3.15.20

File:Childish Gambino at SXSW 2014 (Cropped Version).jpg

In 2017, Donald Glover, during a live performance, revealed he planned to retire the stage name Childish Gambino, telling the Governors Ball Music Festival audience, "I'll see you for the last Gambino album."{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/donald-glover-childish-gambino-final-album-2083748|title=Donald Glover reveals that next Childish Gambino project will be his final album|work=NME|date=June 4, 2017|access-date=March 23, 2020}} After some disputes with Glassnote, Glover signed with RCA Records in January 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/donald-glover-and-glassnote-records-settle-childish-gambino-royalties-dispute/|title=Donald Glover and Glassnote Records Settle Childish Gambino Royalties Dispute|website=Pitchfork|date=March 3, 2019 |access-date=March 23, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2018/01/donald-glover-signs-deal-with-rca-records-says-to-expect-new-childish-gambino-music-later-this-year/|title=Donald Glover signs deal with RCA Records, says to expect new Childish Gambino music later this year|date=2018-01-22|website=Consequence of Sound|access-date=March 23, 2020}} In May 2018, he premiered two songs titled "Saturday" and "This Is America" while performing as both host and musical guest on Saturday Night Live.{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/television/8454685/donald-glover-childish-gambino-snl-best-moments|title=5 Standout Moments From Donald Glover/Childish Gambino's 'SNL' Episode|magazine=Billboard|date=May 6, 2018|access-date=March 23, 2020}} The latter and its political music video went viral, achieving widespread success and critical acclaim, giving him his first song to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8455823/childish-gambino-this-is-america-no-1-hot-100|title=Childish Gambino's 'This Is America' Is No. 1 On The Billboard Hot 100|magazine=Billboard|date=May 14, 2018|access-date=March 23, 2020}}{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/grammys/8497638/childish-gambino-this-is-america-wins-record-of-the-year-grammys|title=Childish Gambino's 'This Is America' Wins Record Of The Year {{!}} Grammys 2019|magazine=Billboard|date=February 11, 2019|access-date=March 23, 2020}}

In July 2018, Glover released the Summer Pack extended play containing the songs "Summertime Magic" and "Feels Like Summer", the former of which was labelled to be the lead singles from Glover's forthcoming fourth studio album titled “Almanac” which later got cancelled and replaced the eventual release of 3.15.20 in 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rcarecords.com/news/childish-gambino-releases-a-summer-pack-of-new-music-summertime-magic-and-feels-like-summer/|title=Childish Gambino Releases A Summer Pack of New Music: "Summertime Magic" And "Feels Like Summer"|website=RCA Records|access-date=March 23, 2020}} Later that year, Glover performed live dates on the This Is America Tour and announced at the debut show in Atlanta that the tour would be his last.{{Cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2018/09/donald-glover-this-is-the-last-gambino-tour-ever|title=Donald Glover: 'This Is the Last Gambino Tour Ever'|website=Complex|access-date=March 23, 2020}} Individuals who purchased tickets to the tour received exclusive unfinished demos of the songs "Algorhythm" and "All Night" prior to the tour dates.{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/childish-gambino-sent-2-new-songs-to-his-fans/|title=Childish Gambino Sent 2 New Songs to His Fans|website=Pitchfork|date=September 4, 2018 |access-date=March 23, 2020}} Along his tour, he played "Algorhythm" and "All Night" (the latter was only played in Atlanta), and he also premiered new songs, then believed to be from his upcoming studio album, including "Atavista", "39.28" (then untitled), and "Human Sacrifice".{{Cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2018/09/childish-gambino-debuts-new-music-at-this-is-america-tour-kick-off-setlist-video/|title=Childish Gambino debuts new music at "This Is America Tour" kick-off: Setlist + Video|date=2018-09-07|website=Consequence of Sound|access-date=March 23, 2020}}

