Donald Glover Reveals He Had a Stroke on Childish Gambino Tour

Donald Glover has disclosed that he suffered a stroke during his 2024 Childish Gambino tour, revealing the serious health scare during a performance at Camp Flog Gnaw at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday night.

Glover shared intimate details about the medical emergency with the crowd, explaining how the stroke occurred while he was touring under his Childish Gambino moniker. Glover recounted experiencing severe head pain during a show in Louisiana, yet chose to continue performing despite his deteriorating condition.

“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,’” Glover told the crowd, according to fan-captured footage from the livestream (as per Rolling Stone).

The revelation explains the sudden postponement and eventual cancellation of Glover’s ‘New World Tour’, which was abruptly halted in September 2024. At the time, the artist cited the need to “focus on my health” without providing specific details about his condition. The tour cancellation was later followed by an announcement in October 2024 that Glover required surgery for an unspecified ailment.

Beyond the stroke, Glover revealed additional health complications that compounded his medical challenges. He disclosed that he had also suffered a broken foot during this period, and medical examinations uncovered a previously undiagnosed hole in his heart. These discoveries necessitated multiple surgical procedures, further delaying his return to performing.

The health crisis prompted a period of reflection for Glover, who used his Camp Flog Gnaw appearance to share his newfound perspective on life with fans. The experience led him to embrace a philosophy about making the most of one’s time, which he articulated during his emotional address to the audience.

“So, you know they say … everybody has two lives, and the second life starts when you realise you have one. You got one life, guys,” he said, adding, “You should be living your life how you want.”