Why Childish Gambino’s Atlanta Should Be on Your Watchlist
Donald Glover, also known by his stage name Childish Gambino, isn’t just a music artist. Yes, December is the month in which he dropped his latest album ‘Awaken, my Love!’, but he’s also an actor, writer and comedian. Earlier this year a new series called ‘Atlanta’, created by and starring Glover, made his way to American television.
Critics are unanimous. ‘Atlanta’ is genius, refreshing and like nothing else you have seen on TV. The show revolves around Earnest ‘Earn’ Marks, a broke college drop-out and his cousin, Alfred ‘Paper Boi’ Miles. Paper Boi is a weed selling rapper who suddenly becomes an internet star thanks to his new mixtape. Earn sees an opportunity in being Paper Boi's manager, and together they try to work their way up through the Hip Hop scene. It’s a setup we’ve encountered in numerous series over the years: life is harsh, but all of a sudden something happens that can help you get back on your feet.
‘Atlanta’ is nothing like that. It’s a comedy series filled with drama, depicting real life situations in a way that feels authentic. The show touches on subjects like drug tests, nightclub adventures, but also on police brutality and racism. Situations arise that will make you laugh and cringe at the same time. All of this is supported by an incredible soundtrack, handpicked by Glover and the rest of the production team (the playlist can be found at the end of the article). The series has been a commercial success, in part thanks to the excellent soundtrack. The musical curation in ‘Atlanta’ was a major focus of the production team and it shows. It’s a mix of music by established artists and upcoming talent, carefully picked to build the right mood for the scene at hand.
You can watch 'Atlanta' on Fox. If you haven't heard Childish Gambino's latest album 'Awaken, My Love!', you can listen to it here.
All new articles
