Backpackers
Childish Gambino Lyrics

Alright it's Childish baby, Mr. Talk About His Dick Again
The singer introduces himself as Childish Gambino, acknowledging the criticisms of him always mentioning his penis in his songs.

Nerdy ass black kid, whatever man, I'm sick of him
The singer is tired of being seen as just a nerdy and uncool black kid.

That well spoken token, who ain't been heard
The singer is often seen as the token black person in spaces and is not always given the opportunity to express themselves.

The only white rapper who's allowed to say the N-word
The artist is highlighting the privilege that comes with being a white rapper who is allowed to say the n-word, which is denied to black people.

I buy a bunch of 'em and put it on my black card
The artist is using their credit card to buy expensive items to gain street cred.

Now I got some street cred, use it 'till it's maxed out
The singer gains some legitimacy in the streets after buying expensive items.

I got a girl on my arm dude, show respect
The singer is showing off their attractive partner and wants to be treated with respect.

Something crazy and Asian, Virginia Tech
The artist uses a racial stereotype to describe their partner and references the tragic shooting that happened at Virginia Tech.

She too fine, I do dimes
The artist is claiming to be with a very attractive partner.

If not that I'm walking out with two fives
If the artist can't get a dime, they'll settle for two fives.

Change my ID for the cops, it's not enough yet
The singer feels like they have to go above and beyond to avoid being wrongly targeted by the police.

Black male in short shorts, I'm double suspect
The artist feels like they are double suspect for being a black male that wears short shorts.

Ballin' since '83, half of 'em say gay
People have been calling the singer gay since 1983, but they continue to succeed.

Maybe that's the reason I like Lady What-baby's-say
The singer speculates that their perceived sexuality might be why they are drawn to female musicians.

I'm a problem, I'm lame as fuck homie
The singer is acknowledging that they are controversial and not well-liked, but they don't care.

But I rap like these niggas ain't got shit on me
The artist believes that they are a better rapper than their peers.

Fuck the cool kids, not Chuck Inglish
The artist doesn't care about being part of the cool crowd, but they do appreciate Chuck Inglish's work.

But people who think that hatin' on me makes them distinguished
The singer feels like some people hate on them just to feel superior.

Like, "What is this nigga doin', rap is for real blacks
The singer is mocking people who question their place in rap and say that it's only for "real blacks".

I hate that fucking faggot, man he think that we feel that?"
The artist is speculating that people hate on them because of their perceived sexuality.

Or "I wrote on rape culture my junior year at Brown
The artist is mocking people who try to invalidate their work by bringing up their college education.

So I'm allowed to say what all his raps are about"
The artist is pointing out the hypocrisy of people who want to censor or criticize their lyrics.

You better shut your mouth before I fuck it
The singer is threatening to harm people who talk negatively about them.

You really hate my lyrics now, or Kid Cudi's? Nigga
The artist is suggesting that the people who hate on them also hate on Kid Cudi.

Runnin' this thang, money insane
The singer is bragging about their current success and financial status.

Busy getting brain like Krang
The singer boasts about their sexual activity.

What, what's my name in the woods got these niggas usin' Mapquest
The singer is so successful that people are having trouble finding them.

Man, fuck these backpackers
The artist is expressing their disdain for backpacker rap and the people who listen to it.

Niggas with OCD, N-W-O
The artist is using the acronyms OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) and NWO (New World Order) to describe the people who hate on them.

All white like my clothes CW shows
The singer is mocking the people who hate on them for being too "white".

Nigga got signed, it's an anomaly
The singer believes that their success is unusual and unexpected.

No cosine, trigonometry
The artist is referencing mathematical concepts to suggest that their success is not based on complicated formulas or calculations.

They real black like won't show up on your camera phone
The artist is suggesting that the people who criticize them are not "real black," whatever that means.

They real black like turn the flash on your camera on
The artist is continuing to mock the people who criticize them, suggesting that they are not truly black.

They real black take shit, turn it into gold
The singer is sarcastically suggesting that the people who hate on them have the ability to turn any situation into a successful one.

I'm real black, I survive when the pressure on
The artist is claiming to be very resilient and able to handle pressure.

Upper echelon, bit my lip when I'm kissin' her
The singer is part of the upper class and is hooking up with someone.

Clash of the titans, baby your tits is titular
The singer is using a play on words to reference breasts and express their sexual desire.

Listenin' to some Kiss FM, she wanna hear Nicki Minaj
The singer and their partner are listening to the radio and the partner requests a Nicki Minaj song.

Super Bass, super face inside a garage
The artist is continuing to make crude sexual references and boasts about their sexual prowess.

It's not a massage, spa rap with a happy ending
The artist is referencing the phrase "happy ending" and is suggesting that their music is not just comforting, but has a rewarding outcome.

Old niggas wanna assassinate me
The singer is receiving criticism from older people who might not understand their music.

It's a shame, these kids was supposed to save rap
The singer is criticizing the current state of rap music and is disappointed in the younger generation.

Fuck that, boat shoes and a wave cap
The artist is rejecting the idea of conforming to a certain style or image.

"He don't give back," how the fuck can niggas say that?
The artist is questioning the legitimacy of people who criticize them for not giving back.

Summer in November I gave everyone a Maybach
The artist is suggesting that they give back to their community by providing them with luxury cars.

Comin' on that paint back, comin' on that mace took
The singer continues to use crude sexual references.

I'm comin' on some real shit, I'm comin' on her Facebook
The artist is asserting that they are being real and authentic, even though they continue to make crass comments.

Fuck a backpacker with a rhino's dick
The singer is continuing to express their disgust for backpacker rap.

I do me like a gyno chick, uh
The singer is comparing themselves to a gynecologist, suggesting that they take care of their own needs first.