Five years ago, Kendrick Lamar offered fans a further window into his psyche with Untitled.Unmastered, a project largely comprised of leftover tracks from the To Pimp A Butterfly sessions. And while it wasn’t quite up to the admittedly lofty standard of his recognized studio discography, there were still plenty of stellar moments to be found throughout. Especially on the strange and wonderful “Levitate,” a track that found Kendrick taking to a twisted instrumental and pushing his experimental level to the maximum stage.
Pushing his cadences to strange places, Kendrick lets fly an unrestrained flow as he fires off a hypnotic refrain. Though it might have been interesting to see him attack the instrumental with a more traditional approach, there’s something delightfully unsettling about his presence here, a true display of unhinged creativity. Alternating between a manic temperament and a more lethargic one, Kenny’s “Levitate” is surprisingly complex in spite of its apparent simplicity; those interested in that sort of thing could likely find much thematic value upon closer analysis.
For those simply looking to lose themselves in a banger, “Levitate” serves that purpose as well. Check it out for yourself now, especially if you’re feeling nostalgic for the era when Kendrick Lamar was dropping music at a prolific rate. Happy anniversary to Untitled. Unmastered.
QUOTABLE LYRICS
Shut your fuckin’ mouth and get some cash, you bitch, you You be in your feelings, I be in my bag, you bitch, you Santa’s reindeer better have some ass, you bitch, you Everything I’m working, gotta be the gas, you bitch, you
Foo Fighters stopped by The Late Late Show to perform their Medicine At Midnight highlight “Waiting On A War” last night. While they were there, they also took a few minutes to chat with James Corden, and over the course of their conversation, one of Dave Grohl’s excellent old pre-show traditions was revealed.
Playing off the fact that Foo Fighters have referred to Medicine At Midnight as a “party album,” Corden asked some of the band members what music they’d play at a party. Taylor Hawkins jokingly answered, “Just yacht rock, always, all the time.” Rami Jaffee then chimed in with the Bee Gees’ Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, an album that Grohl recently highlighted as a must-listen for children. Chris Shiflett added, “I remember when I first joined the band, we had a big boombox backstage, and before every show, Dave would put on Juvenile, “Back That Azz Up.” As Grohl excitedly recited some of the lyrics and other band members laughed, Shiflett added, “That was our pre-show warm-up.”
Shiflett joined the band in 1999, so while the band was touring in support of that year’s album There Is Nothing Left To Lose, Grohl was probably back stage getting pumped up to the then-brand-new Juvenile song, which is also known as “Back That Thang Up” and features Mannie Fresh and Lil Wayne. “Back That Azz Up,” by the way, was actually Wayne’s first-ever single.
Watch the interview above and check out the band’s performance of “Waiting On A War” below.
Offset was right — they do anything for clout. “They” in this case is a Spanish rapper named Aaron Beltran, who is being accused of cutting off his roommate’s penis with a kitchen knife for a YouTube video. The Independent reports that the two men apparently had a mutual arrangement for the gruesome task in which Beltran would pay Andrew Breach, a British teacher staying with him in Zaragosa, Spain, between $240 and $3,000 depending on the video’s performance.
The two men were discovered when Breach went to the hospital for treatment. The doctors were able to reattach the member, then reported both men to the authorities. However, Breach later claimed that he was the one responsible for the amputation, claiming he was “unwell” at the time. However, authorities don’t believe the updated version of the story, and prosecutors are pursuing charges against Beltran despite the apparently consensual arrangement. Beltran denies the charges but is facing up to four years in prison as the case goes to trial.
An anonymous officer who spoke to The Independent is quoted, “When interviewing the victim in hospital he told us the accused cut off his penis. Andrew said he did not feel 100 percent a man and wanted to get rid of his penis. He agreed a deal with the accused to pay him €200 which would depend on how many views the video of the amputation received on YouTube. It was done on the basis of hits.”
If that’s truly the case, it was a bad plan; YouTube’s terms of service would see to it that such a video would be instantly demonetized and deleted.
The wait for new G Herbo music is officially over, as the Chicago rapper has just announced that he will be following up last year’s critically acclaimed album PTSD with the release of two singles this Friday. Over the past year, the artist has taken a step back to enjoy time with his family, but now it appears that he’s finally ready to share new music with his fans. To build hype for his upcoming drop, G Herbo took to Instagram to share his official announcement.
