Glover, Jr was born at Edwards Air Force Base, California and raised in Stone Mountain, Georgia. His mother, Beverly (Smith, is a retired daycare provider, and his father, Donald, Sr, is a retired postal worker. His parents also served as DeKalb County foster parents for 14 years. He was raised a Jehovah's Witness. He was voted "Most Likely to Write for The Simpsons" in his High School yearbook. Glover, Jr graduated from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts with a degree in dramatic writing in 2006.
From 2006 to 2009, Glover, Jr was a writer for the NBC series 30 Rock where he also had occasional cameo appearances. He was presented the Writers Guild of America Award for Best Comedy Series at the February 2009 ceremony for his work on the third season. Glover, Jr's stage name, Childish Gambino, came from the Wu-Tang Clan's name generator. On June 5, 2008, he released an independent album, titled Sick Boi. Glover, Jr would then become a member of the sketch comedy group Derrick Comedy, along with Dominic Dierkes, Meggie McFadden, DC Pierson, and Dan Eckman. The group wrote and starred in a feature-length film, Mystery Team, released in theaters in 2009.
On September 17, 2009, Childish Gambino released the independent album Poindexter. A pair of mixtapes, titled I Am Just a Rapper and I Am Just A Rapper 2 were released, in close succession in 2010. Robert Scahill added his producing expertise helping with the majority of the tracks. The track listings for those mixtapes consist of the name of the song "he" raps, followed by the song he raps over. His second album, Culdesac, was set to be released on July 2, 2010, but a couple of last minute additions caused the album to be delayed for a day. The album was made available on July 3. Glover, Jr has stated in interviews that on Sick Boi and Poindexter he felt he had to hide behind gimmicks, such as pink hoodies, but with his subsequent projects, he has touched on more personal subject matter, including family, schoolyard bullying, troubled romantic relationships, suicidal thoughts and alcoholism. He has disowned his 2005 album, The Younger I Get, as the too-raw ramblings of what he calls a "decrepit."
Glover, Jr's stand-up special aired on Comedy Central on March 19, 2010. In May 2010, a fan suggested Glover, Jr for the role of Peter Parker in the then-upcoming The Amazing Spider-Man film, encouraging his supporters to retweet the hashtag "#donald4spiderman". The campaign, originally started to see how far social networking could carry a message, quickly gained a large following. The call for Glover to be allowed to audition for the role was supported by Spider-Man creator Stan Lee. Glover, Jr was not awarded an audition and the role instead went to Andrew Garfield. He would later reveal that he was never contacted by anyone from Sony Pictures for the role. Comics writer Brian Michael Bendis, who announced an African-American version of Spider-Man a year later, said he had conceived of the character before Glover, Jr's campaign went viral. Bendis gave credit to Glover for influencing the new hero's looks for Spider-man after seeing him dressed as Spider-Man on Community (a nod to the campaign), Bendis said, "I saw him in the costume and thought, 'I would like to read that book.'" Glover, Jr would later voice this incarnation of Spider-Man on the Ultimate Spider-Man animated series.
Glover, Jr received the Rising Comedy Star award at the Just for Laughs festival in July 2010. Glover, Jr was featured in Gap's 2010 Holiday ad campaign. He DJs and produces electronic music under the moniker "mcDJ" (pronounced "M-C-D-J"). His music is often made available for free download via his website.
On December 1, 2010, Glover, Jr released the first track off of his EP titled "Be Alone". He released the next track, "Freaks and Geeks", as well as a five-song track list, on February 11, 2011. On February 25, Glover, Jr released the dates for the IAMDONALD tour and also his very first music video for "Freaks and Geeks". The music video was shot by Dan Eckman, the director of the Derrick Comedy troupe. This song was later used in an Adidas commercial featuring Dwight Howard. On March 8, 2011 Glover, Jr released the EP via his official website.
On March 16, 2011, Glover, Jr hosted the mtvU Woodie Awards held live at South By Southwest. On March 24, 2011, Glover, Jr taped his one-hour comedy special Weirdo for Comedy Central; it aired on November 19.
