Childish Gambino is one of Hip Hop’s most elusive figures. The 38-year-old multi-hyphenate — known in Hollywood by his government name Donald Glover — has etched out a formidable lane for himself in music, on top of building a successful career in television and film.
During a unique conversation for Interview Magazine where Childish Gambino interviewed himself, the rapper looked back on two of his early projects, Camp and Because the Internet, and claimed the latter has held up better than most would like to admit.
Reflecting on his 2011 debut project Camp, he admitted, “I like parts of that album, and I learned so much. Mostly that concept doesn’t outshine content. But when they’re in equilibrium, it’s extremely potent. I don’t think I was clear on that album, and the songs weren’t catchy enough for me. Made it feel like novelty.”
Despite the mixed reviews to Camp, Gambino believes the album laid the groundwork for Because the Internet, which he compared to Radiohead’s critically-adored 1997 album OK Computer — the precursor to the band’s envelope-pushing Kid A.
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“But it allowed me to make Because the Internet, which I think has proven itself to be a classic,” he continued. “It’s the rap OK Computer. It’s prescient in tone and subject matter and it’s extremely influential. And I know no one’s gonna give me that until I’m dead. But it’s true.”
Because the Internet gave Childish Gambino his first top 10 Billboard 200 album when it debuted at No. 7 and spawned the platinum-certified hit “3005.” The project would go on to put Bino on a bigger platform and open the door for more opportunities for him.
Donald Glover has released two albums since Because the Internet — 2016’s “Awaken, My Love!” and 2020’s 3.15.20 — and it appears another might be on the way. During a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the Atlanta mastermind revealed he’s currently “making a lot of music.”
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Donald Glover Gives Update On New Childish Gambino Album: 'I'm Making A Lot Of Music'
Elsewhere in his Interview Magazine feature, Glover revealed he’s been busy with his various creative ventures lately. On the music side, he said he’s “been rapping a lot,” “producing” and “doing features.”
In the TV and film space, he’s putting the finishing touches on his new Amazon series Mr. & Mrs. Smith, in addition to working on an unnamed project with Dominique Fishback (Judas and the Black Messiah), Damson Idris (Snowfall) and Chloe Bailey.
