By Amanda Evans ’15

Childish Gambino, more popularly known as Donald Glover, proves that rap can be sophisticated while maintaining its raunchy roots. Gambino, who stars in the critically acclaimed television show “Community,” made a splash when he jumped into the rap game in 2011. His second album “Because of Internet” was released December 10 and is projected to sell between 80,000 and 90,000 copies by the end of its first week of release. Numbers as high as this can be expected with Childish Gambino’s unique and appealing style.

On Gambino’s newest album he demonstrates his masterful way of pushing the rap genre to its breaking point. Several songs on Gambino’s album include harmonious violin, saxophone, flute and other musical instruments which gives his tunes a unique sound. The implementation of such jazz-like melodies into his songs creates a genre fusion of rap and smooth jazz which makes the album simply addictive.

Although it is clear Gambino can brag about money, sexual exploits and drugs as well as any other rapper can, most of his lyrics focus on Gambino pondering love, religion and life itself. Deeper lyrics can be found in songs like “Zealots of Stockholm,” as Gambino says, “Lost god never pray, forgotten us, Lost love, never say just like our parents, Too much power ain’t enough power.”

Gambino also raps about the struggles of balancing his new success with relationships which makes for very relatable lyrics. Anyone who has felt love slip from their grasp can relate with Gambino when he says, “I took off my 9-5, but you still don’t have time to kiss me? Just hit me … And if I left you all alone, would you still pick up the phone? It’s iffy … you miss me?” in his song “Telegraph Ave.”

Most of Gambino’s songs have a slower tempo matched with strong beats to provide each song with an intricate layered musical texture. He uses the slower rhythm to highlight the lyrics in his songs as opposed to faster rap songs in which lyrics often are lost in the cloud of heavy beats.

Gambino’s witty dialogue and raunchy humor makes his newest album a great thing to listen to alone or with friends. However, most of his songs do include vulgar language and references to sex and drugs. For this reason it would probably be wise to avoid listening to this album with parents or other figures who might find this type of music vulgar.

Things look promising for Childish Gambino with the release of “Because of Internet”currently number five on ITunes US Top Album Downloads. Fantastic rapper, accomplished actor, worldwide comedian, can Childish Gambino’s success be stopped? If he can continue to produce albums as immediately popular as this one, probably not.