Childish Gambino: The Ultimate Codeswitcher

From his early days as a comedic force to his evolution into a Grammy-winning artist, actor, writer, and director, Donald Glover, aka Childish Gambino, has consistently pushed boundaries and defied expectations.
Narrated By: Joe Cornejo
ROSEWOOD is an in depth video essay series created by: Ryan Njenga
DISCLAIMER: WE DON'T OWN THE MUSIC FEATURED IN THIS VIDEO
#SABERMAG #COVERTHECULTURE
Our Links:
Instagram:
/ sabermag
Twitter:
/ sabermag
Facebook:
/ sbrmag
Website:
www.sbrmag.com

[@kuunami]

Charlamange's take was ignorant as hell!!

[@N0bodyn01]

Always is tbh tho

[@aftershock7064]

what opinion does he have that isnt

[@maki9396]

He should be in jail 😊

[@TheFearleader420]

If I were ever on the show, I'd slap the taste out his mouth.

[@simmiewilliams5970]

Donald represent our diversity when given a chance to be seen.

[@zaofactor]

Exactly, he may not of asked for it, but he represents all of the black people who like different things and always get questioned if they're really black or not.

[@Jon_EL]

Bingo

[@calistr17]

Exactly. Well done video but a very harsh and unfair critique of his early work, which kind of proves Donald's point. Black people can't express ourselves outside of a certain box without being questioned. What others call cringe or anti black is somebody else's real, lived experience. And that doesn't make you less anything

[@raithios6341]

Exactly, Donald has been pretty open about not being black enough and to geeky for black ppl. I actually loved camp and I’m glad that he did not give up after the pushback.

[@Mauiwik3]

Yeah the problem with this video is a direct reflection of the greater black community. Glover went on a journey. It may not have been your journey, so you may not relate but it’s his and he shared it with the world. Instead of us embracing glover and people like him, we’re always soooo quick to tell them “they’re not black enough”. He’s different and it’s okay to be different when your every other ethnicity. Allow him and others like him to grow, share, and be apart of the greater community. Pioneers don’t walk the same trails but where would we be without pioneers!

[@SumOfMan]

Charlemagne's opinion don't hold weight

[@danielwhitingjr2854]

It's funny no one relates to Camp and say it didn't age well. Well no shit it's written and performed by a young college student who is navigating his identity, and horny on main. That is it's strength the fact if can have these out there brag raps, with misdirected anger. On Backpackers he is using his humor to dissect what you even think hard music is and where it comes from opposed to what gets reviewed highly. All the Shine A letter home is like his true earnest attempts at love. Friggin heartbeat is the immaturity of unstable relationships. There is a reason why people come back to this album. Childish Gambino hits the zeitgeist because each album he grows up a little bit more. Because The Internet is Existentialism and transcending it, Awaken my Love is seeing everything through the first time as a father, why the funk influence is huge, since that's the music Gambino's father introduced to him, this leads to Atavist the loss of his father, and coping with the world around it. The final one will be a grand bookend hopefully. This man can get busy on a mic check out Culdesac and Royalty if you wanna really hear him spit.

[@mckilla0g]

exactly bro

[@maylay_rising]

Perfcet

[@larrycupitt3957]

Camp is still incredible

[@pprodin]

I see your perspective, but bro was 28 when Camp released. He graduated in 06.

[@jonathanesedji8705]

preach

[@trevorstohr2896]

People act like they don’t remember how important “authenticity” was in that era of hip hop. If you were publicly outed for being a fraud in the early 2000s, your career was over, which made way for a wave of artists that chose to be a bit more unorthodox. If Gambino would have tried to follow what was trending at the time, he would have been excommunicated from the culture for being fake.

[@jeffmoor1991]

I feel like Drake is the Master Code switcher and Childish Gambino pick a great time to announce his venture back into music.

[@darronbaity9025]

What camp wasn't a good album???? I didn't get that memo

[@darronbaity9025]

That part

[@SuperRONDALE]

Right? Donald is authentic in almost every thing he does. Dude is from Stone Mountain, just happened to be a nerd & nyu grad. Lol.

[@tbam73]

Drake is a culture vulture, not a code switcher

[@ahbin]

Master chameleon

[@kishan73]

Donald is mad talented. As he goes throughout his entertainment journey he's sharing and taking anyone willing to watch or listen on the journey with him. From what I can tell he can write just as good or better than standalone writers, he can act just as good as other A list actors, and he can create just as good or better than other content creators. He's like Bo Jackson of the Entertainment Industry.

