{{Short description|2020 single by Childish Gambino}} {{Infobox song | name = Psilocybae (Millennial Love) | type = single | released = April 14, 2020 | artist = Childish Gambino featuring 21 Savage, Ink and Kadhja Bonet | album = 3.15.20 | genre = Psychedelic hip-hop<ref>{{Cite web|last=Yoo|first=Noah|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/childish-gambino-1238/|title=Childish Gambino: "12.38" Track Review|date=March 24, 2020|access-date=January 18, 2025|work=Pitchfork}}</ref> | length = {{Duration|m=6|s=32}} | writer = {{hlist|Donald Glover|Dacoury Natche|Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph|Atia "Ink" Boggs|Kadhja Bonet}} | producer = {{hlist|Glover|DJ Dahi}} | chronology = Childish Gambino | prev_title = Time | prev_year = 2020 | next_title = Sweet Thang (24.19) | next_year = 2020 | misc = {{Extra chronology | artist = 21 Savage | type = single | prev_title = Immortal | prev_year = 2019 | title = Psilocybae (Millennial Love) | year = 2020 | next_title = Secret | next_year = 2020 }} {{External music video|{{YouTube|IKnXFRW3LP0|"Psilocybae (Millennial Love)"}}|header=Audio video|type=single}} }} "'''Psilocybae (Millennial Love)'''", also known as "'''12.38'''" and originally titled "'''Vibrate'''", is a song by American rapper Donald Glover, performed under the stage name Childish Gambino, from his fourth studio album, ''3.15.20'' (2020). It was re-recorded and re-released on the album ''Atavista'' (2024), where it additionally received its full title. The song features guest vocals by rapper 21 Savage, American singer-songwriter Atia "Ink" Boggs, and American musician Kadhja Bonet. It was written by the artists and DJ Dahi who produced it with Gambino.

Glover sings about a psilocybin-induced trip with a girl who leaves hints about wanting to break up with him. Critics praised the song's comedic narrative and 21 Savage's guest appearance. Under the name "12.38", it peaked at number 22 on the NZ Hot Singles published by Recorded Music NZ. Under the title "Psilocybae (Millennial Love)", it peaked at number 20 on ''Billboard''{{'}}s Hot R&B Songs chart.

