If you’re not familiar with this genius of a man by now then I’m questioning your very existence, and the meaning of your life. Sound harsh? Maybe. But I’ll explain further. Today BRTW salutes the one and only Donald Glover!

Donald Glover was born in September of 1983 in California. His mother ran a daycare and his father was a postal worker. Donald was raised in Georgia however. He encountered quite a lot of bullying in his adolescence which can be evidenced in his music. But we’ll get to that later.

Donald hosts an envious litany of talents. He is an actor, writer, director, producer (of music and TV), comedian, DJ, rapper, singer, and song-writer. Forgive me if I left anything out. All he needs to do now is run for president, especially since we know celebrities can win elections too.

I first became aware of his talents a few years back when my brother-in-law asked me if I knew who Childish Gambino was. To which I replied with a curt, “No.” I didn’t know who he was, nor did I want to know considering the fact that my brother-in-law has some weird ass taste in music. So I left it alone. For years. Until I stumbled across a show called Community. Donald’s character Troy, a former star QB, became my favorite on the show. Glover began to traverse the landscape of race and stereotypes with that character. Typically in narratives when a character is described as a 6’2 star QB, we think of a white man. However, Donald brought a new spin and a new representation to the part. His relationship/bromance with Danny Pudi’s character, Abed is what I live for. It reminds me of a friendship I have with my best friend that is very similar in the way that it’s chock full of insults, as well as undying support when it matters. Go figure.

Donald also boasts a few impressive feats of accomplishment. In addition to the laundry list of talents I named earlier, he also graduated from NYU with a degree in dramatic writing. In fact, he was still sleeping in his NYU dorm when Tina Fey approached him to be a writer on NBC’s hit-show, 30 Rock. He was the TV show’s only Black writer. He also began making music when he was young but really came into his own about three years back with the release of his album, “Because of the Internet”, which I still happily bump everyday. He was also nominated for two grammy’s with this album. So an apology is in line to my brother-in-law for not listening to him when he tried to put me on like 6 years ago. Maybe I’ll apologize. Or maybe he’ll stumble across this blog and I won’t have to. I’ll keep you all posted.

What I admire most about Donald is his ability to have frank discussions on things that matter. He has used his art to open up dialogues that need to be had. His hit show, Atlanta, broaches the topics of toxic masculinity, homophobia, transphobia, and fatherhood in the Black community. His music also touches upon many stereotypes and tropes about what it’s like to grow up Black and furthermore what it’s like to grow up Black in some predominantly white spaces. How does that influence your life? How do white people view you? How then do Black people view you? I think he is ahead of the game when it comes to Black expressionism, satire and art to form an onslaught of points made against white supremacy. I can’t say that Donald Glover is particularly political, however I can say that by being a Black person, with his many platforms, who is at least acutely aware of social injustices, then by proxy, and at the very least indirectly, he is political.

I can always admire a person who is positively contributing to re-imaging Black folks and breaking down barriers. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that the brother’s music is dope af. Also, he’s my hair crush. There. I said it. So for this and many other reasons, BRTW salutes you, Donald!

 

P.S. Here’s a link to two of my favorite songs off his new album,  “Awaken, my love!” Redbone, and Me and Your Mama.

Jovan Davis

Producing/Ensemble Member