“I AINT DROP SH*T SINCE I DROPPED MY ALBUM,” Herbo writes under his latest post. “FEELS LIKE A GOOD TIME TO GET BACK TO IT… 2 NEW TRACKS COMING FRIDAY.”
If the all-caps caption isn’t enough to get fans excited for his two new singles, the cover artwork for each of the tracks surely will. The first single, titled “Really Like That” features an Illmatic-esque design that shows a transparent portrait of G Herbo plastered on top of what appears to be a housing project. In contrast, the cover art for “Break Yoself” takes the Swervo artist back in time with a throwback baby picture of a young Herbo smiling.
The Chicago rapper recently dropped off the loosie “Statement” in December and appeared on the Judas and the Black Messiah soundtrack last month, so although “Really Like That” and “Break Yoself” aren’t technically his first singles since the release of PTSD last spring, these two new tracks will probably be a great appetizer for whatever G Herbo has on the way.
Are you excited for G Herbo’s two new singles tomorrow or are you still bumping PTSD one year later?
Wrestling fans have been wanting Shaquille O’Neal to step into the squared circle for years. He’s teased a rivalry with the Big Show in the past, and after the legendary wrestler made his shock announcement to join All Elite Wrestling last week, Shaq figured that he would follow suit, possibly gearing up for the long-awaited Shaq Vs. Big Show (known professionally as Paul Wight) match at an upcoming AEW pay-per-view event.
As fans wait for any announcements on that front, we got the first good look at Shaq’s skills in the ring as he teamed up with Jade Cargill for a mixed tag team match on last night’s episode of AEW: Dynamite, getting the win against Cody Rhodes and Red Velvet. With the way the match ended though, you wouldn’t have realized that Shaq was having his arm raised in victory.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
At a point during the match, Shaq’s teammate Jade Cargill started setting up a wooden table outside of the ring, catching her own partner by surprise. Red Velvet caught up to her though and sent her flying back into the ring, setting up a second table before joining her. After a few minutes went by, Shaq and Cody began squaring off when Shaq got hung up against the ropes. Cody took the opportunity to create a viral moment, running at him and sending himself and the basketball legend crashing through the two tables, knocking out Shaq for the rest of the bout. Cargill ended up taking over the rest of the way, winning the match for her team.
In hip-hop, many artists have taken to asserting their dominance by flexing their finances. Russ is no exception, often using his substantial earnings to justify and inform listeners about the benefits of an independent catalog. It’s no secret that the once-self-declared “SoundCloud King” has been a vocal advocate of retaining ownership over one’s master recordings, shirking the major-label route and profiting as a result.
Paras Griffin/WireImage/Getty Images
Now, Russ has taken to social media to share some additional words on his own journey, encouraging young artists to follow his lead for a variety of beneficial reasons. “Ever since shit started ‘working’ for me with this music shit I often think about ‘damn, what if I woulda stopped after those 11 mixtapes?'” he reflects. “Can’t lose if you don’t quit. If it’s your truth, keep goin regardless of wtf people are sayin.” He also shows off a total earning of ten million dollars, revealing a surprising fact about the gargantuan sum.
“Ran up 10M off the independent catalog alone,” he explains. “No TRAW. ZOO. Shake The Snow Globe. I remember making 1k and sayin to myself ‘if I can make 1k I can make 10k, if I can make 10k I can make 100k, etc. Reality is this is just a lot of time and effort mixed with consistency and a meaningful relationship with fans from all over the world. Lowkey fuck the money even tho I’m hella grateful. I’m just glad y’all FW what the message and the music is.”
Clearly, Russ has perfected his formula with an alchemical precision, and he remains a key inspirational figure to any young artist looking to make an impact in the game. And thanks to his frequent updates and encouragement on the matter, perhaps we’ll see more and more newcomers considering the independent route as a viable one. Check out his impressive flex below.
Lil Nas X shows the original video, complete with dramatic horror-movie music, in the top right corner while filming his “reaction” to the conspiracy theory. First, the man in the viral video explains his reasoning for deeming Lil Nas X an industry plant, saying, “Just hear me out real quick. Y’all remember when Old Town Road first came out right? It literally went viral…Not only that, he even got Billy Ray Cyrus to get on his song. If you ask me, that’s a red flag right there. Not because Billy Ray Cryus got on the song, but because it blew up so fast, which is literally screaming, ‘industry plant.'”