==Background and recording== [[File:21 Savage 2018.jpg|thumb|left|180px|alt=21 Savage holds a microphone and looks to his right|"Psilocybae (Millennial Love)" is the third collaboration between Glover and 21 Savage after their 2018 tracks "This Is America" and "Monster".]] Producer DJ Dahi called the creation of the song an evolving process.<ref name="Dahi">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/childish-gambino-album-dj-dahi-interview-970222/|title=Donald Glover's Surprise Album Is a Mystery. DJ Dahi Has (Some) Answers|date=March 24, 2020|accessdate=April 3, 2020|magazine=Rolling Stone|author=Elias Leight|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328103418/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/childish-gambino-album-dj-dahi-interview-970222/|archive-date=March 28, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Dahi had an initial beat with chords provided by Ely Rise.<ref name="Dahi"/> Kadhja Bonet's vocals were for another track, but were chopped and reused for "Psilocybae (Millennial Love)".<ref name="Dahi"/> Dahi described the track as having "funky, odd, but feels good" energy. The song was momentarily put to the side, but Gambino continued writing his verse.<ref name="Dahi"/> Rapper 21 Savage recorded his guest verse and American singer-songwriter Atia "Ink" Boggs was invited to co-write on the song.<ref name="Dahi"/> Glover and 21 Savage previously collaborated in 2018 on the former's single "This Is America" and the track "Monster" from the latter's second studio album ''I Am > I Was''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.coolaccidents.com/news/heres-everyone-who-features-on-childish-gambinos-this-is-america|title=Here's Everyone Who Features On Childish Gambino's 'This Is America'|date=May 7, 2018|accessdate=April 2, 2020|website=Cool Accidents|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604111335/http://www.coolaccidents.com/news/heres-everyone-who-features-on-childish-gambinos-this-is-america|archive-date=June 4, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/a25653251/childish-gambino-21-savage-monster-lyrics-verse/|title=Childish Gambino's Verse on 21 Savage's 'Monster' Explains Why He Wants to Retire From Music|website=Esquire|date=December 21, 2018|accessdate=April 2, 2020|author=Matt Miller|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425182715/https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/a25653251/childish-gambino-21-savage-monster-lyrics-verse/|archive-date=April 25, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Composition and lyrics== {{Listen |filename= Childish Gambino 12-38.ogg |pos= right |title= "Psilocybae (Millennial Love)" |description=Audio sample of "Psilocybae (Millennial Love)". Glover sings about a girl feeding him psilocybin, though he is unaware of the drug's effects.}} Noah Yoo of ''Pitchfork'' described the production of "Psilocybae (Millennial Love)" as a "sensual, minimalistic bounce."<ref name="P4k">{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/childish-gambino-1238/|title="12.38" by Childish Gambino Review|author=Noah Yoo|accessdate=April 2, 2020|date=March 24, 2020|website=Pitchfork|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325194050/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/childish-gambino-1238/|archive-date=March 25, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The song interpolates André 3000's song "Vibrate".<ref name="P4k"/> In the song, a girl feeds Glover psilocybin, who is unfamiliar with the psychedelic drug.<ref name="Guardian">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/mar/28/childish-gambino-31520-review-a-deep-dive-made-for-self-isolation|title=Childish Gambino: 3.15.20 review – a deep-dive made for self-isolation|website=The Guardian|author=Kitty Empire|accessdate=April 3, 2020|date=March 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402014416/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/mar/28/childish-gambino-31520-review-a-deep-dive-made-for-self-isolation|archive-date=April 2, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Sexual tension builds up as his girlfriend keeps texting him, causing his phone to vibrate.<ref name="Guardian"/> Glover uses humorous lines such as "Why your cat looking at me sideways?" in place of a hook and chorus.<ref name="P4k"/> His verse continues as a beat-by-beat breakdown of the psilocybin use, until he wakes up alone.<ref name="Sputnik">{{Cite web|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/81088/Childish-Gambino-03.15.20/|title=Review: Childish Gambino - 03.15.20|website=Sputnikmusic|date=March 30, 2020|accessdate=April 3, 2020}}</ref> He name-checks multiple female artists, including Toni Braxton, SZA, and Chaka Khan;<ref name="P4k"/> he also name-drops American academic bell hooks.

Meanwhile, 21 Savage raps about a side-chick he has at Harvard, as well as about police harassment; he was previously detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in February 2019.<ref name="Genius">{{Cite web|title=21 Savage Raps About Police Harassment On Childish Gambino's "12.38"|url=https://genius.com/a/21-savage-raps-about-police-harassment-on-childish-gambino-s-12-38|website=Genius|date=March 22, 2020|accessdate=April 2, 2020|author1=Eddie Fu|author2=Tia Hill|author3=Joe Ali|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323135914/https://genius.com/a/21-savage-raps-about-police-harassment-on-childish-gambino-s-12-38|archive-date=March 23, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> 21 Savage also raps about Popeyes' chicken and cartoon character Popeye's spinach.<ref name="COS">{{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|author=Okla Jones|access-date=April 3, 2020|website=Consequence of Sound|date=March 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324150218/https://consequenceofsound.net/2020/03/album-review-childish-gambino-03-15-20/|archive-date=March 24, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

By the end, the song, at this point featuring vocals from Kadhja Bonet and Ink, "devolves into spirals of vocal echoes" as a result of the psilocybin trip kicking in.<ref name="P4k" />