Glover, Jr appeared at the 2011 Bonnaroo Music Festival on June 9 in the 'This Tent' as Childish Gambino and June 11 at 'The Comedy Theater' with Bill Bailey performing stand up. Comedy Central streamed the comedy live on their website.
On May 4, 2011, in an interview with TheHipHopUpdate, Gambino revealed that he was working on an LP, to be released in September. On July 25, 2011, Glover, Jr announced that his new album would be titled Camp. On October 8, during his Orlando, Florida concert, he announced Camp would be released on November 15, 2011. Glover, Jr worked with friend and film composer Ludwig Göransson on the debut album. On August 20, 2011, at the Los Angeles Rock The Bells concert, he gave an interview to AllHipHop.com, and he announced to the crowd that he had signed with Glassnote Records. On September 20, his first official single, "Bonfire", was released.
The IAMDONALD tour made 24 stops in 34 days, beginning with Ames, Iowa, on April 16, and finishing with Minneapolis on May 19. In between, this included stops at music venues in Las Vegas, Houston, Washington, and Atlanta. The tour was a one-man live show that consisted of rap, comedy, and video segments.
The Sign-Up Tour was Glover, Jr's next pre-album tour. He visited 11 cities over the course of 38 days in October and November 2011. Chidlish G made a website for the tour called Camp Gambino on November 19, four days after his album released. The tour featured special guest Danny Brown and made 20 stops during the course of 32 days along a dates in California in December. On March 14, 2012, several dates on the CAMP tour were postponed due to a fractured foot Childish suffered on March 10, while performing in Tampa, Florida. The tour began in Austin, Texas on April 5 and ended August 10 in Hollywood, California.
On January 11, 2012, Childish Gambino announced on his website that a new mixtape would be coming out soon. On April 2, he released a new song, "Eat Your Vegetables", through his website. On May 14, Funkmaster Flex premiered "Unnecessary," featuring Schoolboy Q. On May 16, Gambino released "We Ain't Them" through his website, produced by himself and frequent collaborator Ludwig. On May 22, Glover, Jr appeared on Das Racist's radio show "Chillin' Island" where he premiered a new song, "Tell Me," which featured Himanshu Suri, aka Heems from Das Racist. On May 26, Glover released "Black Faces", featuring Nipsey Hussle and produced by Boi-1da. On May 30, he released a third track, "Silk Pillow," featuring Beck and produced by both Glover, Jr and Beck. On June 25, he revealed that the mixtape was to be released on July 4, 2012. On June 26, Glover, Jr premiered another new track, on Sway in the Morning (on Shade 45), entitled "One Up," featuring his brother, Steve G. Lover. That same day, he stated that the mixtape would be titled Royalty despite previous statements that it would not be called that. On July 4, 2012, he released Royalty for free via digital download. On July 7, 2012, Gambino released the track, "Body," featuring Prodigy, which did not make the cut for the mixtape. On July 24, 2012, he released the music video for "Fire Fly" through his VEVO account on YouTube.
On August 21, 2012, BBC Radio 1 premiered Leona Lewis' new song, "Trouble" off her upcoming album Glassheart, which features Childish Gambino. The song was available for purchase via iTunes on October 7, and peaked at #7 on the UK Singles Chart the following week, making it his first UK top 10 single. On November 4, 2012 Ludwig Göransson said in an interview with Portable that he and Gambino were in his studio coming up with new ideas for the next album which was to be "bigger" and "with more people involved."
In 2013, Glover, Jr signed on to create a music-themed show for FX titled Atlanta in which he will star, write, and executive produce. Consequently, he decided to reduce his work for NBC, and only appears in the first five episodes of Community's 13-episode fifth season. Although many TV stations were interested in picking up his half-hour comedy, he ultimately picked FX due to their willingness to work around his touring schedule.