A Google Pixel 3 advertisement debuted during the 61st Annual Grammy Awards featuring Donald Glover and using the previously teased song "Human Sacrifice."{{Cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2019/02/donald-glover-childish-gambino-new-song-google-pixel-ad.html|title=Does Your Phone Have a Little Dancing Childish Gambino in It? Hmmmmm? Does It?|last=Kiefer|first=Halle|date=2019-02-10|website=Vulture|access-date=March 23, 2020}}

Glover also a debuted a trailer for his musical film Guava Island at his PHAROS event in December 2018, which leaked online. Glover performed a new record at his Pharos festival called “Warlords” that featured Kid Cudi, which attenders described as ambient, chill, and had an 808s & Heartbreaks inspired production.

Glover debuted a performance of his new song “32.22/Shock" during Glover's headlining performance at Coachella in 2019, and the film was debuted the same weekend.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/donald-glover-childish-gambino-premieres-trailer-film-rihanna-guava-island-watch-1203036156/|title=Donald Glover Premieres Trailer for Film With Rihanna, 'Guava Island' (Watch)|website=Variety|last=Aswad|first=Jem|date=November 26, 2018|access-date=March 23, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2039714/watch-childish-gambino-debut-a-new-song-and-cover-gnarls-barkley-at-coachella/video/|title=Watch Childish Gambino Debut A New Song And Cover Gnarls Barkley At Coachella|date=2019-04-13|website=Stereogum|access-date=March 23, 2020}} The musical film Guava Island contained several unreleased songs, including "Time", "Die with You", and "Saturday", hinting at their inclusion on the album.{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/all-the-music-featured-in-donald-glover-and-rihannas-new-movie-guava-island/|title=All the Music Featured in Donald Glover and Rihanna's New Movie Guava Island|website=Pitchfork|date=April 14, 2019 |access-date=March 23, 2020}}

{{clear|left}}

File:Donald Glover Presents Livestream.jpg

Early morning March 15, 2020, the website donaldgloverpresents.com was circulated and promoted on social media by individuals connected to Glover and his management.{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/donald-glover-quietly-releases-new-childish-gambino-album-listen/|title=Donald Glover's New Childish Gambino Album Surfaces, Gets Removed|website=Pitchfork|date=March 15, 2020 |access-date=March 23, 2020}} The website featured a collection of songs, including a few previously performed and teased tracks, playing live on a loop which were subsequently removed 12 hours later. Additionally, the website displayed promotional artwork, appearing to be a sketched concept for extendable album art. A few days after the stream ended, the website displayed a countdown set to end a week after the original stream.

Following the concluded countdown, the website updated with the same looped stream of songs with a handwritten note from Glover about his inspirations behind the album. At the same time, the previously streamed collection of songs was uploaded to streaming services as 3.15.20, Glover's fourth studio album. The album, released with limited song titles and a blank white cover, was released as a 12 track album under the Childish Gambino moniker, as well as a continuous play version under the artist name Donald Glover Presents.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rcarecords.com/news/donald-glover-presents-3-15-20/|title=Donald Glover Presents "3.15.20"|website=RCA Records|access-date=March 23, 2020}}

In an interview with Complex in 2023, when reflecting on how the album's lack of traditional release, art style, and tracklist may have impacted its reception, Glover said "I had just lost my father, I had just had a kid, and I was going through a lot. I was having a lot of different new experiences and that's what I expressed. I think people are right. It would have garnered a different [response]. My wife's always been like, "If you do punk things, you get punk results." And it was definitely a punk thing."{{Cite web |last=Skelton |first=Eric |title=Donald Glover Opens Up About His New Career Chapter, Cows, and Artificial Intelligence |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/eric-skelton/donald-glover-interview-quiet-comfort |access-date=2024-03-16 |website=Complex |language=en-us}}

A re-release of the album, named Atavista, was announced by Glover in 2024 and released in May of the same year with changes to the mix and tracklisting. The tracks were all given titles along with a differing opening track, the removal of "32.22" and "Feels Like Summer", the shortening of "39.28", and the addition of "Human Sacrifice."{{Cite web |last=Corcoran |first=Nina |date=2024-05-13 |title=Childish Gambino Re-Releases 3.15.20 as New Album Atavista |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/listen-to-childish-gambinos-new-album-atavista/ |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}} "0.00", 3.15.20's original opener would later be developed into the track "We Are God" from Glover's final Gambino album Bando Stone & the New World.