==Release and promotion== The song originally surfaced under the unofficial title "Vibrate" when Glover streamed ''3.15.20'' on his website on March 15, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hiphop-n-more.com/2020/03/donald-glover-childish-gambino-new-album-stream/|title=Donald Glover Releases New Album Through Live Stream|date=March 15, 2020|accessdate=April 2, 2020|website=HipHop-N-More|author=NavJosh|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321043413/https://hiphop-n-more.com/2020/03/donald-glover-childish-gambino-new-album-stream/|archive-date=March 21, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The track was titled "12.38" upon the album's official release on March 22, 2020.<ref name="Stereogum">{{Cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2077563/childish-gambinos-new-album-3-15-20/music/album-stream/|title=Stream Childish Gambino's New Album ''3.15.20''|date=March 22, 2020|accessdate=April 3, 2020|website=Stereogum|author=James Rettig|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408071919/https://www.stereogum.com/2077563/childish-gambinos-new-album-3-15-20/music/album-stream/|archive-date=April 8, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Only the tracks "Algorythm" and "Time" had proper names; the rest, such as "12.38", were marked by their respective timestamps.<ref name="Stereogum"/> "12.38" was released as a single to urban adult contemporary radio on April 14, 2020, along with "Sweet Thang (24.19)".<ref name="12.38">{{cite web|url=https://www.allaccess.com/urban/future-releases|title=Ubran/UAC Future Releases|website=All Access|date=April 9, 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409160249/https://www.allaccess.com/urban/future-releases|archivedate=April 9, 2020|accessdate=May 3, 2020}}</ref> A reissue of ''3.15.20'' was released as ''Atavista'' on May 13, 2024, with all timestamped tracks being given finished names; "12.38" became "Psilocybae (Millennial Love)".<ref>{{cite web |last=Mier|first=Tomás|last2=Paul|first2=Larisha|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/childish-gambino-drops-atavista-album-1235018778/|title=Childish Gambino Surprise-Drops Complete '3.15.20' Album and Plots New World Tour|website=Rolling Stone|language=en|date=May 13, 2024|accessdate=June 13, 2024}}</ref>

==Critical reception== Kitty Empire of ''The Guardian'' called the song excellent and described it as having "the feel of narrative fiction".<ref name="Guardian"/> Empire stated that the song "could be an episode of ''Atlanta''," an American comedy-drama television series created by Glover.<ref name="Guardian"/> Rowan5215 of ''Sputnikmusic'' called the song hilarious and wrote that Glover "[weaponizes] his full range to spin some ''The Love Below''-style seduction."<ref name="Sputnik"/> Okla Jones of ''Consequence of Sound'' called the song witty and sonically-pleasing as Glover "taps into his prowess as both a writer and a comic."<ref name="COS"/> Jones wrote that 21 Savage's verse had Southern charm and was must-needed.<ref name="COS"/> Noah Yoo of ''Pitchfork'' praised 21 Savage's "particularly on point" guest appearance.<ref name="P4k"/> Yoo wrote that as the song ends in spiraling echoes, "it's 21's lyrics you’re left thinking about."<ref name="P4k"/>

==Personnel== Credits adapted from Tidal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/134981147/credits|title=Credits / 3.15.20 / Childish Gambino – TIDAL|website=Tidal|accessdate=April 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200326161306/https://listen.tidal.com/album/134981147/credits|archive-date=March 26, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> {{Div col}} * Childish Gambino – lead artist, producer, lyricist, composer * 21 Savage – featured vocals, lyricist, composer * Atia "Ink" Boggs – featured vocals, lyricist, composer * Kadhja Bonet – featured vocals, lyricist, composer * DJ Dahi – producer, lyricist, composer * Chukwudi Hodge – drums * Kurtis McKenzie – drums * Sam Sugarman – guitar * Ely Rise – keyboards * James Francies, Jr. – synthesizers * Riley Mackin – recording, mixing {{Div col end}}

==Charts== {{col-start}} {{col-2}} {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ Weekly chart performance for "12.38" |- ! scope="col"| Chart (2020) ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- ! scope="row"| NZ Hot Singles (Recorded Music NZ)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/hot-singles/2020-03-27|title=NZ Hot Singles Chart|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|date=March 30, 2020|access-date=April 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327213636/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/hotsingles%3Fchart%3D4838|archive-date=March 27, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> | 22 |} {{col-2}}

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ Weekly chart performance for "Psilocybae (Millennial Love)" |- ! scope="col"| Chart (2024) ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- ! scope="row"| US Hot R&B Songs (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/r-and-b-songs/2024-05-25|title=R&B Music: Top R&B Songs|magazine=Billboard|date=May 25, 2024|accessdate=June 4, 2024}}</ref> | 20 |} {{col-end}}

==References== {{reflist}}

{{Childish Gambino}} {{21 Savage}}

{{authority control}}

Category:2020 songs Category:Donald Glover songs Category:Songs written by Donald Glover Category:Songs written by 21 Savage Category:Songs about drugs Category:Songs written by Atia Boggs