'This is America'

[TyWebb]

Interested to get others' reactions to Childish Gambino's (Don Glover/Dong Lover) newest video.

I think Donald Glover is one of the most talented people in showbiz today. I have always enjoyed his music and TV work. As for this song, it isn't something I'll be blaring on my car stereo, but I doubt that is why he wrote it.

I've watched the video a couple of times and haven't fully unpacked everything in it. There's plenty of subtle symbolism to go with the more overt stuff. But I'm an upper-middle class white boy from the south, so there is probably some stuff that is going to go right past me no matter how many times I watch it.

Also, he dances like a weirdo and I dig that.

Don't worry, mods. I'm sure this won't get political.

 

[QYFW]

Wait, Childish Gambino is the dude from Community?

 

[TyWebb]

Wait, Childish Gambino is the dude from Community?

Right?

He's also Lando Calrissian.

 

[John B. Foster]

Wait, Childish Gambino is the dude from Community?

 

[QYFW]

Right?

He's also Lando Calrissian.

I think I knew that.

 

[bigpern23]

Interesting video. The song almost relies too heavily upon the video, but I suspect he wrote the song with a vision for a short film, rather than creating a video based on the song (seems almost natural for a writer/actor/director/musician to think creatively in the whole).

He seems like a bit of an odd duck, but he's insanely talented. I expect he's going to be the best part of the Han Solo movie (I actually wish they would have just given Lando his own film, rather than mining familiar territory with Han, whose story has largely been told, but I digress).

 

[SpeedTchr]

I watched the whole video. No clue who this guy is. And I'm fine with that.

 

[bigpern23]

'This Is America': The Childish Gambino video explained - CNN

 

[justgladtobehere]

'This Is America': The Childish Gambino video explained - CNN

That explanation was underwhelming. Stuff is happening in the background and it's about guns and police violence all cribbed from Twitter. I eagerly await the Slate piece on it.

 

[Azrael]

Really stunning piece. A terrifying work of art.

Smartest thing I saw about it this weekend:

 

[CD Boogie]

Meh. Fine visually but not catchy as a song. Doesn’t lend itself to replay. But I’m sure it will win a Grammy for something.

 

[SnarkShark]

I don't particularly like the song, but the video is hypnotizing, which is what great art sometimes does.

And I've watched it several times already, so I don't get the "doesn't lend itself to replay."

This was one of the most striking references I noticed.

 

[Human_Paraquat]

Right?

He's also Lando Calrissian.

For ‘30 Rock’ fans, he was also the creative genius behind “Werewolf Bar Mitzvah”

tracy morgan werewolf bar mitzvah - Google Search

 

[TyWebb]

Meh. Fine visually but not catchy as a song. Doesn’t lend itself to replay. But I’m sure it will win a Grammy for something.

****, I'm pretty sure I've won a Grammy at this point. It is probably lying around here somewhere.

 

[TyWebb]

For ‘30 Rock’ fans, he was also the creative genius behind “Werewolf Bar Mitzvah”

tracy morgan werewolf bar mitzvah - Google Search

This made my day.

 

[Songbird]

There are 3 "shocking" images in the video: the execution, the mass murder of the choir, and he terrified look in his eyes as he is chased by a mob.

Here's the WaPo (insert the right word)-splaining the imagery.

 

[lakefront]

I have heard of Donald Glover--are any of the celebrity Glovers related?--but not Childish Gambino. So I gather they are the same person. He is quite an all around entertainer. I watched the Saturday performance from SNL just now, I love his dancing, especially along with the bongos. Glad to get some interpretation of This is America.

 

[bigpern23]

I have heard of Danny Glover--are any of the celebrity Glovers related?--but not Childish Gambino. So I gather they are the same person. He is quite an all around entertainer. I watched the Saturday performance from SNL just now, I love his dancing, especially along with the bongos. Glad to get some interpretation of This is America.

Danny Glover

Donald Glover

Not related.

 

[lakefront]

Danny Glover

Donald Glover

Not related.

I meant Donald, fixed my post. The 3rd one I was thinking of is Savion, also no relation.

 

[bigpern23]

I meant Donald, fixed my post. The 3rd one I was thinking of is Savion, also no relation.

Just busting ya. Any time I get a chance to post a photo of Murtagh, I'm taking it.