Throughout the man’s explanation, Lil Nas reacts to the conspiracy with wide eyes and overdramatic gasps, completely trolling the original video. As the video continues, the man points out a ring that Lil Nas once wore and explains how him wearing it symbolizes that he’s being forced to spread an LGBTQ+ agenda.
“One of my supporters pointed out when people get this star ring, they either die or they play a part in an agenda,” the man continues. Pointing to a picture of Lil Nas X at the 2020 Grammys, he says, “Probably like a few months later, they start turning him into this. This is not at his own will.”
Ironically, while the man explains that he thinks Lil Nas X is being forced to act more feminine, the “Panini” rapper gets up and starts dancing, hitting the dance to Silentó’s 2015 hit “Watch Me “Whip/NaeNae.” Even as the guy continues to point out similarities between Lil Nas and Playboi Carti, Lil Nas continues to dance and ridicule the original video without saying anything at all.
Even though the original video could have been offensive or even slightly bothered the rapper, it’s nice to see Lil Nas X spin the situation into a funny moment.
We’ve officially gotten to a point where people are so desperate for new Kendrick Lamar music that they’re flocking to his “likes” on Twitter and going absolutely bonkers when something new pops up. The prolific rapper has been seemingly working behind-the-scenes on his pgLang label, possibly collaborating closely with Baby Keem and other artists, but his first “like” on Twitter has shifted the narrative among his fans, who are now theorizing about a possible collaboration with Jack Harlow.
Instagram
The Kentucky native has proudly been representing his home state as he rises to superstardom, having the best year of his professional career as an artist with the success of his songs “WHAT’S POPPIN” and “Tyler Herro”, as well as his debut album That’s What They All Say. This week, Jack rewinded a few years to show that he’s always been passionate about music, posting a video of himself rapping as a kid, spitting some funny bars about not texting back his friends because he’s working on his next track and turning down birthday party invites. Surprisingly enough, mystery man Kendrick Lamar ended up liking the tweet, marking the first time he’s done so since December 2019.
That wasn’t all though… Drake also commented on the rapper’s bars from years ago, saying “Hardddddddd” in an Instagram comment.
Instagram
“What the hell,” said Jack about Kendrick liking his tweet. “So this is what it takes for the great ones to recognize my work?”
Instagram
People have been reacting to Kendrick liking the tweet, predicting an upcoming collaboration between him and the Louisville native. While that’s possibly a reach, people have been desperate for Kendrick news for years at this point, so it’s not too farfetched for a Twitter “like” to make headlines.
What do you think of Jack’s skills as a kid, and do you think Kendrick has something in the works with him?
A couple months ago, there were reports that Square, the mobile payments company of which Twitter co-founder/CEO Jack Dorsey is also founder/CEO, was in talks with Jay-Z’s streaming service Tidal to buy the platform. It turns out those were more than just rumors, as both Dorsey and Jay have confirmed that the deal is just about finalized.
The New York Times reports that Square will acquire a “significant majority” of Tidal for $297 million in stock and cash. The publication also notes that earlier this week, Jay-Z bought back 33 percent of Tidal from T-Mobile after selling those shares to Sprint (which has since become part of T-Mobile) in 2017. Most of those shares will be sold to Square as part of the new deal.
Dorsey shared a lengthy series of tweets about the deal this morning, which began, “Square is acquiring a majority ownership stake in TIDAL through a new joint venture, with the original artists becoming the second largest group of shareholders, and JAY-Z joining the Square board. Why would a music streaming company and a financial services company join forces?! It comes down to a simple idea: finding new ways for artists to support their work. New ideas are found at the intersections, and we believe there’s a compelling one between music and the economy.”
Jay-Z also shared a message about the deal on Twitter, writing, “This partnership will be a game-changer for many. I look forward to all this new chapter has to offer! Jack is one of the greatest minds of our times, and our many discussions about TIDAL’s endless possibilities have made me even more inspired about its future. This shared vision makes me even more excited to join the Square board. I said from the beginning that TIDAL was about more than just streaming music, and six years later, it has remained a platform that supports artists at every point in their careers. Artists deserve better tools to assist them in their creative journey.”
This partnership will be a game-changer for many. I look forward to all this new chapter has to offer!
