Childish Gambino Is Not Fakin’ The Funk. He Makes It Virtual Reality (Video)

Easily one of 2016’s most influential artists, Donald Glover has proven time and again that he can conquer the worlds of television and music simultaneously. He did it with 30 Rock, Community, and Atlanta while juggling a career as Childish Gambino, his rapping alter ego. But with Awaken, My Love!, he took the more exploratory elements of music found on 2014’s STN MTN / Kauai and pushed them even further into bona fide Funk. Many were left surprised by the sound of his most recent LP, but as his career has proven, Gambino is never afraid to go there.

Childish Gambino Funks Up Expectations Going Into His New Album (Audio)

And go there he did with a recent performance at an event in Joshua Tree, California, where ‘bino utilized the Pharos virtual reality app. “Me And Your Mama” now features a music video unlike any in his catalog, and with few comparable examples in all of music. Equal parts live performance and cinematic experience, the new video allows users of Pharos headset to see the show from a front-row POV, but it still looks pretty incredible without one. When viewing directly from YouTube, the video is a mesmeric event, with costumes and makeup designed to leap from beyond your screen. Black light ink and a full band add to the excitement. Viewers are able to click and drag the video so as to change the camera’s angle. Those who watch on their mobile phones, while inside the most up-to-date YouTube app, can move their phones around to view the action from different vantage points.

For those wondering how to get a Pharos headset, one way to do so is to pre-order the limited-edition vinyl copy of Awaken, My Love!, due in 2017. According to Rolling Stone, “the vinyl will be accompanied by a VR headset with access to exclusive performances from the Joshua Tree show.”