Despite previous comments that Donald Glover would “retire” his beloved alter-ego Childish Gambino, the Atlanta star has finally returned to music.
Just after winning a GRAMMY for Awaken, My Love! in 2018, Glover first announced he wouldn’t be going by Gambino for much longer. “I’m really appreciative of [Gambino]. I’m making another project right now,” he said. “But I like endings, I think they’re important to progress.”
However, Glover’s recent cameo during Tyler, The Creator‘s Coachella performance sparked teasing of the 3.15.20 re-release titled ATAVISTA. Officially dropping on Monday (May 13), the fully finished album holds 11 tracks and features Ariana Grande, 21 Savage, Young Nudy, Summer Walker and more. Glover also premiered the music video for “Little Foot Big Foot” live on GILGA Radio, planning to share visuals for “each song” on the record.
Going on Instagram Live/GILGA Radio in April, Glover not only put retirement rumors to bed, but teased the “final Childish Gambino album” — the soundtrack to his upcoming film Bando Stone & The New World. He shared previews of new tracks with Kanye West and Kid Cudi, also announcing an arena tour, “The New World Tour,” for later this summer
Amid Gambino’s reintroduction, his conversation with E!’s Laverne Cox at the Golden Globe Awards in January 2023 revealed that Glover was “making music right now” and loving it. “I’m actually working, I’m in the studio. I’ve been bringing people in, like secret people, working on little things,” he said. “I just been making it for fun right now. But soon something will happen, I promise. Something will happen.” Most importantly, he clarified Gambino wasn’t going anywhere. “You don’t have to worry about that… He’ll be back,” he said.
It’s been nearly four years since Glover initially shared 3.15.20. The energy surrounding the album bled into his immaculate four-season run of his FX original series, Atlanta, which wrapped its final season in 2022.
His efforts as an actor—appearing as Lando Calrissian in Solo: A Star Wars Story, the voice of Simba in The Lion King and upcoming work as Hypno-Hustler in a Spider-Man spin-off film — were jumpstarted by his role on NBC’s classic sit-com Community.
Now fully back into music, his eclectic, left-of-center interview (conducted by himself) with Interview Magazine in April 2023 initially shed light on Glover’s desire to make music again. “I’ve been rapping a lot. Producing. It’s fun again. Doing features… I did one that I don’t think is gonna come out. I think the artist, or the artist’s management, thinks the verse is too controversial.”
While he continues teasing new work, it’s exciting to know that Gambino’s return to the rap game isn’t a myth anymore.
This story will be updated.
Listen to ‘ATAVISTA’ below!