Watch Childish Gambino's surprise performance at Chicago open mic night

Music
12 Jun 18

Donald Glover, aka Childish Gambino, took the stage during one of Chance the Rapper’s regular Open Mic events in Chicago. Chance frequently hosts these shows to allow high school students to perform, and they often end with a professional performer. However, Glover’s musical alter-ego was not billed to appear.

As seen in the video below, the young audience rushes to the stage as the first notes of Childish Gambino's politically-charged single ‘This Is America’ begins to play. ‘This Is America’ caused an internet storm once the video was released. The song, which tackles gun-violence in America, quickly reached number one in the US and attracted countless response videos and articles surrounding the meaning behind the symbolism in the video.

In his performance, Childish Gambino is seen to be recreating the dance moves that made the video go viral.

Glover and Chance have previously collaborated on tracks such as Chance’s ‘Favourite Song,’ and Glover’s ‘The Worst Guys,’ and ‘They Don’t Like Me.’ Since Glover’s announcement that his next album will likely be his last, fans of the pair are waiting patiently for a collaborative album, but for now this performance will have to do.

thank you @donaldglover for coming to our 30th @socialworks_chi @OpenMikeChicago !!! thank you @chancetherapper for leveraging your celebrity for the youth of Chicago in moments like these. thank you @chipublib @YOUmediaChicago !!! pic.twitter.com/sCMyPVRyF0

— BLACK POWER ranger (@MalcolmLondon) June 12, 2018