Childish Gambino’s “This is America” was a smash hit that left it’s mark. However, Glover revealed that the hit song was originally meant to be a diss track aimed at Canadian rapper Drake. The rapper’s new song and music video sparked controversy in the hip-hop community, and it’s easy to see why. In the past, rappers have battled each other via diss records. Usually, the diss record was an attempt to take a shot at the person being dissed. It’s a great way to get your points across and make sure you don’t lose the argument.
However, in recent years, rappers have increasingly leaned on diss songs as a way to highlight social issues and their own views on certain matters. It’s become a common tactic for rappers to cite specific examples of racism and other problems in society.
What did the original song sound like?
One rapper who’s opted for this approach is Childish Gambino. The actor-turned-rapper has released a number of controversial songs that tackle subjects including race, racism and the plight of young black men in the United States.
Several of Gambino’s songs have been accompanied by thought-provoking, brilliant music videos that highlight and critique the social conditions and problems that he addresses in his lyrics. The rapper’s latest video, “This Is America,” is no exception.
The song was a smash hit regardless
“This is America” focuses on the ways that American culture reflects its racist history and complacency. The clip spotlights images of gun violence at the expense of black lives and shows how complacency has influenced how people view their own bodies.
The music video for “This is America” was released two years ago, but the message it contains still has a lot of relevance today. Directed by Hiro Murai, a regular creative partner of Glover’s, the video stands as a potent and poignant satire, spotlighting the obliviousness that black individuals confront in an excessively trigger-happy America.
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In the video, Gambino sings while dancing in a warehouse, seemingly unaware of the gun violence and other acts of violence that are taking place around him. He dances, seemingly in a happy mood, even as he yells out the lyric, “This is America.”
As Gambino sings, people in the background, including some school children, dance alongside him, avoiding the violence that’s occurring right in front of them. The only violence that appears to be affecting Gambino is the gunfire that seems to be shooting directly at him.
Would Drake have responded?
This is America was originally a diss record aimed at Drake, but it’s now a provocative social commentary about racial inequalities and the state of America. It’s been featured on multiple Spotify playlists, and has already topped the Billboard Hot 100.
Aside from being a highly effective political satire, the song also has a number of great lines that you can’t help but rap along to. Whether you’re a fan of Childish Gambino or not, “This Is America” is a great addition to your collection of music.
“This Is America” is one of the best songs of 2018. It’s an alternating mix of African-folk inspired melodies and pulsating hip-hop trap beats that are accompanied by highly provocative lyrics about racism, police brutality and gun violence in America. It features a slew of rappers including Young Thug, 21 Savage, Slim Jxmmi, BlocBoy JB and Quavo (of the group Migos).
The song and music video has over 40 million views since it dropped last Saturday, and it’s been the talk of the internet ever since. There have been a lot of conspiracy theories, Easter eggs and other rumors spread online.