{{Album ratings

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1score = {{rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/3152020-mw0003370811|title=3.15.20 - Childish Gambino|website=AllMusic|last=Sendra|first=Tim|date=March 27, 2020|access-date=March 28, 2020}}

| rev2 = Clash

| rev2score = 5/10{{cite web|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/childish-gambino-31520|title=Childish Gambino - 3.15.20|website=Clash|last=Ijaduola|first=Debbie|date=March 23, 2020|access-date=March 25, 2020}}

| rev3 = Consequence of Sound

| rev3score = B+{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2020/03/album-review-childish-gambino-03-15-20/|title=Childish Gambino's 3.15.20 Revels in Its Perfect Timing|website=Consequence of Sound|last=Jones|first=Okla|date=March 23, 2020|access-date=March 25, 2020}}

| rev4 = Exclaim!

| rev4score = 7/10{{cite web|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/childish_gambino-3_15_20|title=Childish Gambino 3.15.20|work=Exclaim!|last=Harmony|first=A.|date=March 31, 2020|access-date=April 1, 2020}}

| rev5 = The Guardian

| rev5score = {{rating|5|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2020/mar/22/childish-gambino-31520-album-review|title=Childish Gambino: 3.15.20 review – at the peak of the zeitgeist|work=The Guardian|last=Van Nguyen|first=Dean|date=March 22, 2020|access-date=March 25, 2020}}

| rev6 = NME

| rev6score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/donald-glover-presents-what-did-it-mean-2626537|title=Childish Gambino – '3.15.20' review: rap's Renaissance man lets guard down with most personal record to date|work=NME|last=Moore|first=Sam|date=March 23, 2020|access-date=March 25, 2020}}

| rev7 = Pitchfork

| rev7score = 6.0/10{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/childish-gambino-31520/|title=Childish Gambino 3.15.20|work=Pitchfork|last=A. Thompson|first=Paul|date=March 26, 2020|access-date=March 26, 2020}}

| MC = 83/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/31520/childish-gambino|title=3.15.20 by Childish Gambino|website=Metacritic|access-date=April 8, 2020}}

| ADM = 7.9/10{{cite web|url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/11328/Childish-Gambino-31520.aspx|title=3.15.20 by Childish Gambino reviews|publisher=AnyDecentMusic?|access-date=April 8, 2020}}

| rev8 = PopMatters

| rev8score = {{rating|10|10}}{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/childish-gambino-31520-2645573533.html|title=Childish Gambino's '3.15.20' Captures the Tumultuous Contemporary Moment|work=PopMatters|last=Woronzoff|first=Elisabeth|date=March 24, 2020|access-date=March 25, 2020}}

| rev9 = Sputnikmusic

| rev9score = 4.0/5{{cite web|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/81088/Childish-Gambino-03.15.20/|title=Review: Childish Gambin - 3.15.20|work=Sputnikmusic|date=March 30, 2020|access-date=March 31, 2020}}

}}

According to the review aggregator Metacritic, the album received critical acclaim, with an average review score of 83 out of 100. Aggregator AnyDecentMusic? gave it 7.9 out of 10, based on their assessment of the critical consensus.

