Have you seen this? Childish Gambino - This Is America (Video)

[2MuchMark]

This is freakin great.

Watch the whole thing if you can.

[xClips Jim]

He has talent coming out the wazoo. Very creative guy.

[bronco67]

I'll say he's smart and creative, but nothing he does musically is working for me. His TV show is great, at least from the few episodes I've seen.

[HairyChick]

I'd swear this was posted here last year. He wasn't identified as the singer but the videographer was credited. I didn't watch it now but if I remember (and I have amnesia) the video depicts America from a black, then white, perspective.

[2MuchMark]

Originally Posted by bronco67

I'll say he's smart and creative, but nothing he does musically is working for me. His TV show is great, at least from the few episodes I've seen.

I had never heard of him before SNL this weekend. Love this video.

[Bladewire]

His name is a total turnoff.

If you're a man that wants to be taken seriously, don't have "childish" in your stage name. It's like Gay old men on Grindr with "boy" in their name

The video was way too long, like an awards show, and seemed obnoxious. He dances very Gay. Has he come out yet? I lived the dznving, just way too much "message" in it, took away from the fun of the dance.

Sorry but the artists name and obnoxious video are total tufnoffs. He sucked on SNL too, had to flip it off after the first couple skits. Bummer

[Axeman]

Donald Glover is very good, and Atlanta is excellent. Mostly. However the real star for me is the director Hiro Murai. He did this video, Atlanta and a couple of the best episodes of Barry this year. He is a star. Can't wait to see if he branches out from TV into film.

[dyna mo]

sure, it's art. So we're obligated to share our response to it.

take the gratuitous violence out of it and that clip never goes viral. It's very mediocre music and theme, shot well, sure.

Most importantly, there's no real message there. or statement in the lyrics. It doesn't provoke any real feeling in me. very meh.

[Paul&John]

Its pretty catchy dunno why.. saw it a few days ago then it started to pop up everywhere lol

[bronco67]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

sure, it's art. So we're obligated to share our response to it.

take the gratuitous violence out of it and that clip never goes viral. It's very mediocre music and theme, shot well, sure.

Most importantly, there's no real message there. or statement in the lyrics. It doesn't provoke any real feeling in me. very meh.

That's what I was thinking. Take away the crazy video and we're left with....

a mediocre song.

[2MuchMark]

Originally Posted by Bladewire

He dances very Gay. ... took away from the fun of the dance.

Originally Posted by dyna mo

take the gratuitous violence out of it and that clip never goes viral....Most importantly, there's no real message there. .

Holy Cow! It's interesting how people see different things, or see things differently. I am completely fascinated by this video. I keep re watching it and every time I notice something new.

What made me pay more attention to it was the white horse at 2:36. That made me thing that shit... why would the director put that there?

And then it hit me just like that. The bible describes a white horse ridden by death. Ah ha! Clever symbolism. I forgot the quote but its something like "And hell rides with him". So I decided to watch the video a few more times...

..and I noticed that the director of this video seemed to "layer" the action. Gambino is up front, while the kids are dancing and smiling behind him, while all hell is breaking lose behind them. Why do it like this? Is the suggestion that people ignoring the violence (or turning their backs, or ignoring it) and dancing anyway? Or are people adapting to the violence and dancing anyway? It's a weird detail.

The first victim is shot like he's nothing at 0:52, then the gun used is placed gently in a red cloth at 0:55. It looks like the gun has more value than human lives. (WOW!). The victim is then dragged away at 0:58. Are guns treated better than victims? (Double-wow!)

I also notice that the victim starts of first with his face visible, playing the guitar. When you see him get shot, the guitar is gone and his head is covered in a cloth. Is this to dehumanize him? To take away what makes him a person? Is that how all victims are treated?

At 2:28 the camera pans by a few people on their cellphones recording everything, but their faces are hidden with masks. Are they supposed to be... us? Are we just watching this stuff, recording and posting on facebook for likes? And not doing anything to stop it?

Finally, Gambino's facial expressions are interesting. I don't know why but it reminds me of how black people used to be portrayed in old movies. He had to be doing that on purpose because the whole video is perfectly timed and staged, and his facial expressions have to be a part of the detailed plan for the video. His dancing reminds me of something really old too but I can't place it.

Ok maybe I'm reading too much into it but I think they spent alot of time planning this video out.

[Diomed]

Originally Posted by Bladewire

His name is a total turnoff.

