Childish Gambino’s “This is America”

Introduction
Dropping amid ongoing political and cultural tumult and turmoil, Childish Gambino’s
“This is America” appears to be a commentary on black life in America and American
culture as a whole. It contrasts popular culture’s perception of black experience and its
often brutal reality by juxtaposing happy, carefree choruses and dark, aggressive
verses.
This contrast may also allude to the cyclical shifts in mood whenever there is a shooting
in America. One second, the entire nation is in an uproar, the next, they are happy and
unconcerned, placated by pop culture trends.
In the music video, directed by frequent Gambino collaborator Hiro Murai, Gambino
portrays this comparison by dancing around gleefully with school-aged children,
seemingly unbothered by the chaotic scenes of violence in the background. However, in
the short film’s final scene, Gambino is seen running frantically through a darkened
warehouse trying to escape the mob that now chases him; a reminder that if America
chooses to remain willfully ignorant to its problems, they will inevitably be the country’s
downfall.

Lyrics
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, go, go away
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, go, go away
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, go, go away
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, go, go away
We just wanna party
Party just for you
We just want the money
Money just for you
I know you wanna party
Party just for me
Girl, you got me dancin' (yeah, girl, you got
me dancin')
Dance and shake the frame
We just wanna party (yeah)
Party just for you (yeah)
We just want the money (yeah)
Money just for you (you)
I know you wanna party (yeah)
Party just for me (yeah)
Girl, you got me dancin' (yeah, girl, you got
me dancin')
Dance and shake the frame (you)
This is America
Don't catch you slippin' up
Don't catch you slippin' up
Look what I'm whippin' up
This is America (woo)
Don't catch you slippin' up
Don't catch you slippin' up
Look what I'm whippin' up
This is America (skrrt, skrrt, woo)
Don't catch you slippin' up (ayy)
Look at how I'm livin' now
Police be trippin' now (woo)
Yeah, this is America (woo, ayy)
Guns in my area (word, my area)
I got the strap (ayy, ayy)
I gotta carry 'em
Yeah, yeah, I'ma go into this (ugh)
Yeah, yeah, this is guerilla (woo)
Yeah, yeah, I'ma go get the bag
Yeah, yeah, or I'ma get the pad
Yeah, yeah, I'm so cold like yeah (yeah)
I'm so dope like yeah (woo)
We gon' blow like yeah (straight up, uh)
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, tell somebody
You go tell somebody
Grandma told me
Get your money, Black man (get your
money)
Get your money, Black man (get your
money)
Get your money, Black man (get your, Black
man)
Get your money, Black man (get your, Black
man)
Black man
This is America (woo, ayy)
Don't catch you slippin' up (woo, woo, don't
catch you slippin', now)
Don't catch you slippin' up (ayy, woah)
Look what I'm whippin' up (Slime!)
This is America (yeah, yeah)
Don't catch you slippin' up (woah, ayy)
Don't catch you slippin' up (ayy, woo)
Look what I'm whippin' up (ayy)
Look how I'm geekin' out (hey)
I'm so fitted (I'm so fitted, woo)
I'm on Gucci (I'm on Gucci)
I'm so pretty (yeah, yeah)
I'm gon' get it (ayy, I'm gon' get it)
Watch me move (blaow)
This a celly (ha)
That's a tool (yeah)
On my Kodak (woo, Black)
Ooh, know that (yeah, know that, hold on)
Get it (get it, get it)
Ooh, work it (21)
Hunnid bands, hunnid bands, hunnid bands
(hunnid bands)
Please take a moment to read over the lyrics to Childish Gambino’s “This is America”
and use the space below to write down what you think the song is about. If possible
choose one word or phrase (song lyric) that best describes this song.
Contraband, contraband, contraband
(contraband)
I got the plug on Oaxaca (woah)
They gonna find you that blocka (blaow)
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, tell somebody
America, I just checked my following list and
You go tell somebody
You mothaf****s owe me
Grandma told me
Get your money, Black man (Black man)
Get your money, Black man (Black man)
Get your money, Black man (Black man)
Get your money, Black man Black man)
Black man (one, two, three, get down)
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, tell somebody
You go tell somebody
Grandma told me, "Get your money, " Black
man
Get your money, Black man (Black man)
Get your money, Black man (Black man)
Get your money, Black man (Black man)
Black man
You just a Black man in this world
You just a barcode, ayy
You just a Black man in this world
Drivin' expensive foreigns, ayy
You just a big dawg, yeah
I kenneled him in the backyard
No proper life to a dog
For a big dog
Songwriters: Donald Glover / Ludwig Goransson
This Is America lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
After watching the video for the first time, use the space below to list the most
interesting aspects of it. Consider the following questions: Is the video how you
expected it to be? Does the video match the song? Does the video leave you with any
questions? If you could recreate the music video, how would it look?

Excerpt from “What it means when Childish Gambino says ‘This is America’” by Frank Guan
“This Is America” inhabits the present. The spirit of placid revival had vanished along with
Obama’s departure from office. There had been, to be sure, an alternative vision embodied in
the word “America,” one that placed an emphasis on ideals like universal liberty and equality of
justice under the law, but this lofty mirage had never managed to elude the matter of its
implication in the violence of American racism. Created by guns, overflowing with guns, America
had always been a sort of rhetorical weapon, its greatness a cudgel applied to recalcitrant
people of color at home or abroad. What the Trump campaign and election signaled was an
abolition of all alternative Americas, the permanent reduction of the nation to a weapon directed
at people whose skin is not pale.”
Difficult words with definitions:

1. Placid- calm and quiet

2. Revival- coming back to life or popularity after a long time
3. Elude- get away from
4. Cudgel- club
5. Recalcitrant- Stubborn and disobedient
6. Abolition- permanent end

What does this mean? Do you agree or disagree with Frank Guan?

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“An artist’s duty, as far as I’m concerned is to reflect the times”
-Nina Simone

“This is America,” the music video and song by Childish Gambino thoughtfully and
meticulously touches on a slew of relevant social issues from race, gun violence,
identity, personal responsibility, and personal rights. We have heard from Gambino
directly on how he would define America. We have also read how Frank Guan would
interpret Gambino’s definition of America. Now, it’s your turn. How would you define
America? And, by extension, how would you define an American? What was the most
important issue brought up during the song and video? How does your upbringing or
personal experience contribute to your definition of America?

Additional questions to consider: How does the violence depicted in the music video
make you feel? Do you think that Childish Gambino has the right to create such a
provocative video? If he is just a music artist, does he have a right to criticize America?
*There seems to be a resurgence of black artists creating impeccable art depicting the
black experience. I would characterize this time as a potential second coming of a black
American renaissance- Is this good or bad? What does this mean for the rest of
America?