[@sbrmag]

Great analogy!

[@apblolol]

his royalty mixtape is one of if not my favorite mixtape/album of all time

[@GroovyFlacko]

So slept on! The bars, features, and different flows are so fly throughout that tape

[@justinransburg5560]

Definitely

[@CashRulez5291]

And STN MTN. He gave ‘yall’ an album that is what is supposed to be expected from a black rapper from Atlanta, before he woke up (Kauai) and did what felt right for him only to be hated on for that too…

[@theokotron5000]

because the internet era goated

[@yeahbutlisten]

I have so much to say, man. The opinions you state in this video I think need to be stated because it’s a massive part of the conversation around him & his crowd. But I think the position is exactly what creates a Childish Gambino - there’s a sort of ironic hypocrisy in us not wanting to be ‘a monolith’ but also being exclusive in what makes someone black that exists in the black dialogue that gives birth to whole communities & styles that become either Childish Gambino or everyone who feels like Charlamagne is talking about them when he calls CG white and relates. On a personal note, I think the term ‘codeswitching’ does exactly the same thing. As if there is only one code to switch into it you’re speaking to black people. In that margin is a community that is still black and still living the same existence and often in the same environments. That community still develops opinions, ideas, passions & dreams about what it means to be black and what change could or should take place in the world. What happens however is the labels like ‘corny’ blend with teenage rebellion & ‘ASIAN GIRLS EVERYWHERE, UCLA’ becomes lit in high school. ‘OK GAMBINO IS A MASTERMIND’ it was like ‘09, man, you gotta say that when you talking about the ‘corny’ 😂 that was when YOLO was revolutionary like & Earl didn’t come up with that line, that’s like the national anthem for everyone on the coastline of ‘being black’. Most importantly to me, why would you use wunderkind if you were gonna say it like that? 🤦🏾‍♂️ that just bothered me so much.

I love Gambino, can’t wait to hear his newER project

[@818cookies]

Donald conquered American entertainment and now gets to work on his own projects 🤷🏻‍♀️ that’s how I see it

[@KrispyLewis]

This was fantastic. Great insight. You killed it my g. 👏🏾

[@Fleeqness]

Bro listen, this analysis is so fantastic. I had a deep emotional reaction. Much respect 👏🏾

[@savannawyatt8066]

Mans making CONTENT 🙌🏽 s/o Ryan

[@kidxvintage]

19.10/To Be Hunted is an all timer

[@sbrmag]

Don’t forget The Violence

[@seandamenacee4767]

So we gonna forget 12:38? Ok

[@910rudebwoi]

Beautiful Breakdown

[@sbrmag]

Thank you! What artist should we cover next?

[@LinguiniP]

Great video. Keep up the amazing work!

[@sbrmag]

Thank you! Will do!

[@kaipatrick9491]

Amazing work!!!

[@eliadefkathincoeur]

I really thought you were gonna shit on him the whole video lmaoo 😭 good shift. I agree

[@blaheedsimmons2226]

pretty bad take already about camp seeing as on his projects before that, he always took responsibility and didn’t victimize himself. likes like he hopes bully’s are doing well and feeling better about themselves. he also is very honest in his work which points out his immaturity, insecurities, yk flaws. so look at camp being his first studio (indie lol) album, and he’s known for concepts. look at it more so thru that lens.

[@user-gu1sl1mn2m]

damn this was such an incredible video brother! wow!

[@ericcanfly]

Great video. The thesis of this video is why I think I’ve always loved Donald glover

[@sbrmag]

Donald is truly amazing! Thank you your support

[@asckee]

Your closing words are words I hope artists and audiences will embrace.

[@noblewhitneyIII]

Wonderful breakdown

[@sbrmag]

Thank you! Who should we cover next?

[@noblewhitneyIII]

@@sbrmag I would like to see a breakdown on Vince staples, dule hill, or Quinta Brunson

[@jeffmoor1991]

If you promise to keep making content like this I’ll subscribe.

[@f.prince6642]

Jack of all trades master of none.

[@julman110]

The rest of that saying says, "but oftentimes better than a master of one." I do believe that applies in this case.

[@Meme033094]

I know it's not popular to say but I loved Camp

[@lunathikondlo6554]

He doesn't give up....

[@gqfiend]

Great conclusion to this piece. VERY nice.

[@secretlystashed]

grow. great piece.

[@iRegr3t]

Still everyone ignores his work in ucb college humor and derrick comedy.

