Glover hosts award show, increases successes

Donald Glover has a name well-known in the worlds of stand-up comedy, acting and even the music industry. Thanks to hosting the mtvU Woodie Awards, which aired on March 16, Glover can write a new addition down on his list.

The award show, in its sixth year, celebrates the best of indie rock and hip-hop. This was the first year the Woodies were presented at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas. Glover said he was looking forward to creating a unique feel for the show.

“I want it to feel like SNL, where you could just do anything,” Glover said. “There are definitely bits in there that are scripted and I think they’re going to be awesome. But I think there are going to be other bits that are going to truly be ‘Oh, that man did something crazy, I’m going to talk about that for a bit.'”

Glover graduated with a degree in dramatic writing from New York University in 2006 and has since worked as a writer for “30 Rock” and is possibly best known for his role as Troy on the current NBC show, “Community.”

Glover also spends a portion of his limited time as underground rapper Childish Gambino.

While familiar with taping episodes for television or participating in filmed work, Glover said some of the best parts of his work come from doing stand-up.

“I like to see the audience reaction,” he said. “That way you can change it in the moment and have fun.”

Glover said he develops his characters, whether for Community or stand-up like the Woodie Awards or his own stand-up and music tour, I AM DONALD, by capturing the best of the character that is already present in him.

“I don’t want to watch what I want to be as much as I want to watch what I am,” he said.

Seeming more excited than nervous about first live Woodie Awards, Glover said the worst possible scenario would have been going on stage starting to cry.

Glover also said he was excited to meet Lil B, a Woodie Award nominee, and to showcase his music to the whole SXSW audience.

He also expressed interest in incorporating a few of his own categories to an awards show.

“The Most Likely to Have Sex with Donald Award, that’s a good one,” Glover said. “I want people to win a lifetime achievement for that.”

Glover’s I AM DONALD tour made its debut at the SXSW show as well.

His music style has been called “slightly schizophrenic” as his lyrics switch between emotional words to hardcore gangster.

For more information on Glover and his events, visit IAMDONALD.com