The church choir sings an uplifting catchy melody under Gambino’s innocent “we
just wanna party” lyrics and Young Thug’s crooning ad-libs. Then the song is ripped
from its bright, joyous choir and guitar foundation to reveal a muddy trap beat, layered with primal percussion and gritty, droning 808’s. Here Gambino changes his tone, sounding direct, percussive and confident in his delivery.
The stark contrast in the music is mirrored in the visuals. Cars on fire, hijackings,
riots, and police brutality fill the backdrop of the video while Gambino and his posse
dance in ignorant bliss. Each of the verses begin with Gambino shooting: one
reminiscent of a political execution, and the other painfully alluding to the Texas Church shooting last November. Each are then followed by remorseless singing and dancing.
To Gambino, these contradictions and multiple realities are America. The
violence is repetitive and inescapable, and the injustices toward underprivileged people are a constant part of life. But there’s also music and brotherhood and faith and celebration alongside these tragedies. Gambino is showing us that America is violence and happiness, cruelty and community at the same time.
This is America is a song of contrast.
The church choir sings an uplifting catchy melody under Gambino’s innocent “we just wanna party” lyrics and Young Thug’s crooning ad-libs. Then the song is ripped from its bright, joyous choir and guitar foundation to reveal a muddy trap beat, layered with primal percussion and gritty, droning 808’s. Here Gambino changes his tone, sounding direct, percussive and confident in his delivery.
The stark contrast in the music is mirrored in the visuals. Cars on fire, hijackings, riots, and police brutality fill the backdrop of the video while Gambino and his posse dance in ignorant bliss. Each of the verses begin with Gambino shooting: one reminiscent of a political execution, and the other painfully alluding to the Texas Church shooting last November. Each are then followed by remorseless singing and dancing.
To Gambino, these contradictions and multiple realities are America. The violence is repetitive and inescapable, and the injustices toward underprivileged people are a constant part of life. But there’s also music and brotherhood and faith and celebration alongside these tragedies. Gambino is showing us that America is violence and happiness, cruelty and community at the same time.