AllMusic{{'}}s critic Tim Sendra wrote in his review that "the 2020 Childish Gambino record 3.15.20 is an expansive, mind-bending trip that never takes an expected step." Sendra continued by comparing the album to other artists' work, stating that "The end result is a challenging, hooky, mysterious and odd record that feels like it was built out of pieces left over from a collision between Outkast, David Bowie, Sly and the Family Stone, and Prince." Sendra ended his review by saying that 3.15.20 is the "second classic, timeless and timely Childish Gambino record in a row." Writing for Consequence of Sound, Okla Jones praised the album, stating that "Glover's willingness to experiment with different sounds and harmonies is evidence that things either foreign or unknown need not be feared, but embraced. No, as in life, there's beauty in uncertainty." While praising Glover's songwriting and the features on 3.15.20, Jones criticized the production and vocals on a few of the album's tracks.

The Guardian{{'}}s reviewer Dean Van Nguyen acclaimed the album, saying that "The actor, comedian and musician Donald Glover has made the first truly outstanding album of the decade, offsetting cultural examinations with moments of sweet levity." Nguyen further stated that the themes of the album fits to the present day insecurities with the COVID-19 pandemic, saying that "The disruption caused by the coronavirus forces us to question how strong the foundations of civilisation really are. Glover never could have seen the pandemic coming when he was recording the album, yet at a time when much of what we thought was strong is weak - what we thought was eternal is potentially fleeting – 3.15.20 captures the insecurity of lived reality and the humanity that truly defines our existence." Sam Moore of NME gave the album a favorable review, particularly praising Glover's decision to bring up more private matters on the album, referring to the song "47.48". Moore wrote that "The rolling groove of '47.48' is another highlight: Glover's doomy proclamations about the violent and unjust aspects of society ('little boys playing 'round, shot down') eventually subside for a more optimistic outlook for the future as Glover sweetly interacts with his young son Legend about the people they each love." Moore continued by saying that "Glover's willingness to share such a candid moment on record is particularly interesting given his past proclivity towards keeping his private life largely offline, and may be a sign that the star is beginning to let his guard down as the outside world continues to try to peer in."

Some reviews were more mixed. Debbie Ijaduola of Clash unfavorably compared the album to Childish Gambino's previous efforts, stating that "Lacking the strong narrative thrust so apparent on his [Glover's] past albums, the project is incredibly disappointing. From what it looks like, it seems like there was a reason he said he was quitting music." However, Ijaduola highlighted the songs "Algorhythm", "42.26" and "47.48" as the album's most enjoyable tracks. Pitchfork{{'}}s critic Paul A. Thompson stated that "3.15.20 is studded with little hooks and big ideas that serve as lures. Its spiritual largesse is weighed down by impulses carried halfway to their endpoints and moments of frustrating pretense." Thompson, alike other reviewers, praised the song "47.48", saying that the track "sounds like a locked-in house band; the lyrics are actually about a crushing and ever-present violence, and the tension mesmerizes. That song ends with a conversation between Glover and his young son about love-sweeter than it sounds on paper, chilling given the juxtaposition."

{{Track listing

| headline = 3.15.20 track listing – Childish Gambino

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| total_length = 57:44

| title1 = 0.00

| writer1 = {{hlist|Donald Glover|James Francies, Jr.|Denise Renee}}

| extra1 = D. Glover

| length1 = 2:59

| title2 = Algorhythm

| writer2 = {{hlist|D. Glover|Dacoury Natche|Eyobed Getachew|Riley Mackin|Kurtis McKenzie|Ely Rise|Keir Gist|Reneé Neufville|Abdullah Bahr|Leon Ware|Zane Grey}}

| extra2 = {{hlist|D. Glover|DJ Dahi|EY}}

| length2 = 3:32

| title3 = Time

| note3 = featuring Ariana Grande

| writer3 = {{hlist|D. Glover|Natche|Ludwig Göransson|Ariana Grande|Chukwudi Hodge|Sarah Aarons}}

| extra3 = {{hlist|D. Glover|DJ Dahi|Göransson|Hodge|Jai Paul{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length3 = 6:07

