Donald Glover is one busy man. His rap project as Childish Gambino just got him two Grammy nods with Because the Internet, he is working on his third LP, he's starring in three upcoming films (The Lazarus Effect, Magic Mike XXL, and The Martian), and executive-producing/writing/starring in FX's new comedy Atlanta. In a new interview with Billboard for their "Double Threats" issue, he talked about his process, Salvador Dalí's influence on him, and his creative high.
Being a multi-talented artist in many fields, Glover said his day consists of working in many mediums.
"In my house, I have an empty room: I have my studio there, a whiteboard with the Atlanta scripts, a canvas for painting and all my albums and DJ equipment," he told them. "I wake up every morning and I start grabbing things - spray-painting the walls, recording, writing. They're all connected for me. It's all about trying to get to the bottom of what being a human is."
Glover said he is inspired by Salvador Dalí -- another multifaceted artist who didn't limit himself to one creative medium -- and recalled a spring break trip to St. Petersburg, Florida (because he "wanted to be around old people") where he visited to a Dalí museum.
"I wrote a postcard to myself that said, 'Never forget Dali,'" he told them. "He would paint, do sculpture, architecture, film, photography."
He also compares performing to be being in a nirvana-like state.
"When I really dive into an acting role, I lose myself," he explained. "And onstage, I black out -- I know it's a good show when I don't remember it. I feel like that's the closest you can be to whatever you want to call God."
What do you think of his thoughts on creating art? Do you think that artists should not confine themselves to labels? Sound off in the comments section below!
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