Childish Gambino’s Transformation and why “Redbone” is the glue that holds it all together

Jumping into a hip-hop career while trying to balance the television persona of goofy, lovable dweeb isn’t the easiest thing for people to take seriously. It’s a bold move to say the least. But putting out a track with everyone’s favorite posi-vibe lyricist Chance the Rapper, was prolly’ the the best way to let the hip-hop community know that you are a multi-dimensional artist that has the capability to flow from one line of artistry to another (take note Kanye, ain’t no one tryin’ to fuck with your ugly ass sneakers). But if we’re being honest, if you don’t have a track where you stand alone tearing the roof away from the walls and savagely proclaiming your worth while simultaneously creating your own personal style as a rapper, then you can rest assured that you may have a following but not the kind that will believe in you whole-heartedly. “Freaks and Geeks” is said track. After this song was released it was pretty hard to deny that Childish was a completely different personality that has been inside Donald Glover and clearly has a shit load to say. With lines like “E.E. cumming on her face, now that’s poetry in motion” and “While yall’ niggas masterbatin’ I’m in that Ariel Pink” instantly form a singular style and persona that hasn’t been touched upon very well. Referencing everything from old dead poets to one of indie experimental music’s more annoying but influential artists while still getting the point across that he does, in fact, get his dick wet, is pretty dope. Most importantly though, it’s original. After “Freaks and Geeks” if you still weren’t paying attention then that’s kinda on you.

So, let’s fast forward. Here we are with Gambino’s new work, and let’s be honest, a lot of people are confused. Especially hip-hop heads, sorry guys but there’s not a lot of room for artistic growth in the more traditional perspective of that genre. It seems to be one of the reasons that Kanye tirelessly attempts to move and shake things up but never steps far enough out of the gates securely installed around this style of music. At first listen, the first thing you notice is that rapping isn’t even a mild highlight on Awaken, My Love!. In fact, there’s not much reference to anything that he’s previously released. There are so many highlights on this album that open up Gambino to whole new worlds of expression that drift so far away from anything that he’s made before. First of all the mother fucker can sing, like really fuckin’ good. Also, the new direction that the production of the album has gone will allow him to tackle so much more of the musical spectrum in the future. But all this is well and good but the people need something solid and tangible, something thick and gritty and filled with emotion so that they can keep and strengthen the trust that was given from “Freaks andGeeks”. Here lies the importance of “Redbone”. In this track we have all the elements of a damn near perfect soul song. The second Childish’s voice enters the track over those funky bass line keys you know that shit has changed but trust in the artist has remained. Every breakdown and vocal change works together perfectly. After listening to this track it seems to change all the rest of the songs on the album. It’s almost a thesis statement for a point that he’s trying to get across in this new insanely different piece of work. If you haven’t jumped into this new album it’s definitely understandable but visit “Redbone” and really listen to that shit and see how you feel. and above all “Stay Woke”…(Mavis Beacon)

-Dominic Fawcett-