On October 6, 2013, he announced on Twitter that his second studio album was completed. He further announced this at Homecoming Week at Penn State University, stating “I got a new album coming out soon, so this is the last time we’re gonna play a lot of this shit.” On October 8, 2013, he announced its title as Because the Internet and revealed that it would be released in December 2013. On October 21, 2013, Glover, Jr released the first single "3005", and announced a release date for the album as December 10, 2013. On February 15, 2014, the rapper launched his Deep Web Tour in the UK. On February 27, Childish Gambino was scheduled to begin the United States portion of his tour with a gig at the Fox Theater in Oakland, California. On June 6, 2014, RIAA certified Heartbeat Gold - making it Glover's first certification, and then on July 18, 2014, RIAA also certified 3005 Gold, making it Glover's second certification.
On October 2, 2014, he released a new mixtape titled STN MTN, and the next day he released an EP titled Kauai. The mixtape and the EP follow the story that was last told in Because The Internet and are meant to be a joint project instead of separate projects.
On October 10, 2014, Ubisoft revealed that they had collaborated with Glover, Jr to incorporate his song, "Crawl" into Far Cry 4.
On December 5, 2014 Glover, Jr was nominated for two Grammy Awards. He was a contender for Best Rap Album for Because The Internet (Glassnote Records) and Best Rap Performance for his single, “3005.”
On March 21, 2015 Glover, Jr won an mtvU Woodies Award for Best Video Woodie for the song "Sober" from the Kauai EP.
As of February 2016, Because the Internet has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for shipping over 500,000 copies.
Glover's third album, Awaken, My Love!, spawned the single "Redbone", which peaked at number twelve on the Billboard Hot 100 and eventually earned him his first Grammy Award. In 2018, Glover released "This Is America", which debuted at number-one on the Hot 100, and won four Grammy Awards, including for Song and Record of the Year.[13] Glover's fourth album, 3.15.20, was released in 2020.[14]
I. The Crawl
Childish Gambino Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Betchya crawl, all alone
Where we were both kinda thing
Betchya crawl, all alone
Where we were both kinda thing
Betchya crawl, all alone
Who am I?
Y'all B-string like a broke guitar
And I still put it down like the family dog
Yeah. I murder some, I murder one
Explain it all, Ferguson
We ain't gotta sing the same old love song
Cut a white girl with the same black gloves on
Yeah what you saying to it?
Old money look no money don't do it
Nigga coming round in they lane like a Huey
And I'm only looking back if I'm looking at her booty
(At her Boooty)
What's the rationale?
They wanna smoke a niggas but they Black & Mild
So we acting out
Ok cool
Where we were both kinda thing
Betchya crawl, all alone
Where we were both kinda thing
Betchya crawl, all alone
Where we were both kinda thing
Betchya crawl, all alone
Where we were both kinda thing
Betchya crawl, all alone
Blue dream by the bouquet 'til I'm blue faced on a Tuesday
(Can I have some?)
#NiggasBeLike
Put a plus eighteen on that e-vite
And I said what I felt, no re-write
Nah nah, they can't hold me
June/July, drop something
I double dare you, I'm Marc Summers
I scorch winters, I burn autumns
Gut niggas, so Kurt Vonne
Elle Varner got a crush on him
I gotta wait in line for that
Ain't nobody got time for that
Ain't nobody gotta rhyme with that
Too true like 2 Chainz
Blue blood he both gangs
Where we were both kinda thing
Betchya crawl, all alone
Where we were both kinda thing
Betchya crawl, all alone
Where we were both kinda thing
Betchya crawl, all alone
The lyrics to Childish Gambino's song I. The Crawl are cryptic and open to interpretation. The repeated line "Where we were both kinda thing, betchya crawl, all alone" suggests a sense of isolation, perhaps in a relationship where both parties were not fully committed. Gambino questions his identity in the rap with "Who am I?" and asserts that he is not in it for the money, comparing himself to a Rec League player who is not paid to play. He calls out others who are "B-string" like a "broke guitar" and seems to revel in his ability to still "put it down" despite the odds against him.
Gambino alludes to the Black Lives Matter movement in the line "Explain it all, Ferguson" and addresses the prevalence of clichéd love songs in music. He also broaches the subject of racial stereotypes and violence with the line "They wanna smoke a niggas but they Black & Mild." He seems both frustrated and dismissive of these issues, noting that "Ok cool" is his way of brushing them off.