| title4 = 12.38

| note4 = featuring 21 Savage, Ink, and Kadhja Bonet

| writer4 = {{hlist|D. Glover|Natche|Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph|Atia Boggs|Kadhja Bonet}}

| extra4 = {{hlist|D. Glover|DJ Dahi}}

| length4 = 6:32

| title5 = 19.10

| writer5 = {{hlist|D. Glover|Natche|Göransson|Hodge|Kurtis McKenzie|Francies}}

| extra5 = {{hlist|D. Glover|DJ Dahi|Göransson|Hodge|McKenzie}}

| length5 = 5:08

| title6 = 24.19

| writer6 = {{hlist|D. Glover|Natche|Carlos Muñoz}}

| extra6 = {{hlist|D. Glover|DJ Dahi|Loshendrix}}

| length6 = 7:59

| title7 = 32.22

| writer7 = {{hlist|D. Glover|Natche|Göransson|Hodge|McKenzie|Francies}}

| extra7 = {{hlist|D. Glover|DJ Dahi|Göransson|Hodge|McKenzie}}

| length7 = 3:12

| title8 = 35.31

| writer8 = {{hlist|D. Glover|Natche|Erwin Henderson, Jr.|Curtis Kirk|Peaches Monroee|Sam Sugarman}}

| extra8 = DJ Dahi

| length8 = 3:56

| title9 = 39.28

| writer9 = {{hlist|D. Glover|Francies|Mackin}}

| extra9 = {{hlist|D. Glover|Francies|Mackin}}

| length9 = 2:59

| title10 = 42.26

| writer10 = {{hlist|D. Glover|Göransson}}

| extra10 = {{hlist|D. Glover|Göransson}}

| length10 = 5:21

| title11 = 47.48

| writer11 = {{hlist|D. Glover|Natche|Göransson|Hodge|Legend Glover}}

| extra11 = {{hlist|D. Glover|DJ Dahi|Göransson|Hodge}}

| length11 = 6:00

| title12 = 53.49

| writer12 = {{hlist|D. Glover|Natche|Francies}}

| extra12 = {{hlist|D. Glover|DJ Dahi|Francies|Mackin{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length12 = 3:55

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Donald Glover Presents track listing – Donald Glover

| total_length = 57:44

| title1 = 3.15.20

| note1 = featuring Ariana Grande, 21 Savage, Kadhja Bonet and Ink

| length1 = 57:44

}}

Notes

• {{sup|{{note|a|[a]}}}} signifies an additional producer

Sample credits

• "Algorhythm" contains samples of "Hey Mr. D.J.", written by Anthony Bahr, Kier Gist, Leon Ware, Rene Neufville and Zane Grey, and performed by Zhané.

Credits adapted from Tidal.{{cite web |title=Credits / 3.15.20 / Childish Gambino - TIDAL |url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/134981147/credits |website=Tidal |access-date=19 April 2020}}

Musicians

{{Div col|colwidth=35em}}

• Childish Gambino – vocals
• Ariana Grande – featured vocals {{small|(3)}}
• 21 Savage – featured vocals {{small|(4)}}
• Atia "Ink" Boggs – featured vocals {{small|(4)}}
• Kadhja Bonet – featured vocals {{small|(4)}}
• James Francies, Jr. – keyboards {{small|(1, 5, 9, 12)}}, synthesizer {{small|(4, 7, 11)}}, Harpischord {{small|(6)}}, organ {{small|(6)}}
• Ely Rise – keyboards {{small|(2-4, 8)}}
• Brent Jones – background vocals {{small|(2, 3, 7)}}
• The Best Life Singers – background vocals {{small|(2-3, 7)}}
• Legend Glover – background vocals {{small|(11)}}
• The Denise Renee Choir – background vocals {{small|(12)}}
• Chukwudi Hodge – drums {{small|(3, 4, 7)}}, bells {{small|(7)}}
• Kurtis McKenzie – drums {{small|(4)}}
• Nate Smith – drums {{small|(12)}}
• Loshendrix – guitar {{small|(6)}}
• Ludwig Göransson – bass {{small|(11)}}, guitar {{small|(11)}}
• Elena Pinderhughes – flute {{small|(11)}}
• Dani Markham - percussion

