Actor Donald Glover has announced he will be retiring his rapper alter ego Childish Gambino after the release of his next album.
Glover announced his decision at the end of his set at the Governors Ball Music Festival in New York, saying, “I’ll see you for the last Gambino album” and also clarified his remarks to the Huffington Post, saying, “There’s nothing worst than like a third sequel, like a third movie and we’re like, ‘again?’,
“You know, I like it when something’s good”, he continued, “and when it comes back there’s a reason to come back, there’s a reason to do that”.
Glover further commented on retiring his musical alter ego and the punk direction his music went in, saying, “Like I feel like there’s gotta be a reason to do things and I always had a reason to be punk,
“Being punk just always felt really good to me and we always looked at ‘Atlanta’ as a punk show”, he continued, “and I feel like the direction I would go with Childish Gambino wouldn’t be punk anymore. As much as ‘Redbone’ is a punk song because it’s a gospel song that’s on the radio, I’m like there’s only so far you can go before you just are the radio”.
While this announcement has seemed to disappoint fans, with some saying, “When I hear Donald Glover is retiring Childish Gambino”— @J_dlCruz95, “Childish Gambino: I’ll see you for the last Gambino album, Me:”— @ChildishNews, and “Childish Gambino announces that his next album will be his last and this performance will be his only performance of 2017.”— @mazfle
It also may not be a complete surprise given his acting career has taken off in the last few years, as he is starring in the TV show Atlanta and is preparing for his roles in the upcoming remake of The Lion King and Han Solo prequel.
Glover has also previously starred in Community, alongside Joel McHale and Chevy Chase, and Magic Mike XXL.