Childish Gambino is the rap name actor/writer/comedian Donald Glover works under. Before I get into this review, I want to preface that I love Donald Glover. He’s the new thing in comedy. Dude’s got a future. In comedy. Music? Well, that’s a different story.
“Culdesac” is what you’d expect from a rap album influenced by most mainstream artists. It’s filled with incessant loops, usually features soulful backup vocals, and has songs with titles like “I Got This Money.” The actual instrumentation of these songs is pretty good. The backing band that Donald has working with him isn’t really the issue here.
See, my main problem with “Culdesac” lies with Donald himself. He started off doing short comedy skits for youtube with his troupe Derrick Comedy. It wasn’t too long until we started seeing Donald’s name and face on such shows as “Community” and “30 Rock”. This guy got famous quick. And he worked his ass off to do so. And, god damn it, is he ever proud of him self. So proud, in fact, that he’s going to rap about how fucking awesome he is at you for an entire album.
Yes, most of the songs in “Culdesac” are of the same theme: “Yo, I worked so hard to get here, and now all these people are up in my business.” “I’m so talented in so many fields. I’m so awesome.” And even though I love Donald, I can only take so much of his self congratulatory nature. An entire album is about too much for me to handle.
For a guy who is such a talented comedian, I would think he’d try a different angle with his songwriting. Maybe try a more Beastie Boys approach and have fun with it. Don’t take yourself so seriously. But, alas, we get the same old drivel we do from other rappers. A guy and a mic rapping about how hard it is to be successful and how everyone around him doubted his future. Alright, we get it. It’s hard being you. Who gives a fuck?
I like the rap genre, as far as to say it’s my favourite style of music to listen to. But the problem I’ve always had with most rappers is the subject matter they choose to talk about. Donald has some skills. Boy knows how to spit rhymes. He’s got a good handle on the wordplay, and has a surprisingly good voice, singing wise and rapping. I just wish he’d be more creative.
WINNER: MATT
WHY: Because while fellating yourself into a microphone may be fun for you, it’s tiresome for the rest of us. And kinda gross. Stop it.
Fermata over Whole Rest 