Donald Glover x Atlanta

Last night season 2 of the Emmy and Golden Globe award winning show Atlanta premiered on FX. This was a long awaited return for the show after its first season ended in November of 2016 and after that the year in a half wait I’m ecstatic to have it back. Atlanta was created by the multi-talented Donald Glover, who stars in, writes, directs, and produces the show. Atlanta not only is another incredible project in Glovers career, but also seems to be a true culmination of his work and life to this point. It’s why I can’t help but want to talk about his career before recommending the show.

Donald Glover began as a staff writer for Tina Fey's new show, 30 Rock. He stayed with the show as a writer for 3 of its seasons where he also made a few cameo appearances throughout his time there. After Glover left the show, which had gained enormous praise and had won basically all of the awards, he went on to star as Troy Barnes on Dan Harmon's Community. Community quickly developed a cult following and despite an array of production issues including the network (NBC) getting rid of creator Dan Harmon then bringing him back, it grew into a beloved show to its many fans around the world. Aside from becoming a cult classic Community thrust-ed the very talented and very funny Donald Glover into the spotlight giving him a much wider audience and a platform for both current and future projects. He stayed on the show for 4 full seasons before deciding to step away but would appear in the first 5 episodes of season 5 before he and Troy Barnes would officially leave for new horizons. After leaving the show Glover focused on his blooming musical career and acted in a few movies. Then finally two years after leaving television he returned with his own creation Atlanta.

Throughout Donalds television career he was developing the career of Childish Gambino, his rap stage name. Donald had been recording small mix tapes using his background and love for all things nerdy since his days at NYU, some of which he says will never see the light of day. Continuing to make music while his television career began to take off he adopted the moniker Childish Gambino, which he got from the famous Wu-Tang name generator (a website that gives you a random Wu-Tang Clan name based on your actual name). After adopting the name he went on to release 5 mix tapes before finally putting out his first album Camp in 2011. Camp was followed by Because The Internet in 2013 and one more rap album Kauai in 2014. I say his last rap album because during the two years between music projects Gambino crafted one of the best funk/soul albums of the past decade. This artistic shift while surprising to many fans who were excited for another rap album is just another example of the many sides and talents of Donald Glover, and while he has stated that Awaken, My Love! Is Childish Gambino's last album it has been confirmed that Glover will continue to make music presumably under his own name.

Glovers life and career are marked by his incredible talent, relentless work ethic, and beautiful artistic vision, and I like a said earlier has led to Atlanta being a wonderful culmination of his life. The show is a comedy but is filled with these somewhat dark and real moments. He uses his voice to make comments on how rap culture and the inner-city in Atlanta, GA, which he grew up around relates to the world and how it fits in an ever changing politically correct landscape. The show is about Earn, Donald Glover, who is recently jobless, homeless, and almost penniless, as he tries to capitalize on his cousin Paper Boi’s rising stardom in the Atlanta rap scene as his manager. Earn has to juggle relationships, the law, and his cousins hustling to stay afloat. The two are joined throughout the show by Paper Boi’s best friend Darius who is the shows strangest character as he constantly offers his wonderfully crazy conspiracy theories and uses his seemingly eastern philosophies to added a depth and wisdom at the right moments. Donald describes the show as Twin Peaks if it were about rap and I feel like that is a perfect way to describe it. Dark and funny it is a strange tale filled with outlandish moments and awkward encounters it blends all of Donald’s loves and talents into what is one the best and most original show that has hit the airways in quite some time.

(left to right) Donald Glover "Earn", Lakeith Stanfield "Darius", and Brian Tyree Henry "Paper Boi"

If you are not already watching Atlanta I highly recommend it. Season 2 just started and season 1 is only 10, 30 minute episodes so it’s very easy binge. Donald Glover is one of the greatest artists of his generation and deserves the praise he so often receives. So please check out his work, go watch the show and sit back to enjoy the rise of the still young and growing artist that is Donald Glover.