Childish Gambino - This Is America METALHEAD REACTION TO HIP HOP!!!

[@ElleLaVae]

He was also a writer for 30 Rock and has written, directed and produced the hit show Atlanta. He's insanely talented.

[@MrBanshee1]

Weirdo is really fucking funny too

[@porgyt7177]

I went to a performing arts high school in Atl with him . I always called him Donnie cause it bugged him.

[@tracylf5409]

Renaissance man, Danny Glover. Keep doing it, man. The world needs it.

[@gothstars3956]

Donald Glover is fucking amazing.

[@htrofog2]

@scooter he THRIVED in community

[@austinwallestad1113]

It's pretty cool seeing how much Simon has changed after just listening to hip-hop for a few weeks. At first he was definitely very dismissive unless he liked the sound of it or the flow, and now I definitely feel like he's seeing the genre as something you can appreciate as an art form as well as vibe out to. Love the vids, keep it up!

[@justlivin3998]

if only other people could understand like he does

[@popjosh9780]

Didn't even realize it was him

[@BTBwebstudio]

Yeah I'm more of a metal/rock fan. at first I kinda dismissed the genre, but after looking into it with an open mind and easing into it I can say I like it all :P

[@fredrickbutts2392]

You have to get use to things sonically. Hip hop hear have the same problem.

[@s_u_l_f_u_r]

I, as a former metalhead, also went through this route. But with all genres, actually. I realized I wasn't experiencing music as a whole and I'm so glad I realized that, I've discovered so many jewels outside of my prefered genre. Now I can only see people that's closed on one genre as foolish, because it's such a cool thing to be aware of the great things going on with music in general to only pay attention to one part of it and think the rest is not worth of attention.

[@Slesaint17]

He’s not just IN Atlanta, he CREATED Atlanta.

[@8Jud3]

You took the words right out my mouth!

[@WaveGazer]

What? The city?

[@novaquinn5323]

It is a Show on FX network. its called "Atlanta" He won a Emmy for it last year

[@MrDieg999]

his brother write it

[@Slesaint17]

MrDieg999 they both write it

[@Oo-lf1mu]

Nina Simone was quoted saying. “ An artists duty, as far as I’m concerned, is to the reflect the times. I think that is true of painters, sculptors, poets and musicians.”

[@jerry-gees]

Truth is Singular life changing quote

[@minaanaya3379]

As a Black woman I enjoyed your guys reaction seemed truly sincere. Here’s what you missed: 1. The first frame is a long shot and there’s no gun to be seen, then boom he has a gun is able kill someone = this showing how easy it is to get guns in America unfortunately 2. The detail on his pants= confederate flag 3. Once he shoots the guy the gun is taken away with care and body is just dragged away. The gun is also put under a red cloth= red states or Republican Party which are pro guns. 4. The stance when he shoots = powerful image from the Jim Crow era in America 5. The church shootings that are happening here, specifically in 2015 there was a church shooting that got a lot of attention 6. The dancing all throughout is a distraction to all the real problems in the background. America “loves” our culture but fails to recognize are pain. I don’t think you guys meant harm but it was interesting to me that you guys did a similar thing while watching the video. Noticed a lot of the artistry but failed to talk about a lot of the issues. Part of that is bc it’s just not your struggle even many Whites in America weren’t able to see the symbolism. 7. He goes on to say “I’m so pretty” were to focused on media and social media than real issues 8. After that he says “that’s a celly it’s a tool” or something along those lines. These shootings have been happening for quite some time in America specifically towards Black folks but now that we have cell phones were able to record it and legitimize the wrong doing. 9. The “Black man get yo money” part while smoking. The unfortunate cycle that Black men turn to selling weed to provide for their families but then are put in jail at unfair amounts and unfair time spans as a result. 10. The cars also a representation of the police shootings that are often happening in cars. Each door that was open showed where certain individual was shot. 11. Him running away at the end is similar to scene in the movie Get Out which talked about the mental imprisonment of Black folks. Again I don’t think you guys meant harm. I didn’t notice all of these things the first time around either. Highly recommend you guys watch what’s going on in the background somebody commit suicide, a man is getting run over by a car, white horse = going back in history, etc. I’m glad artists are making this type of art so we can have these conversations even with non Americans😊. Sorry for the long comment but it needs to be said.😊✊🏽😊 * I forgot one the pause for 17 seconds was in honor of the 17 kids that were killed in the Florida shooting.

[@ysabellamedrano3360]

do you think that the children dancing around in the chaos represent what a lot of black (and poc in general) children are living through today?

[@theesky]

baby elijah wood I would say the children dancing is symbolic of multiple things at once. Like how America loves our "culture" but ignore our struggle that comes with it. How America will focus on the entertainment we provide but ignored and is ignorant to our pain. That our children are our hope and shining Ray's of creativity and freedom yet they are the nail in the coffin to our continuous oppression and forced compliance. Any of it is up for grabs and interpretation.

[@BlackXRose]

Enlightening thank you xx

[@75sissou]

Merci pour cette explication

[@ingesaunders6978]

Thanks for this. I'm from South Africa and though I got the gist of it, I didn't notice certain details.

[@ThexInsidexMan]

it's funny how you guys got closer to nailing the analysis than maybe 50 americans of various backgrounds that i've watched. well done, lads

[@sarahnoonen7513]

"brave isn't the right word, that's condescending" The absolute best thing I've ever heard in a reaction video

[@SilverFlame819]

I thought it was very aware, that he caught himself so quickly on that.

