We’re just weeks off from the release of Childish Gambino‘s new record Awaken, My Love! and he’s detailed the inspiration behind it.
Previously released tracks Me And Your Mama and Redbone already signalled a move towards the soul world and it seems that’s going to be the direction of the entire record.
“I remember listening to songs my dad would play — albums by the Isleys or Funkadelic — and not understanding the feeling I was feeling,” he told Billboard in an interview about the record and his show Atlanta.
“I remember hearing a Funkadelic scream and being like, ‘Wow, that’s sexual and it’s scary.’ Not having a name for that, though; just having a feeling. That’s what made it great.”
It’s not just the sound of ’70s funk that’s inspired Gambino either, it’s the political feeling surrounding the time.
“How do you start a global revolution, really? Is that possible with the systems we’ve set up? There’s something about that ’70s black music that felt like they were trying to start a revolution,” he said.
He started working on the record in November 2015, writing Atlanta by day and working on the album by night.
According to Billboard, it’s an album that sees him leave rap behind in favour of soul and funk. “Several songs” are about a newborn child suggesting that the record has been influenced by his role as a father. His son was born in October this year.
Awaken, My Love! will be out 2nd December.
Listen: Childish Gambino – ‘Redbone’
