The multi-talented Donald Glover (a.k.a. Childish Gambino) — already an established artist, actor, writer, director and comedian — continues his foray into the sneaker industry via a new collaboration with New Balance.
The Atlanta native helped unveil New Balance’s latest sneaker, the RC30, on Thursday (July 7) by sharing an animated short film on his Instagram. The three-minute clip follows two anthropomorphic ad executives who are tasked with coming up a campaign for the RC30, while offering digital looks at the new silhouette.
As for the shoe itself, the RC30 puts a contemporary spin on New Balance’s vintage running shoes while borrowing elements from its classic Trackster model. Featuring mixed material upper made of nylon and suede, the sneaker comes in two colorways — “Golden Hour” and “Sea Salt” – with a possible third colorway teased in Glover’s short film.
“With celebrity-endorsed sneakers coming out every weekend, we thought Donald was a good collaborator for New Balance to take a more considered approach,” said Joe Grondin, Business Unit Manager – Global Collaborations & Energy Projects at New Balance. “No loud colors or branding, just classic, easy-to-wear colorways of a new silhouette that fit Donald’s style.”
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Retailing for $120, the New Balance RC30 drops Friday (July 8) via Market by Gilga, followed by a global launch through New Balance and select retailers on July 18.
Donald Glover is just the latest big name to join the New Balance family following fellow rapper Jack Harlow and NBA star Kawhi Leonard. He previously teamed up with Adidas for a brief run of sneaker releases before the partnership ended in 2020.
On the music tip, Glover hinted on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in March that a new Childish Gambino album is in the works. “I’m making a lot of music. I really love doing it,” he said. “I’ve made a bunch of it. It’s just really about how to experience it at this point.”
Donald Glover Gives Update On New Childish Gambino Album: 'I'm Making A Lot Of Music'
Gambino’s last album, 3.15.20, arrived in March 2020 and debuted at No. 13 on the Billboard 200 with just over 25,000 first-week sales — a sharp slide from the 101,000 tally 2015’s “Awaken, My Love!” opened with.
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The 38-year-old is also working on a new Beyoncé-inspired Amazon series with Malia Obama, as well as a secret project with Chloe Bailey, Snowfall star Damson Idris and Judas and the Black Messiah actress Dominique Fishback.
