What else should we react to? 🤔 Comment below! Also if you like the song in the intro support the channel directly & download my new album ‘Blacklist’ now 🖤 song.link/blacklistalbum

@brentekuntimeddisaster7137

2 жыл бұрын

What about Grandson. My personal favorites are “Blood//Water” and “Bills”.

@GroverGames1

2 жыл бұрын

DAX THE NEXT RAP GOD 2!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@austinbrothwell5427

2 жыл бұрын

3005 - Childish Gambino, the next rap god 2 or Venom remix from Dax?

@imeetay

2 жыл бұрын

Lupe Fiasco - Made in the USA

@vincentvazquez8923

2 жыл бұрын

You should react to lions from Joey cool

Actually his pose in the beginning when he first shoots the guy was mimicking a Jim Crow song. It was called Jump Jim Crow" or "Jim Crow" and was a song and dance from 1828 that was done in blackface by white minstrel performer Thomas Dartmouth (T. D.) "Daddy" Rice.

@riverside341

2 жыл бұрын

Also always love your analysis and reaction and of course your music🙏

@LadybugLuv

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! I'm like wtf is he talking about? Why am I here listening to THIS guy try to break down THIS video? I'm out!

@padmeamidala741

Жыл бұрын

@@LadybugLuv Well, what’s wrong with THIS guy trying to explain THIS video? Anyone can explain it, it might not be correct, but that’s okay, it’s his FIRST TIME watching.

@blessed3779

Жыл бұрын

@@padmeamidala741 Right bcuz the last thing BP need is WM misinterpreting an art form of a BP expressing the racist experience of BP in America….you right nothing wrong with that at all 🙄 smh

@zandreya2491

Жыл бұрын

@@blessed3779 you talkin just to talk at this point

"This is America" is a song I always go back to every now and then. Thank you for the reaction

@KnoxHill

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for being here 🙌

The music video for "This is America" belongs in a museum. I said that when it first came out and I still mean it today: This is contemporary art that belongs on a monitor with headphones ready in a contemporary art museum - simply because of the insane amount of meaning that is hidden inside all of the little details of the video, coupled with the actual song.

If you look closely around 13:38 there’s a Kid who jumps to his death from that “bridge” behind and also the dance he does around that mark when he says “watch me move” is a South African dance called Gwaragwara it was made famous by a South African DJ but the dance also references Jim Crow. The dance trended world wide to the point that it was also performed by either Rihanna or Beyoncé during their Grammy performance I think (it might not be the Grammys) and the performance just trended and made the dance even more popular and believe it or not but alot of shit happened that day (week) world wide during and after the performance but it seemed as if the whole world ignored everything and just focused on what was trending - the dance.

6:00 Note the drop here goes from F major to E flat minor, as in all white keys to all black keys. That's how layered this is.

The guy being killed in the beginning is about our musicians being more of a star when they’re dead. If you notice the man still paying the guitar while dead at the end of the song.

This is one of the best conceived music videos ever created. Its awesome that you noticed the conflict going on, including the overlapping scores in the background. In the beginning Its like everything is great, bright, wholesome, all of that, and is derailed immediately and the dark, sinister bassline takes over. Then there are parts where the light, hopeful music tries to fight back and climb back out of that dark. Every single visual practical effect or item you see in this video has a meaning, usually very planned/placed. I don't think there has been a more accurate portrayal of day to day life as this video and song are. Awesome breakdown man!

It also seems significant that he hands the carefully wrapped gun to a young person, like, here, this violence, this legacy being enacted at multiple levels, it's for you. Also, it's a musician and a church choir getting gunned down, like Black creativity and spirituality being met by violence and suppression - again, part of the legacy that gets passed on to the next generation.

@KnoxHill

2 жыл бұрын

Definitely man. Great points. Honestly I feel like we could be here hours diving into all the meanings and explanations. I did my best but I’m really just scratching the surface 🙌 Thanks for adding to the analysis

@markBalentine123567

2 жыл бұрын

@@KnoxHill i realize you mention the chain as in slavery then it transition into the gun shot slavery to modern day america there a transition of history from one period in time to modern day America

@tomryberg9650

2 жыл бұрын

@@KnoxHill I get it, man! We're just out here armchair quarterbacking. 😂 Thank you for doing what you do. 🙌🏻

@stephaniezimbalist3757

2 жыл бұрын

Every time I see this video I am struck at the image of the discharged gun being "taken care of". It's enveloped in a nice piece of cloth and quickly put away while the human being , who has died from gun violence, is slowly, brutally and casually dragged away. A succinct, crisp visual depicting Guns matter but Black lives don't. This, is America.

