When American artiste Childish Gambino premiered his video for ‘This is America’, it unsettled and overwhelmed the world. No one expected Gambino to pull out a handgun from the back of his trousers (after that rather eyebrow-raising dance) and fire a bullet into the head of a hooded man, who before the camera panned out from him had been strumming a guitar. That scene, shocking as it is, was the first of many to come.
So strong an impression was Childish Gambino’s video on the world that artistes all over did covers of the song, even our very own rapper Falz The Bahd Guy, whose version, was banned by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for its “vulgar” lyrics.
Childish Gambino is back to titillate the world, this time with an animated video for his single ‘Feels Like Summer’.
‘Feels Like Summer’ is off a surprise two-track EP titled Summer Pack released in July 2018. ‘Feels Like Summer’ is a mellow RnB/neo-soul jam that carries within it the pacing of a leisurely drive-by down palm trees-lined and sunbathed roads. It is a complete contrast to the hard-hitting thumps of ‘This is America’ but equally provides a satisfying listen.
In the video, Childish Gambino is leisurely walking through a neighbourhood which, surprisingly, is brimming with superstars in the world of hip-hop and music in general. Artistes whose animated versions feature in the video are Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Kanye West, Migos, Drake, Beyonce, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Kid Cudi, Jay-Z, etc.
Already the video has generated so much talking points, with reviewers analysing the video and the actions of its characters and asking why so-and-so were omitted.
One of the scenes that stand out is the one wherein a weeping and MAGA hat-wearing Kanye West gets a comforting hug from former US First Lady Michelle Obama. Many have inferred that this is a repentant Kanye being welcomed back into the US black community.
Another scene that stood out is the one featuring Nicki Minaj and Travis Scott.
In it, Travis and Nicki are before a stack of bricks, which Travis destroys to the annoyance of Nicki. Such aptness. On August 19, Nicki came on Twitter to make unfounded claims as to why Travis’s album Astroworld topped hers, Queen, on the Billboard 200 Albums chart. She has even gone on to tell how she wanted to punch him in the face after the figures came out.
There are more talking points. Go and see for yourself. You might also reach your own conclusions.
Watch video below: