DONALD GLOVER opening for CHILDISH GAMBINO at the Opera House (735 Queen East), Monday (May 16). Doors 8 pm. $18. Sold out. See listing.
Donald Glover wants it all.
The 27-year-old entertainer, already a breakout success in his role as goofy jock Troy Barnes on NBC’s Community, has set out on tour as his own opening act. The aptly titled IAMDONALD Tour sees Glover begin each show as stand-up comedian Donald Glover and end as blog-friendly rapper Childish Gambino.
“I realize it’s ludicrous to try to do everything all at once, but that’s what gives me my drive,” says the excitable star, enjoying a rare day off in Portland. “I just don’t like waiting. I fucking hate it, actually.”
By combining his comedy and music in one tour, he risks alienating fans of each. But the tour’s been a resounding success, selling out many venues, including the Opera House, and earning positive reviews.
While he happens to tell jokes and rap, it’s a mistake to call his music “joke rap.”
“It’s funny stuff, yeah, but it’s not just a big joke,” he says. “It bothers me when people say, ‘Oh, a comedian’s rapping.’ No, a dude is rapping.”
Straddling the boundaries between “hipster,” “nerd” and “hood,” Glover’s personas defy labels. He’s as likely to drop a line about the size of his genitals as a reference to a childhood bully. There aren’t many hip-hop stars willing to pen a self-questioning bit about “street cred” and rap it over a Grizzly Bear sample. Glover makes it work.
“I actually don’t mind being called a hipster if ‘hipster’ means ‘on the forefront of art and culture.’ I do sometimes mind being called a ‘black hipster’ or ‘black nerd,’ though. Why is it necessary to add that? Am I supposed to like different stuff?”
It’s a notion Glover aimed to challenge with his online campaign to audition for the role of Spider-Man. Though he never got the chance (despite a public endorsement by Stan Lee), he’s still aware of his boundless potential.
“I don’t want to put any limits on myself. I don’t want to be a footnote in culture. I want to have whole chapters written about me.”
Interview Clips
Donald Glover speculates on how race issues likely kept him from auditioning to play Spiderman.
Glover explains how writing comedy and writing hip hop really aren’t that far off from each other.
Glover’s breakout success has led many to wonder if he’ll leave Community for brighter pastures. Here, he explains why that’s not going to happen anytime soon.
music@nowtoronto.com
