Childish Gambino's "This Is America" inspired quite a few conversations about race relations and government policies in the U.S. and beyond. However, a recent discovery points to another artist's song being the inspiration behind it.
According to some very investigative Twitter users, "This Is America" sounds a lot like rapper Jase Harley's 2016 song "American Pharaoh."
Some are claiming Gambino completely ripped off the song, while others are saying the two songs are similar, but not nearly the same.
https://t.co/vzE7948Gn7 They sound mad similar in structure and certain parts of the flow. This is one of the few times where it doesn't seem like people are reaching bro. Hmm.
— ✞⁷ (@jrewl) June 25, 2018
They sound an awful lot alike… pic.twitter.com/1HOKFfJsxW
— Trouble ???? (@LongDonnSilver) June 24, 2018
okay so I listened to “American Pharaoh” and compared it to “this is America” and like it’s kind of similar but it’s honestly just that. similar. Bino didn’t steal that song. Both songs are very good. I will say tho jase Harley has found his way into my dossier 🙂 dude is good fr
— dylan richardson (@futurafunky) June 25, 2018
Yall reaching too the stars with this one.
People always want something to complain about— Joel (@highlyjoel) June 25, 2018
Oh nah this shit was stripped from the bone and had Gambino crack sprinkled all on it lmaoooo
— Baby Freeway ???????????????? (@RappersRActors) June 24, 2018
Yall really think Childish Gambino stole “This Is America”? Those songs are similar as FUCK. But I feel like it’s not just as cut-and-dry as “he stole it”.
— Action Hank (@_BushidoB_) June 25, 2018
Despite mixed feelings about the similarities between the two records, it seems Harley isn't upset, but he would appreciate a shoutout.
The artist Jase Harley acknowledged the similarity but also that he isn’t angry.
He said it’s cool he had an influence on a great record.
Very humble, makes me want to check out his other music.
— Austin Ratner (@ratsonrats) June 24, 2018
Yeah he's talked about it a bit on IG and doesn't seem upset…but also doesn't seem to have gotten the bag either pic.twitter.com/oMFqPKgIt4
— Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) June 25, 2018
"Lol word a shoutout would be cool, " Harley wrote, according to screenshots. "All good tho…he's a great artist, dope I could have an influence on the record."
In a now-deleted tweet, Fam Udeorji, the co-manager of Donald Glover’s label, Wolf & Rothstein, took an aggressive approach in responding to the plagiarism accusations, reports BuzzFeed News. Udeoriji took to Twitter on Monday, June 25, claiming “This Is America” is 3-years-old and said Team Childish has the “pro tools files to prove it.”
“The Internet is a place of no consequences,” Udeorji tweeted. “I hate that Toronto Akademiks/every white blogger can say something as gospel and y'all take it. this song is 3 yrs old, and we have pro tools files to prove it. but f**k you and your moms, and your future fetuses. stay blessed.”
He then concluded the rant with, “You asked for a comment from the label, this is it @pitchfork.”