If you're a man that wants to be taken seriously, don't have "childish" in your stage name. It's like Gay old men on Grindr with "boy" in their name

The video was way too long, like an awards show, and seemed obnoxious. He dances very Gay. Has he come out yet? I lived the dznving, just way too much "message" in it, took away from the fun of the dance.

Sorry but the artists name and obnoxious video are total tufnoffs. He sucked on SNL too, had to flip it off after the first couple skits. Bummer

For once I agree with you completely.

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by 2MuchMark

Holy Cow! It's interesting how people see different things, or see things differently. I am completely fascinated by this video. I keep re watching it and every time I notice something new.

What made me pay more attention to it was the white horse at 2:36. That made me thing that shit... why would the director put that there?

And then it hit me just like that. The bible describes a white horse ridden by death. Ah ha! Clever symbolism. I forgot the quote but its something like "And hell rides with him". So I decided to watch the video a few more times...

..and I noticed that the director of this video seemed to "layer" the action. Gambino is up front, while the kids are dancing and smiling behind him, while all hell is breaking lose behind them. Why do it like this? Is the suggestion that people ignoring the violence (or turning their backs, or ignoring it) and dancing anyway? Or are people adapting to the violence and dancing anyway? It's a weird detail.

The first victim is shot like he's nothing at 0:52, then the gun used is placed gently in a red cloth at 0:55. It looks like the gun has more value than human lives. (WOW!). The victim is then dragged away at 0:58. Are guns treated better than victims? (Double-wow!)

I also notice that the victim starts of first with his face visible, playing the guitar. When you see him get shot, the guitar is gone and his head is covered in a cloth. Is this to dehumanize him? To take away what makes him a person? Is that how all victims are treated?

At 2:28 the camera pans by a few people on their cellphones recording everything, but their faces are hidden with masks. Are they supposed to be... us? Are we just watching this stuff, recording and posting on facebook for likes? And not doing anything to stop it?

Finally, Gambino's facial expressions are interesting. I don't know why but it reminds me of how black people used to be portrayed in old movies. He had to be doing that on purpose because the whole video is perfectly timed and staged, and his facial expressions have to be a part of the detailed plan for the video. His dancing reminds me of something really old too but I can't place it.

Ok maybe I'm reading too much into it but I think they spent alot of time planning this video out.

I agree that's there's much symbolism, but what for? To point out violence in our culture? That's done and been done. and is still done, overly. I know Donald Glover is creative, and I respect that effort, but he seems derivative to me. this song, his deadpool stuff, etc. all derivative and relying on violence.

For cool and innovative [non-violent] videos and music, I'm digging Grimes, very original.

[JFK]

Originally Posted by Diomed

For once I agree with you completely.

WOW ?!

[CaptainHowdy]

Originally Posted by Bladewire

His name is a total turnoff.

If you're a man that wants to be taken seriously, don't have "childish" in your stage name. It's like Gay old men on Grindr with "boy" in their name

The video was way too long, like an awards show, and seemed obnoxious. He dances very Gay. Has he come out yet? I lived the dznving, just way too much "message" in it, took away from the fun of the dance.

Sorry but the artists name and obnoxious video are total tufnoffs. He sucked on SNL too, had to flip it off after the first couple skits. Bummer

Spot on, BW.

[Steve Rupe]

Junk "music". Meaningless crap!

[HairyChick]

Saw a discussion on television today about it. They said to watch it several times to “get” it. Pay attention to the background and not the singer. I have to do that but people were really moved.

I first thought the director was a genius, too. Subtle messages and deep yet the song and singer were fluff. I’ve heard of him and never understood the first name. He’s okay for a rapper but nothing special to me. He’s not Michael Jackson when he dances.

The video I thought it was is different. It’s about stereotypes and race.

[badgirlfilms]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

sure, it's art. So we're obligated to share our response to it.

take the gratuitous violence out of it and that clip never goes viral. It's very mediocre music and theme, shot well, sure.

Most importantly, there's no real message there. or statement in the lyrics. It doesn't provoke any real feeling in me. very meh.

THE POINT IS...
He is distracting us from what is really going on in the background, w/ mumble rap...simple lyrics and the popular dances of today..He is "making fun " of today's rap

[Bladewire]

I just watched it high, much better!

