“3.15.20” by Childish Gambino

By Kinga Mozes

Since “This Is America,” Childish Gambino has become a household name. He has achieved pop star status through comedy, acting, and music, and is responsible for “Atlanta.” Yet, Gambino’s album “3.15.20” rejects his fame; it’s an indecipherable enigma filled with anti-pop music. 

The album covers a wide range of messages from police brutality in “12.38” to haunting self-reflection in “24.10.” Gambino is vulnerable in a new way through his characteristic rap-singing style, but many of the songs feel half-finished—strange, considering that Gambino worked on this album for three years, making seven-minute songs.

Despite this, the music shines on “47.48,” where Gambino fleshes out what it’s like when children are first exposed to violence. The song ends with a heart-wrenching clip of his son talking about self-love. Although Gambino dismisses the mainstream, he chose to feature Ariana Grande on “Time” and 21 Savage at the end of “12.38.” However, these are the only features, retaining his lone-wolf persona. 

The songs seem like they were made for Gambino’s family and close friends. He holds the general public at arm’s length given that none of the songs are named, and the album is christened after the date it was first released. He took it down and re-released it without song titles or cover art. Maybe Gambino wants to keep a part of himself hidden in a society where nothing feels private, and the mystery of this album allows him this escape.