Donald Glover considers himself the modern day Tupac, according to a new interview with Esquire. Ahead of his next music project, roles in two blockbuster films and the premiere of Atlanta‘s second season, Childish Gambino sat down with Esquire to discuss everything from his creative process to the presidential election and fatherhood.
Toward the end of the interview, after being asked how he views himself, the versatile artist boldly answered, “Do you think Tupac was like, ‘I know exactly who I am?”
Glover knows the Tupac comparison is a common one but still made it anyway.
“I know everybody likens themselves to Tupac a lot,” he noted. “I am the new Tupac in a strange way.”
He elaborated on his eyebrow-raising statement, saying the comparison is more based on their upbringing and creative process.
“I grew up similar,” he explained. “I didn’t have a mom in the Black Panthers, but my parents were very pro-Black. Also, my mom made me go to performing arts high school … Storytelling is just simplifying what’s happening to you. Life is just a story. Stuff that happens to you, you just put into story mode.”
Read Glover’s entire interview with Esquire here.
2Pac is overrated. I can’t see why everybody wanna be like him so bad. Don’t get me wrong. I didn’t say 2Pac was a bad rapper. He had meaningful lyrics and was carrying a message. But it doesn’t make him the greatest rapper or one of the greatest of all time. If I have to rate him among all the rappers, I would say he’s an average rapper. As far as I’m concern Nas, Scarface, Ice Cube, Ghostface Killah and Raekwon are better artistically speaking. All this personality cult around 2Pac is just beyond me. It’s when some mothafucka calls himself “black jesus” that you understand how much he had an overinflated ego.
Realest shit I’ve read on this site.
You’re confusing emcee and rapper. Tupac’s not known to be a lyrical rapper. He’s more of an influence, and judging by the activity of his short life, it’s hard to argue against it.
True. He was arguably the most vocal on social issues where as other rappers just rapped about it
He’s overrated to you not to millions other and Tupac was not a rapper, he was a motivational, inspirational, prolific, poetic, spiritual artist. Tupac wanted to reach the people through his music and was not trying to be the best rapper which he has admitted. Just because you don’t see the passion of his existence that is still being a factor in this world doesn’t mean you should downplay him.
The internet makes people feel
Free to say dumb shit
Ever since they told him he couldn’t be Miles Morals, he hasn’t been the same.
I can kinda see it except for the activism and street elements. he is a good rapper and actor and he did go to a school for the arts.
HE WENT FROM A LOW BUDGET LUPE FIASCO TO A LOW BUDGET D’ANGELO. NOW HE’S A POWER RANGER OR SOME SHIT. HE’S THE NEW MARKY MARK.
Man dx rides this guys dick so much… he’s an average actor n even more of an average rapper…..
Never listened to his music or watched his movies.
Watch Juice
Im talkin bout Glover. Ive seen and heard near everything from Pac.
Watch Notorious
Not sure about the Tupac thing I don’t see many on the level of a Tupac today ,Its more easy to find yourself and be yourself you get more respect that way
Desperate cry for attention.
Yeah, I’m sure the guy that’s getting grammy nods, winning emmys, and has a staring role in the expected biggest movie of the year is just so desperate for ‘likes’ he says things just for the attention…
I can kinda see what he’s saying about the upbringing but I don’t think anyone should liken themselves to Tupac