[@canonogic]

Donald Glover: Successful comedian Incredible writer on 30 rock Great comedic acting on Community Underrated rapper as Childish Gambino Producer, writer, actor, cameraman on Atlanta Voice actor on various cartoons (miles morales etc) Ridiculous soul singer on Redbone This dude can do everything and do no wrong

[@Mila-Nova]

canonogic he is very inspiring

[@ANNO_UNDERCOVER]

Childish Gambino got his name by putting his name 'Donald Glover' into a Wu-Tang name generator

[@enotra]

Lol... this is true!

[@DJSCRMNGHST]

I put it just now and it said Mugger Barbed for Donald😂

[@earls22]

@@DJSCRMNGHST you gotta put it in the unsecure og ass website to get the name.

[@stevenwilliams1805]

There is a Wu-Tang name generator?

[@lpphillyfan]

Mine is Arrogant Swami. Lol

[@rickbyrne3967]

You understood this better than most American reactors. You earned a Subscribe.

[@domo190]

Instant respect for anyone that watched community 😂 AND listens to Donald’s music. Probably one of the most talented people in entertainment rn

[@ytmndan]

Don’t forget about Derrick Comedy! If you haven’t watched their sketches, go binge them now!

[@formulacoolade]

Go on youtube and watch where he started on Derrick Comedy

[@Dommmmmmmmmmmmmmmm]

Another interesting that cant be in any category is xxxtentacion 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@stashphl5348]

If you like Donald’s music you would love childish gambinos music he sound just alike.

[@Neocrisp]

Stash PHL theyre the same person

[@ChrisGrant25]

I have now watched like ten of these and I think I understand whats so great about these videos. Its interesting to see someone try to experience or understand a different culture (well musical culture in this case). In our current society people are so divided and insulated from each other I find this to be so refreshing

[@chord2k7]

I love the way you guys analyzed this video! I'm African American and this was a testament to our story in America.

[@pilo727]

coming from people from another country and people that dont listen to this type of music, i really appreciate every second of this video and what you guys had to say. You were never biased in any way and you seem like you actually appreciated it and seemed really interested in it. You know there's a deeper meaning to everything in this song/video, and you were very interested in it. I completely loved this reaction to the video and I love that you never talked about it negatively.

[@1isgrl88]

I just watched 2 from Montana react to this video and you guys grasped the message so much better than they did. unfortunately, they saw black on black crime, reinforcing their stereotype and analyzed it from that angle. I appreciate that you saw the "bigger" picture. Thank you.

[@djd34d14]

Sad how relevant this still is 2 years later. Even more so in some respects I think.

[@amstevens23]

Say it one more time.. just for 2021.

[@CojaGN]

always will be relevant, shit look at changes by 2pac thats still relevant

[@djd34d14]

@@CojaGN I hate it, but you're right

[@bruhmoment49293]

@@djd34d14 I mean like listen to the song 'In the ghetto' by Elvis. It has a similar message and it was released over 50 years ago. Nothing has changed from the message of the song.

[@SilverFlame819]

Sadly, unless some major shit changes, this is going to be relevant 20 years from now, or after...

[@cherryskies3574]

The cars at the end all have doors open and lights flashing as if they've all been abandoned in a panic. Everyone is gone and Childish is left dancing alone on top of the car. He represents Americans and specifically black artists, including himself: entertaining, dancing, singing, rapping, making money and living their lives whilst ignoring what's going on in the background. The chaos gets worse and worse (the white horse that rides past with the black figure on it is a symbol of the apocalypse). Through it all Childish just smokes a joint and keeps on dancing. At the end of the video, Childish is still just a black man in America, and in the end even he can't escape, all he can do is run.

[@venessapurefoy8336]

Cherry Skies also all the cars are older symbolizing the lack of progression in the black community.

[@Kiki-cs8xv]

I took the cars as symbolic of all of the people killed at Police traffic stops. Hazard lights on, driver's doors open, but the people are gone...

[@Timmyduke04]

Your all wrong!!!!!

[@thebeast5215]

​@Timmyduke04 nah you're wrong. Can't even use Grammer properly...

[@780fresh]

I really appreciated this reaction/ conversation! Thought provoking and eloquent! You guys are sincere. Well done

[@fishbrainCTRL]

He started on KZbin with a comedy group called Derrick Comedy. He's always been brilliant. That's where I first witnessed Donald Glover, during the golden age of KZbin.

[@SomeOne-ex7hk]

Fucking Belinda!

[@Atomsk0192]

Back in the days of Bro Rape

[@rebeccahopkins9522]

His stage name, “Childish Gambino”, was arrived at in a rather amusing way. Years back, he and his friends were goofing around on the computer and came upon a “Wu Tang Clan” name generator; you know, those internet name generators where you type in your real name and it gives you your new “name” as it relates to whatever theme is being represented? (I did a stripper name generator once and it came back with “Candy Melons”, which was freaking hysterical 🤣) Well anyway, he typed in his name and the themed name that generated was..you guessed it..Childish Gambino. He loved it and he went with it. And the rest is history.

[@myronbrown3933]

I like you guys (Simon/ Jon)! Really enjoyed your commentary. Great job!

[@martynaspovilaitis7941]

Deconstruction of it depends on perspectives, but the most agreed on: 1. Beginning - Jim Crow (entertainer) stance to shoot the guy, with bag on his head, could represent blind america, or that killings are happening not depending on skin color. The gun is taken first than the body, and with more care - America cares about guns more than people. 2. Dancing begins - death did not changed anything, Gambino is still dancing - America lives on like nothing happened. But dance and mumble rap music serves not only as "living on", but also as distraction from anything that's happening in the background. Kids follow and repeat their 'idol' too, the cycle continues, they can't see anything too, so distraction is working. 3. Choir - reference to "Charleston church shooting". It's more like a hard step on same object, as in the beginning. Now the riot is bigger, and Gambino raps how everybody needs Gucci bang, and is concern about their beauty. 4. Smoking dance - smoke is something to deal with problems. Now this too hard. He is all alone. I think that represents that cultural idols can't actually do something, so all they are left with are dancing. This may be not true. 5. Run from pain, from problems, maybe Americas people having desire to run away or maybe it's about black culture running from white. I don't know. Hope this helps. Don't get me started on the words. Freakin masterpiece

