Notice: This is an opinionated article, and does not by any means reflect anyone else's opinion other than the writer's own. Any other opinion on this articles topic is encouraged to be shared.
10. 3005
The song that took Childish Gambino to the next level. This song's production brings a happy vibe, with it's high pitched keys, and cartoon-like voices that closed the song. Gambino's lyrics, however covers in part the relationships around him and his reality that some of the relationships aren't loyal ones. Gambino covers a lot of other ideas in this song as well, which makes the chorus very interesting. The chorus, which covers Gambino's loyalty to someone, or something, no matter what, can be expressing anything really. This allows the fans to decide what the song means to them. The song also has a unique quality of giving the feeling that Gambino is talking face to face with the listener. That quality as well as the song's popularity make this song good enough to get the number 10 spot on the list.
9. American Royalty
This song stood out on top of Childish Gambino's 2012 mixtape Royalty. This mixtape showed a transition in Childish Gambino's style, and also showcased multiple features. However, these featured artists put out some of their best features of their careers, which sometimes overshadowed Gambino's verses. This might have been unfortunate for Gambino, but fortunate for the fans. "American Royalty" consisted of an impressive feature from the legendary RZA, but Gambino was able to keep up with him in this song. The beat transition from an orchestra to an electronic influenced beat benefitted Childish Gambino, and painted a passing of the torch. Gambino delivers hard-hitting lines like "tweeting when I'm seventy, these half-dead followers" and "old school J's like Beyoncé's fiancée", which left fans hopeful for this transition in his career, and puts this song at number 9 on the list.
8. Freaks and Geeks
There's no more exciting time in a rapper's career than when they're hungry for something. Donald Glover was hungry to prove that he can rap, never mind his acting career. Introductions leave an impact, and in the song "Freaks and Geeks" he left a lasting impact. Showcasing a cartoony and nerdy character, Childish Gambino was shaping to be a fun, and refreshing rapper. This song featured lines that have become favorites for Childish Gambino fans. Lines like, "I'm the shit, when these dudes talk they talking bull me", "Unless we're fucking, then I'll pay for all the food on the earth" and "Chilling with my N-words, say it like a white kid" have all made this song a fan favorite, and guarantees it a spot in this top ten list.
7. Backpackers
Childish Gambino does an incredible job with this song. Going hard on a song without losing focus on the song's topic is a talent. Gambino spits on a great piece of production about annoying "fake" rap fans and know it all's, a.k.a. backpackers. Gambino opens the song by introducing his personality, and smoothly rolls into what annoys him about backpackers all just in the first verse. The rest of the song is dedicated to making fun of this community, and it makes for pure enjoyment to the listeners' ears. This is probably the best execution by Gambino of spitting hard, and wisely.
6. Hearbeat
"Heartbeat" is a song that had a sound that was not common in the rap genre at this time, but Childish Gambino took a risk with it. It sure paid off, being a hot single from his debut album Camp. Consisting of verses about a mixed feeling relationship between Gambino and his ex-girlfriend, and an electronic influenced beat, it all adds up to anything but rap. Yet, Gambino's flow and honesty still got the song on a lot of his fans' favorites list.
5. All The Shine
This song was an opportunity to see what Childish Gambino thought about his own music at the time of the release of Camp in 2011. He goes into deep thought about trying to get attention by making a cool sound in his music, but realizing he'd rather be himself on his music. He also comes to the realization that being himself isn't what some people want to hear, and blames himself for being out casted. Gambino's verses get the listener thinking, and the production keeps them from overthinking. Supported by beautiful sounding keys and a not too stand out-ish guitar performance, the production complements the song better than most of Childish Gambino's songs ever.
4. The Last
The closing song to Childish Gambino's 2010 mixtape Culdesac was the first time listeners heard a more serious side to Childish Gambino. He touches a lot of topics he would later become popular for. Sticking out for the wrong reasons when he was young, how important his success previous to rap is to him, and keeping his comedy career and music career separate. This song, however, expands on those topics. Gambino touches on how his rough childhood inspired him to work for success, and even mentions Tina Fey inspiring him. Gambino also mentions that he was at a place in his career where financially he could take the risk of focusing more on his music career. So, in a way, this song could be considered a major turning point in Gambino's career, where he took another step out of his comfort zone and into an industry that he would later becoming incredibly successful in.
3. III. Telegraph Ave. ("Oakland" by Lloyd)
A personal favorite by Childish Gambino. This song is a great example of how a song of this generation should be put together. From the smoothness of Gambino's singing to how well he transitions to rapping, Gambino does a great performance vocally on this song. The production on the song was a treat as well. It features ear catching samples, and background vocals that add to the great vibe this song gives out, making this song belong on this list.
2. Outside
The opening song to Camp prepared listeners perfectly for the theme of the rest of the album. Chorus singing transitioning to passionate rapping, delivered by Gambino, set up for a song that was put together so artfully. Gambino did a great job of laying out his story, how his success disconnected him from the streets. He also touches on how he wanted acceptance from the streets when he was young, but now wants to get his family out of the streets. This was a deep side of Childish Gambino that was hardly ever shown before. To the shock of many, he did so in convincing fashion. These "deep in thought" verses would continue throughout his debut album.
1. Hold You Down
"Outside" was a great set up for an amazing debut album, but it was "Hold You Down" that stood out the best way. Childish Gambino takes all the elements of his rap style and put them to work in this song. With signature orchestra samples in the production and soft singing, the song had a strong structure. Gambino's message in this song, however is what makes this song his best yet. He speaks, yet again about his struggles in fitting in as a kid, but this time touches on his family's financial struggles, and how he tried to make the best with what he had. He also brings up how people look at him. How rap fans see him as a comedy act, how white people see him as any other black kid, and how black people didn't even consider him a black person because "he had a dad" and his personality. He leaves an impactful message in his song; don't let the world decide who you are. He closes off the song by declaring he is going to be one of the greatest rappers ever, and today it can be said that he has made good on his promise.
