Donald Glover, known globally for his work as Childish Gambino, has disclosed that he suffered a stroke in 2024, which forced the cancellation of his New World tour. The revelation came during his performance at Tyler, The Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw festival in Los Angeles, where the multi-hyphenate artist addressed the circumstances surrounding the abrupt end of his touring schedule.
Glover told the audience that the medical emergency struck during the early stages of the tour. He recalled severe head pain before a Louisiana show, and despite losing clarity in his vision, he performed before seeking hospital attention in Houston, where he was informed he had suffered a stroke. He said that he initially feared he had let down fans, particularly those in Ireland, where he had long promised to perform.
The festival appearance marked the first time Glover discussed the full extent of his health battle. He confirmed that doctors discovered a hole in his heart, which required two surgeries, and he described the impact of the diagnosis on his view of life. Sitting on stage as soft music played behind him, Glover said that the scare reframed his understanding of mortality, and he told fans that the life he had lived with their support had been a blessing.
Glover’s comments echoed the social media statement he made in September 2024 when he postponed the tour, urging fans to keep their tickets while he focused on his physical health. One month later he announced that the tour could not proceed, citing an ailment that needed tests, surgery and time to heal. At Camp Flog Gnaw, he elaborated with humour and honesty, including a joking reference to Jamie Foxx, who suffered a stroke in 2023.
Glover is one of contemporary culture’s most versatile figures. His early success came as a writer for 30 Rock, which led to his role as Troy Barnes in the cult sitcom Community. He later created and starred in Atlanta, a series that earned critical acclaim for its blend of social commentary, surrealism and character drama. Beyond acting, his work in Mr And Mrs Smith further demonstrated his commitment to multi-genre storytelling.
As Childish Gambino, Glover built a body of work that spanned alt-hip hop, soul and experimental pop. His breakthrough came with Because The Internet in 2013, followed by Awaken, My Love! in 2016, which featured the global hit Redbone. In 2018, This Is America became a cultural lightning bolt, earning him four Grammy Awards. In 2024 he released Bando Stone & The New World, positioned as the final Childish Gambino album, with the New World tour intended to serve as the stage farewell for the project.
Stroke Foundation data from 2023 shows a stroke occurs every 11 minutes in Australia, with 1 in 4 strokes occurring in people under 65. While most stroke symptoms follow the F.A.S.T guideline, Glover experienced less common signs, including severe headache and visual disturbance. Medical specialists note that younger adults should maintain lifestyle awareness, undergo cardiovascular assessments from age 45 and understand the risk factors long before symptoms appear.
Glover had been scheduled to bring the New World tour to Australia in January 2025, but no rescheduled dates have been announced. The artist has yet to comment on whether those shows will proceed in any form following his recovery. The New World tour was planned as the closing chapter for the Childish Gambino era, and fans are now waiting to see how Glover’s health journey influences his work going forward.
On stage, Glover left the audience with a reflection that has resonated across social media. He said that people live a second life once they realise they only have one, and that surviving a stroke had given him a new perspective on purpose and gratitude. He closed the segment thanking fans for their continued support, describing their connection as a defining part of his artistic life.
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