The meaning behind Childish Gambino's 'shocking' This Is America video

Publish date: Monday, 7 May 2018, 2:07PM

Donald Glover has dropped a controversial rap video that is quickly going viral.

Glover, who raps under the name Childish Gambino and is due to perform in New Zealand at the end of the year, released the video for his new song This is America over the weekend

The shocking video shows Glover being handed guns to execute people, including a full choir, while rapping and dancing at the same time.

It sent fans into a frenzy trying to determine its message, quickly racking up six million views in the process.

One called it: "Mesmerizing. Disturbing. Violent. Beautiful. Tragic. Materialistic. Melodic. Chaotic."

Others, including Trent Reznor, suggested viewers watch the clip multiple times to catch everything that happens in the background.

#ThisIsAmerica video interpretation: some people love black culture when it comes to dope beats, dance crazes, and style. But when deeper issues come up: racism, violence towards blacks, appropriation, etc...they look the other way
— Miguel8080 (@Miguel49057685) May 6, 2018

Man! Let me tell y’all abt this #ThisIsAmerica video:
1. It’s too short for how powerful it was!
2. Glover uses it to reference:
• Mass Shootings + hysteria
• Black men getting shot
• The state of hip hop + how they don’t care about what’s going on
3. Self-directed
— BIG BALLER BRE (@brerobbbb) May 6, 2018

Placing the guns carefully on red cloths is such a subtle but glaring criticism of the fact that even after such atrocities we still value such deadly weapons over the lives of innocents. @donaldglover #ChildishGambino #ThisIsAmerica #Dontcatchyouslippin pic.twitter.com/9IS0uF9Vly
— Mxchxxl (@xCANNIBEMEx) May 6, 2018

The video continues Glover's reputation as a provocateur, with the second season of his hit show Atlanta including scenes in which he dressed as a character in whiteface.

He's due to perform in New Zealand at his Pharos festival in November.

NZ Herald