Donald Glover, better known in these parts as Childish Gambino, has been in the public eye for much of his adult life. He started by going viral in 2006: Derrick Comedy's "Bro Rape" was part of a body of work that would land Glover a writing gig with Tina Fey's 30 Rock after college. His subsequent steady ascension through the realms of music and film is well-documented. We've watched him go from Community to Atlanta and Young Lando, from "Freaks and Geeks" to a Grammy nomination for "Redbone."
Through his comedy, interviews, and very personal style of music, Glover has shared a fair amount of insight about his life. But do you know his favorite karaoke song? How about the movie that helped inspire Atlanta? Read on to find out...
Seal’s “Kiss From A Rose” is his favorite karaoke song.
Donald Glover’s favorite karaoke song is Seal’s “Kiss From A Rose.” It's a strategic choice. Speaking with GQ in 2012, Glover offered his rationale: “At the beginning, people know the intro and react: 'Bada-ba-ba-ba-ba-bada-ba…' You’re never alone by the time you have to sing the 'Baby!' which is the hard part because it gets high.”
He was raised as a Jehovah's Witness.
The movie 'City of God' was part of the inspiration for 'Atlanta.'
City of God is one of Donald's favorite movies. The Brazilian, favela-based tale is actually partly responsible in inspiring the mood of his FX show Atlanta. In a TCA interview from 2016, he remembers seeing the film and thinking he wanted to "make Atlanta feel like that."
His mom ran a daycare in their garage in Georgia.
Donald Glover just welcomed a second child, but he already has plenty of experience with kids. Glover's parents were heads of a local foster parents association, and ran a daycare out of the garage. The house was full of "kids of every color, every type, every fucked-up background you can think of," he told Marc Maron.
Worldstar is one of his favorite websites.
Glover's relationship with the internet is a complicated one. It's a central theme to his sophomore album Because The Internet, which includes the track "II. Worldstar." In an interview with the Breakfast Club, he discusses the meaning of this album name, and tells Charlamagne tha God that WorldStar is a favorite website.
A Lando Calrissian action figure was his first toy.
As you may know by now, Donald Glover will play a young Lando Calrissian in the upcoming Star Wars film. Coincidentally, the Lando action figure was the first toy he owned. Ellen got the story in 2016.
He started producing music with a pirated copy of Fruity Loops.
He used to produce under the name mc DJ.
As if being a rapper/singer/actor/comedian/scriptwriter wasn’t enough, Donald Glover also used to produce under the name mc DJ. Clearly, Donald has always had a penchant for ridiculous monikers, but listening to his productions, it’s clear that the man took this part of his music seriously. As well as Fiona Apple and Sufjan Stevens remix albums, there are original productions ranging from the mellow hip-hop stylings of “Central Park Love” to the club-leaning “Make It Good."
He loves 'Rick & Morty.'
Like many of us, Glover is a huge Rick & Morty fan. When asked about his inspirations when it came to TV, Donald said that the Adult Swim show is among one of his current favorites.
He has six siblings.
He met Ludwig Göransson through 'Community.'
