'' Because the Internet '' received generally positive reviews from critics . At Metacritic , which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications , the album received an average score of 64 , based on 26 reviews . Writing for '' The Boston Globe '' , Franklin Soults said , " Love Donald Glover or hate him , this writer/actor/comedian / rapper unquestionably ranks among America 's most accomplished performers . ... The production is as rich as the raps , spanning pop , underground R&B , club music , and psychedelic experimentation . The project is further heightened by Glover 's knowing irony , his gift for hooks , and his visionary theme . Without making it a burdensome concept to explain and belabor , the Internet figures prominently throughout the disc in ways empowering and emasculating . " Killian Fox , writing for '' The Observer '' , said , " Glover reflects on some unsettling phenomena of our internet-addled age , such as the 3D printing of guns – and his restless delivery is matched by jerky , off-kilter production . The results are intriguing , occasionally frustrating , rarely boring . " Jabbari Weekes of '' Exclaim ! '' said , " '' Because the Internet '' is a vast improvement over his debut effort , showcasing an artist who has confidently found a way to coalesce his love for music and films into one hybrid effort . " Christian Lee of '' HipHopDX '' said , " He raps because , well , he can . Most of all , in his ambitious second album '' Because The Internet '' , he raps as if to pass the time . Anxious introverts may recognize what Childish Gambino does here , repeatedly : flit around , try to be sociable , but then flee . Childish Gambino still manages to mostly hold our attention , though , because he concerns himself instead with his own terms . " David Jeffries of AllMusic said , " Connecting with the album is nearly impossible , understanding it is difficult , and often enough , its inflated ego is irksome , but '' Because the Internet '' is too free and fascinating to be dragged down by these complaints , so if a '' Yeezus '' with more flash and fun is what 's required , Gambino 's got the good stuff . " Perry Kostidakis of the '' FSView & Florida Flambeau '' wrote , " From a purely musical standpoint , '' Because the Internet '' finds itself in contention for best rap album of 2013 . Produced almost solely by Gambino ( with help from Community composer Ludwig Goransson ) , it seems as if BTI is the first rap album this year that is completely confident in what it is . " Lizzie Plaugic of '' CMJ '' stated in a mixed review , " '' Because The Internet '' is not easily dismissible , because it 's so self-awarely annoying . It trips over its own feet hoping the cool kids will roll their eyes at it , because behind those eye rolls is a jealousy that Gambino can fall with such nonchalance . Even though '' Because The Internet '' is kind of strange and kind of a bummer , it does show Glover 's range as a musician . " Craig Jenkins of '' Pitchfork '' stated , " With Gambino 's wordplay ping-ponging from caustic wit to message board snark , the enduring strength of the album is its production . Gambino and Göransson handle the bulk of it here alongside usual suspect Stefan Ponce and alley oops from twin act Christian Rich and Flying Lotus associate Thundercat . '' Because the Internet '' s production team not only ensures the sounds are pretty , spacey , and jarring in all the right places , but they also effortlessly nail the album 's '' Dark Side of the Moon '' / '' Wizard of Oz '' synchronicity gambit . " Dom Sinacola of '' Slant Magazine '' said , " More than that , it furthers the general message of the whole album , which is that for all his posturing and charm , Glover may not have it in him to participate in the kind of bacchanalia required of his position as a young , burgeoning , multi-talented rap star . Halfway between throwaway wordplay and trenchant comment about fame , the lyric says a lot about where Glover 's head is at : As a former sketch comedian , writer on '' 30 Rock '' , and star of the sitcom '' Community '' , he leans on his wit as his most formidable weapon . " Philip Cosores of '' Consequence of Sound '' stated , " Yes , the dedication that Glover has seemingly displayed in the project is admirable . But he just does n't seem to get music on this album . Maybe it 's because of his taste , or because he is trying too hard to stand out , or because of his hubris , or because he has lost touch with reality , or maybe it is because of the internet . " Phillip Mlynar of '' Spin '' said , " The only reaction that '' Because the Internet '' elicits is the uncontrollable urge to skip to the next song , in hopes that things could n't possibly get any sloppier . But they do , beginning with the cod-wailing that blights " Crawl " and volleying with the psychedelic muzak of " The Worst Guys " ( co-starring Chance the Rapper ) and " Zealots of Stockholm ( Free Information ) , " which sounds like Glover has inadvertently locked himself in his practice space and is attempting to muster up a loud enough mess so that some kindly passerby will hear his cries for help . As the album collapses into itself with the closing cut , " Life : The Biggest Troll ( Andrew Auernheimer ) , " we 're resigned to existence as a gloopy mess of random thoughts . " Where 's the line between Donny G and Gambino ? " the rapper muses , but it 's unclear whether this is meant as a genuine identity crisis or an all-knowing middle finger to critics . Maybe the entire album is a meme itself , a grand existential joke critiquing the all-conquering rise of Internet culture by parodying its overwhelming randomness . Whatever it is , though , it 's a bad rap record . " It was named the tenth best album of 2013 by '' Complex '' . They commented saying , " '' Because The Internet '' is unlike any other rap album this year . Musically , it 's as ambitious as something Kanye might do . ... It only leaked last week , but it 's some of the most engaging , rewarding music we 've heard all year . " '' XXL '' ranked it at number 15 on their list of best albums of 2013 . They elaborated saying , " One of the most creative albums of the year , actor/rapper Childish Gambino meshes both his talents together for a very innovate and impressive album . He ditches the goofy-comedic rap lyrics with introspective bars that tell a story about a boy who is trying to find himself in life . ... The music itself is really polished and well-produced , showcasing his growth lyrically and musically as he frequently sings on records . " The album was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 2015 Grammy Awards
2015 Grammy Awards
57th Annual Grammy Awards
Because the Internet