Bonfire (Childish Gambino song)

"Bonfire" is the debut single by American rapper Childish Gambino. It was released on September 17, 2011 as the lead single from his debut studio album Camp (2011), after its music video was released in July 2011. The song was produced by Gambino and Ludwig Göransson, and debuted on Funkmaster Flex's HOT 97 radio station.[1]

"Bonfire"
Single by Childish Gambino
from the album Camp
ReleasedSeptember 17, 2011
GenreHip hop
Length3:14
LabelGlassnote
Songwriter(s)Donald Glover
Producer(s)
Childish Gambino singles chronology
"Bonfire"
(2011)		 "Heartbeat"
(2011)

In 2016, a mashup of "Bonfire" and the theme song to television series Stranger Things was released.[2]

Composition

The song opens with Childish Gambino rapping, "OK, it's Childish Gambino, homegirl drop it like the NASDAQ" over a "heavy" beat.[3] In the first verse, he references the video game ToeJam & Earl, rap collective Odd Future, TV series Invader Zim, PETA, clothing brand Band of Outsiders, and fast food chain Jollibee.[4] He also addresses his Asian fetish ("This Asian dude, I stole his girl, and now he got that Kogi beef")[5] and a stereotype of African-Americans in the entertainment industry ("Man, why does every black actor gotta rap some? / I don't know, all I know is I'm the best one").[3]

Critical reception

The song received generally positive reviews from critics. Childish Gambino's vocals in the song have been described as "raspy, aggressive spitting" and similar to Lil Wayne's flow.[6] Singer Billie Eilish has described the song as having "the most hardcore bars I've ever heard".[7]

Music video

A music video for the song was released in July 2011. It begins with Childish Gambino wearing a noose around his neck, and features him in scenes of campfire stories.[8][9]

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[10] Platinum 70,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[11] Silver 200,000
United States (RIAA)[12] Gold 500,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. Young, Alex (2011-09-17). "Check Out: Childish Gambino - "Bonfire"". Consequence.
  2. Penrose, Nerisha (October 19, 2016). "Listen to Childish Gambino Mashed Up With the 'Stranger Things' Theme Song". Billboard.
  3. Breeze, Julia Nelson | The. "Donald Glover's decade of success: the highlights of his multitalented career". The Breeze. Retrieved 2021-04-17.
  4. Davidson, Aaron (2011-12-15). "Breaking Down the Funniest Childish Gambino Lyrics". Vulture.
  5. Yue, Victoria (2011-12-29). "Does Childish Gambino Have an Asian Problem?". Hyphen Magazine.
  6. Galil, Leor (November 14, 2011). "Childish Gambino's Camp Is No Fun". Forbes.
  7. Espinoza, Joshua (August 4, 2020). "Billie Eilish on Childish Gambino's "Bonfire": The Most Hardcore Bars I've Ever Heard'". Complex.
  8. Roe, Mike (2011-11-01). "New Childish Gambino music video 'Bonfire' from actor/rapper Donald Glover". Southern California Public Radio.
  9. Coplan, Chris (2011-10-31). "Video: Childish Gambino - "Bonfire"". Consequence.
  10. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2021 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  11. "British single certifications – Childish Gambino – Bonfire". British Phonographic Industry.
  12. "American single certifications – Childish Gambino – Bonfire". Recording Industry Association of America.
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