Camp
by Childish Gambino
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 27
  3. Negative: 1 out of 27
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. Uncut
    Dec 12, 2011
    60
    Producer Ludwig Goransson imbues the beats with a comparable degree of pomp, although we could have done without diversions into cheesy Swede-pop. [Jan 2012 p.88]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Q Magazine
    Dec 21, 2011
    60
    Glover's wit and dexterity confirm he's the real deal. [Jan. 2012 p. 119]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Rolling Stone
    Nov 15, 2011
    60
    For a dude who gets big laughs on NBC's Community, Donald Glover sure fiends for approval on his debut.
  5. The Guardian
    Dec 1, 2011
    40
    Camp feels like only so much acting, with the Gambino flow a mixture of West and Lil Wayne...
  6. The A.V. Club
    Nov 15, 2011
    58
    A meaty concept album about how the insecurities of youth carry into adulthood, Camp is heavy with themes of racial expectations and cultural ostracism--big ideas that aren't always done justice by Glover's cartoonishly exaggerated, one-liner-laden flow.
  7. Slant Magazine
    Nov 14, 2011
    60
    The overall result is a messy jumble that, in its inability to find a consistent tone, ends up in a place that hasn't really been explored before.
  8. No Ripcord
    Nov 17, 2011
    60
    Even if his insecurities can illicit a few cringes (he sounds genuinely upset with his haters on All The Shine), there's enough empowered anthems like Bonfire and Outside for Childish Gambino to pull through.
  9. The Observer (UK)
    Nov 14, 2011
    60
    What follows this auspicious beginning is a riveting album about race, class, opportunity, tribalism, love, the pitfalls of fame, comedy and "seriousness"--one that coexists quite happily with a potty-mouthed pop-rap record about sleeping with girls.
  10. BBC Music
    Dec 5, 2011
    50
    Although Glover plays the part of rapper exceptionally, he needs to do a little more to stop "n****s asking whether this dude's for real or not".
  11. Filter
    Nov 23, 2011
    52
    It's somewhere between impressive and impressionistic how Glover inhabits each style, but pit between street chaff and crooner cheese, between respect and restless imitation, one can't help but wonder where all of Glover's talent is headed.
  12. HipHopDX
    Nov 29, 2011
    60
    While the album doesn't necessarily reinvent the wheel, those with mainstream sensibilities that like metaphor-heavy rhymes with a strong dose of social commentary will be pleasantly surprised.

Awards & Rankings

23
#23 Most Discussed Album of 2011
9
#9 Most Shared Album of 2011

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 235 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 185 out of 235
  2. Mixed: 34 out of 235
  3. Negative: 16 out of 235
  1. matthewsampson
    Feb 2, 2012
    10
    Camp is one of the best debut hip-hop albums that I can recall since possibly Kanye's "The College Dropout." I really don't understand howCamp is one of the best debut hip-hop albums that I can recall since possibly Kanye's "The College Dropout." I really don't understand how Pitchfork can bash this album so hard. Glover's style is truly fresh and unique. One of my favorites of the year.… Full Review »
  2. keep_yr_bias
    Feb 9, 2012
    3
    This is definitely one of the most overrated rap albums in recent memory. The bottom line is that I can't get over the fact that ChildishThis is definitely one of the most overrated rap albums in recent memory. The bottom line is that I can't get over the fact that Childish Gambino's vision of himself is complete B.S. He doesn't have any credibility in his lyrics, and his lyrics are pretty elementary to begin with. Everyone seems to compare this album to Kanye West's College Dropout and it's NOWHERE NEAR the level of that album. That album had a guest artist on just about every track (a smart move), because Kanye was and still is more about production than actual lyrics. The production on that album was light years ahead of this album's production and that album came out 8 years ago. Hearing Cambino rap about, "struggle" and "overcoming his race" is like having a million microscopic dicks penetrating my ears. I would compare Cambino to Drake more than anybody, but at least Drake (as emo as he is) doesn't try and make this persona of growing up in a rough childhood. Gambino is dellusional. He grew up as a Jehovah's witness, with parents who put him through school to get a college degree. I have complete respect for that, but he almost seems ashamed of being privileged growing up, so he creates this phony persona to help him get over his insecurity. He tries to sound gritty, but it's impossible to believe when he's more concerned with being "GQ". A rapper has to be credible, or at the very least not completely phony, but I don't buy anything he says. On that basis alone I can't like this album, and I can't relate to it in any way whatsoever. This album shouldn't have been called Camp... it should have been called Campy.… Full Review »
  3. jaxmcgraw
    Apr 15, 2014
    3
    People who like Childish Gambino usually do not understand that there is more to music than subject matter, emotion, and talent. Sure GambinoPeople who like Childish Gambino usually do not understand that there is more to music than subject matter, emotion, and talent. Sure Gambino brings so much to the table when it comes to the talent and reaching on deeper subject matters. This album is similar to a teenager's diary. There are some lessons to learn from camp, but there are so many issues with camp. First of all it sounds like Nickleback produced this album. The beats are artificial, weak, and simple. There is no doubt that the strings are maximized to create beautiful moments, but there is no texture in the beats. Also, there is no texture in his lyrics. He throws simple lines that are weak, underwhelming, and easy to understand. Gambino is funny at times, but every time he is about to make lyrical jabs, he drops a line like “I got a girl on my arm dude show respect/ something crazy and Asian: Virginia Tech." To be honest, I really do not want to continue on the abundance of lines that make me want to massage my temples. Gambino is different, but not as different as he thinks. What I cannot stand is that he only looks at the surface when it comes to music and race. Gambino and his fans are the type of people that listen to mainstream alternative bands and look at all rap the same. This album is a complete joke and I do not want to explain more, but I will credit this album with teaching the concepts of maturity and hatred in a tense and bittersweet way that can be beautiful at times. But in all honesty I do not enjoy listening to this album. I have mad respect for Donald Glover and everything he does, but he needs to have more of an understanding on race, humanity, life, and music to make a product that has sustainable quality.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »