 |
| http://www.billboard.com/files/media/childish-gambino-performance-billboard-1548.jpg |
I bring you this Transcendent artist a few weeks after his latest album release, Awaken, My Love. When I began writing this album review, immediately after it's release, I realized there was a lot I did not catch. Captivated by the smooth grooves, I found myself vibing more and focusing less on the message being expressed. Granted, the intricate musical presentation and original style is precisely what makes this release Transcendent Music. However, I wanted to understand it fully and not just be wowed by its stylistic presentation. I listened multiple times to hopefully pick-up what I did not catch the first few go-arounds. You have to be an active listener for this one. This album is an experience that is borderline interactive. In under an hour, it makes you think about the meaning behind its metaphors and subtleties but it also makes you feel good while you're thinking [about those things].
By exploring relevant challenges and experiences in the Black community, Childish Gambino reminds us loud and clear to "stay woke." I would safely assume the challenges and experiences he explores extend to other systematically oppressed groups alike. Awaken, My Love is artistic and hypnotic however, so, it is easy to miss that. During your next (or first) listening session, try to resist being sucked in to the elaborate trance created by honeyed vocals and funky back beats laced with synthesizers and expressive bass guitar licks. Marinate on what he is saying.
Gambino depicts tribulations and seemingly unsurmountable cultural obstacles in our communities. He depicts them as these universally terrifying popular characters, such as soul-stealing zombies and fear-instilling boogiemen. The metaphorical undertones are resounding. Think about it. Who are the zombies? Who is the boogieman? There is likely not a singular answer to these questions. We all have our own versions of zombies and boogiemen. They exist in the form of political policies, social inequities, individual behaviors and many other injustices, or forces that too often seem to destroy us. Regardless of the form that the oppression is manifesting itself, we're reminded at the end of the album to "keep standing tall."
 |
| https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/796560918993719297/SKt2XXhZ.jpg |
Many listeners of Childish Gambino gravitate to his music for it's fun and clever lyrical presentation. He is one of rap's most entertaining and intellectually stimulating artists. He is notorious for his witty metaphors and appropriately inserting his singing voice. His punch lines always provoke deep thought or hysterical laughter (sometimes simultaneously). He does something interesting and different in this album though. To the surprise of many, Childish releases this record without rapping a single lyric and instead relies on the animation of his voice and altering of vocal styles to convey a message, which strikes a more serious tone. He skillfully channels the spirit of classic Funk with the instrumentation choices, fuzzy bass and modulating guitar tones. The music made me feel like I was listening to Parliament or Bootsie Collins or some Funk band straight out of the 70s. This was simply brilliant. This creative approach draws linkage from Funk to Hip-Hop culture. Not to mention, a lot of the issues that were prevalent around the inception of funk, circa mid-1960s, are still relevant today. Intentional or not, the composition of this album is simply an effective Transcendent way to present some of the most critically important issues of our day.
 |
| http://saintheron.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Childish-Gambino2.jpg |
Listen deliberately to this Transcendent Music to receive Childish Gambino's powerful message in his album, Awaken, My Love.
