Donald Glover, better known as Childish Gambino, shared the profound health scares that compelled him to cancel the remainder of his momentous New World Tour last year. As he performed at Tyler, the Creator's Camp Flog Gnaw on Saturday, the 42-year-old opened up about a life-altering experience: a stroke.
"I had a crippling headache in Louisiana, but I pushed through the show. I couldn't see straight, so when we arrived in Houston, I sought medical attention," he recalled, his words echoing through the social media clips. "The doctor told me, 'You had a stroke.' And my first thought was, 'Oh, here I am still trying to copy Jamie Foxx.' But then I realized, 'I'm letting everyone down.'"
Glover continued to divulge other health struggles he had endured, including a broken foot and a heart condition discovered during surgery. "I broke my foot... They found a hole in my heart... I had surgery after surgery," he added, his voice laden with emotion.
After sharing these intimate details of his health battles, Glover implored the audience to live life to the fullest. "They say everyone has two lives, and the second one begins when you realize you have one. You have one life, guys. And I have to be honest, the life I've lived with you has been a blessing... You should live your life as you desire. If we have to do this again, it can only get better."
Last September, Glover had initially postponed the remaining North American dates of his The New World Tour to focus on his physical health. However, due to the persistent health issues, the tour was ultimately cancelled in the following month.
Glover's Childish Gambino persona emerged over a decade ago, and throughout six albums, he has garnered five Grammy Awards. Last July, he announced his retirement from the moniker. "It was just like, 'Oh, it's done,'" he told The New York Times. "It wasn't fulfilling anymore. I felt like I didn't need to build in this way anymore."
He explained that his decision to retire was influenced by becoming a parent. "When I put my son on my shoulders, I feel deep joy. That's real. No one on their deathbed is going to look back and say, 'Thank God I avoided being cringe.'" Glover's words resonated with a profound sense of gratitude and a newfound appreciation for life's simple joys.