[@kablamgaming364]

Art is subjective but I think this addresses the climate in America and how black culture is at the forefront of America but the atrocities perpetrated on black folks goes unnoticed. The Protagonist pose in the first shooting copies the pose of a famous jim crow poster. This sets the tone for the whole video. Childish Gambino dances effortlessly whilst making very exaggerated comical facial expressions to entertain the public(like the jim crow posters) which serves as a distraction and almost overshadows these horrible things happening in the background. Donald Glover killing spree is a symbolism to show how complicit he is because him being the focal point of the black experience takes away from all the wrongdoings happening to the people in the background. The end scene is the point where the background noises finally catch up to him and he can no longer escape the inevitable and his facial expression shift from being comical to fear and panic as his attempt to turn a blind eye finally catches up to him.

[@roman.perrin]

Martynas Povilaitis the end part was a tribute to the movie “Get out” (as we also saw Peele in the choir) as it introduced the theory of the “sunken place,” in which marginalized people are aware of the violence that surrounds them, yet are powerless to stop it.

[@alexgray2115]

Also the 17 second pause for the 17 that died in the Florida shooting

[@bigbabygrl2]

I think you're spot on. And I think it's a shout out to Americans of all colors that we need to check ourselves on our distraction issue.

[@nittavanitta9046]

great analysis, I saw the end kinda similar. I thought it was a mixture of the sunken place and cultural appropriation because it looks like hes running from white folks, but then theres a black woman running alone off to the side and it looks like her hair could be natural.

[@mohaed96]

I loved hearing an outsiders perspective of what's going on in North America. As well as how quickly you guys got the message has me happy since a lot of people IN the hip-hop community couldn't even follow the point of this song. I do also want to offer a pov you might not have come across. An underlying tone here is violence against black people, for example the black man playing the guitar after his use was met America went ahead and killed him like historically when black people introduced rock and roll. Their music was stolen and once their purpose was filled (I.E entertainment, and intellectual property theft to be monetized and used) they were killed. It also goes as far as black people being killed for just expressing themselves be it by racism or just black on black crime, meanwhile there is dancing in the forefront to symbolize America not caring about it. Riots in the background, injustices behind the scenes all the while pop culture is being pushed to the forefront (new dance moves and songs). America just doesn't care. Anyways peace and love guys, love what you're doing! ✊

[@guym2222]

Fantastic comment.

[@gregorybertrand645]

Couldn't agree more.

[@TV1982]

exactly what i thought. so many reaction videos from ppl who are more embedded into the community who didnt get the message and were still turning up during the video. great job guys

[@leeloominai8186]

@Thomas: It's both ironic and exactly one of the points of the video, which is, again, ironic... (sorry for strange ways in my writing, but, English is my second language - I know it's a bit robotic) As I see it, one of the core problems of people who live in the USA (not everyone of course, but a rather scary percentage, which became obvious during the 2016 election) is that, for a long time, they have been bombarded with all sorts of, I don't want to say propaganda, because (the irony again,) the "everything is politics" readers will be "activated" (too late I guess,) but a sort of a reality shield: always told about the superiority of their country, economic, moral, cultural, religious - you name it. There was always some scary reason given for it. Initially it was very real (WWII,) then still real (USSR,) but a bit all over the place during the Cold War, and, as the time passed, the people with monetary/political powers had it all figured out: they had a recipe for amassing more and more money (maintaining an absurd military budget, political system often advertised as democratic but in reality tuned to pump more and more benefits to the people at the top, and so on - an intricate machine to sustain the rich to get richer with less and less boundaries.) Now, I just watched some Jessica Jones episode (not really related to anything here otherwise,) and heard a line that fits very well into this: "with great power comes great mental illness (yes, normally it's responsibility, but this is a twist)", and madness we see indeed. In any case, in short (good luck to myself with this one...,) it may seem a bit strange that so many people living in the USA don't even get all the nuances in the video, but, many are "trapped" there, not realizing how far they drifted from being self-aware with respect to many other countries. Not trapped like, say, in North Korea, where it's obvious how they are being controlled - they are (were?) trapped literally. This entrapment is quite different, less direct, but the ultimate effect can be as much disastrous, as should be clear by now (or not...) In any case, there are many interpretations of the whole video, and we are talking about a form of art, not a math formula with some clear result, but I think there are many layers that can be applied to it and the further you are from the USA itself, the more likely you are to focus on the outside, more general layers. Due to the racial tensions in the USA, a lot of interpretations there will stop on the racial motives. Since the country revolves around money to such extent that, for many, the goal of life is to amass more and more of it: never stopping, with no bounds and limits, often seeing this as the ultimate goal in any circumstances. For example, I have seen suggestions that it's all about black people having less chance to participate in the amassing of that money. As we go to more and more general layers, there will be all sorts of racially charged interpretations still (and justly so,) but, going further, up and up, through politics, the entertainment, gun issues, and so on, at some point you will likely have to look from outside to see the inner layers filtered out. Then, you see that the overall message can be still applied to societies in general. Societies that are repeating the cycles of same mistakes over and over again, just with the overall scenery/technology becomes updated for more modern times. For example, as I saw it, the scene where the artists slowly freezes into the "gun holding" pose and then relaxes, is about him seemingly becoming aware of something not quite right going on around, but no, it eventually becomes clear that not really - it was just a pause and the self-reflection is only superficial, maybe even mostly due to the effect of whatever that guy is inhaling there. When the scene ends, he then goes back and starts the next cycle - the surroundings are relatively empty still and there are some changes (the car to dance on seems to be more modern, for example.) However, the chance to break the whole cycle was lost, because the "distorted reality" machine is that good at doing its job: seems there's no escape, and I think the overall message is that making some superficial changes around technology is not enough - to break the cycle, something extraordinary must happen. There's much more of course that can be said about the video, but, that's already well past the usual "TLDR", so, I'll cut it here. P.S. Does anyone see it in similar way or my interpretations is, well, too "out there"?