I've watched a lot of reactions to this and it's really cool you found a few more connections I haven't seen others get. But one overarcing one that plays into what you're saying that I see come through, When he shoots someone, the gun is cared for but the bodies just dragged away and he goes back to dancing with no repercussions because he's distracting America, but then near the end he poses without a gun and suddenly all the kids dancing flee in terror despite him not being dangerous, ending with him finally being chased despite not shooting, as if he'd lost his usefulness and the flimsy excuse of smoking a joint and 'Possibly having a gun' gets him chased down.

the pose he does before his first shooting is from the jim crow era also after every shooting he says this is America. the silent part after he points his hands at the kids and theyre all of a sudden afraid are 17 seconds for every person killed at the parkland shooting

A lot of the dances he and the kids behind him are doing are direct references to literature from the Jim Crow era

I have been waiting for this! Since I found your channel (cuz I'm a Hamilfan), there are so many things that I find myself thinking, "oh wonder what Knox thinks about this!" LOVE this song and really everything Childish Gambino does. So much respect for *your* knowledge and the way you share your reactions. Brilliant!

@GDRaptorFan13

2 жыл бұрын

Never in my life heard a more complete or intelligent and knowledgeable breakdown of Hamilton than Knox. It was astounding really. I watched every minute of those many hours it took him! So impressive. I’ve watched him for years as I like his Em content but man, his Hamilton stuff was another level.

@fabior3199

Жыл бұрын

I‘m not even huge on rap, but that Hamilton breakdown was a piece of art in itself. Huge respect for him.

I love how this song has all these subtle, easy to miss references and metaphors that take effort to interpret, and other times he murders people in cold blood, then turns to the camera and says, "This is America". Also, could be wrong, but pretty sure that constipated face at the beginning is a reference to Uncle Ruckus from, "Boondocks". fits well with the rest of his caricature-referencing poses.

Super glad to see this pop up. Thank you for further insight into this piece of art. I never even thought to think about how everything he was saying could be relating back to the music industry. Was definitely preoccupied with some of the other issues he was highlighting when I had first discovered this song! Thank you, Knox! 💙

9:10 violence in schools, we get endoctrinated through entrenaitment. The African American Community being one of the most sought after, when it comes to social injustice but also, are expected to be "entretaining" Such a masterpiece. Love the reaction and all the observations you make, I love the gospel music also rich meaning🎶🎧❣️

OHHHHHHH SNAP! Knox finally dissecting Gambino... the amount of excitement I had for this before I even watched it was off the charts. Would LOVE for you to dissect more of his music, literally pick anything you like and I'll be here.

Probably the best breakdown of this music video! I usually don't watch breakdown videos but this was very well thought out. Great Reaction!

One thing you missed, is listen to the mix when the choir is singing versus the mix at the end of the song. They said "Grandma told me get your money" but in that first breakdown it's offset; so it says "get your money, get your black man," just as he takes the choir out But then at the end it's just "get your money, black man". The way he broke that apart, it was ready to mix until you stop and realize exactly what words is matching the scene

When you get back around to Bo Burnham, "Words, Words, Words" has a ton of puns and double entendres and "Can't Handle This" is a really really good introspective piece he did before he went on hiatus. I've been subscribed to the channel for a bit and I appreciate your perspective as a fan of history and as a fan of music as a whole. It's always refreshing to hear a new take that I hadn't thought about or to notice something hidden in the little details in a song/video.

You see things that others don’t. Thank you for opening our eyes 🙏🏼 I remember when this came out. It’s such a powerful song.

Wow, you pointed out some things I hadn’t thought of before! Awesome breakdown, enjoyed this 🔥

Loving the reactions Knox keep it up

The intro drop is epic. Keep it up Knox!