In the latter half of the rap, Gambino touches on his own success in the music industry and acknowledges the difficulty of navigating relationships. He references Kurt Vonnegut, an American writer known for his satirical and anti-war novels, in the line "Gut n****s, so Kurt Vonne." And, as always, he manages to infuse humor and quirkiness with references to the game show Double Dare, singer Elle Varner, and rapper 2 Chainz.
Line by Line Meaning
Where we were both kinda thing
A reminiscence of past memories of being together.
Betchya crawl, all alone
Feeling vulnerable and isolated, crawling as a way of moving forward.
Who am I?
Questioning his identity, place in society and his significant impact.
Rec League, I ain't paid to ball
He is not on the same level as others and doesn’t get the same pay or recognition.
Y'all B-string like a broke guitar
Others just aren’t cutting it and are falling short like a broken instrument.
And I still put it down like the family dog
He is still able to produce good work despite the lack of recognition or opportunities.
Yeah. I murder some, I murder one
Domination and destruction of adversaries and competition.
Explain it all, Ferguson
Challenging the systemic racism and police brutality experienced by black people in America, particularly in Ferguson.
We ain't gotta sing the same old love song
Breaking from traditional societal and cultural norms and expressing individuality.
Cut a white girl with the same black gloves on
Suggests hidden racism that exists even when it is not clearly visible.
Yeah what you saying to it?
Challenging people’s views and opinions in order to seek clarity and understanding.
Old money look no money don't do it
Having wealth is not the same as having class or respect, and the lack of the latter is evident.
Nigga coming round in they lane like a Huey
People who do not belong in a particular area or space coming in and causing disruption and chaos.
And I'm only looking back if I'm looking at her booty
Trying to move forward, but still getting distracted by certain things.
(At her Boooty)
An emphasis on how the booty serves as a distraction.
What's the rationale?
Questioning the reasoning and justification behind certain actions or ways of thinking.
They wanna smoke a niggas but they Black & Mild
People making false claims about smoking, when they are not truly about it.
So we acting out
Reacting and responding to the situation at hand.
Blue dream by the bouquet 'til I'm blue faced on a Tuesday
Using blue dream marijuana until he is overwhelmed and unable to properly function.
(Can I have some?)
An inquiry about getting access to marijuana and seeking assistance from others.
#NiggasBeLike
A mocking of how black people are often viewed and stereotyped by others.
Put a plus eighteen on that e-vite
Intimidation and threats towards others, suggesting that things could escalate quickly.
And I said what I felt, no re-write
Expressing himself truthfully and not holding back.
Nah nah, they can't hold me
Determined not to be held back or restrained from achieving his goals.
June/July, drop something
Planning to release something new or different in the upcoming months.
I double dare you, I'm Marc Summers
Challenging others to take him on and proving that he is not to be underestimated.
I scorch winters, I burn autumns
Bringing about change and disruption in every season, causing a noticeable impact on everything around him.
Gut niggas, so Kurt Vonne
Leaving people feeling empty, hollow, and disturbed when he is able to connect with them on a deeper level.
Elle Varner got a crush on him
Suggests that he has a strong hold on attractive women and has won their attention and affection.
I gotta wait in line for that
Despite having won attention and affection, he still recognizes that he must wait his turn and cannot get everything immediately.
Ain't nobody got time for that
Acknowledgment that time is limited and there is not always enough of it to do everything desired.
Ain't nobody gotta rhyme with that
An expression of individuality and freedom to not conform or fit into society’s norms and standards.
Too true like 2 Chainz
Being genuine and authentic like 2 Chainz, rather than fake or forced.
Blue blood he both gangs
From aristocratic or elite ancestry, but able to associate and connect equally with people from all backgrounds and walks of life.
Where we were both kinda thing
Continuation of the theme of reflecting on past memories of being together.
Betchya crawl, all alone
Feeling isolated and vulnerable, and struggling to move forward on his own.
Contributed by Lily C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Vishwanath Ji
on This Is America
http://goo.gl/opiYbg
http://goo.gl/SXFJ1X
http://goo.gl/Ja4XGG
http://goo.gl/UoXDri
http://goo.gl/bgLrfs
http://goo.gl/kJQTxi
http://goo.gl/2YLBYN