[@mschill5575]

I was going to say something similar, but you already said it all, so I will simply say I agree.

[@marvinh1977]

The man with the guitar was Treyvon Martin’s dad and they were depicting the Jim Crow era.

[@couldntthinkofacoolname9608]

Shit, didn't know that bit

[@NewRedYolk]

It's Calvin C. Winbush II, a Los Angeles-based actor and musician who goes by "Calvin the Second" professionally. www.cnn.com/2018/05/08/entertainment/trayvon-martin-father-this-america/index.html

[@DupreeBlosch]

Oh shit I didn’t know that was Treyvon’s dad

[@mademoisellecm1]

The lyrics are a warning to the black community that new Jim Crowe is here. The police are waiting for any reason. "Don't catch you slipping up". Gambino is playing the entertaining old black face minstrel Jim Crowe. His pants are the style of confederate uniform. Each time he uses a weapon it is carefully handed off with a beautiful red cloth. Giving the weapons the red carpet treatment. While not caring for the dead. One of the dances is a South African dance called the gwara gwara. They are still experiencing vestiges of apartheid racism within southern African countries especially namibia. The apocalypse or death rides the white horse when we're not paying attention. The black man jumps to his death. Suicide is high for black men. The old empty cars are poor unarmed people killed in routine traffic stops. But don't focus on the harsh reality. "Watch me move". Keep having fun watching the black artist entertain everyone. A lot of Consumers like black culture or enterainment, but not black people. So "get yo money black man." The public & police are taught to fear a black man with nothing in his hands. Everyone scatters, scared to death of him pointing with nothing but his hands. He sees what's happening and is trying to escape it while also warning his community while the media chases him like a horde of zombies. This is a summary.

[@glcnornes3783]

psssst. not to pick at spelling and grammar, but you should probably change "menstrual" to "minstrel" (one is your period, the other is a travelling performer of old :P)

[@mademoisellecm1]

Gina Coyle Nornes Thanks Lady. Darn autocorrect. 😒

[@glcnornes3783]

not a bother Mademoiselle ;)

[@SoupyGal]

Who is the new Jim Crow?

[@jorikoamv9155]

@Me'bret Belay as much as I agree with your comment I have to say it that I disagree because I am a Jamaican and when I watch a video for the first time I was able to understood and see what sort of messages he was trying to show towards public although I have no idea who was Jim Crow as I had to do my little research here and there as well for the certain shootings that was seen in the video true but I had the basic idea of what is going on and I am outsider

[@DOCvip808]

Look at how the guns are handled...they are being taken care of better than the people shot. So much symbolism in this video.

[@GhostlyGhille]

Mike A didn't know guns shot people. Pretty sure a person points squeezes and fires the gun. Had guns over 17 years now since I was 10 never had my gun kill anyone strange..

[@sxlamander]

GhostlyGhille “since i was 10”. Wow, giving a weapon to a child, America in a nutshell.

[@_Funaroma]

Also it was handled by children. I think it also means how the children in our future will have to deal with our problems

[@Nick-pl4zh]

I mean the AK wasn’t handled nicely, it was kinda just thrown

[@DOCvip808]

Nick 803 it was handled with more care than the victims, he had a guy with a towel

[@ghttboi]

HARDEST 👏 WORKING 👏 CHANNEL 👏. your channel and lost in vegas are my favorite reaction channels

[@eyecii2665]

fr !

[@franckedimo5202]

true they remind of lost in vegas

[@dionnem.9724]

Me too!

[@Kid_Legend_4_Life]

ghttboi 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@spamwithrice]

Because both channels have great personalities, chemistry, and offer genuine reactions with passionate commentary.

[@MrKiingpin]

I'm glad you watched community, not many people I talk to over here have

[@jgw8603]

Quality show if I do say so myself

[@JIPunisherIL]

Top notch show that

[@briannacelestine5050]

MrKiingpin love that show. Donald Glover really is a genius in everything he does

[@IvanIlev]

I started binge watching community again a few weeks back. I got to season 5 and he released that witch made me appreciate him so much more.

[@simpy3994]

I mean my profile pic says it all 👌

[@AlexAlexAlex971]

that 17sec pause he does in the video was for those 17 victims of that school shooting

[@JhonsBodega]

“That guy the got shot in America” lmao which one bro

[@parandiac]

Jhon he literally said Trayvon Martin

[@petej7002]

Joshua Schnoor the point went over your head

[@leul11]

love your reactions and commentaries. this video is extremely deep. i had to watch it many times and then watch a breakdown to understand it fully. every frame, every body language has a meaning behind it. if you guys can, do a reaction to the breakdown videos. i would love to see that. keep them coming, huge fan.

[@robynhenderson9488]

"Not brave, that's condescending." Not what I was expecting from metal heads, but thank you.

[@ATBeats93]

He got his rap name from a Wu-Tang clan name generator 😂

[@KoolShadeWill]

I just learned this information today cool

[@kctaynor6134]

THANK U FELLAS!!! Can't tell how much it means 2 have folks talking our Gambino love globally! I don't expect u 2 understand EVERYTHING American (the bs more than anything) but u CARED ENOUGH 2 spread the hope. Watch it 20 times and still this masterpiece will inspire!!!

