt had similar selling points to Bastard,

"Earl Sweatshirt Releases His First Fucking Album. Lyrics About Rape, Coke, And Couches Will Be Blaring In  Your Ears With The Dopest Fucking Beats To Date. Featuring Production By Tyler The Creator, Left Brain And Others. DOWNLOAD BY CLICKING THE FUCKING TITLE. "(or here)

Again, they weren't pulling any punches about the subject matter, only this release was seemingly darker. Tongue twisting lyrics over admittedly "dope" beats would take aback any person who was half listening. It was appalling, yet smooth. It was aggressive, yet intriguing. Frankly, it was somewhat grosser than Bastard, but it was executed with the sort of professionalism that would be admired by most people within the Hip Hop industry.

Oh, and it was done by a 16-year-old. 

Specifically, this 16-year-old.

Born Thebe Neruda Kgositsile, better known by his stage name, Earl Sweatshirt was born to a law professor at UCLA (his mother), and a South African poet (his father). Thebe grew up in Los Angeles, without his father after he left when Thebe was six. 

It is truly difficult to answer the question, "Who is Earl Sweatshirt?" The best course of action is to ask Earl himself. The titular track of his first album has some first words that sum it up substantially: 

"Yo, I'm a hot and bothered astronaut crashing while

Jacking off to buffering vids of Asher Roth eating apple sauce

Sent to Earth to poke Catholics in the ass with saws

And knock blunt ashes into their caskets and laugh it off"

Vulgar? Check. Offensive? Check. Now, poetic? Also check. Rappers are in the business of rhyming words, and this is where Earl breaks the mold. Obviously, the words rhyme, but it's the continued usage of the same sounds that populate each line that make Earl so impressive. Spoken Word poets who have written for years often can't attain the ability Earl has in this category. And it isn't just this song in which Earl shows off his talent, it's almost all. This kind of talent at such a young age is practically unheard of. In fact, it brings someone to mind... who was it again? 

The comparison has to be made. A short album, great beats, emceed by a teenager, Illmatic and EARL are both prime examples of the wunderkins of rap. Where they differ is obviously the subject matter. Nas dealt with the streets while Earl dealt with things most people don't feel comfortable talking about (for good reason). 

Included in that group of most people is Thebe's mother. After the release of EARL, and in turn Earl's (relatively) massive following, Earl was forced into becoming a recluse by his mother, starting with his mother not granting permission for a good amount of his music to be released. This left fans stunned. Earl was gone. Unseen and unheard for years. While Odd Future knew the whereabouts of Earl, they remained silent throughout his time away. In April of 2011, Complex released an article in which they released their own research on Earl's location, and revealed that Thebe Kgositsile had been residing at the Coral Reef Academy is Samoa. 

The Coral Reef Academy is basically a rehabilitation program for troubled kids. Whether it is depression, anger, or even drug use the Coral Reef Academy takes young men through a long process in which they are to emerged cleansed. Fans didn't take kindly to the notion that Earl was sent here against his will by his mother. These fans, though, had the completely wrong understanding. The angry mob that were Earl Sweatshirt fans were under the impression that his mother had heard his album and based solely on the music his mother had shipped him off. In an interview with Peter Rosenberg shortly after his return, Earl laughed at this notion. He was both open and closed off when saying to Peter, "Nah, I was fucking up." 

Earl returned in 2012 with a few features, and a couple singles. None of them bigger than the projected first single off his album to be released in 2013, "Chum."

A loop of a beat, a heavy bass, but a perfected flow. In his return from Samoa, Earl is no longer rapping about Rape, Coke, and Couches, but about how he actually feels (sound familiar?). His fears of fame, his feelings about his absent father, the expectation of his old fans. Earl has clearly turned over a leaf; however, not a new leaf. Rather, the same flow-filled, poetic leaf from the "Rape" side to the "Great" side. What EARL did was leave people wide-eyed, and it did it for 3 reasons: 1. Did he really just say that? 2. Is this kid really only 16? and 3. These rhymes are crazy!

EARL left listeners troubled, but respecting for the wrong reasons; "Chum" does so for the right reasons. 

Earl has spoken of releasing an album in the near future, saying that those who enjoyed his more vulgar songs will probably not enjoy it as much. "My mom likes it," said Earl. Doris is projected to drop in 2013.