Childish Gambino, a.k.a. Donald Glover, is in the midst of a return to rap music, having teased new tunes earlier this month. The multi-hyphenate artist began his new Gilga Radio channel, which live streams on his Instagram account @donaldglover, on April 14.
During the debut show, Glover chatted about his upcoming albums, Bando Stone & the New World, and Atavista. Bando Stone will, allegedly, be the '"final Childish Gambino album." He also played a new song, "Hands Up High."
On April 21, Gilga returned with a post-Coachella episode. Artists like Doja Cat and Azealia Banks filled the airwaves of the radio show before Glover himself appeared. Even Billie Eilish made a pitstop, requesting that Gilga play some Radiohead.
Glover, once again, previewed new music during the radio hour-and-a-half. This time, he released two exciting collaborations: one with Kanye West and another with Kid Cudi.
West's feature on Glover's "Say Less" marks an exciting moment for the Atlanta creator. Not only is "Say Less" the duo's first song together, but Glover is an avid and open fan of West's. When asked who the "best rapper of all time" is, he pointed to the "CARNIVAL" singer.
"Kanye. I know that's controversial. But I feel like we would not have any of the rappers we have now without him," he said.
Now, Glover can boast that he has a collaboration with his personal GOAT.
"Say Less" is braggy, aggressive, and delightfully fun. Gambino dives back into the sound which initially propelled him into the rap scene, departing from his singier-songier 3.15.20 and Awaken, My Love.
"You ain't even touched a GQ best dressed/Sty got 'em cheatin' on a taste test/They like rap more, I'm like 'Say less,'" spits Glover. The artist earned a spot on GQ's Best Dressed List in 2018, and isn't letting the public forget. Declaring that he's ready to hop back into the rap world, Glover is eager to reenter the artistic territory in which he's earned so much acclaim.
West similarly flexes his prowess, rapping "Man, hit 'em with the drop like the roof gone/Say, damn Ye/Ain't you always cookin' like, flambé, nothin' left to say." Haters may think that he's run out of things to say, but West is here to stay. He's still "cookin'" it up.
He continues, "Your midlife crisis your whole life." West is focused in his verse, rapping with the authority one would expect from the Grammy-award winning artist.
The production on "Say Less" is reminiscent of West's Yeezus, his 2013 album that featured hits like "Blood on the Leaves" and "Bound 2." The record is a bouncy, industrial, tech-y exploration in sound. Rolling Stone declared Yeezus one of the best 500 albums of all time.
Fans of the rappers excitedly took to social media to voice their opinions. One member of the subreddit r/hiphopheads wrote, "Great to hear Gambino rap again. Man what a time for hiphop." On X, another posted "Ye x Gambino am alive again."
"Say Less" will appear on Bando Stone & The New World. Glover has yet to announce when the complete record will drop.
