This Is America: Childish Gambino's Genius Absurdity 

Ok, Gambino is a mastermind.

Legitimately one of the greatest videos I've ever seen. Ever. On RU-vid. This is brilliant.

The editing on this video is really cool in how it also plays into the theme of the juxtaposition stuff!

"To me... this is America." Dude... that hit me so hard. Beautiful video as always, you always touch my soul with your words. Thanks man, you help me realize that I'm not even close to as woke as I thought.

"This is America" makes me feel deeply disturbed but in a way that feels good for me? It's hard to really describe. Maybe it's less that it feels good for me and more I just admire Donald Glover for making something that evokes such emotion from me. It's just really good art even if it leaves me unsettled. Plus it's catchy as hell

HAHAHAHAHA @ "The Water Bottle Man." Seriously, the way you build up to that moment and get our expectations going and then flip everything on its head-it's genius. I paused the video right there, at that moment, to type this comment. And I think I did that because the writing teacher in me, the guy that assigns craft analyses every semester, just loves that you've centered on something so specific and seemingly minimal at the start of your video. And, even if it's totally going to turn into another joke the moment I hit play again… I might love that even more, because it would then be playing with my expectations that you're about to turn something seemingly trivial into the thesis of your piece. Anyway… gonna go press play now and see what else you've got for me.

This hits hard in June 2020, post-George Floyd and all the protests.

"Wait is that Sza" lol

Absolutely the best commentary I've seen on RU-vid. I had this exact discussion a while back with some friends and we came to the same conclusion. There's so much more that could be said, but I appreciate all of this so much.

Human Beings Suck (At logic) Can I have that on a T shirt

I was so scared when you starred talking about a water bottle man like honestly thought this ish was about to turn into a horror story😂

4:29 Yas, best interpretation so far AND you back it up with references and stunning editing!

I love the RU-vid video essay community. You think you've found someone who has the best editing, the best reasoning, the best voice, and then you just find another. No matter how many poor critiques there are, amazing ones always rise to the top of the cream and receive the well deserved views that they need. Keep on the great work.

You're so right to say we would normally be numb to these kind of violent clips if it wasn't juxtaposed with rad dancing and silly faces. The sheer amount of attention this video had gotten and will continue to get is proof the message was well-communicated. Great video and editing!

I am honestly appalled as to why you don’t have as many followers as you deserve. The interpretation, the editing, and the overall quality of your videos gives me the impression that you put so much energy and passion into everything you do. You have a way with words and analysis. Even to this day, every time I listen to Wait for It and Hurricane, I remember your interpretation in the back of my mind; it was that impactful. Now i’m sure that every time I happen to come across This Is America again, this interpretation will be at the forefront of my brain. Wow, thank you for this video.

*THE WATER BOTTLE MAN😱*

Another masterpiece... I love your interesting take on This Is America. As a longtime Childish Gambino fan, I'm so happy he is finally getting his due. But back to you... I rate you among the best, commentary RU-vidrs out there; right up there with Austin McConnell and Nerdwriter. Thanks for making more stuff for us to consume. Looking forward to the next video!

Liked as soon as he said: "The Water Bottle Man"😂😂

Okey first, great subject matter. Second Great start of the video. Third, I love what this video did with his split screen and reverse effect.

you have to watch the video with your phone facing a bathroom mirror with the lights out to see the secret demon hidden message @ 3 minutes and 36 seconds in that when you read it while saying your crush's name out loud three times fast that A THIRD WATER BOTTLE MAN APPEARS.

Nobody: Make Stuff: *Builds Suspense* Me: *Interested* Make Stuff: " *THE WATER BOTTLE MAN* " Me:*Dies laughing*, "Well this is going to be a masterpiece of a video."

That was so great. And man, it just flew by.

dang. this is one of THE BEST analysis essays abt that song. deserves way... way.. more views

God, I know I've already said this, but I just rewatched this without the stress of making my own video in the way and I'm re-realizing that this is an absolute masterpiece. Legitimately. It is so good man.

Your best video yet - I can see your style strengthening, and love your sense of humour getting more airtime. Well done!

I don't even have words to describe this video, just...wow

This is the best video I've seen covering this topics. I truly love the way you direct, and create your videos. Amazing.

This is really, really cool. Your analysis is deep and your fascination is clear, which in turn, transfers to us. Making the video even more fun to watch. I also love that this video was a conversation, not a rant, and becomes extremely refreshing because of it.

Woahh, was not expecting to hear the music from The Last Night in the middle of this. Sweet video man!

Great video man, I've been increasingly frustrated by an over-saturation of mediocre video essays about very popular topics, and it was refreshing to see a Donald Glover video essay handled with a bit more care than the typical 'fan-boy waffle'. Minimal editing used to great effect, a great script which balanced arguments with actual funny comic relief, all delivered with good energy into a mic setup which sounds lovely. All you could ask for from a great video essay, keep it up man

You are fucking brilliant, what a video. This is gold, honestly the best video essay type video i've ever seen. Keep it up

So well put together. Love it.

