A Review of Donald Glover's Debut Rap Album, "Culdesac"

Donald Glover's a funny guy. I liked his stand-up special a lot and much of what I've seen from him on Community. He just dropped his debut rap album as Childish Gambino, "Culdesac." Unfortunately, it makes him come off like an egomaniac with a chip on his shoulder because people don't consider him hard. He claims he's "original" many times on it, but imitates Kanye, Kid Cudi, Drake, and Lil' Wayne's styles all over the place. He has some quality punch lines, though brags excessively (about collaborating with Tina Fey, really) and alsodrops the "n" word excessively like he thinks he's Tupac.

It becomes clear from listening to "Culdesac" that Glover thinks he's on the highest creative level possible, a la Tupac, and maybe in his own way he is. Glover has accomplished a lot by his mid-20s, and props for that, but what is he trying to gain by bragging about spending $10,000 on a jacket? It's like he's purposely trying to tear apart any "everyman" appeal he may have with this project. I'm not sure what Glover's trying to accomplish, other than be provocative. I just wish it was funnier or more humble, or a combo of the two. Someone get Donald Glover some Atmosphere albums ASAP.

I didn't realize Donald Glover took himself and his talents so seriously. It's also a little odd that he has to constantly remind the listener that he sleeps with women ... enough to almost make you wonder, though who really cares?

The album is free, which was very cool move on Glover's part. He knows his audience. I'd just love to see him really prove how different he is with more edgy stand-up. There are way too many mediocre rappers -- there aren't enough quality stand-up comedians, and Donald Glover could prove to be an exceptional one. In other words, I hope he doesn't quit his day job.

I recommend listening to this album once while being really honest with how you feel about it. Please leave any and all comments below!

-- Listen/Download "Culdesac" here --

 

Follow Abe Schwartz on Twitter: www.twitter.com/AbeSchwartz

Comments

[BrokenPoodle]

09:49 PM on 10/19/2010

Well, the previous albums are much better than Culdesac, in my opinion. Poindexter and I Am Just A Rapper 2 (haven't listened to the first one yet) are incredibly funny, witty and catchy. I know that those three features are not what makes a good hip hop record, but I really enjoyed listening to songs like Get Like Me, The Stand, Hawk Jones, The Awesome (with MC Chris) simply because the beats are tight and the lyrics make me laugh. Culdesac on the other hand is...diffe­rent, too pop and a little bit sleazy. So far I can only tolerate Put It In My Video and Do Ya Like. Overall, I think Don is pretty talented and not a bad rapper at all.

[twonine]

04:50 AM on 10/06/2010

Just listened to the album, and while I agree that Glover's stand-up is the strongest of his many talents, I have to say I did enjoy this album much more than the reviewer. I think it has a good mix of well produced songs, some clever wordplay, and a personal edge.

Regarding the rap style seeming out of character for "everyman" Donald Glover, it is important to note that he raps under the Childish Gambino monicker -specifica­lly- to avoid dealing with comparison­s to his off-stage persona. (At least according to an interview I read elsewhere.­)

Would love to see the guy get a track on the next Spider-Man soundtrack though, just for giggles.

[JakeZula]

10:56 AM on 09/14/2010

Hey, reviewer dude. You obviously have no idea what Glover was going for. The album itself is done in character, and Glover's braggadoci­o is an obvious parody of "hard" rappers. Don't you see the irony in dropping n-bombs while rapping about writing comedy with Tina Fey?

Glover made the album with Fruity Loops and released it for free; obviously he's not seriously trying to be the next Tupac (a laughable comparison­).

If you listen to this album thinking Glover takes himself seriously, you'll be disappoint­ed. However, if you're familiar with the man's work, it makes perfect sense.

[lissarene]

11:09 PM on 09/10/2010

I really like his music, but i can definitely see where you're coming from. After a while you start to think, We get it, you worked with Tina Fey and you were the only black kid in school. Buy anyway, have you listened to his mixtapes?

[WritingInsomniac]

10:18 PM on 09/07/2010

I agree. When he's in interviews­, he seems so down-to-ea­rth and, as you say, more "every-man­," but this whole rapping thing is not good. All the "humble" attitude he's been having was apparently just a big show, because he seems to think he's God's gift to this earth in his rapping. Settle down there, Don. He should know what he's good at (comedy) and stick to that. I honestly can't tell if he's trying to be funny in his album or if he's seriously just that much of a non-intern­et-appropr­iate-word.

[Abe Schwartz]

03:10 PM on 09/08/2010

Agreed. There's a video about him on Urb Mag's site (urb.com), where he talks about how Tina Fey told him he only has to be good at one thing. It's definitely comedy! Except for a few witty punchlines­, I didn't find this album funny...De­finitely not a comedy album...

[ChristKhodadadi]

12:21 PM on 09/04/2010

I agree with your descriptio­n of the album but you also missed some of his stuff about his upbringing and just the overall honesty about his feelings toward girls, his family, his peers, etc. His honesty could lead the music to something "softer" and "emo" but that chip on his shoulder gives it that edge that makes it fun to listen to. No one wants to hear a "Dear Diary" album like Kid Kudi's 1st album. And the facts he shares about his life, including the TIna Fey stuff is actually kewl to me.

He does say he's original a lot but he is indeed just putting his take on the Drake/Kany­e formula, but it is a fresh take on that formula nonetheles­s. He understand­s the balance of personal music and commercial music, which is what he gives here. You also forget to mention that he produced all the tracks on the album, which were all well produced.

[Abe Schwartz]

03:10 PM on 09/08/2010

Really appreciate you reading and leaving feedback, though I respectful­ly disagree. I liked Kid Cudi's first album a lot, and so did a lot of people as he's pretty famous and successful now.

Props to DG for the production­, and you're right, I should've mentioned that. Music is an intensely personal thing, and I just wasn't feeling this at all. I was feeling his stand-up special, though...t­his is just another medioce rap album in the pile for me. It just so happens to have been made by a successful comedic actor/writ­er. Big deal. I do, however, applaud DG's ambition and think he has a great future ahead of him. I hope he just chills a little and doesn't let it all go to his head. It's too easy...