[@EarthEagleGT]

Great video

[@sbrmag]

Thank you! We’re cooking up a lot more for ya

[@mcjcave18]

Great Video

[@sbrmag]

Thanks!

[@malashebad6181]

There are alt/weird/"corny" Black artist who are in no way anti-Black (above beyond the internalized struggles anyone would have). Donald Glover is NOT one of them artist. That man is deeply self hating in a ways that carry through his art and create some real hard to explain away anti-Black moments, messages, and themes. Particularly against Black women. Next time lets' talk about the alt/weird/"corny" Black artist who do not have that hang up. Cause I guarantee them ppl are plentiful but of course being low key self-hating helps you get and keep a platform in this society =/ (and yes im looking at you Drake)

[@niablee]

EXACTLY MY THOUGHTS

[@nomotion2005]

Self hate is not the same as Anti-Black…just like a woman hating her body is the same as her BodyShaming Women.

[@JulianSteve]

Agreed, but it’s important to call out folks like Childish Gambino. That’s why I call him out on my channel multiple times😅💯

[@AntiMatter24]

@@JulianStevesit you corny a** down

[@hudsonfellman6175]

147 subs for this is crazy

[@sbrmag]

Join the team! We’d love your support 🤝

[@Turnsnap]

Interesting takes, I think it misses that he is and was always born to be a bit different. It seems he has found himself, and at least he has grown through his career instead of becoming a sellout. Criticism is warranted, and I appreciate someone doing it

[@yourlocalusername392]

Yessirrrr

[@ImThatChosenOne]

You critical lover you. Great video

[@theyaddayaddapodcast]

🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@xxxbennybear]

It's funny that I only heard about his music after I was telling a friend about how I had watched Mystery Team. My friend showed me his AOTL remix, and I hopped on at his Culdesac mixtape. Do ya Like was on repeat! I've been a fan ever since.

[@1copperpiece]

really awesome video. whats the beat in the background?😄

[@sbrmag]

“Fair-use Low-fi Beat”

[@Coexistmusicgroup]

Great video! Subscribed

[@sbrmag]

Thanks for the sub!

[@padrescott2047]

Do you trust energy, or entity? Pick.

[@lowlowseesee]

you got some nerve to call someone nasally lol. great writing and editing and VO though subbed

[@Firestar4342]

Beautifully said :) "I'm just being who I am. From this weird ass little kid, to this ballin ass grown man"

[@TheFearleader420]

4:27 nah, he wanted people to see him, not his skin color. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@rayneozier]

2:48 Camp definitely has some gems. It shows flashes of his musical talent. But as a Bino super fan, I can admit it is not a good record.

[@trantovideo]

Love childish gambino❤

[@DenjiHendrix]

My goat

[@MuhTeyOh]

good take

[@wejibone3976]

Sexual preference shouldn't dictate cultural identity

[@ohlesi910]

what song this is twin

[@happ13e]

Camp was fire 🔥

[@jgs2277]

Crab mentality... 🤦🏿‍♂️

[@milenabianca9787]

During the Drake and Kendrick beef I was thinking about Childish Gambino. I put him in the same category with Kendrick (also This is America was originally a Drake diss) I love him but I wonder if it’s because I was aware of him in community first and 3005 is always in my rotation so I’m biased.

[@ephemeralnightmare1932]

Saying Camp is Corny is wild. Saying Camp aged poorly is even crazier

[@sbrmag]

To each their own 🤝

[@ryanknjenga]

❤

[@devinlynch8666]

You forgot about his mixtape royalty

[@popeye697]

This is not code switching. Everyone is different in different circumstances. I don't trust people who are the same everywhere unless they've never been anywhere. That's an intentional decision most of the time. For black people who grew up in multiple environments, it's normal to be like a chameleon. Also, there is no such thing as acting black(if you're a black person, that is)

[@NotTheWEJ]

I see most people didn’t watch the entire video

[@PhatBudzJ]

camp was fire! did have a couple bad songs but literally NOBODY has a 100% banger album

[@sbrmag]

What about DAMN, has a pretty strong case

[@MsFreshadenu]

I was watching him since Derrick Comedy. I was disappointed when he took a shot at kanye after his vulnerable post-it note thing. I feel like he chases acceptance.

[@TylerEnnis123]

great analysis, although I do not like the use of the word codeswitcher here

[@snazzydrew]

fyi derrick comedy is pre-youtube. >_> almost seems insulting to call them a youtube channel.

