Need to keep this 5 track thing going...

Like the scheme behind this one:



Taken a shine to this track:

 

May or may not have rocked this before... Paul Barman is sick:



The Alchemists...:



Obligatory Primo:

https://www.mixcloud.com/Krafty_Kuts/krafty-kuts-golden-era-hip-hop-medley/

NEW ROYCE ALBUM ALERT.

First listen says it's stronger than pryme 2 and layers.

His usual amazing bars, but so far highlight is track called cocaine.

Also, em line on catapillar "my shit is real like I pooped Jerusalem." in the middle of some other fire. Amazing.

Book of Ryan is phenomenal. Explain that Em line to me, Face.

Got it

That is utterly electric and brilliant.

Have watched the video now. Utterly brilliant, shocking and clever.

The video is well produced but I can't help but feel like if you take the 2 scenes out where he shoots the dude and the choir that the video doesn't seem to have much in it that would make people spaff all over this but not any other well produced video. I'mho and all that. Even those two scenes are so on the nose in the context of the song that their inclusion doesn't seem like a super creative move anyway.

Song is well produced but the stark clash in tone without the video behind it is whack in isolation as an audio only thing imho ymmv etc etc. Unless Gambino about to try come round and tell me this an art piece not a straight up music video.

Roujin wrote:

The video is well produced but I can't help but feel like if you take the 2 scenes out where he shoots the dude and the choir that the video doesn't seem to have much in it that would make people spaff all over this but not any other well produced video. I'mho and all that. Even those two scenes are so on the nose in the context of the song that their inclusion doesn't seem like a super creative move anyway. Song is well produced but the stark clash in tone without the video behind it is whack in isolation as an audio only thing imho ymmv etc etc. Unless Gambino about to try come round and tell me this an art piece not a straight up music video.

I dare say the audio is supposed to be really low key and repeating of words as it's his reflection of what hip-hop/rap is in the mainstream; just pointless words with a heavy beat. And then it goes hand in hand with the video as it doesn't matter what is happening to black people in America, just focus on the funky dancing black man in front of you instead.

Things like the gun being given better treatment by being wrapped in a silk cloth and carried away, than the black guy killer who is unceremoniously just dragged off is fantastically portrayed. There is a lot to unpack in the video by someone more intelligent than I.

MattyJ wrote:

I dare say the audio is supposed to be really low key and repeating of words as it's his reflection of what hip-hop/rap is in the mainstream; just pointless words with a heavy beat.

Yep. That's where I think this one is going. Go on to Rap Genius, and a lot of people think it's facing out to the state, and police racism... It partially is, but part of me thinks it's a cultural introspective...

I mean, it's not Gambino's usual sound for a start... Trap choruses and shit...
He's mocking that vibe.

Disclaimer - Not his biggest fan, but I'll give any rapper who doesn't focus on guns, drugs and fashion a chance.

There's a lot of reference in the video that add up to more than the two "shock" scenes I think. All or most of the dances are either from vines or popular trap/rap/hip hop songs, the face he pulls at the start is apparently a reference to a Black character who believes he's white from The Boondocks? His trousers are meant to be confederate soldier wear, the main guy in the choir is supposed to (and does) look like Jordan Peele... I think when it's all added up it definitely feels coherent and well thought out. Having watched it multiple times I think the more disconcerting parts are his swings between dissatisfaction and minstrel behaviour that's getting to the core of issues he might have with black entertainers in modern day America. The way he shifts between all sorts of dances and aggressive stances and walking really disconcerts me, it's definitely saying something the way America is happy to treat folk like Kanye as one of the best modern artists but still have huge issues with the way it treats black people. 

Having listened to the track whilst doing other stuff, I think it's really good too apart from the pause for him lighting a joint, which is something I can't really criticise as it's by no means unique to this video. So for me, it totally works as separate and combined pieces. I think it's real clever.

I dunno man, I imagine you know way more about this stuff, these are just my reckons plus what I've read others state.

Luckily Ira Madison is here to talk about it too

https://www.thedailybeast.com/how-childish-gambinos-this-is-america-indicts-and-challenges-its-audience

Nina wrote:

Here's a Twitter thread that's interesting too. Shows still frames and explains what's going on.

Thread

Yeah, that’s a good read. There’s a lot going on in that vid - like others I’m really pleased to hear hip hop with actual content that isn’t just about drugs, guns and sex so this hits all my buttons.

Moot_Geeza wrote:

Flatbush Zombies track was v.good, would've liked to have headphones on for this one, but I'm plugged into a couple of those mini speakers instead.  "I smell I smell pussy!" is probably always going to make me laugh.

Key thing about that track, is that the every line in every verse is a tribute to 90's rap.

Moot_Geeza wrote:

Will definitely check out more Paul Barman, enjoyed that one.  Any tips on full albums?

Any Paul Barman album is worth a spin. And you're in luck...
He's just dropped a new one. Echo Chamber. It's hard to find snippets on Youtube though, so if you kop it, a review would be nice...

In the meantime though Thought Balloon Mushroom Cloud... As conceptual, underground rap goes, it's a stand out. And some of the cameos are welcome surprises. It gives you a sense of the respect Barman has amongst rappers themselves, though not in the mainstream.

He's a contemporary of Eminem, and arguably much, much more talented, but image is everything...

It's also ironic how Eminem calls on Master Ace as his main idol, but MC Paul Barman and Ace were essentially mates for years...

You'll get plenty of mileage out of that album too, once you hear a line or two, and run through Rap Genius with it...