Donald Glover is almost done being Childish Gambino. Earlier this year, the five-time Grammy Award winner announced his retirement under his musical alter-ego. During a post-Coachella Instagram livestream, Gambino promised two final albums. One is Atavista, a “finished” version of his 2020 album 3.15.20. The other, Bando Stone & the New World, is the soundtrack to his upcoming film with the same name. Ahead of the July 19 release, Glover played through his last album at NYC’s Little Island venue.
Manhattan’s 687-seat Little Island amphitheater was sold out for the listening party, and fans gathered on the Hudson River to listen to the 15 final tracks of Gambino. Artists like Jorja Smith, Steve Lacy, and Foushee joined the rapper on the island for stripped-down performances of their collaborations on the album. Gambino closed the show with his recent rock release, “Lithonia.”
In an interview, Glover described the final album as a “soundtrack for the fans” and cited the 1989 Prince soundtrack album for Batman as an inspiration. The album is expected to showcase his career-spanning hits and genre experimentation. As fans prepare to bid farewell to Gambino’s musical cinematic universe, they are ready to embrace his final musical offerings.
