EarthGang, the potent duo out of Atlanta, were among the dozens of performers at this past weekend’s Dreamville Festival, concluding J. Cole’s leading role as its organizer. Olu (Johnny Venus) and WowGr8 (Doctur Dot) graciously spoke with Hip Hop Wired for a quick backstage chat.
EarthGang delivered yet another electrifying performance at Dreamville Festival over the weekend, performing tracks from celebrated albums such as Mirrorland and select tracks from their latest full-length, PERFECT FANTASY.
We asked Olu and WowGr8 about their new sonic direction and where they intend to take the music from here, especially on the heels of PERFECT FANTASY.
“I think PERFECT FANTASY was just us using all the abilities we have started from our early days until now and putting it in that package,” WowGr8/Doctur Dot shared. “You can hear our whole journey. We got songs on there with The Gorillaz (Damon Albarn), Little Dragon, Pharrell, and Snoop. These were people we met along the way, and it just happened to work out.”
Olu added, “We weren’t setting out to make an acclaimed album or try to impress anyone. We just wanted a chance to be ourselves and stick to a vibe instead of chasing something that’s not us.”
Both Olu and WowGr8 have returned to using their original stage names and haven’t abandoned the personas, and they said that this kinetic flow that they’re on currently was the point of the latest project.
“We did what the music called for at the time because again, we’re not chasing anything but the right feeling,” Olu explained. WowGr8 supported his partner, adding, “Once you start trying to say an artist is doing one thing or another, [it] feels like a trap. We did what the beat called us to do and it feels more real, more organic that way.”
The pair said that there are some new EarthGang albums on deck, along with solo projects, so that they can explore their artistry on individual terms. However, we were told to expect the same level of quality despite the slight change.
We asked the brothers about the pressures of fame, being creative, and how to turn those moments into gratitude when you can.
“First off, you gotta give that weight to God, you a fool if you think you carry all of that on your own,” Olu said, with WowGr8 providing harmonizing gospel stylings in the back.
WowGr8 said that the pair’s solo records will be coming later in the year and that they have at least one EarthGang project on deck. They were mum on release dates but emphasized that by the end of the year, fans will have plenty to cheer for.
Olu and WowGr8 were among the most fashionable rappers we saw over the weekend, and we asked if they had any aspirations to enter that world.
“We would love to do that, because it’s in us but it has to be fun and not pretentious,” Olu said, with WowGr8 chiming in with his partner adding, “It’s the same thing with our music, bro, it’s just about taste and if it ain’t got the taste, we won’t be involved in it. When you curate things with a particular taste, the people can connect with it.”
Olu and WowGr8 concluded our chat by alerting their fans that they will hit the road this summer, including a European run, and to prepare for more of the music at the pace fans have come to expect.
Learn more about EarthGang here.
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Photo: Astrida Valigorsky / Getty