My water bottle man dealer gave me bad water. I need to find him.

wow...I actually love everything that you're doing right now, all your videos are so refreshing to watch

I can truly appreciate all the time it must've taken to complete this video & I'm sure it's not easy, but let me just say that I'm so glad you take the time to put out such amazing, top-notch art.

This is amazing thank you omg you’re so good at this, keep making stuff

This was good. I am also scared.

the editing of this video is absolutely accurate and fantastic

Thank you! Your editing was great and I liked your take on this.

This is not just america. This is the whole world.

Your editing is amazing. Also great insight!

This video is a work of art! The editing with the black and white the juxtaposition theme is genius... This video has so much though into it and I'm all for it. Grate job man, truly a masterpiece in itself!

Both you and Gambino are amazing! Fantastic interpretation and editing!

Holy shit, I don’t know how I just found this. But I love it. I want you to post more and I just, I am amazed and speechless. Great job.

Spectacular video. The ever present spotlight on juxtaposition really hits home and (imo) dials in what makes the video so interesting and polarizing in the first place. As a side, I have incredible respect for the amount of work and effort you put into this video, it really makes it shine. Thanks for sharing.

Great video and amazing editing!

The editing on this video is very satisfying

Very well-edited video, I love the content of the video and you communicate this very very well... Loved it.

Incredible video, thanks for uploading this

Wow, it's a very nice and clever analysis! Thank you for the work!

Yo! Medium D sent me. And I gotta say, I'm glad he did. Your videos are top notch! I love how you don't dumb anything down or sugar coat, like most people feel they need to, you just say it like it is and then continue to explain further. I'm subbed for the long haul. Keep up the good work and the great videos.

This videos visual aspect was way cooler then I expected as this is the first video that I have seen of yours

Keep up the good work! I am amazed at the creativity, logic, and smoothness of this video. Well done once again sir!

This editing is FLAWLESS. Thank you.

Wow great video man!

YESS Another video!! Love your videos! Keep going and you'll get all the subscribers you deserve!

yes!! I love how in the hamilton video you made your own motifs and in this childish gambino video you made your own juxtaposition!!

You have a great knack for keeping yourself grounded and funny and impactful. Great work. Keep it up.

This is interesting ,love the way u put things together

I enjoyed this video so much. Thank you for putting this out there!

Wow! Fantastic Video, and the breakdown

What a brilliant idea, interesting facts, bgm and video composition, and funny lil jokes as well. Truly brilliant.

Excellent video!

Amazing video!

The main problem with people searching for "THE definite meaning" of "This Is America" is that it's incredibly multi-facetted and layered. The discussion shouldn't center around it being about "Black Lives Matter" OR gun violence OR the entertainment industry, it should be about how those aspects of "This Is America" overlap and intersect and what THAT tells us. In my opinion, this crypticness but also openness to interpretation is what elevates "This is America" above a mere music video for entertainment purposes and into the realms of fine art.

Fantastic Video! Thank you for making this.

This has to be the best video on "This is America"

My dude, you make quality video. Amazing edits that's fun to watch. Good shit homie.

You left me mind blown and speechless😶😶😶🤯🤯🤯

I love finding good video essays

Wow. This video is just wow... Glade it popped up on my feed. Amazing as well keep it up😊

The editing in this video is unbelievably good

I love your videos Make Stuff! Always such interesting content! I loved the Hamilton video, too!

This is the best analysis I've seen on this

This was powerful! Well done.

Amazing analysis. Thank you for this.

Loved the video. What makes this so great is the subtlety that stays with you. Thats why i feel spike lee fails with his 4th wall pov jamming idea in your face approach.

You did the same thing Started mystrious that dropped my jaw and i couldnt put it up until the end of the video Thanks for your great work and keep up👍

This video would lend itself well to a larger discussion of the language of trauma. Many trauma theorists express that trauma is often communicated illogically, without temporal sequence, in a repetitive manner that is difficult to make sense of. Definitely something to think about with respect to racial trauma, racism, intergenerational trauma etc.

This was beautiful. I got chills

Really, really, really good video. Much enjoyed, evoked much thoughts.

Best video about this I’ve seen yet.

This is the first video I saw from you, and omg mate this analysis was pretty brilliant.

So good, as always

This video is grossly underrated. Beautiful!!

I really love this video, since the music video came out i tried to give a literal meaning to every detail but you're right. I don't have to give a literal meaning, i just have to enjoy it and contrast this hole masterpiece. Well done 👏👏

This was a GREAT video. Glad I saw it.

your editing is next level

Superb analysis

It's so nice to listen to passionate people

This is the best analysis of that video/song I've come across. 👏🏻 Subscribed

Very well done sir. Third was a fantastic video

Best Video about this song i have seen. Hands down. 👌🏾🙏🏽🧠🤯

Amazing video

11:17 "constantly terrifying" *plays terrified instrumental* you think you're slick, ey?

How can you nail every single video? How do you do it? Seriously, bravo.

Another brilliant "explanation"/learning opportunity! Thanks!

Amazing analysis

This video was yet another masterpiece on the masterpieces of modernity, well done!

this is a great breakdown video.. .. thank you