[@CHICK-A-BOOM]

I really liked how open they were and how they really consumed, pondered and digested what they saw. From one lover of metal to another, thank you gentlemen!

[@freyamikilson6511]

Hello from the US. I have found that most people outside of the US (including you!) had a more insightful first view of this video than many Americans. This I think is due to many of the things highlighted in the video itself. We are inundated with celebrity culture, social media, and a fake reality while chaos, violence and despair surround us. I know these problems exist elsewhere, but we are in the deep here. I didn't mean to take away from the deeper message of the video that specifically deals with race but just wanted to add that because I think it is important.

[@brodietaylor8506]

As a Brit, I can't understand entirely how your culture is built around censoring out the violence and destruction. However, I sympathize with all Americans who speak out against this style of culture and attempt to combat it. Please let me know if I've misinterpreted your culture trying to censor your country, but that is how I view it.

[@freyamikilson6511]

We largely censor out the violence and destruction ourselves because we feel like there's nothing we can do to change it. I mean, we do try to change it but the powerful have a vested interest in keeping things to stay the same. We have the Black Lives Matter movement seeking to change police brutality that disproportionately affects Black and minority communities but policing in the US has convinced so many that their power needs to go unchallenged. When we point out serious problems that need to be addressed we are called unpatriotic, that the US is the best in the world. We try to change things but our efforts become discredited by propagandists and so the efforts fade and we turn back to the shallow culture of worshiping celebrities and trying to be like them.

[@julieake3875]

So true most Americans would like to overlook the ugly part of America instead of trying to deal with the truth of the matter.

[@MurkedStat]

Bravo. Such a valid point. It's so bad that when I watch American reaction videos, they start bopping their head and dancing to the music when the beat drops..... but they completely miss the entire point of the video and don't understand the message. Literally the ultimate irony.

[@ShineOnBenevolentSun]

@brodie - I think exactly the opposite - our American culture is not built around censoring violence and destruction but around the sale of violence. Every American movie that features the US military, is screened and approved by the military; propaganda. A major source of GPD in the Summertime is Hollywood Blockbusters (violent movies). Our videogames train our young people to aim and fire. Ironically what we censor in America is the very natural and ideally loving act of sex; funny the contrast between America and Europe in this regard. (Regardless of what you feel about the quality of movie,) Lars Von Triers' movie Nymphomaniac was made with European regulatory agents and sensibilities in mind, and onscreen sex acts that were not simulated were OK, while the very single act of gun violence in the film happened offscreen with just a sound effect. I do believe that the art/media products of a culture influence the way that the society behaves; it recalls the maxim "Watch your thoughts, they become words; watch your words, they become actions; watch your actions, they become habits; watch your habits, they become character; watch your character, for it becomes your destiny."

[@veryrare6552]

he is trying to say america is always distracted .. thats why the kids are their dancing ..everybody in america is to busy dancing and partying but they dont pay attention to the background of everything happening around them like in the video the kids are clearly non stop dancing while chaos is going around behind them and this is truly how america is the symbolism is crazy everyone is to busy trying to get lit and party and dance right after tragedys happen listen to his lyrics in the beginning he says " we just tryna party" ....thats how america is everyone is to busy trying to have fun and party ...thats why america will never be great bc evryone is blind to the truth and distracted and at the end he pull out a joint and smokes it and he literally is just reffering to how america acts upon things we just try to numb the pain and get high to forget about these things .. and also at the end the city is abondoned almost looks like it fell apart he is truly trying to show us something with the symbolism and only few can understand it..

[@Trudon]

the uk is the same and tbh most countries

[@Johnnfken]

I don’t really subscribe to reaction channels but i been seeing myself come back to this channel everyday to see what you guys post. So might as well subscribe then.

[@cuterpooter]

I clicked on this vid because I thought I recognized Simon from a gaming YT channel I like, and MAN am I glad I watched. You fellas did a great job and helped me see things that I'd missed. This song definitely requires multiple plays and some real discussions are being had about it. LOVE IT

[@tirzah191]

I am a recent viewer to your channel and I think you guys did a better job than I expected picking up on the main plot, for lack of a better word, of what Childish Gambino wanted to get across being non- Americans. You were still able to understand some of the issues addressed in the video. This is America was brilliant, a necessary eye opener, as was your reaction to it.

[@claytonclifford2323]

Rapper/Actor/Writer/Director/Producer/Stand up comedian, this dude is a real life triple threat! As a rapper/lyricist, he is absolutely phenomenal

[@yoichikenjie8139]

IS THAT GUY JOHNNY SINS ???

[@vm683]

Yoichi Kenjie are you Japanese??

[@hazel2718]

Yoichi Kenjie 😂🌝

[@danielpm1152]

Johnny sins and Macklemore

[@nsane6581]

Daniel Pm lmao

[@UncoloredPageGaming]

Simon by day, Johnny by night

[@274pacific]

"we're just two dudes in the UK" but you have the best reaction video made to this so far.

[@mokastorm89]

In my opinion, this is the most raw and intelligent reaction video to this powerful piece of music! Once again, both of your commentaries during the pause exudes charisma.

[@mahasina.k.5963]

I'm really glad you guys reacted to this video. You got a lot of points in the video and i respect that and you guys' openness. This video is very deep and makes a point that everyone needs to be aware of. Props for being awesome reactors!

[@virginiajohns9457]

The dancing is to keep you from seeing what’s really happening.

[@sofiasantamaria7861]

When they said this should be studied I just thought " This would be a Thousand dollars course in any Ivy league university, The sociological study and background in This Is America by Childish Gambino "

[@usmanfarooq96]

Wasn’t in avengers but was in Spider-Man homecoming who was in avengers 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@exidiumyt5137]

Screw You Google ?

