In the new FX show, “Atlanta,” things take off for the lead character strong and fast. The same can be said for the show itself.
The show, which has aired just a few episodes thus far, stars Donald Glover (otherwise known as Childish Gambino), who is also the writer and creator. It follows his character, Earn Marks, a Stanford dropout, going through life in Atlanta, taking care of his child, while his baby mama is still living with him but going out with other people.
Struggling to keep up with the bills, his cousin drops a mixtape by his rapper stage name “Paper Boi.” The song, named after his stage name, “Paper Boi”, starts spreading fast through Atlanta. Earn sees this as a perfect chance to become his manager and make stacks of cash given the fast-growing popularity of his cousin’s song.
Given the basic plot, the show itself as a whole isn’t nearly as simple. “Atlanta” shows the lifestyle that many people of Atlanta may connect to. The character’s life in the city is unique, of course, but there are many little parts that might be relatable to most.
Young people in this day and age want to be famous and have tons of money, and that’s what Earn’s cousin is trying to do while also trying to bring back his interpretation of “real rap.” For Earn it’s not as shallow as that. He needs money to support his kid and his own life. Investing in the rap game is the best chance he has.
Rappers from Atlanta, including big names like Future and Gucci Mane, have been extremely popular in the past year or two, and more names continue to emerge. The show “Atlanta” captures behind the scenes what might happen with a person pursuing that dream of becoming one of those big artists.
Instead of mainly focusing on the rapper, though, it focuses on the process and the life before and after the music is recorded. Glover gives a raw look at life in Atlanta. While one person might be starting to make a life for himself, another could be struggling to find a place to sleep. That’s where the parallel is with Earn and his cousin, Alfred Miles. Earn is a college dropout desperate for cash while his brother is about to make it big with his song. This presents the perfect opportunity for him to manage because he has the smarts to do it.
While all this sounds depressing in a way, Glover shines with his way to blend it with humor. There is a sense of darkness when it comes to the comedy in “Atlanta.” The funny moments come from the misfortune of Glover’s character in correspondence to his cousin’s success. It stinks for him, sure, but it’s played off as no big deal, making it okay to laugh.
Just because Alfred is a fast up-and-coming rapper doesn’t mean he doesn’t have his setbacks, which hold a comedic tone, as well. They aren’t as tough as Earn’s troubles, but they still affect him in an important way. Alfred’s problems still might seem quite petty compared to Earn’s, but in the long run they matter and result in a great laugh when both characters problems are combined.
The people that are used to Glover’s comedy in the show “Community” or on his stand up special are still present. The difference is the tone of his comedy in “Atlanta”. His humor is written to be more serious and realistic. There is a blend of drama with most of the jokes, which works perfectly with what the show is putting out as far as the plot goes.
Overall, “Atlanta” is an extremely interesting dark comedy that promises to be intriguing until the end. Glover’s performance and writing chops are showcased in this FX original. The new dramedy is refreshing for the mass audience. It’s definitely not to be ignored.