{{div col end}}

Production

{{Div col|colwidth=35em}}

• Donald Glover – production {{small|(all exc. 8)}}, mixing engineer {{small|(track 10)}}
• DJ Dahi – production {{small|(all exc. 1, 9-10)}}
• Loshendrix – production {{small|(6)}}
• Ludwig Göransson – production {{small|(3, 5, 7, 10-11)}}
• EY – production {{small|(2)}}
• Chukwudi Hodge – production {{small|(3, 5, 7, 11)}}
• Kurtis Mckenzie – production {{small|(5, 7)}}
• Jamies Francies, Jr. – production {{small|(9, 12)}}
• Jai Paul – additional production {{small|(3)}}
• Riley Mackin – mix engineering, record engineering, additional production {{small|(12)}}
• Ruben Rivera – record engineering {{small|(2)}}
• Kyle Stephens – record engineering {{small|(3)}}
• Mike Bozzi – master engineering {{small|(3)}}

{{div col end}}

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+3.15.20 sales chart performance
scope="col"| Chart (2020) ! scope="col"| Peak position
{{album chart|Australia|11|artist=Childish Gambino|album=3.15.20|rowheader=true|access-date=March 28, 2020}}
{{album chart|Austria|55|artist=Childish Gambino|album=3.15.20|rowheader=true|access-date=April 2, 2020}}
{{album chart|Flanders|24|artist=Childish Gambino|album=3.15.20|rowheader=true|access-date=March 28, 2020}}
{{album chart|Wallonia|112|artist=Childish Gambino|album=3.15.20|rowheader=true|access-date=March 28, 2020}}
{{album chart|BillboardCanada|17|artist=Childish Gambino|rowheader=true|access-date=March 31, 2020}}
{{album chart|Netherlands|60|artist=Childish Gambino|album=3.15.20|rowheader=true|access-date=March 28, 2020}}
scope="row"| Estonian Albums (Eesti Tipp-40){{Cite web|url=https://ekspress.delfi.ee/areen/eesti-tipp-40-muusikas-selle-nadala-kangelased-on-the-weeknd-ja-ag?id=89401195|title=Eesti Tipp-40 Muusikas: Selle nädala kangelased on The Weeknd ja AG|language=et|last=Nestor|first=Siim|website=Eesti Ekspress|date=March 31, 2020|access-date=April 8, 2020}} | 29
{{album chart|Ireland3|17|date=20200327|rowheader=true|access-date=March 28, 2020}}
scope="row"| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ){{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/albums/2020-03-27|title=NZ Top 40 Albums Chart|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|date=March 30, 2020|access-date=March 28, 2020}} | 18
{{album chart|Scotland|53|date=20200327|rowheader=true|access-date=March 28, 2020}}
{{album chart|Switzerland|45|artist=Childish Gambino|album=3.15.20|rowheader=true|access-date=April 1, 2020}}
{{album chart|UK2|20|date=20200327|rowheader=true|access-date=March 28, 2020}}
{{album chart|Billboard200|13|artist=Childish Gambino|rowheader=true|access-date=March 31, 2020}}
{{album chart|BillboardRandBHipHop|8|artist=Childish Gambino|rowheader=true|access-date=March 31, 2020}}

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Childish Gambino}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:03.15.20}}

Category:2020 albums

Category:Donald Glover albums

Category:RCA Records albums

Category:Albums produced by DJ Dahi

Category:Albums produced by James Francies

Category:Albums produced by Ludwig Göransson

Category:Albums produced by Jai Paul

Category:Albums produced by Kurtis McKenzie

Category:Surprise albums

Category:Alternative R&B albums

Category:Neo soul albums

Category:Experimental music albums by American artists