This would be an understatement to say that I am not fan of rap music, especially when we see what rap has become in recent years. When I heard about Childish Gambino, hip-hop alter ego comedian/actor Donald Glover, and become a fan of his work on the television show "the community", I decided to give it a try, although I don't expect much. Boy, was I wrong. Childish releases debut Gambino "Camp" not only can rap/hip-hop's first album that I really enjoy each track on, but also one that I've come back again and again and again. It's got a certain quality to it that shines even when it relies too much on clich pop
"Camp" is somewhat of a concept album loosely based around the summer romance in the camp. There's a song called "Bonfire", "Letter Home" and "the Backpackers," and the spoken word rather long ended late in the story concludes the album's last song "The Power", but this is hardly the album benefit from listening to songs in the order.
The Album opens with, "Once a dream every night, now that I never dreamed at all/hope that cause I live everything I want/use to wake up in bed between her mother and aunt/play with the land before time 's Pizza Hut toys." It sets the tone for the majority of the album, deal with Glover's's childhood and how he grew up, helped set the stage for the Groove summer camps which displays the whole album.
Not all songs related to childhood, though. One of the best songs on the album, "Fire fly," with regards to her sudden rise to fame. "I used to get more laughs when I got to laugh at" and "I know Donald Glover, he is human, he is weak," he raps campy in its first paragraph. In the "bonfire," he jokes, "Man in black why would any actor has to rap a few? /I don't know, all the best I know I'm one. " He may be on to something here. Maybe it's a comedy background, but Glover brings a sense of humor and sarcasm to the song's lyrics, even admitted in "All the shine," "I know it's stupid, it's a f ***ing reasons I do it."
To offset the higher moments of funny on the album, there are a few moments on the album emotional trigger. Heart-in-arms "Heartbeat" is not only one of the best examples of emotional range Glover's album, but also is one of the catchiest songs on the album. There are several moments where emotions get a bit heavy handed, though. The not-even-two minute "Letter Home" sounds more like a bad Disney song performances of anything, but at least it is the shortest track on the album.
