Feeling “Awakened” by Childish Gambino’s new album?
When you think of Donald Glover, you either think Childish Gambino, rapper of all sorts, or you think Donald Glover: actor and witty comedian with a twist on present time issues. As his new album Awaken, My Love! dropped as of December 2nd, many longtime Gambino listeners were either satisfied by the funky glory that came from this album, while others were disappointed, confused as to why he did not come back with his typical hard and antic-filled rap lyrics that they were so used to hearing. One listener explained it in a way that many would agree with, “I think you have to listen to this album outside of the canon of previous Gambino projects. This is what he meant when he was talking about not wanting to rap anymore, saying that he was done making music as Childish Gambino. Keeping the name was a good marketing move, considering it gets a lot of Gambino lovers to listen to a ‘Donald Glover band’ project. It’s psychedelic funk music with a voice as another instrument, and I can’t wait to see what he does with it live.” The listener’s brother then added, “This album is going to vastly increase his market and demographic, as well.”
As an avid, long-time lover of Childish Gambino, I cannot lie and say that I was not at first disappointed by the album, hoping that I would be able to turn my bass all the way up in my car and have a rap battle with myself on the way to work during the week. However, as I have examined many opinions on the album and have since listened to it from a different perspective and can say that this album may be one that is of genius content, paving its way for a new group of fans as well as showing Gambino’s talent and skill as an artist. I believe that, as a fan base, we reject what we do not understand, and you have to be in the right mindset to listen to this album. Another Childish Gambino fan came forth and said, “It has so much soul in it. I can tell that he poured his entire being into the songs on this album.”
Childish Gambino has always been a high-demand artist for festivals, making his first debut of “Me and Your Mama” at Bonnaroo 2015 on Which Stage. He was shirtless and giving us his all, singing at an unsuspecting crowd. Who knew at that time what would come of that song and Donald Glover not only as a comedian but as a musical artist as well? Along with the early release of “Me and Your Mama” came “Redbone,” where he repeats the words “Stay woke,” stating that at any time you can be caught slipping off of your game unless you in fact “stay woke,” which in fact many will probably believe he did with the heavy thought put into this album. I can see this song being one of many favorites from Awaken, My Love! We are looking forward to seeing how this album changes the dynamic of Donald Glover as a whole and definitely cannot wait to see how he utilizes this Funkadelic-Outkast-type sound to swoon his audience live.