Donald Glover Talks Retiring Childish Gambino Moniker: “It’s Not Fulfilling” Anymore

Donald Glover Talks Retiring Childish Gambino Moniker: “It’s Not Fulfilling” Anymore

As a long-time fan of Childish Gambino and Donald Glover’s music, I have to admit that his decision to retire the moniker comes as a bittersweet moment for me. Glover’s evolution as an artist over the past decade has been nothing short of inspiring, and I’ve always looked forward to each new release with eager anticipation.


Donald Glover announced that he is stepping back from using the stage name Childish Gambino following an unexpected epiphany.

“He expressed to The New York Times that it felt almost anticlimactic, ‘It’s finished,’ he said. Building in this manner no longer brought him satisfaction and he felt no compulsion to continue.”

Glover initially revealed his decision to end Childish Gambino back in April. His upcoming sixth and final album under this name, titled “Bando Stone & the New World“, will be released on Friday. In a recent interview, the artist explained that the motivation behind his retirement stemmed from becoming a parent.

As I no longer turn 25, I find myself confronted by a seemingly immovable boulder within me, thinking “This needs to budge.” However, I’ve come to realize that one doesn’t always need to give their all or strive tirelessly. The beauty in life lies in each moment, and it doesn’t require constant searching or construction to discover it.

“When I carry my son up high on my shoulders, I experience genuine happiness. After all, no one reflects on their life’s end and regrets missing out on heartfelt moments.”

Glover initiated the Childish Gambino persona over a decade ago and gained recognition through six albums and five Grammy Awards. As his creative journey progressed, so did his perspective on what constituted success. In his own words, “Success to me is simply creating an extensive album that I would enjoy listening to. With this album [Bando], I aimed to produce music capable of filling large venues and resonating with audiences through powerful, unifying anthems.”

He added, “Should this album resonate with listeners such that it shapes their sense of self, and serves as a cherished memory of the summer of ’24 when looked back upon a year later, then the emotional worth of this achievement far surpasses any chart rankings for me.”

Glover penned down a new recording while producing a film about a musician creating his magnum opus on a secluded island, only for a worldwide disaster to occur.

He shared that he found it intriguing when someone created music without a clear goal in mind (Robert Frost’s road less traveled, perhaps). This experience resonates with everyone, artist or not, as we all grapple with the question: “What’s the point of it all?”

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2024-07-18 01:24