Donald Glover’s “This Is America” was inescapable last week—whether it was the video itself (it’s been viewed over 109 million times since it debuted on May 6) or in the public discourse around the video (and, by extension, Glover, aka Childish Gambino, himself).
Now “This Is America” debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, unseating Drake’s “Nice for What.”
This also marks Childish Gambino’s first No. 1 song. Previously, his highest outing on the Billboard Top 100 was “Redbone,” which peaked at No. 12.
The success of “This Is America” may just fuel ticket sales to see Childish Gambino’s final tour with Rae Sremmurd and Vince Staples this fall. Glover recently announced that he was retiring his musical alias once he releases his final Childish Gambino album, also due this year.
Interestingly, “This Is America” is a stand-alone track; as The Fader reports, the song is not an official single from Glover’s upcoming album.
For more thoughts on Glover, check out The Root’s Judge of Characters with Danielle Young, who tackles black art and white spouses:
DISCUSSION
Maybe I am missing something, but can someone explain to me why this video/song is so revolutionary? I’ve watched it, but I feel as if I’m missing something, especially since it seems that a black man is doing the killing? Also, why is he shirtless in the video? What does him being shirtless have to do with anything?