[@sbrmag]

Thanks for the note!

[@tristanlancaster4392]

Creating a self image that doesn’t revolve around one’s Blackness in relation to the (white) world is easier said than done

[@mauricethompson9112]

Great vid. I'm glad I did not get what I expected from the title. Good Catch.......Chatlamange bleached his skin, we don't listen to him about the blackness within.

[@sbrmag]

The good ole’ KZbin switch-a-roo

[@roddarodda2080]

Gambino is a dark skin with light skin energy. I did like Atlanta a lot tho

[@jameslight4391]

What do you even mean by that?

[@AntiMatter24]

@@jameslight4391it’s means they can’t explain why they don’t like him because there’s no reason

[@stefonshelton1800]

As someone who been corny been nerdyhimself as black man, there is alot of politics behind being one as well as dragons with black or white women... usually not all the time so I see we miss true unity with that, which is also corny but people use culture in terms of words to unify different cultures and unify ourselves but it has the opposite effect just as much, so with that being said I'd usually stay out political talks of life and just do what I want, which seems what he does and I pretty much respected him for it, say guck.the gate keeping and be who he is without letting politics of life tell you what you are and should do and who you should like... it doesn't become a knock on the culture or dating women of your race until they get offended by you making your own decisions about yourself and not based on who wants to be around you not cause they like who you are, they like yo project who you should be for them

[@stefonshelton1800]

If I need yo further explain, it's basically an I don't give a fuck attitude, cause people love yo project some bullshit that had nothing to do with the original decision and I personal think alot stuff wouldn't be consider corny or anything if the person what white, we let white people determine what we do even when we call it culture!!! Stop it! The old racist white people who long died and the idiots who think they run the world or make everything great because of white... it's no better

[@stefonshelton1800]

Another thing is the point of culture is to express where you came from to others, toxic side of black culture is that we along with toxic side of all cultures do like to experiment with things outside of it, you can see it, taste it and enjoy it but you shouldn't love it just as much where you came from... people are not.like that, cultures evolve and come together somehow

[@christianmorrow807]

I’m sorry when has Glover ever code switched? Charlamange is a charlatan

[@ashole6226]

Becuase the Internet is a masterpiece. He was a great rapper. I wish he would rap again. This funkadelic shit is just not my jam. I was looking forward to his newest album but it’s just not for me. Hopefully his last album will be more of a rap album but I doubt it.

[@KidCalypto]

The son of Kanye

[@ExistenceUniversity]

I have been a Donald Glover fan since before his sketch comedy channel was famous! Dude's my icon.

[@marvinharris8358]

Good to see I’m not the only one that felt his delivery was nasaly on that first album. 😂👎🏽

[@teracota8788]

I can’t really explain it but he’s like the alternate Drake

[@gqfiend]

So black folks owe something to their community? Do other folks owe the same to theirs?

[@JGandthe2kk]

Nah

[@Mad-of7lz]

I love how they do these little things on these artists but the dude is talking has no Talent at all but trying to get over on somebody else Talent

[@sbrmag]

There’s no need to be rude to Joe. We love him, he’s a brilliant professional and great friend.

[@snazzydrew]

2 minute in and you can keep your 200 subs bruh. ain't watching this.

Why not give constructive criticism instead of needlessly hate?

[@hellowall7740]

😭😭😭why u hating

[@snazzydrew]

2 minutes in was my critique. Video maker can go back to the 2 minute mark and see why they lost a viewer if they really care. I'm definitely not important enough for them to care.

[@errancyanide]

This isn't an airport you can leave in silence lol don't bring your emotions to youtube

[@jgs2277]

This ☝🏿

[@JohnnyRelentless]

That's not how you pronounce wunderkind, lol.

[@sbrmag]

Well make sure Joe reads his dictionary next time lol

[@JohnnyRelentless]

@@sbrmag Or maybe just don't use words you don't know. That never makes you look as smart as you think it does.

[@user-pm5lg3yu1t]

Terrible video. Terrible take

[@sbrmag]

Thanks for your feedback! What artist should we cover never?

[@MichaelSims-rn6vu]

Dont really like his music. But atlanta is nice

[@HankseyHill]

That Little Foot song is straight corn. It sounds like a Lumineers B-side followed with a rap verse. It sounds like Nickelodeon music. The last verse was the best part of the song, and it wasn't even him.

[@thepandabush3151]

You're on the crack that he was selling

[@themofomayor]

He's not black tho.. he's West Indian.