We Speak Entertainment
Donald Glover’s shocking ‘This Is America’ video tackles racism, gun violence
Donald Glover had quite the weekend.
The actor, who has been riding high these days with both his series “Atlanta” and his role as young Lando Calrissian in the forthcoming “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” both hosted “Saturday Night Live” and was the musical guest as his rap/R&B alter ego, Childish Gambino.
Glover as Gambino won a Grammy this year for best traditional R & B performance for his song “Redbone” and premiered two new songs on “SNL,” titled “Saturday” and “This Is America.”
But it was the video he released for the latter after his “SNL” performance that created a major buzz.
“This Is America” lit up social media after its debut.
Here’s what you need to know about the music video that has many hailing Glover/Gambino as a genius:
You will need to watch it more than once
Directed by “Atlanta” director Hiro Murai, the video is pretty surreal and packed full of messages.
It’s pretty expansive and filmed in a warehouse, which allows for lots of action.
As much as your eye will be drawn to Glover as a shirtless Gambino, pay close attention also to what is happening in the background.
It takes on gun violence in America
Murders occur, but the guns are treated more delicately than human lives in the video — a strong statement given the current debate over gun control.
The imagery also has sparked conversation about several other themes including police brutality, social media and what people are really paying attention to in the United States.
“The fact that Childish Gambino’s ‘This is America’ tackles police brutality, gun violence, media misdirection, and the use of African-Americans as a brand shield, all while dancing in Jim Crow-style caricature, shows a transcendence or mere performance and demands attention,” one person tweeted.
The fact that Childish Gambino’s “This is America” tackles police brutality, gun violence, media misdirection, and the use of African-Americans as a brand shield, all while dancing in Jim Crow-style caricature, shows a transcendence or mere performance and demands attention.
— Jon Spence (@reallyjonspence) May 7, 2018
About that dancing
Fans have been dissecting the various dance moves in the video, with many determining they represent an overall distraction from the chaos that is happening in the background.
Childish Gambino’s dance moves distracted all of us from the craziness that was happening in the background of the video & that’s exactly the point he’s trying to make…….#ThisIsAmerica pic.twitter.com/7o9e0XBGld
— Hurt Cobain (@D_Breezy_) May 6, 2018.
There’s a cameo you might miss
Yes, that was singer SZA sitting on a car toward the end of the video.
On Sunday, the singer Instagrammed some photos of herself on set.
Her guest appearance could be a clue for the pair working together.
There are rock stars, and there are psychics — but there is only one Ray Ray Star.
A guitarist, record producer, executive producer, and entertainer who has built a career both on stage and behind the scenes — from touring internationally to co-producing the NBC-aired show Real Music Live — Ray Ray Star defies easy categorization. He’s the rare artist who can shred a guitar solo and then turn around and read the room in ways that go far beyond showmanship.
Known as the Rockstar Psychic — not for ego, but for the undeniable energy that surrounds him — Ray Ray Star is emerging as one of the most intriguing spiritual figures in today’s cultural landscape. He doesn’t announce his abilities. He doesn’t need to.
His work exists in a rare space where spirituality meets artistry. While others may approach psychic work with rigid structure, Ray Ray Star allows the moment to guide him. Those who encounter him often describe the experience not as being “read,” but as being seen — fully, clearly, without pretense.
The rock credentials are unimpeachable. Rock Today Magazine has called his guitar skills “nothing short of mesmerizing — a true rockstar in every sense of the word,” while The Musician’s Tribune described his performances as electric, noting that “his music transcends boundaries and leaves you wanting more.”
But what sets Ray Ray Star apart from the pack is the full dimension of who he is. Sixteen years clean and sober, he blends his recovery journey with his music and psychic work to inspire, entertain, and connect with audiences in a way few can — bridging rock and roll swagger, real-life transformation, and a deep understanding of both the creative and business sides of the entertainment industry.
In a culture that often rewards the loudest voice, Ray Ray Star is proof that impact doesn’t require volume. His influence is building not through proclamation, but through connection — one moment, one reading, one person at a time. The energy speaks for itself. And increasingly, people are listening.
The official website for Ray Ray Star may be found at https://www.rayraystar.com
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