What do Leonardo Da Vinci, Goku from Dragon Ball Z and Odd Future’s Frank Ocean all have in Common? Err… I’m not really sure, but Childish Gambino convincingly connected the dots the night before last, as he threw out references like Gambit throws out a deck of cards.
Bombing Beale Street’s New Daisy, his extended similes were smiled upon by everyone in attendance, who seemed to have an involuntary reaction of shouting without reference to vocal chord damage all night long.
Kicking off his current stint in the states with Shelby county, his reciprocal love for Memphis was apparent by the uplifting chords of the night’s opener, “Hero.” The youthful crowd were more than blatant with their admiration for the multi-talent; screaming the verses back at him with hearts on fire and hands raised to the roof. It’s hard to say which song was the crowd favorite, as every time he started a new track, the collective of fingertips that were somehow attached to screaming mouths became overtly active in flailing about and making noise.
With a full band rocking violin, bass, drums, guitar, and almost a half dozen midi triggering devices, they were a perfect android pairing traditional instrumentation with modern day live computer software. Using Logic’s Main-Stage, the band effortlessly switched between keyboard tones, triggered loops, and setting off samples. Going back and forth between mentions of kid’s cartoons and famous philosophers, he ably showed his intellect, which he subtly played off like it was as natural as the Daisy is dark.
Powering through “Freaks and Geeks,” “Put It In My Video,” and “I’m On It,” he was able to consistently please his people; only playing songs that delighted desperate ears. Past his talent-spitting rhymes, his comedic background only aided his courting of the crowd. The clever use of breaking the third wall came out on more than one occasion with lyrics like “I wanna fuck these small girls, minus ‘S-M.’ Meaning that I fuck all girls, that is wordplay,” jumping on and off stage, interacting with the crowd, and slapping any extension of five fingers attached to a palm that waved in his direction.
It’s weird to think that the guy that pooped his pants has more swag than ’80s-era Run DMC, Crash Bandicoot circa 1996, and Adventure Time’s Fin and Jake put together. But hey, if that’s where things are headed, then I’m gonna go ahead and get me some adult diapers and join the Donald Glover fanclub. Be sure to see him if you’re the owner of some free time and a face ready to be MELTED. Don’t forget to watch him on NBC’s Community, or better yet, give him, DC Pierson, and Memphian Dominic Dierkes, love by checking out their Derrick Comedy feature film Mystery Team!
Photos by Nickole Stasko