[@1username1ok]

ExidiumYT he’s talking about Gambino

[@keiganm1287]

Gambino plays the gun buyer in homecoming

[@exidiumyt5137]

Ah. I haven’t seen homecoming so yea I wouldn’t understand hahah

[@keiganm1287]

ExidiumYT you should i dont really like spiderman but it was a really good movie.

[@probitionate]

I've watched more than my share of 'reaction videos' for this song...and this has been the best, by far. Thank you for being as articulate as you are. Great stuff.

[@SuperJoshisawesome]

You guys weren’t wrong, fucking hardest working channel in the game!! 🤘🏻🤘🏻 setting a new standard for reaction videos

[@robinvolpi]

Just some clarification.... the initial music in the video that one of you referred to as "holiday music" ;) is actually African/Calypso/Afro Latin. Also, turns out the guitarist is not the father of Trayvon Martin, but an L.A. based musician who goes by Calvin the Second. I follow him on twitter. He got a kick out of the mixup. ;) About the show #Atlanta. Glover doesn't just star in it.... he's the writer and producer. He is the creator and recently won an Emmy for it. That is his show.... fully. He's a writer, singer, actor, rapper, comic. He's fantastic. On the violence.... it wasn't simply about that which often occurs in impoverished black communities, but about how it's woven into the very fabric of America. You noticed how carefully they handled the guns in contrast to the dead? And as I pointed out in another post here, the massacre of the black choir was a nod at the Charleston, South Carolina shooting by the white supremacist who was welcomed into a historical Black Church for Bible study only to gun the parishioners down. Lots going on. Lots to 'unpack' as they say. Btw, you guys have become one of my favorite reaction channels. A breath of fresh air in a sea of fake idiots. #ForgiveMe 🙏🏽 ;) Ciao

[@GNRGNRGNR100]

robin volpi wow, that was really good to read

[@mahasina.k.5963]

Great Explanation

[@robinvolpi]

Mahasin A.K. Thank you.

[@MoonBaby2]

Dead on! ✊🏽

[@beyonceschild]

sorry but the music is actually southern black american

[@itsstizzychid5206]

It's like the gunshots wake us up then the dance calms us down again

[@1234567894444aaron]

Bino has been doing commentary on this kind of thing for a while. Just watch Atlanta

[@nathanmamo9702]

I feel like you guys express what you are feeling in a very intelligent way. Not something seen very much here in the States. Appreciate it.

[@dominicanxoboy]

One thing I lover about your reactions, is you try to touch up on both the artist and the music, you give respect to the music considering all aspects of it's production. Thanks for keeping it real and not just playing the video by your faces! Regards from Canada.

[@francoissyfert6483]

"We're English, we don't know everything at all." 😂👏

[@sebastianbarczok3863]

That simon guy reminds me of a wrestler who recently debut in defiant wrestling with a weird ass theme song 🤔

[@satyangunasekaran9961]

Why?

[@wrighj]

Sebastian Barczok Wtf is defiant wrestling lmao

[@Jambobist]

Nah he looks more like that videogame guy, you know, the big baldy one.

[@ethank2466]

Satyan Gunasekaran Because he is that wrestler that debuted. Lol

[@KountreeDaTruth]

He is the wrestler, and he also is on the what culture wrestling channel

[@crystalclear6661]

It’s a fucking masterpiece. About fucking time I can’t stop watching the video great song great video and it’s up for interpretation and you guys are one of my faves with interpretation I think a lot of the Americans don’t get it as much as outsiders I’m Australian and straightaway I could see what was going on with this.

[@capt_zo]

As an American, we know A LOT about what this is about because we live here lol

[@MikeDanielsAgency]

Monique Major Everyone outside of America got it instantly instead of Americans, so sad because I am American Lol

[@CONTRACTOR_SG3]

Dark Static but the sad thing is alot of Americans dont know what its about because were from America

[@minmon5512]

Are you seriously saying that you as an AUSTRALIAN have a better understanding of this than actual AMERICANS??? How stuck up do you have to be to make a statement like this

[@staceyboomboom8031]

I'm Aussie. It's NOT up for ANY free for all interpretation ... it relates SPECIFICALLY to BLACK Americans as WELL as gun violence. If you don't understand that - you are part of the problem.

[@kelvinh.1101]

The great thing about the video is it has you engaged. It doesn't matter that you are across the water, you two get it. It is made for each individual's interpretation. It is to wake us all up. ALL OF US. Good reaction video.

[@emerstonian7170]

I just happened to find this video...and I thought, hey...this guy looks like Simon Miller! And then...it is!

[@bizuu7505]

The Washington Post made a really good breakdown video that would help you guys understand more of whats going on in the video. Love the channel guys, I use to listen to metal pretty much exclusively, but a while ago started to branch out more so I can kinda relate to your views on the music. Keep it up :)

[@Scufflegrit]

Omar Haddouch here’s a link to the article, too: www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2018/05/07/this-is-america-breaking-down-childish-gambinos-powerful-new-music-video/

[@deesavage7158]

As a black man that's all you hear in ya head at the end of the day no matter what you do. Get ya money, Black man

[@nickparsons1299]

At 8:12 you can see a white horse in the background trot through the frame: the White Horse is a symbol and sign for the apocalypse.

[@savi9540]

You guys are fucking awesome...Just unintentionally watched 6 of your videos and I was on my way to sleep when I clicked on the first one....Subscribed.

[@makerofthings5199]

I think it shows how America, lives, laughs, and dances, etc. distracted up front, while bad things happen in the background . But you ACTUALLY have to see past the distraction-dancing etc. to actually see the bad stuff happening, in this video and in real life in America. There are a million more messages in this video, but I think that's the main theme. Very well thought out concept. Great vid guys!