Jack is one of the greatest minds of our times, and our many discussions about TIDAL’s endless possibilities have made me even more inspired about its future. This shared vision makes me even more excited to join the Square board.
I said from the beginning that TIDAL was about more than just streaming music, and six years later, it has remained a platform that supports artists at every point in their careers. Artists deserve better tools to assist them in their creative journey.
“Square is acquiring a majority ownership stake in TIDAL through a new joint venture, with the original artists becoming the second largest group of shareholders, and JAY-Z joining the Square board. Why would a music streaming company and a financial services company join forces?! It comes down to a simple idea: finding new ways for artists to support their work. New ideas are found at the intersections, and we believe there’s a compelling one between music and the economy. Making the economy work for artists is similar to what Square has done for sellers.
Square started 12 years ago by giving small sellers a simple tool in order to participate more fully in the economy and grow. We did the same for individuals with Cash App, which now enables a comprehensive set of financial services for folks who weren’t able to access it before. TIDAL started with the idea of honoring artists by being artist-owned and led, focused on an uncompromised experience of the art. It’s refreshing and right. The vision only grows stronger as it’s matched with more powerful tools for artists, inclusive of new ways of getting paid.
Given what Square has been able to do for sellers of all sizes and individuals through Cash App, we believe we can now work for artists to see the same success for them, and us. We’re going to start small and focus on the most critical needs of artists and growing their fanbases. Square created ecosystems of tools for sellers & individuals, and we’ll do the same for artists. We’ll work on entirely new listening experiences to bring fans closer together, simple integrations for merch sales, modern collaboration tools, and new complementary revenue streams.
To all of TIDAL’s current listeners and fans: THANK YOU for your loyalty and commitment to artists and their work. TIDAL will continue to be the best home for music, musicians, and culture. Our commitment to you is to constantly listen, learn, and work to make a service you love.
I’m grateful for Jay’s vision, wisdom, and leadership. I knew TIDAL was something special as soon as I experienced it, and I’m inspired to work with him. He’ll now help lead our entire company, including Seller and the Cash App, as soon as the deal closes.”
Square is acquiring a majority ownership stake in TIDAL through a new joint venture, with the original artists becoming the second largest group of shareholders, and JAY-Z joining the Square board. Why would a music streaming company and a financial services company join forces?!
It comes down to a simple idea: finding new ways for artists to support their work. New ideas are found at the intersections, and we believe there’s a compelling one between music and the economy. Making the economy work for artists is similar to what Square has done for sellers.
Square started 12 years ago by giving small sellers a simple tool in order to participate more fully in the economy and grow. We did the same for individuals with Cash App, which now enables a comprehensive set of financial services for folks who weren’t able to access it before.
TIDAL started with the idea of honoring artists by being artist-owned and led, focused on an uncompromised experience of the art. It’s refreshing and right. The vision only grows stronger as it’s matched with more powerful tools for artists, inclusive of new ways of getting paid.
Given what Square has been able to do for sellers of all sizes and individuals through Cash App, we believe we can now work for artists to see the same success for them, and us. We’re going to start small and focus on the most critical needs of artists and growing their fanbases.
Square created ecosystems of tools for sellers & individuals, and we’ll do the same for artists. We’ll work on entirely new listening experiences to bring fans closer together, simple integrations for merch sales, modern collaboration tools, and new complementary revenue streams.
To all of TIDAL’s current listeners and fans: THANK YOU for your loyalty and commitment to artists and their work. TIDAL will continue to be the best home for music, musicians, and culture. Our commitment to you is to constantly listen, learn, and work to make a service you love.
I’m grateful for Jay’s vision, wisdom, and leadership. I knew TIDAL was something special as soon as I experienced it, and I’m inspired to work with him. He’ll now help lead our entire company, including Seller and the Cash App, as soon as the deal closes. https://t.co/YRfYjcWJQxpic.twitter.com/xBtq2xfwue
The best artists know how to adapt to the times while remaining true to their morals and keeping fans on their toes, and Childish Gambino is part of that elite crop. Starting off his multi-faceted career in comedy (he worked as a writer for 30 Rock and starred as Troy Barnes in Community), he quickly but seamlessly transformed from Donald Glover The Actor to Childish Gambino The Rapper with the 2011 release of his debut EP (aptly titled EP). He wholeheartedly embraced his nerdy side in a rap climate that was run by the streets. Pretty soon though, he unleashed more skills, showing that he could sing just as smoothly as his bars.