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by badgirlfilms

THE POINT IS...
He is distracting us from what is really going on in the background, w/ mumble rap...simple lyrics and the popular dances of today..He is "making fun " of today's rap

that's not the point of it at all.

the point of art is to provoke a feeling/response/reaction from the viewer. Not have some defined required interpretation.

And for the record, you have no proof whatsoever that he is making fun of today's rap, that's your reaction to the performance art, that's not fact and certainly not what everyone is supposed to get from that.

[bronco67]

Even though I don't like the song, I will applaud the guy for doing something audacious and noticeable. I hate harmless music and movies. I realize benign art has it's place, but create from the balls or don't do it in the first place. Whether it's making music, movies, paintings, basket weaving, porn or whatever --- PUT SOME STANK ON IT !

[CaptainHowdy]

Originally Posted by Bladewire

I just watched it high, much better!

I bet now it looked much more like this:

[2MuchMark]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

I agree that's there's much symbolism, but what for? To point out violence in our culture? That's done and been done. and is still done, overly.

No, I think it's to point out our indifference to violence. In the video, there is violence in the background, and right in front of us, but the kids keep dancing. "Death" (Blacked robed guy on the white horse) is coming from the Police, but the kids keep dancing. People are dying, but people just record it, and the kids keep dancing. That's my basic take on it anyway.

Originally Posted by badgirlfilms

THE POINT IS...
He is distracting us from what is really going on in the background, w/ mumble rap...simple lyrics and the popular dances of today..He is "making fun " of today's rap

"Mumble Rap" - LOL! Bang-on...

And yes that's a really interesting way to look at it too.

Anyway, it turns out there is still alot more going on in this video. Read this if interested: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...=.437b290a41c6

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by 2MuchMark

No, I think it's to point out our indifference to violence. In the video, there is violence in the background, and right in front of us, but the kids keep dancing. "Death" (Blacked robed guy on the white horse) is coming from the Police, but the kids keep dancing. People are dying, but people just record it, and the kids keep dancing. That's my basic take on it anyway.




"Mumble Rap" - LOL! Bang-on...

And yes that's a really interesting way to look at it too.

Anyway, it turns out there is still alot more going on in this video. Read this if interested: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...=.437b290a41c6

each person's take on it is the right one for that person. there's no right or wrong with art. the performance is provocative and creates dialogue, that's what art is supposed to do.

Unfortunately for this performance art, it's not dialogue about being ambivalent to violence, but about the performance, which doesn't strike me as the goal, so it doesn't seem to work on that level.

It's also very one dimensional, it's not accurate to exclaim "This is America". It's certainly not my America, I abhor violence, am not numb to it, and disagree with its being used gratuitously for any reason, such as in this piece.

[Bladewire]

Originally Posted by bronco67

That's what I was thinking. Take away the crazy video and we're left with....

a mediocre song.

I could listen to the first 50 seconds of that song on a loop forever. When he starts mumbling, that's the turn off for me.

[King Mark]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

I agree that's there's much symbolism, but what for? To point out violence in our culture? That's done and been done. and is still done, overly. I know Donald Glover is creative, and I respect that effort, but he seems derivative to me. this song, his deadpool stuff, etc. all derivative and relying on violence.

For cool and innovative [non-violent] videos and music, I'm digging Grimes, very original.

the white girl doesnt even say anything. just mumbles shit. The black one is currently using the gay craze to sell records. How original... whats the point of the video?

Meanwhile donald's video was to show how quick americans are distracted by trivial things. He proved his point too.

[dyna mo]

Originally Posted by Dead Eye

the white girl doesnt even say anything. just mumbles shit. The black one is currently using the gay craze to sell records. How original... whats the point of the video?

Meanwhile donald's video was to show how quick americans are distracted by trivial things. He proved his point too.

As I've shown all along through this thread, there is no rationality behind art people like or do not, I don't judge people based on how they respond to music. All I ask is the same. Art isn't here to divide.

[Bladewire]

Originally Posted by dyna mo

I agree that's there's much symbolism, but what for? To point out violence in our culture? That's done and been done. and is still done, overly. I know Donald Glover is creative, and I respect that effort, but he seems derivative to me. this song, his deadpool stuff, etc. all derivative and relying on violence.

For cool and innovative [non-violent] videos and music, I'm digging Grimes, very original.

Love Grimes because she's creative, weird send visually stimulating. Love the slomo fire effects so cool.

Was really into her 4 years ago when she was invoking Stevie Nicks.

Oblivion is nice too