In the world of hip hop, conflicts and dis tracks are far from uncommon. However, Donald Glover, known by his stage name Childish Gambino, seems to have reignited an old feud. In his newly released album, Bando Stone & The New World, Gambino appears to target Joe Budden, a former rapper turned outspoken podcaster.
The track ‘Survive,’ which features Chloe Bailey, includes pointed lines that directly reference Budden’s shift from a music career to podcasting. This isn’t just a casual swipe. Gambino’s lyrics dig deep, questioning Budden’s credibility and cushioning each line with a touch of mockery. Meanwhile, fans are buzzing with mixed reactions, eager to see how this public call-out plays out.
Gambino’s Diss at Budden
Childish Gambino has seemingly taken a swipe at Joe Budden on his new album Bando Stone & The New World. On the track “Survive,” which features Chloe Bailey, Gambino appears to jab Budden over his past rap career and pivot to podcasting. One of the lines goes, “They in the minor leagues, but I’m pro-black / I bet he hate his mom, how you know that? / You got a podcast ’cause you can’t rap / You on some Fresh and Fit stuff, talking body counts / I count a body every time I’m on tracks.”
Budden’s Retirement and Outspoken Nature
Budden retired from rapping in 2018. Since then, he has ruffled the feathers of many notable MCs with his outspoken opinions. He has been especially vocal about artists like Drake and Cardi B. The reference to Fresh and Fit alludes to a podcast where the hosts discussed “body counts”—a term for the number of sexual partners a person has had.
Origins of the Feud
Childish Gambino’s issues with Joe Budden likely stem from comments Budden made about him last year. Speaking on his podcast, Budden claimed that Drake would “smoke” Gambino in a battle—not just a lyrical one. He said, “If those two have a parody-off, now I’m in. If they have a skit-off — ’cause they both are talented in that regard. Drake’ll smoke that guy’s boots. Drake’ll smoke that guy’s muffin.”
The ‘This Is America’ Revelation
Budden’s remarks were in response to Gambino admitting that his hit single This Is America started as a Drake diss. Gambino explained in an interview with GQ, “I had the idea three years before. I told [director] Hiro [Murai] the idea, and he’s like, ‘I really want to do that.’ The idea for the song started as a joke. To be completely honest, ‘This is America,’ [the lyric]—that was all we had was that line. It started as a Drake diss, to be honest, as like a funny way of doing it. But then I was like, this stuff sounds kind of hard though.”
Album Features
Released on July 19, Bando Stone & The New World serves as the musical accompaniment to Donald Glover’s upcoming film of the same name. In addition to Chloe Bailey, the album features several artists like Yeat, Jorja Smith, Steve Lacy, Flo Milli, Fousheé, Amaarae, and Khruangbin.
Final Album as Childish Gambino
This album marks Glover’s final work under his Childish Gambino rap moniker. Fans are eager to see how Glover, known for his versatility, will blend music and film yet again.
Budden’s Podcast Legacy
Joe Budden has made a name for himself in the podcasting world after retiring from rap. His eponymous podcast is filled with candid takes and bold statements. It’s not the first time Budden has caused controversy, and it likely won’t be the last.
Reactions and Speculations
Speculations and reactions are flooding social media. Fans and critics alike are dissecting every line and noting every reference. The buzz has only added to the anticipation surrounding Glover’s final album and upcoming film.
What Lies Ahead
As Gambino closes one chapter of his career, fans wonder what lies ahead. Will Glover pivot solely to acting and filmmaking, or will he surprise us with new musical endeavors under a different name?
As Childish Gambino’s final album under his rap moniker garners attention, it also brings to light the enduring impact of Joe Budden’s transition from rap to podcasting. While fans dissect every lyric and speculate about the artists’ next moves, one thing remains clear: the world of hip hop thrives on these dynamic interactions. Childish Gambino’s new work is a testament to that.