There are many sides to Gambino, each revealing themselves in a thrilling manner equal to unlocking the next level to your favorite video game. He’s presented heavy-hitting social and racial commentary, reveled in romance, channeled his inner ‘70s funk master, and became the king of the summer season. And he’s done this all while creating an entertainment empire, from his hit FX series Atlanta to most recently securing a multi-year deal with Amazon Studios.
In celebration of Gambino’s debut EP turning 10 on March 8th, we present a ranking of our favorite songs.
20. “Algorhythm” (3.15.20, 2020)
Half of Childish Gambino’s music will make you want to get up and dance. That is the case for “Algorhythm,” but he’s going to work your brain while doing so. This highlight from his recent 3.15.20 album is a lesson in funk, recalling 2016’s “Awaken, My Love!” But peel back the robotic vocals and an incredible sample of Zhané’s 1993 “Hey Mr. D.J.” hit, and the message of technology’s corrosive effects is startling.
19. “Freaks And Geeks” (EP, 2011)
For many of us, “Freaks And Geeks” was our introduction to Childish Gambino. He already released a few mixtapes prior to his debut EP, but his persona was still closely attached to his work on 30 Rock and Community. “Freaks And Geeks” was a smooth transition from the silver screen to the recording studio, as Gambino used the outlandish writing skills gathered from said series (“E.E. cummin’ on her face, now that’s poetry in motion”) and blasted his lyrics to the nerdiest corner of space.
18. “Summertime Magic” (Summer Pack, 2018)
As you’ll witness further down on this list, Gambino does “summer” very well. “Summertime Magic” lives up to its title, drifting off to a hidden island of bliss, valentines, and bright-eyed adoration. Have fun trying to get that “Do love me, do love me, do” earworm out of your head. It’s impossible.
17. “The Worst Guys” (Because The Internet, 2013)
By the time 2013 came around, Childish Gambino was gaining more cred while Chance the Rapper became a critics’ favorite with his second mixtape Acid Rap (where Gambino also appears). But despite all of this, the two were still adorably corny. So “The Worst Guys” is an entertaining attempt to be, well, the worst. Chance only appears on the chorus (what the heck does she need?) while Gambino throws in wild metaphors with back-to-back Sister, Sister references. But his Kanye West influence is still not concealed: the “The girls that you brought man, where are they from?” enunciation is ripped straight from Yeezy himself.
16. “Bonfire” (Camp, 2011)
As soon as the sirens begin, you know Gambino is about to go off. And that he does: “Bonfire,” the lead single from Camp, finds the rapper channeling his inner Lil Wayne as he unleashes his head spinning version of “A Milli.” There’s only a single chorus that cuts through Gambino’s flow, which is so aggressive that you could envision his face going red in the booth. And among the signature outrageous lyrics, Gambino gets cocky while targeting his competition: “’Man, why does every black actor gotta rap some?’ I don’t know, all I know is I’m the best one.”
15. “Pink Toes” (Because The Internet, 2013)
One listen to “Pink Toes” and it’s clear that (like many of us) Childish Gambino was reveling in a post-Channel Orange world. Similar to Frank Ocean, Gambino trades in the in-your-face bars for R&B escapism. Here, his charming croons shine as he paints a surrealist picture of a drug dealer and his loyal girlfriend. Towards the end, Jhene Aiko appears to amp up the fantasy. It’s a match made in heaven (or hell, if the police sirens capping the song are any indication).
14. “Terrified” (“Awaken, My Love!”, 2016)
Aside from the clunky fast food metaphor, “Terrified” is the smoothest track on “Awaken, My Love!” The taunting fear increases with each pluck of that sexy-as-hell bassline, igniting immediate shivers. And for a surprise, actor/singer JD McCrary (who voices young Simba in 2019’s The Lion King live adaptation next to Gambino’s older Simba) closes “Terrified,” making for a perfect meta moment. As if you needed any more conviving of the song’s brilliance, one watch of Gamino’s live performance at the 2018 Grammys will steer you in the right direction.
13. “Feels Like Summer” (Summer Pack, 2018)
Upon first listen, “Feels Like Summer” will spark memories of chasing the ice-cream truck to buy your favorite popsicle, running through sprinklers at the park, and family barbeques. The song’s melody has that warm, nostalgic element to it. But what grounds it is the lyrics, which allude to government control and the warning signs of climate change (“Running out of water, it’s about to go down”). It’s quite the depressing take as you realize summer may no longer be so joyful if we don’t work to change our planet.
