| "This Is America" | ||||
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| Single by Childish Gambino | ||||
| Released | May 6, 2018 | |||
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| Length | 3:45 | |||
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| Childish Gambino singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "This Is America" on YouTube | ||||
"This Is America" is a song by American hip hop artist Childish Gambino. Written and produced by Gambino and Ludwig Göransson, with additional writing credits going to American rapper Young Thug,[4] it was released on May 6, 2018, at the same time that Gambino was hosting an episode of Saturday Night Live. The song features backing vocals from Young Thug alongside fellow American rappers Slim Jxmmi of Rae Sremmurd, BlocBoy JB, and Atlanta-based rappers 21 Savage and Quavo.[5][6] The lyrics and accompanying music video, reflecting the core of the Black Lives Matter movement, confront issues of ongoing systemic racism, including prejudice, racial violence, the ghetto, and law enforcement in the United States, as well as the wider issues of mass shootings and gun violence in the United States. Originally, Gambino intended it to be a diss record towards fellow rapper Drake.[7]
The song's accompanying music video was directed by filmmaker Hiro Murai, a frequent Gambino collaborator.[8][9] "This Is America" became the 31st song to debut at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming both Gambino's first number one and top ten single in the country. It has also topped the charts in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. The song won in all four of its nominated categories at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Rap/Sung Performance and Best Music Video. This made Gambino the first hip-hop artist to win Record of the Year and Song of the Year, and "This Is America" the first rap song to win these awards.[10]
- ^ Cornish, Audie (May 7, 2018). "Donald Glover's 'This Is America' Holds Ugly Truths To Be Self-Evident". NPR. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
- ^ Jenkins, Craig (May 17, 2018). "The Internet Has Already Devoured 'This Is America'". Vulture. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
The same night he dropped off the video for "This Is America," a combination trap and afrobeat banger with a beguiling message about race and gun violence.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
tidalwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "61st Annual GRAMMY Awards". GRAMMY.com. 6 December 2018.
- ^ Arcand, Rob (May 6, 2018). "Childish Gambino Debuts Politically-Charged New Song "This is America" on SNL: Watch". Spin. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
- ^ Guan, Frank (May 7, 2018). "What It Means When Childish Gambino Says 'This Is America'". Vulture. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
- ^ Oatman, Alexis (April 4, 2023). "Donald Glover's 'This Is America' Was Originally A Drake Diss Record". HipHopDX.
It started as a Drake diss, to be honest, as like a funny way of doing it. But then I was like, this shit sounds kind of hard though. So I was like, let me play with it.
- ^
- Mitchell, Peters (May 6, 2018). "Childish Gambino 'This Is America' Reactions: The Good, The Bad & The Kanye Bashing". Billboard. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
- Lefevre, Jules (May 7, 2018). "Hello, Childish Gambino Just Dropped The Music Video Of The Year". Junkee. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
- ^ Kornhaber, Spencer (May 7, 2018). "Donald Glover Is Watching You Watch Him". The Atlantic. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
- ^ "2019 GRAMMY Awards: Complete Nominations List". 7 December 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2018.