When did Childish Gambino announce his retirement? Rapper makes musical comeback as he previews new song with Ravyn Lenae

When Donald Glover first slipped into the Childish Gambino persona back in 2008, few could have predicted the sweeping cultural journey that lay ahead. He emerged as a rapper with razor-sharp wit, then blossomed into an auteur whose music and visuals felt like mini-films. So when, in mid‑2024, Glover revealed that he would retire the Gambino alter ego, it felt less like a curtain call and more like the closing of a particularly audacious chapter.

He explained, without fanfare, that the name no longer carried the weight it once did, and that his next project would stand as the final Gambino album. Yet rather than signaling an end to his artistry, the announcement seemed to clear the stage for Glover’s next act: this time, under his own name.

Fast forward to early June, and the tease arrived like a surprise cameo. Over the crackle of his Gilga Radio show, Glover slipped in a preview of “Easy Love,” his first new song since declaring Gambino’s swan song. Partnered with rising R&B chanteuse Ravyn Lenae, the track glides on soft synths and velvet harmonies, a graceful departure from the hard‑edged swagger we’ve come to expect. It’s a revelation: Childish Gambino may have taken his bow, but Donald Glover the musician is very much still center stage.

Donald Glover hangs up the Childish Gambino name and drops a duet with Ravyn Lenae

Glover stated to interviewers on July 18, 2024, that "Childish Gambino isn't fulfilling anymore" and that the character will be retiring with his upcoming album, Bando Stone & The New World. His cheeky warning, "I'll see you for the last Gambino album," at the 2017 Governors Ball was remembered by fans as a prophetic moment. Glover meant it this time, though, and there was no joke. He discussed how children and film work had changed his priorities and the creative burden of maintaining an alter identity over albums and tours.

Yet in true Gambino fashion, the retirement announcement came with a twist. On June 6, during a late‑night Gilga Radio segment, Glover treated listeners to a snippet of “Easy Love,” a mellow, groove‑laden duet with Ravyn Lenae. This new sample, which has minimalist percussion, flashing keys, and interwoven vocals that speak of late-night desire, speaks, cements and highlights their chemistry as artists, as initially seen in their song together, "One Wish." This switch thus seems more like a calculated transformation than a farewell.

Critics would argue that this is classic Glover, upending expectations even as he seems to close a door. Social media lit up with reactions: some fans longed for the boom‑bap bravado of earlier Gambino mixtapes, while others praised the mature, soulful direction.

What remains unanswered is the origin of “Easy Love.” Is it a one‑off single, part of a film soundtrack, or merely the opening scene of a new album? Glover hasn’t said. But by choosing Ravyn Lenae—a vocalist whose own sound straddles R&B’s future and its past—he signals that his musical story will continue, just under his real name. Retirement, it seems, was the prologue to Glover’s next musical chapter.

Beyond Gambino: film, family and creative freedom

If Glover’s decision to retire the Gambino persona surprised fans, his post‑Gambino life has been anything but idle. He wrapped up Atlanta, his Emmy‑winning series that blurred lines between comedy and surrealism, then dove into film with Guava Island and projects under his production banner, Gilga. Behind the scenes, he’s been crafting scripts, mentoring emerging artists and balancing on‑set demands with family life.

Talk of retirement also reflected his weariness with album cycles. The relentless grind of touring and promotion clashed with his roles as father and filmmaker. Citing health concerns, he even postponed parts of his New World Tour in late 2024. Stepping away from Gambino freed him to explore new mediums without the expectations of a chart‑topping rapper. Yet music remains a constant undercurrent; the stage name may vanish, but Glover’s drive to soundtrack film scenes, score television moments and surprise fans with raw singles endures.

Childish Gambino may be consigned to history, but Donald Glover has simply rewritten his credits. With a subtle, soulful preview alongside Ravyn Lenae, the rapper-turned-multi‑hyphenate reveals that his creative encore has only just begun. Expect new music, just don’t ask for Gambino.