I’ve watched this video so many times, and every single time I see and hear something new. It’s The Prestige of videos. I knew what channel to go to

Hey man, recently discovered you and I’ve been hooked on your reaction videos and the way you convey and translate the message so clearly, things I would never have figured out by myself. I would love for you to cover a few songs if you are looking for more material: -La cátedra from Residente which is the 2nd response in a diss battle vs Tempo (if you did the whole battle that would be phenomenal!) -Dax and his Rap God songs, he has short versions and then a 20 minute holy grail which I think deserves merit and I believe you would break it down in the most respectable way! Keep on doing these, I love ‘em!

I don't know if it's just me, but did you notice that the choir is actually just Gambino doing different voices? I never noticed that before.

@theamazingtif

2 жыл бұрын

Me either! Damn. This is just as good as the first time I saw it.

The way you react to music is truly inspiring!

Knox.....salute, brother. Excellent dissection. ✊🏿✊🏿

Incredible reaction. Dude, you are insane. This is not the standard at all. This is a masterpiece analyses. Respect!! ❤

Yay it’s back! Thanks Knox!

Glad it’s back up!!!

Love the vids bro keep doing what your doing

late to the party knox but i’m here for this !

I never saw the song in this perspective thanks! Keep it up

wow Knox Hill, I gotta hand it to you, you've really done your homework on this. I just discovered your channel today, through this music video. Great reaction

*This needs so many more views!*

A jail "Cell" is also a tool. And the kids are behind bars in that shot.

I just love how he has all these rappers who rap about violence in the adlibs. One of my favorite details.

I truly think that you summed up the point of the whole video at 12:29-13:14. I think it was well said. Basically, we’re so distracted by all the entertaining things being placed before us that we’re sleeping on the serious stuff that’s going on. SO trippy.

But great job, no one breaks songs down like u do, no one!!!! Ur the best at this!!!

You hit the nail on the head!!

Hey Knox, thanks for your music

Had to click instantly, it’s KNOX NATION‼️

@KnoxHill

2 жыл бұрын

✊✊ Appreciate you man

I love your reactions 😊

Man, you are so good at your job.

It just hit me after seeing this music video a few times: CG is playing America....but the way his antics are hitting and his disconnected, chaotic nature.... That's Mayhem (played by Dean Winters) in the Allstate commercial.

Probably the most symbolically dense music video ever created, this is a masterpiece by Donald Glover.

the first time i listen to this was the year it was release and it almost click on me the metaphors the references that put together was insane. plus the cleanest transition ever

was waiting for this

hell yeah bro, take the dive. Gambino is a savant & jack-of-all-trades (stand up comedy, acting, singing, producing)

Haha, after This is Not America, I was waiting for this😁💃. Made my Friday

Literally just finished the Residente reaction and wonder if you had this one, thanks for uploading

The choir of ten made me think of The Emanuel Nine, wherein the gunman (I refuse to say his name) deliberately left a tenth alive. It occurred not too long before this video, but perhaps I’m reading too much into it. Regardless, it’s powerful AF and this song and video is a masterpiece. DG is one of the most multitalented artists today IMO.

@anniemadeit21

Жыл бұрын

No! It’s EXACTLY what was going on ! It was a reference to that exact incident! I actually was in school when that incident occurred and we watched the coverage on CNN . And read it in the newspapers in class

Thank you Knox

Came originally for the Bo Burnham but I love all your reactions. Check out Bo’s “We Think We Know You”. I’d love to hear your breakdown of that one. It’s genius.

I always like the breakdowns man. Always good shit. Any chance of getting some big pun breakdowns? Off the books verse?

How do you know all this? All these references! That's amazing!

Knox breakdown like a psychologist ❣️

I like how the gunshot is only in the video not the soundtrack

It's rough, but I remember that they explained that all the empty cars at the end are for people who were pulled over but never got to get back in... you can guess why

So much good detail I love it!! I always assumed right away the random horse going by was linked to police who ride on horses in some places..? That was my first immediate guess!

15:20 celly is a triple , also used to refrence a jail cell which is a tool for institutional racism

Also at the end is a whole bunch of cops chasing him over a joint. But there was no cops when black people were getting murdered.

For me the red cloth was like the red carpet, the gun being the star compared to the corpse.

I'd never heard this song before I watched a few reactors listen to it, and see all the points they see as valid. Yours is one of the most in-depth and insightful, possibly because you are a lyricist yourself. One thing I think was not touched on by reactors, that I noticed while listening to your analysis, is that the song begins with traditional Black folk music, perhaps a call back to African Folk, but ends with modern-day trap beats. My opinion is that it may be touching on the loss of the original meanings of songs that were rooted in African culture.

