Donald Glover is pretty easily recognizable thanks to his role as Troy Barnes on NBC’s Community, but thats not allhe raps and makes beats under the moniker Childish Gambino, and does both well. The TV-to-music transition makes for easy comparisons to Aubrey Drake Graham, who was best known as Degrassis Jimmy before selling a few million records and becoming one of the hottest pop-rap acts of 2010. It’s even easier to make the connection when you catch on to Glovers occasional half-sung deliveries, deliberate punchlines (thanks to a creative writing education at NYU) and Lil’ Wayne-influenced growls. But instead of using his background as a simple stepping-stone, the unique skillset also makes for a captivating concert/comedy hybrid showand in both arenas, it’s undeniable that Glover, er, Gambino, is a talented dude. NICK FELDMAN
Thu., April 21, 8 p.m., 2011
