Photo from Wikipedia
Words by: Brittany Landau
Because the Internet is the second studio album released by hip hop recording artist Childish
Gambino. If you’re a fan of NBC’s Community or Comedy Central stand-up, you may know him
as Donald Glover. The album was released by Glassnote Records and Island Records on
December 6, 2013 and features guest vocals by the likes of Chance the Rapper, Jhene Aiko,
Azealia Banks, Miguel, and Problem. Alongside the album, Gambino released a short film titled
Clapping for the Wrong Reasons and a 72-page screenplay that shares a name with the album
which, essentially, makes a story out of the songs. The album received a Grammy nomination
for Best Rap Album and as of December 2014, has sold 377,000 copies in the United States.
It’s a good album to listen to on long drives and in true Gambino fashion, there’s a different song
or lyric for every mood.
The Library (Intro): It’s just a four second intro. Nothing special.
I. Crawl: A single off the album, Crawl also happens to be a personal favorite of mine. It
opens with samples from horror films and features vocals from Kai and Mystique. In
keeping with true Gambino style, he references Internet memes such as “hashtag” and
“ain’t nobody got time for that.” It has a really cool beat that’s easy to listen to and lyrics
that aren’t too fast, so you can keep up with them.
II. Worldstar: This is probably my favorite song on the album. There’s just something
about this song that makes me really happy and I love the whole “freestyle rap battle
with your friends” feel of it.
Dial Up: Like the intro, it’s nothing special. It’s just a transition.
I. The Worst Guys (featuring Chance the Rapper): It makes a reference to Tia and
Tamera. What’s not to love? While it’s not one of my favorites, it goes along with the
easy going feel of the rest of the album. Plus, the video is really fun to watch.
II. Shadows: My favorite lyric on the album is “Tuesday afternoon, I ain’t got shit to do
but fall in love with you.” That lyric comes from this song. It’s soft, easy to listen to, and
full of a lot of the elements that made me fall in love with Childish Gambino in the first
place.
III. Telegraph Ave. (“Oakland by Lloyd”): Starting with the typical sound of a car radio
starting up and a drive in the rain, the beginning is relatable to everyone. It’s meant to
make the song sound like it’s playing on the car radio, which gives it a very cool vibe.
Slower than the first songs, it could make any driving or rainy day playlist. It gets faster
around the two minute mark, but is still very nice and transitions well into Sweatpants.
IV. Sweatpants: The second single from the album gives fans a taste of the classic
Gambino sound. His first album, Camp, is about proving the haters wrong and this song
brings us back to that theme. It’s just a fun song about being himself. Though I’ve heard
mixed reviews about the music video, I personally love all of Gambino’s videos and this
one is no different.
V. 3005: The first single released from BTI, it’s no wonder that 3005 is the favorite
among Gambino enthusiasts. While many describe it as a love song, Gambino himself
describes it as a song about not wanting to be alone and wanting a purpose: protecting
someone else. Here’s a little 3005 fun fact for you: Gambino wrote the song in the early
morning, as he does with all the songs he considers to be his best.
Playing Around Before the Party Starts: Another transition song. It’s kind of cute - you
can hear people talking in the background with piano in the spotlight.
I. The Party: It starts where track 10 leaves off, with people talking to make you know
there’s a party going on. Then it’s a short song about alcohol, drugs, sex - the usual
rapper lifestyle. Gambino comes in for 30 seconds at the end with a comical ending you
can’t miss.
II. No Exit: This is another one of my favorites. It starts off as kind of upbeat with dark
lyrics and turns into a dark beat with dark lyrics. It sounds like Gambino is having a crazy
dream or hallucinating. I would definitely recommend downloading it.
Death By Numbers: A trippy 70s kind of song that only lasts 44 seconds.
I. Flight of the Navigator: When I first heard this song, I loved the beginning rhythm.
Though the voice effects are weird, I ignored it for the rhythm. Those voices don’t stop
until 1:38 when Gambino actually sings. I swear, he’s so talented. Aside from the effects
at the beginning, the song is really good and I think anyone would enjoy it.
II. Zealots of Stockholm (Free Information): The beginning is another trippy feeling
rhythm until the vocals begin at 1:24. The lyrics are about finding a young girl and trying
to take her home. Then Kilo Kish comes in with “is it real ‘cause you’re online?” before
the song jumps to a viral video of an overweight woman calling herself a freaky bitch.
Then Gambino comes back in and truly like Gambino, things get deep. He touches on
gay marriage and murder. Overall, the song is good. Not the best, but really worth a
listen.
III. Urn: It sounds like an old R&B song. It’s truly beautiful and great to listen to in any
situation. Definitely worth a download.
I. Pink Toes (featuring Jhene Aiko): I may be biased because I love Jhene Aiko, but this
is definitely a favorite of mine. It also has a Star Wars reference which really captured
my heart. While it doesn’t seem like a love song, it’s a song about how he’s trying to
provide for his girl and how she’ll never leave him anyway. Two amazing people in one
song? Really, what could be better?
II. Earth: The Oldest Computer (The Last Night) (featuring Azealia Banks): The starting
beat is straight off a 80s girl power track, then gets transformed to a modern version. It’s
just a well put together song that’s fun and upbeat.
III. Life: The Biggest Troll (Andrew Auernheimer): My second favorite lyrics of the album
appear here with, “We are the dreams of our parents lost in the future” and “I mean
where's the line between Donnie G and Gambino?” It’s another song that portrays a
common theme throughout the album: losing and finding himself. It sounds an awful lot
like 3005, so if you enjoy that one, you’ll definitely enjoy this one.
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