Top 10 Childish Gambino Songs
And you thought all he did was act! Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we'll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Childish Gambino Songs. For this list, we'll be breaking down the best songs to date in the career of rapper Childish Gambino, aka Donald Glover.
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#10: "R.I.P." feat. Bun B “Royalty” (2012)
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One of the hypest tracks off of his star-studded 2012 mixtape “Royalty”, Childish Gambino’s “R.I.P.” makes incredible use of the beat from Kavinsky’s “Nightcall” – which many will recognize as the opening track from “Drive”. Complimented, or perhaps overshadowed by Bun B’s stellar first verse, the song is a thumping, pulsating, rip-roaring roller coaster of a track that both rappers absolutely kill it on. We dare you to try and remain still while listening to this song. Oh and just in case you were wondering, the rest of “Royalty” is equally impressive.
#9: "The Worst Guys" feat. Chance the Rapper “Because the Internet” (2013)
One of “Because the Internet’s” best tracks, “The Worst Guys” is easily one of the album’s most laid-back tunes; something that is truly hammered home when you watch Gambino and Chance the Rapper chilling on a beach with their friends in the music video. While Chance’s inclusion on a Gambino track would usually cause us to jump for joy, his contribution to this song is relegated to him repeating the words “all she needed was some” over and over. However, seeing as how the song still delivers a great flow backed by an easy going beat, we really don’t mind.
#8: “Sober” “STN MTN / Kauai” (2014)
One of the songs off of his 2014 dual release Mixtape / EP “STN MTN / Kauai”, “Sober” is perhaps its most memorable track. The song provides us with a little insight into the mind of seemingly heartbroken Childish Gambino, lamenting a recent loss with lyrics like “now that it’s over I’ll never be sober” and “If you just give me some time I can open up your mind”. The music video features some top-notch dance moves from the Atlanta native, as he prances around a restaurant trying to impress a female patron. “Sober’s” catchy beat and simple premise make it a whole lot of fun to listen to.
#7: “Sweatpants” feat. Problem “Because the Internet” (2013)
Gambino had no problem heaping a little praise on himself on this track, casually dropping lyrics like “I got a penthouse on both coasts” and “Don't be mad cause I'm doing me better than you doing you”. It’s clear he’s having fun with “Sweatpants’”’ funky, looping beat, with loads of pop culture references and self-deprecating humor from start to finish. The song, which served as “Because the Internet’s” third single, made it to number 35 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, a testament to its status as a smooth-flowing lyrically gifted rap treat.
#6: “Bonfire” “Camp” (2011)
The lead single off of “Camp”, “Bonefire” is built around a fast-paced beat and peppered with fierce, hard hitting lyrics that Gambino spits with the clarity of a seasoned vet. His flow on this track is straight fire, rising and falling in perfect unison with “Bonfire’s” uber-catchy beat. Gambino’s wit and self-referential humor is out in full force with lyrics such as “"Man, why does every black actor gotta rap some?" I don't know, all I know is I'm the best one.” It’s lines like that that prove Gambino is the kind of rapper the world needs more of, one who has the balls to call himself out and the confidence to say “I don’t care.”
#5: “Me and Your Mama” “Awaken, My Love!” (2016)
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The first single released off of his critically acclaimed and Grammy nominated third studio album “Awaken, My Love!”, “Me and Your Mama” is easily one of Childish Gambino’s most impressive vocal performances to date. Peaking at 68 on the US Billboard Hot 100, the song starts off with a dreamy, psychedelic beat but flips the script two minutes in, essentially turning into a rock and roll / soul fusion; brought to dramatic life thanks to Gambino’s raspy, screeching vocals. It’s songs like this one that helped make “Awaken, My Love!” one of 2017’s most successful albums.
#4: “Heartbeat” “Camp” (2011)
When this song dropped back in 2011 it was quite the change of pace for the admittedly new to the scene Childish Gambino. Whereas most of his previous work could best be described as “pure rap” “Heartbeat” was different. The song starts off relatively slow, with a solemn piano riff and some soft-spoken lyrics. However, it picks up steam around the 50-second mark and from that point on its clear we’re in EDM territory. It was a bold move for the young up-and-comer but it paid off, with the song being certified platinum shortly after its release.
#3: “3005” “Because the Internet” (2013)
A critical and commercial success, “3005” is a shining example of Childish Gambino’s skills as a writer, rapper and producer. Nominated for Best Rap Performance at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards, the song juxtaposes some deeply personal storytelling from Glover with a futuristic, highly addictive beat. Peaking at number 64 on the Billboard Hot 100, “3005” was for a time the rapper’s most popular track; and to date its accompanying music video has upwards of 125 million views on YouTube. A brilliant mixture of wit and insight, this track is Childish Gambino through and through.
#2: “Freaks and Geeks” “EP” (2011)
The song that announced his presence to the rap world with a bang, “Freaks and Geeks” is impossible to listen to without your heart rate rising dramatically. Featured on Gambino’s first ever EP,appropriately titled “EP”, the song demonstrated two of the rapper’s now widely recognized trademarks: a rapid-fire flow and wit-laced lyrics. The song was proof that the man previously known only as Donald Glover the actor was actually a badass rapper who could spit bars with the best of them. As he rips his way through “Freaks and Geeks’” verses Childish Gambino proves his worthiness as a rapper; demanding, and rightfully so, to be taken seriously. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: “Telegraph Ave. ("Oakland" By Lloyd)” “Because the Internet” (2013) “Flight of the Navigator” “Because the Internet” (2013) “Stand Tall” “”Awaken, my Love!”” (2016)
#1: “Redbone” ”Awaken, my Love!” (2016)
 An incredible vocal performance and a smooth fusion of multiple musical genres turned this into one of the most popular tracks of 2017. It’s hard to put a finger on why exactly “Redbone” is so damn good. Is it the trippy, soulful beat? Gambino’s newly discovered vocal range? Both? Either way we’re more than happy to bob our heads along to the instrumentals as the silky smooth lyrics wash over us. Cracking music charts all over the world en route to three Grammy nominations it’s pretty clear that “Redbone” is far and away Childish Gambino’s most successful song to date.