That video was an absolute shocker to me... And sadly very apt.

Hope to hear more Gambino. Because the internet was a great album

THISISAMERICA is so cool!

It crazy how nobody runs when he kills people with a real gun. But they run when he does a gun gesture with his hands.

Dude the song in the intro👀 the " am da am am dem am am am" rhyme scheme was fucking crazy damnnnnn

I love this song so much ❤❤

Knox, I discovered your channel with your Hamilton reaction (which was brilliant by the way) and I was just searching your channel last week to see if you reacted to this song! Do you have spidey senses or something?!

Since we are on the Childish Gambino train you should definitely check out Me and your Mama by him

The racism goes way deeper. It's in a ton of the dances and in the background. I highly suggest watching a good breakdown of just the visuals alone because it's pretty nuts everything that he was able to fit in.

If you haven't already, you should check out his freestyles. They're too fire. The one on Rosenberg is unbelievable.

The face with the wink is a direct reference to an exaggerated racist depiction by white actors from the Jim Crow era GREAT REACTION BRO!

@Ladykyra101

Жыл бұрын

Yep. That and the pose before the 1st shooting. Remember seeing that in history of Jim Crow during history class back in the 80's. Why history matters. ☝🏽

Hey Knox, I have a recommendation. How about reacting to Khanevadegi 2, it's a cypher featuring 39 Iranian rappers (at least one rapper from each province in Iran) and they rap in their own language/accent

Knox how am I gonna break down you music without you... Plz do a reaction to your own

I'd love to see you break down Freaks and Geeks-one of his most bar-heavy songs imo

Hey knox I know you've done a few British rapper songs, you should check out Last Night in LA - Konan Freestyle. Bars for days

I was obsessed with this song. It came out when I was creating Star Wars parodies on my phone, using only vocal samples from 1 episode of a podcast. Donald Glover played Lando, and the pun was right there. Han Solo's home planet? This Is Corellia.

lets goo Knox!! Should def react to "44 More" by Logic, he spazzes on it!

That’s Young Thug at the end. Talking and then doing the weird outdo thing. Also the 21 savage ad libs on the second verse. “Humid bands hunnid bands hunnid bands” 🔥🔥

You have to react to Coast Contra “Never Freestyle” you will LOVE it!

This song was slept on, message ignored so we could move on and leave the status quo, like the only thing that matters is status yo.

You really need to react to Blood of the Fang by Clipping - you like Hamilton so I know you'll like Daveed Diggs in Clipping and it essentially a song of his around the same time of the same archetype or lane

Nostalgia 🔥

Donald glover actually went to an Art highschool, I wouldn't be shocked if he also had play and musical influences in his music

yo knox you should react to NF's You're Special from the Perception album and Lost in the Moment from his Therapy Session album

A theory that I have is that when the choir was singing it was all nice, but when he shoots the gun, he "says this is America, dont have you slipped now". Hes trying to give us a head up on violence

Check out Clipping. “Blood of the fang” by Daveed Diggs- very similar vibe. Sickest flows in the game

I know you know Ren... Yo, the visuals of this and Ren's "Money Game pt 2" are.. well.. but my guess is that Ren tips his hat

When I first saw this video I thought that it was really cool that Childish Gambino was able to get Donald Glover to appear on his video... I am old and Midwestern.

@theamazingtif

2 жыл бұрын

Isn’t it great? That first moment when it clicks and you realize somehow he’s a shapeshifter and he’s both is amazing. I still don’t understand how both are in that same human form.

I was waiting for your comments on Residente's song. Idk, some comparison under new light.

His depth knows no bounds. How on Earth is this the kid from Community?

Could you breakdown In your head by Em? Personally it's one of the harder hitting songs from Revival.

I love that you caught that reparations line

its friday! my erbs!

If you plan to react to some more Childish Gambino, you should definitely check out his Epic Freestyle on HOT97 for Rosenberg. Please do some Tim Minchin, as well. Thanks for your reactions. Fire, as always

@henrytawnn8694

2 жыл бұрын

I would love to see some Tim Minchin on here. His pope song or Prejudice would be perfect.