12. “This Is America” (2018)
Racism is embedded in this country’s historical fabric, so it wasn’t as if Childish Gambino was reinventing the wheel here. But what makes “This Is America” so unforgettable is putting his own Gambino spin by funneling images that simultaneously mock and teach white racists of their own doing, which are propelled by an iconic video that brings Black people’s mortality to light. “This Is America” swept the 2019 Grammy Awards, taking home four trophies including the coveted Record Of The Year while making history as the first rap song to do so. Its accolades and virality were somewhat promising signs that this generation was finally waking up and smelling reality.
11. “Crawl” (Because The Internet, 2013)
If “Pink Toes” is post-Channel Orange, then “Crawl” is surely post-Watch The Throne. Gambino goes berserk on “Crawl” — the Because The Internet opener that borrows from Kanye West and Jay-Z’s penchant for grandiose beats. Gambino and co-producer Christian Rich creates an environment that’s not of this world, which is equal parts adrenaline-inducing and frightening due to Mystikal’s scatty adlibs, the increasing levels of a vital signs monitor, and a rousing choir. The outcome could’ve been messy, but Gambino hits the perfect balance that is an absolute headspin.
10. “Heartbeat” (Camp, 2011)
It seems like Gambino had 808s & Heartbreak on the brain for this Camp favorite. But make no mistake here, he’s not completely biting off a despondent Kanye West. Rather, Gambino is tapping into his inner romantic as he gets caught in a frustrating love triangle — a side of him that fans hadn’t seen before. From the chorus’ R&B croons to the pumping EDM production, “Heartbeat” encapsulated the heightened emotion of the early ‘10s music era.
9. “The Palisades” (Kauai, 2014)
Love’s complicated tug-of-war is the running theme on Kauai, and “The Palisades” finds Gambino longing for the simple pleasures in life: long walks on the beach, dancing with his girl, and smoking weed. But as he says on the succinct hook: “Love don’t really happen.” It’s all set to an oh-so-groovy, plucky guitar melody that takes a page out of The Neptunes’ book of earworm tricks (right down to mimicking Pharrell’s signature four-count start). Top it off with some Michael Jackson-inspired falsettos and you have a song that would make the Motown gods proud.
8. “Sweatpants” (Because The Internet, 2013)
Sometimes Gambino’s comedic wordplay can steer too far into try-hard territory. But on this Because The Internet cut, the rapper strikes a happy medium. “Sweatpants” has a lot of stand-out qualities going for it: the buzzy trap beat, the way Gambino confidently rides the beat in a way that’s more cool kid than geek, and fully embracing his suburban upbringing with his “The Boy” alter-ego. When he spits “Don’t be mad cause I’m doing me better than you doing you” on the chorus, you have no choice but to believe him.
7. “Candler Road” (STN MTN, 2014)
Childish Gambino opens STN MTN (his ode to his hometown of Stone Mountain, Georgia) with: “I had a dream I ran Atlanta.” And on mixtape highlight “Candler Road,” he fully embodies that vision. Most naysayers would question the rapper’s ability to ride a trap beat, but here he completely dominates. The production is lifted right from the streets of Decatur (where the titular road is found), and Gambino matches its grittiness with a platter of impressive bars, ad-lib singing just for the hell of it, and too many aggressive flows to count. By the time the beat switches on the song’s latter half, you’ll be grinning at Gambino cheekily giving us insight into the vibes we could expect on his hit series Atlanta.
6. “Stand Tall” (“Awaken, My Love!”, 2016)
Being the closer to “Awaken, My Love!”, “Stand Tall” often gets caught in the praise of the album’s more prominent singles. But this isn’t one to be overlooked. It is six minutes of experimental bliss, with Gambino reflecting on his fatherly responsibilities. Here, he transfers the advice his old man once gave him in hopes to pass onto not only his own sons but the listeners who are in search of life’s answers. “Keep all your dreams, keep standing tall / If you are strong, you cannot fall / There is a voice inside us all / So smile when you can, when you can.” The motivating words float through vocoders, a harmonious choir, ‘70s-inspired wah-wah guitar flicks, and floating pipes that ultimately create Gambino’s version of wonderland.
