Although many have considered Donald Glover's forays into the rap game to be something of a side project for the actor, his latest release as Childish Gambino has solidified his place in the contemporary music scene.
Released on November 15, "Camp" is a compelling mix of Gambino's boastful lyrics, cultural analysis, and reflection on his own insecurities. While Gambino can certainly be considered part of the crowd of introspective and emotional rappers that includes Drake, Kid Cudi, and J. Cole, he nevertheless distinguishes himself from being pidgeonholed so easily.
Glover rose to fame in 2007 through Internet skits as a part of the Derrick Comedy sketch group at New York University. Since then, he has been a writer for both "The Daily Show" and "30 Rock," and is now one of the main characters on NBC's "Community."
The star's skill with words shines on "Camp," in which Gambino raps a cultural commentary about issues of race and prejudice. He raps about society's continued discomfort with the "N" word, his difficulties growing up as a nerdy black kid, and the damaging perpetuation of subtle stereotypes.
All three issues are in play at the start of "Backpackers," where he provides a third-person introduction for himself: "Alright it's Childish baby, Mr. Talk About His D--k Again / Nerdy a-- black kid, yea whatever man I'm sick of him / That well-spoken token, who ain't been heard / The only white rapper who's allowed to say the N-word."
Despite the seriousness of Gambino's introspection, he nevertheless is able to prevent his album from becoming as histrionic as Drake's recent release, "Take Care."
Gambino's experience as a stand-up comedian and a writer for comedy shows helps him maintain just the right balance of gravity and self-deprecation. On the opening track—"Outside"—Gambino injects an anecdote about wetting his pants as a child and approaches difficult subject material in a lighthearted way. He raps: "Mrs. Glover, ma'am, your son is so advanced / But he's acting up in class and keeps peeing in his pants / And I just wanna fit in, but nobody was helping me out / They talking hood shit and I ain't know what that was about."
Gambino occasionally explores his more emotional and heartfelt side with some impressive singing, like in "All the Shine." By doing this, he places himself in stark contrast to Drake, whose emotionality on his latest release only takes form in his lyrics.
Gambino's comedic twists can adeptly make controversial topics identifiable, but his lyrical ability comes through most when he weaves in bragging remarks about his own success.
Rather than rapping about bling and women, Gambino instead rhymes with a refreshing honesty that comes off as an underhanded boast. In "Fire Fly," Gambino raps, "I don't really like shades, big rims or jewelry / But gettin' time of day from a model is new to me."
Sometimes, as in "Bonfire," Gambino exaggerates his swagger, but infuses it with social commentary: "Man, why does every black actor gotta rap some? / I don't know, all I know is I'm the best one."
If "Camp" suffers at all, it is from the relatively sharp distinction between the songs that are meant to be serious and emotional ("Backpackers" and "Heartbeat") and those that are more joke- and swag-oriented ("Bonfire" and "Sunrise").
Although Gambino might lack subtlety, he makes up for it with his honesty and straightforwardness. In "Fire Fly," Gambino explains, "All I do is make the stuff I would've liked/Reference things I wanna watch, reference girls I wanna bite."
One never gets the feeling that Gambino is representing someone he is not; his frankness about being a nerdy black man in a culture still inundated by racial stereotypes is fresh and well-received.
In fact, it is Gambino's candidness that makes his boasts and reflections all the more believable and appealing.
Add to this Gambino's tendency to pair the most far-fetched and widespread references with some killer beats, and it is hard to call "Camp" anything but a winner.
In "Bonfire," Gambino references the NASDAQ before jumping to lines about PETA, Kogi beef, and the TV show Invader Zim all within the same verse. As the first single, "Bonfire" combines adept wordplay and a powerful beat to propel Gambino to a level he has not reached since his song "Freaks and Geeks" off 2011 "EP." The penultimate song, "Sunrise," also excels for the same reasons, making it another strong contender for catchiest song on the album.
Those who are more impressed by Gambino's cultural commentary or introspection might prefer other tracks like "Backpackers," which bounces with a beat reminiscent of The Cool Kids but remains serious in its thematic focus on the character of today's racial problems.
One of the best elements about "Camp" is its ability to adapt to multiple audiences. Three listeners might be led on three different journeys: one about subtle prejudice, one about Gambino's life story, and one about his machismo. Because he crafts his verses to avoid being too preachy, fans can take what they want from this album without feeling attacked by Gambino's pedagogy.
Ultimately, what is most impressive is Gambino's mastery of wordplay and comedic prowess, which elevate "Camp" above other analytical and introspective albums typical of the recent generation of hip-hop artists.