Childish Gambino | STN MTN/Kauai Review
Glassnote Records 2014 (McDJ)
for Noir Magazine - http://www.thenoirmagazine.com/
If you are just hearing of Childish Gambino, here is a quick catch-up: Childish Gambino is the Hip-Hop moniker used by Actor/Writer/Comedian Donald Glover (of “Community” fame). The name “Childish Gambino” is taken from an online Wu-Tang Clan name generator. The rapper has released many projects, his most notable being 2011’s Camp, 2012’s Royalty Mixtape, and 2013’s Because the Internet. His style has progressed over time, each release gathering less from Glover’s comedy background (although the Royalty mixtape featured a very funny Tina Fey cameo). The Because the Internet era featured a somber Gambino; exploring his emotional side, posting a near-suicidal string of Instagram posts, and an odd, Rick Ross-featuring screenplay that accompanied his new LP. This depressed, weed-loving new persona has appeared in just about every interview since.
Fast forward to 2014: Gambino drops an impressive (although sometimes whiny) freestyle on Hot 97 causing a good chunk of Gambino doubters to nod along and reconsider. Hot off the high of a viral freestyle, the Atlanta MC dropped a surprise mixtape/EP entitled “STN MTN/Kauai”: So here we are. First off, it’s difficult to call this one project. The separation between the two parts (STN MTN and Kauai) is undeniable, making the decision to alternate between songs from each part for the tape a real head-scratcher. Kauai is Gambino’s pop-rap side and will appeal to fans of hits like “V. 3005” or good production in general. Excluding only “RETRO [ROUGH],” Gambino knocks the production out of the park with Kauai. “Sober” sounds like the kind of hook-based pop cut that could’ve been written around the time Camp was released, but finds Childish sounding like a cross between Drake and Adam Levine. For the first time ever, Glover’s singing on this project is actually pretty impressive; juxtaposed against the EP’s nearly flawless pop production, Gambino’s vocals feel more at home. The Weeknd’s influence is clear on this one, especially on alt-R&B jam “Pop Thieves.”
“Poke” finds the EP at it’s most interesting; the distorted, eccentric beat wouldn’t feel out of place on a How to Dress Well record, and Gambino’s singing compliments it surprisingly well. However, the track is stripped of credibility after a shameful verse from Donald’s brother – during which we learn that making “everything a fuckin’ joke” runs in the family. Sadly, Kauai sacrifices substance for sound. The MC rarely says anything even remotely interesting on this EP; seldom breaking the mold of pop song simplicity to drop cheesy lines about Hawaiian girls and smoking weed or to let Jaden Smith conduct what sounds like a live recitation of his tweets. On “The Pallisades” – which almost sounds like an N’SYNC song – Gambino says he’d rather be smoking a J at the beach with bae, and that might just be the manifesto of Kauai. Childish isn’t really saying anything, and that’d be okay if he didn’t claim to be saying so much.
The other half of this project begins with a spoken word introduction from Donald himself. Throughout this monologue, he explains his dream of running Atlanta, and what he’d do if he did. Firstly, I think Outkast and Killer Mike have that on lock. Secondly, we all wish Chik-Fil-A was open on Sundays but this intro seems extremely forced. While Kauai showcased Gambino sensitive pop-singer side, STN MTN projects his ‘harder’ side; the tape contains more rap than pop, and features Gambino’s wordplay-heavy, animated flow. Furthermore, STN MTN suffers from production that ranges from mildly interesting to downright awful. Themes of this tape include money, sex, and Atlanta struggle rap – a topic that does not sit well coming from a former Saturday Night Live writer. At times, this tape is almost unlistenable; on “Fucks Given,” Glover uses Juicy J-style flow on an unfinished beat. On “AssShots Remix,” He brags about banging a groupie and provides the worst guest verses of 2014 courtesy of his “ROYALTY” crew. Much of this money-chasing content is hard to swallow because Donald Glover already has money; what he seems to really want is acceptance in hip-hop. By conforming to these clichés, however, Gambino’s act feels like a sham rather than “real rap” Glover has a sense of urgency that seems unfounded, but he still manages to entertain with much of this project. Outside of Kauai, his best offering comes in the form of “You Don’t Have to Call,” which incorporates lush production and adopts his ‘sensitive guy’ persona for a verse much like his guest-spot on Jhene Aiko’s fantastic cut “Bed Peace.”
The biggest problem with this project is that it perfectly illustrates the two sides of Childish Gambino’s music; the animated wordplay of STN MTN and the sensitive singing of Kauai. This is only problematic because neither feels authentic. The real Donald Glover lies somewhere in between the two. Gambino’s request to be taken seriously is debunked by his cartoony flow and lines like “Semen on her stomach, that’s a second coming,” and the unforgivable “something crazy and Asian, Virginia Tech.” No matter how many times Childish 'earnestly' says he’s real, it never gets easier to believe. And despite being a confusing mish-mash of personalities, Gambino has once again managed to make a generally good mindless listen (in Kauai). Best practice for this tape is to take the advice of one of Gambino’s heroes: “don’t think about it too much.”
Best Tracks: “Sober,” “Pop Thieves,” “Poke,” and “You Don’t Have to Call”
For fans of: Drake, The Weeknd, Miguel, Big Sean
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