5. “Sober” (Kauai, 2014)
One thing that Childish Gambino does well is juxtaposition, which is brilliantly executed on “Sober.” The melody itself is a sweet electro-R&B ditty reminiscent of a sunny afternoon stroll in the park, yet the lyrical content reveals the opposite. “Girl, what’s your problem? / ‘Cause I know it’s hard sometimes, baby just give it some time.” The opening lines give way to Gambino struggling to cope with a love lost; there’s no hope in mending his broken relationship. But I think the idea of never being sober is more than just reaching for the nearest bottle or substance of choice to drown your sorrows in. Here, love is the drug. And now that’s over, the search for an emotional high that has been lost begins. Towards the end of the song, the beat unexpectedly shifts, forcing all those emotions to come crashing down just as strong as the Hawaiian shores.
4. “Pop Thieves (Make It Feel Good)” (Kauai, 2014)
As soon as the birds begin chirping on “Pop Thieves (Make It Feel Good),” you’re immediately transported to an island filled with lush greenery, calmly crashing waves and love in the air. Well, that’s what I predict Kauai to be like anyway. But if you haven’t visited the Hawaiian island (like myself), Gambino provides that ticket to escapism on this track. The artist showcased his singing abilities prior to Kauai, but on the EP he truly goes there. He sounds sublime on “Pop Thieves (Make It Feel Good),” wrapping your ears with tender love before Jaden Smith adds a dose of serenity with a spoken-word outro.
3. “Redbone” (“Awaken, My Love!”, 2016)
The tracklist placement of the Grammy-winning “Redbone” is almost too ironic, as if the mischievous Gambino we were first introduced to is in on the joke. Undoubtedly the artist’s strongest single to date, it is stuffed right in the middle of the album. But there’s no accidental skips here: as soon as those heart-thumping drums drop, you’re immediately sucked in. Cringe title aside (the referential “redbone,” or a light-skinned Black woman, is a historically touchy subject in the community), the song is a groove. Heavily borrowing from the melodic genius of Funkadelic, George Clinton’s ‘70s psychedelic funk band, “Redbone” is a masterful blend of paranoia creeping up behind your shoulders (which was heightened by its use in Get Out that gave a whole ‘nother meaning to “stay woke”) and a romantic boogie that’s laid on peanut-butter thick thanks to that unshakable bassline.
2. “3005” (Because The Internet, 2013)
On the surface, “3005” may appear as a cutesy love song. But strip away the punchy electronic production and the lush hook (in which Gambino sounds his absolute dreamiest) that is an overpouring of commitment and promise of fidelity, you’ll find loneliness at its core. “Everybody’s like, ‘It’s a love song.’ It’s kind of an existential thing. I’m just really scared of being alone. When I was little, there was a big dog down the street,” Gambino explained about the song’s meaning, which he wrote following a morning dream. “I was really scared of it. But when I was with my sister, when I knew I had to protect her, I wasn’t afraid of the dog as much because somebody was there. I had a purpose. I kind of lost that, I feel.” What’s more relatable than feeling alone? The shadow of existential dread is omnipresent in “3005,” jerking the song back to reality. It cuts through the bright melodies with lyrics like “I’ve lost all hope of a happy ending” and signature wordplay like “Girl why is you lying, girl why you Mufasa?” In the words of Meek Mill, there’s levels to this sh*t.
1. “Me And Your Mama” (“Awaken, My Love!”, 2016)
Looking back at the Childish Gambino who created “Freaks And Geeks” or even the Donald Glover who starred on Community, I’m guessing that none of us could’ve ever predicted that same person would’ve created “Awaken, My Love!” “Me And Your Mama,” the album’s intense opener/opus, stomps on all that disbelief and picks up our jaws off the floor. It begins completely unassuming, twinkling with mystical synths and a choir harmonizing about the joys of marijuana. But once the two-minute mark hits, we’re shaken awake from the high and staring in the face of our worst nightmares. Gambino, in his career-best vocal performance, emerges from underneath a taunting monster to profess his tortured love. Have you ever heard someone begging to be let into their partner’s heart that passionately? If there’s one thing to take away from “Me And Your Mama,” it’s to expect the unexpected from Childish Gambino. As a matter of fact, spare yourself the trouble and just don’t expect anything that all. The guy is just not of this planet.