[@yasminsayeed8125]

“This should be studied “ lol he’s so cute 😂 he right though

[@bioniccorndog]

I'm late to this video, but I couldn't miss it.. Again, it really should be noted how much thought you guys clearly put behind these on-the-spot reviews. You guys are AWESOME! You aren't even from America but you both do a great job of addressing what you're thinking from both American and UK perspectives. I've heard many people say reactions aren't content, just cheap recycles of other people's content. You guys disprove that logic by having truly thoughtful and intelligent conversation about the art. So simple, yet so rare. KEEP IT UP!! React to Oddisee - You Grew Up

[@MyMelcar]

👏 👏 👏

[@thomaslloyd.music1]

The old cars represent how there hasn’t been any progress made

[@joyjackson8618]

I love that u both made a sincere attempt, this is the type of dialog we need, world wide

[@KillDjay]

5th reaction ive watched in a row. You guys are funny, fair, and intelligent. Insightful observations and honestly mans on the left is cutttteee !!!

[@fadi1channel]

React to Travis Scott

[@pratikkarki1301]

fadi aboona he is the worst rapper.

[@yoichikenjie8139]

the part when he shot the group of choir is an reenactment on the Sutherland Springs church shooting

[@TheCatWithTheMAC]

Yoichi Kenjie it’s probably Charleston Church Shooting, not Sutherland Springs.

[@yoichikenjie8139]

oh sorry damn mass shooting in america is insane jesus christ

[@avery465]

Yoichi Kenjie honestly is probably the Charleston one. But the fact that we have so many mass shootings we can debate which one he is referencing is something in itself.

[@Nichole2228]

Yoichi Kenjie research mass shootings statistics and the US isn't even in the top 10.

[@yoichikenjie8139]

whats the point of researching whats the top 10 mass shooting in the world ???? it still mass shooting

[@marku8757]

Tyler the creator!!

[@charlieboi7363]

wizrank WHO DAT boy or RUSTY

[@karlhenriksson9434]

Yes do Rusty!!! Please Rock Reacts!

[@brioche8378]

Do Yonkers!

[@georgeborer4389]

Okra?

[@JenarW4F]

See You Again, 911/Mr Lonely, just the whole flower boy album lol

[@Heavenzvoice]

Great critique guys... love your honesty of what you know and don’t know and it is very brave... I like metal. Grew up in Ohio and it was pop, rock and heavy metal... I like all music actually but thanks for the channel !

[@shanonshipley6901]

My twelve year old son recently brought home a toy shotgun that he plans to distress as his "boomstick" for Ash Williams/Evil Dead cosplay. He asked if he could take it outside to play. No son. Not in a country where your best friends would be shot by the ... yeah. ain't saying that here but you catch my drift. We live in Cincinnati. Tamir Ricew was only 12. My kid... he has a statistically higher chance of leading a normalish, happy life than a kid his age who is a person of color. He does not feel that sense of fear his friends might. I want him to GET IT. I was happy to talk to my son and feel like he was starting to put the pieces together.. I hope this leads to conversations with his friends and teachers. This is how we grow. This video is initiating great things.. We gotta take care of each other and pay attention.

[@kablamgaming364]

Art is subjective but I think this addresses the climate in America and how black culture is at the forefront of America but the atrocities perpetrated on black folks goes unnoticed. The Protagonist pose in the first shooting copies the pose of a famous jim crow poster. This sets the tone for the whole video. Childish Gambino dances effortlessly whilst making very exaggerated comical facial expressions to entertain the public(like the jim crow posters) which serves as a distraction and almost overshadows these horrible things happening in the background. Donald Glover killing spree is a symbolism to show how complicit he is because him being the focal point of the black experience takes eyes away from all the wrongdoings happening to the people in the background. The end scene is the point where the background noises finally catch up to him and he can no longer escape the inevitable and his facial expression shift from being comical to fear and panic as his attempt to turn a blind eye finally catches up to him.

[@tahira1]

I like your interpretation.

[@glcnornes3783]

'Jim Crow' wasn't just a poster it's actually the *'Jim Crow Laws'* which were a collection of state and local statutes that legalized racial segregation. The imagery on the poseter you are referring to comes from a white man Thomas Dartmouth Rice who performed a popular song-and-dance act supposedly modeled after a slave. He named the character Jim Crow. Rice darkened his face, acted like a buffoon, and spoke with an exaggerated and distorted imitation of African American Vernacular English. In his Jim Crow persona, he also sang "Negro ditties" such as "Jump Jim Crow." The poster that everyone knows as an image associated with the *'Jim Crow Laws'* is the cover of an early edition of 'Jump Jim Crow' sheet music where it shows Thomas D. Rice pictured in his blackface role; he was performing at the Bowery Theatre (also known as the "American Theatre") at the time. The image was highly influential on later Jim Crow and minstrelsy images, not to mention the iconic representation of the awful *'Jim Crow Laws'*.

[@kablamgaming364]

I know about the Jim crow laws...But you have some good information there as well... :)

[@MsNarusakufan]

"Let's see where it goes from here!" Me: All downhill, fam. All downhill

[@MrKiingpin]

It would be cool to see your view of Madvillainy, the pairing of MF DOOM and Madlib. Either strange ways or fancy clown they are both songs with an interesting concept

[@jamesd9215]

A lot of the hip hop community? Lol i dont think so

[@shaneepaige3989]

Thank you guys for even being interested and being open to the message he's trying to portray!

[@DaveBrioso]

Great video. One of the best reaction pieces to this song that I've seen. I appreciate your take on this.

[@rs-dq3li]

So much symbolism in this video. E.g., the Jim Crow pose at 4:05, the Dylann Roof reference shooting at 6:08. it's all a work of art. Tragic and plastic, like America unfortunately

[@blackvenomtoxic]

Not all of America is plastic. If that's what you think then to u have no business commenting nor do you know what you are talking about.

