Donald Glover Speaks About Surviving Stroke That Forced Childish Gambino Tour Cancellation

Donald Glover revealed he survived a stroke, which led to the cancelation of his Childish Gambino tour dates in 2024. Glover addressed other recent health issues while performing at this weekend’s Camp Flog Gnaw festival in Los Angeles.

In September 2024, Glover cited the need to focus on his physical health when he canceled the remaining shows on The New World Tour, which was to be his last under the Childish Gambino moniker. Glover performed at New Orleans’ Smoothie King Center on September 7 and pulled out of the remaining dates of the run.

When speaking to the audience at Camp Flog Gnaw during his Childish Gambino set, Glover referenced the concert in New Orleans, and the subsequent medical attention he needed. Along with revealing he survived a stroke in New Orleans, Glover also told the crowd he recently underwent heart surgery as well.

Glover explained his situation to the festival audience:

“You guys voted for a ‘Where Have I Been’ monologue. OK, so I was doing this world tour, having lots of fun, really loving seeing you guys out there.

“And I had a really bad pain in my head in Louisiana, and I did the show anyway. I couldn’t really see well. So when we went to Houston, I went to the hospital and the doctor was like, ‘You had a stroke.’

“And the first thing I thought was like, ‘Oh, here I am still copying Jamie Foxx.’ That’s really the second thing. The first thing was, ‘I’m letting everybody down.’ I know it’s not true, but I’ve broken my foot. I always promise Ireland I’m gonna be there, and I still haven’t been. And they found a hole in my heart. So I had this surgery, and then I had to have another surgery.

“So, you know, they say everybody has two lives until they realize — now, everybody has two lives, and the second life starts when you realize you have one. You got one life, guys.

“And I gotta be honest, the life I’ve lived with you guys has been such a blessing. I love seeing and performing for you guys. As my wife says, which I love, she’s like, ‘If this life is a flavor, as soon as I’m done, give me another scoop.’

“You should be living your life how you want, because it can only get better. If we have to do this again – can only get better.”