Donald Glover — AKA Childish Gambino- And His Ambitious Next Move
The multi-hyphenate star goal is on a mission to “elevate the taste.”
In the ever-evolving landscape of entertainment, few figures have demonstrated the sheer versatility and talent of Donald Glover, often known as Childish Gambino, his musical alter-ego.
Glover’s breakthrough came with his role as Troy Barnes in the hit sitcom “Community.” His portrayal of the lovable, pop-culture-obsessed student made him a fan favorite, and it was clear that his talent extended far beyond comedy.
The multifaceted artist has dominated the internet with his provocative, politically charged hit “This is America.” The latter even earned Glover a Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance for the track “Redbone.”
Not only can Glover sing, dance, and act — but he also produces and writes, as demonstrated with Atlanta, the widely acclaimed series for its unique blend of humour.
His engagement in activism and philanthropic efforts, addressing societal issues through his work, has earned him a place as a cultural icon.
Whether using his platform to advocate for social justice or addressing the nuances of mental health, Glover remains committed to positively impacting the world.
“I felt like social media was making me less human and I already didn’t feel that human.”
— D. Glover in The New Yorker
His production company: Gilga
Glover's new production company’s headquarters are based on a farm in Ojai, California. Building something even bigger and more ambitious than only he could have imagined.
This incubator will not only be a production company but also a library. On Gilga Farm, there are countless orange trees and an old church that is being converted. The company is currently raising capital and recruiting collaborators across creative disciplines.
Donald Glover, 39, is mostly preoccupied with elevating taste and quality for the masses — his favourite thing to talk about — by producing the freshest entertainment and art.
One of Gilga’s first projects will be a short film created by Malia Obama (yes — Barack Obama and Michelle Robinson-Obama’s daughter!), who cut her teeth in the writer's room for one of Glover’s Amazon projects.
“We really wanted to make sure she could make what she wanted — even if it was a slow process […] It’s more about diversity of thought than just, like, diversity for optics. You know what I mean?”
Most Hollywood production companies start off pure and idealistic, but inevitably, they get corrupted by external factors: overhead, investors, and pressure from the media. While most of those companies don’t have the auteur of one of the greatest television shows ever made behind them,
Glover intends to hold Gilga to a higher standard in the long run.
“Rich kids don’t do shit for money. They do things based on if it’s gonna make them happy.
Like, that’s really what I realized this last go-around. I made a lot of money, and it wasn’t that I was depressed or anything like that, but I realized it’s the people I was around that mattered. It’s the food I was able to eat.
It’s the processes I was a part of that made me happy.
People don’t get quality anymore and they need a filter. Gilga is a perfect filter for that shit.”
— Glover for GQ
October 2023: Donald on a campaign crusade
Considering Gilga needs funding, Glover has been creating momentum on several fronts, building media coverage about cinematic and musical projects in the pipeline.
14th of September: One of the most exciting announcements is Glover’s involvement in the ‘‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith’ Series to Debut in 2024 at Amazon Prime Video. This project promises a fresh take on the classic tale of espionage and marital mayhem, with Glover in a starring role.
3 of October: In a display of thoughtfulness, Glover expressed that “there’s a good reason to be cautious (AI). While recognizing the potential of this groundbreaking technology, he emphasized the importance of using it responsibly, believing in humanity’s ability to wield AI for the greater good.
The rapper is teasing about his next Childish Gambino project on the same day. While confiding that Rap Is ‘Not Able to Grow The Way It Was Growing Before’ on the 4th of October.
‘You’re so cryptic. I’m really not.’ I just like suspense, I guess. I think it makes stuff better. But that’s just me.”
— D. Glover
6th of October: The ‘Sound is Power’ campaign by Bose is built on innovation and immersive audio. It is an exciting venture into the world of sound and technology.
As Donald Glover continues diversifying his creative portfolio, fans and enthusiasts alike have ample reason to be excited about what lies ahead. Whether it’s through his acting, music, or thought-provoking commentary on technology and art, Glover’s work continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.
With his penchant for suspense and a commitment to pushing creative boundaries, Glover’s future endeavours are sure to be nothing short of remarkable.
Stay tuned.
-Break On Through.