[@rs-dq3li]

Black Venom obviously I don't think ALL of America is plastic. Just the media, and celebrity culture as a whole, it all seems so abnormal. And fyi, as long as there is a comment section, I have every right to make a comment, thanks 👍🏽

[@blackvenomtoxic]

r singh I never said you couldn't comment in fact I'm 100% pro free speach . I'm not sure where you pulled that out of but I stand by my comment. Not all media either there are private owned citizen ran outlets to find true journalism and every state has become different in thinking beliefs and moral judgment so it's pretty shity when people lump an entire country to a standard that only applies to a few areas or a few media outlets. Try not being such a narrow person

[@azaeru8914]

America isn't just United Sates tho.

[@blackvenomtoxic]

Azaeru so does your sister... she stares into it all the time it encourages her to keep going

[@DirectFireDave]

You guys are jacked

[@mohammadsohail5222]

You got to react to freaks and geeks and redbone

[@wwfanno99]

and 3005 !

[@Swenglish]

He didn't leave Community for mental health reasons. He left to have more time and energy to focus on his own projects. Like the music, and creating his own show.

[@CAITJENNERSBOTO]

Simon from What Culture!!! I've been watching this channel for a while and I just realized why you looked so familiar! mind blown... much love from Hawaii!

[@i-am-your-conscience]

10:35 Yes, they have. The show the usual types of used cars black people have in America.. (also maybe showing the downfall of the american car industry because many of those are former detroit cars.. and many blacks lived and worked for the car industry) Just let me tell you, you can stop every frame and you find another BRILLIANT hidden message

[@DevanLund]

mmmpathy I've seen before that the cars (with their doors open and hazard lights on) are meant to represent all the black people killed by police during what were supposed to be routine traffic stops.

[@i-am-your-conscience]

Oh yes, thats true.. Its so scary. I mean, I come from europe and we talked about getting a rental car in a planned vacation there, but no one had a good feeling about it. We are just not used to act like in an american traffic stop. What if someone forgets to put their hand on the steering wheel, or wants to get the driving license out of the wallet out of habit.. Its just so crazy

[@libbymills4432]

Yeah, for real...

[@FBIAGENT725]

@@i-am-your-conscience you don't have to worry about that, just don't get out when you're pulled over

[@saulmaldonado6251]

Immortal technique - Dance with the Devil

[@youcefjh6219]

saul maldonado I don't think they will do it

[@youknow12341000]

I hope they do... always makes for a good reaction

[@MohammadHassan-ow5ed]

That would be great

[@michael-k.]

Classic, I love when people react to it

[@alexislopez8674]

They reviewed that already

[@messiahfifa7521]

Johnny Sins & Macklemore @ it again

[@HorrorGeek9]

Great reaction Guys. "This is America" is a powerful video full of symbolism and you guys did a good job analyzing it on your first viewing. Off topic, I'm happy that you watched "Community" it's a funny show

[@evanrogers7923]

you guys are awesome. one of the best, most thoughtful reaction channels. Please do more hiphop reacts.

[@domoniquefenton3269]

I would love to see you guys do a revisit react to this, 1. because 2 years is some time to digest everything within the video and the hidden social meanings behind it and 2. because of whats going on in the world now. User comment by Mina Anaya hit a lot of the points behind this video. Knowing what is known now vs when this song initially blew up would be interesting to see. Flip side of the coin, I think it would also be cool to see you guys do a metal react to another song/video that is equally socially/racially and politically charged; but not as a hip hop concept, this would also be within the metal genre: Check out Fire From The Gods "Excuse me" or "The Voiceless". Cheers :)

[@lpycb42]

I'm two years too late, that being said, the point of the song being "nothing special" or "ok" is just that. Some of the newer music whether it's hip hop or rap, has been dumbed down so much and been stripped of all meaning. Repetitive lyrics, mostly about cars and guns and gucci and drugs... bunch of random noises thrown in the middle... not entirely coherent...it's a criticism of both the utilization of black culture as vapid entertainment only, and also criticism of black artists who have "sold out" and capitalized on these fads and trends to make money while sweeping the real problems under the carpet. There are so many elements to this video and song and so much criticism of all aspects of culture, race and society... it's just pure art.

[@miratiacoyle4879]

Like that really got me tight where you try to say we Ruin our own culture... we don’t y’all do

[@lpycb42]

​@@miratiacoyle4879I'm sorry it sounded that way, that was certainly not what I was trying to convey at all.

[@samcorthaut2914]

Xxxtentacion& ski mask the slump God- R.I.P ROACH Please React to it

[@dylancabler3687]

Straight up 🔥🔥

[@let4let523]

Definetly

[@leKtO_]

definitely!!!

[@trapizonn3603]

Or Take a Step back by skimask and X

[@RR-dh5gr]

Straat Schooier x is cancer

[@Frankisoul]

Natural reaction. Love it!

[@charliequartz2085]

It's SO interesting to see the reactions of people from countries outside of the US to this video. It's almost like seeing an outsider's reaction to vicariously experiencing the reality of what it's like to have lived in American culture for your entire life.

[@AlexDehaanTV]

Immortal Technique - Dance With The Devil Would love to see your reactions to that song!

[@illyest23]

Keep up the good work guys. ScHoolboy Q- JoHn Muir is real gangster rap from today also ASAP rocky lsd he is somebody u have to hear rap, real Bronx rapper

[@4422-w6q]

Tyler the creator 911/ Mr Lonely boredom please.

[@ThanagosWoW]

This video is getting an UP! And I was so pleasantly surprised to see Simon, I slapped the subscribe button!

[@joevariemassey2976]

He wrote for 30 Rock, wrote and co-created Community, he created, wrote and directed Atlanta. He has been writer before anything, even rapping.