RIP HUMAN ART
Entering Earth Gang's vibrant world, I anticipated an unforgettable encounter with Doc (WowGr8) and Olu (Johnny Venus). It was evident from the moment I sat down that this wasn't just an interview, but a meeting of like minds rooted in a shared love for art.
We explored the duo’s musical journey, discussing personal growth and artistic evolution. From reminiscing about their beginnings to discussing transformative experiences, our conversation flowed effortlessly. Doc and Olu emphasised the importance of authenticity amidst external pressures. As we traversed through topics ranging from their EP "RIP, Human Art", to their electrifying live performances, I was reminded that Earth Gang is more than music; it's a movement, transcending boundaries.
The energy of the day mirrored the excitement of their performance, with laughter and an easy flow filling the air. It was a nice change for me to step behind the camera and shoot again, reminding me of the love of my first creative medium. There was undeniable chemistry between them and my cameras, each frame effortlessly capturing their essence.
We were invited to witness Earth Gang's captivating performance and their presence on stage was electric, effortlessly commanding the crowd and leaving everyone buzzing with excitement. Having seen them perform multiple times over the years, it was clear that their growth knew no bounds—they only got better with each show. It was a testament to their dedication and talent, solidifying their status as pioneers in the ever-evolving music landscape. As the night unfolded I couldn't help but feel grateful for the love they showed me, knowing that these memories would linger long after the final note faded into the night.
REEM:
So can I just ask, how would you guys prefer to be addressed?
DOC
You can call me Doc.
OLU:
Olu
REEM:
My name's Reem, I love your music. I’m a fan.
Your art, your music, it's a reflection of your personal growth. How do you feel you've grown since the early days of Earth Gang?
DOC:
There's so many ways to say you've grown. Life, roles you play in life, musically, I feel like I make music way better now, earlier I had a lot of external factors that I would let affect the music; other people's opinions, what beats are cool. Now I'm in a place of zen, I know whatever I'm making, I feel good with it, that's a good place to be.
REEM:
Definitely.
OLU:
I've been focused on growing outside of music, you know what I'm saying? Not making music the center of my life. For so many years it's been like the main thing, the main focus and there's so much more outside of it that you can bring to make it even more fun. When you're kind of focused on other areas. So I think that's where my growth is right now.
REEM:
I love personal growth. Are there any lessons or experiences along the way that have made you switch up the way you move or the way you go about your artistry now?
OLU:
Performing always makes you think about what type of music you want to make. You want to have a great impact on the crowd.
DOC:
You want to feel good doing it in front of people. We've seen artists that are obviously amazing studio artists. They drop these albums and then they get in front of people and the show might fall short, because they have a real personal song that might not necessarily translate well to performing. Performing is performing. At the end of the day, people want to see a show they don't necessarily want to watch you read your diary.
REEM:
Some people do
(laughs)
DOC:
(laughs) I'm not saying nobody does, but I'm just saying everything has to be included
REEM:
Your latest, your latest ep, RIP, Human Art. It's amazing, I loved it. It's like a really good example reshaping the boundaries of hip hop and the way you're blending soul, r&b, Rock. Can you just share a little bit about what inspired the creation of this EP and how it reflects your version of redefining the genre?
OLU:
I think just redefining the sound inspired the ep, we wanted to do something different from our first two projects, keeping the core fan base in mind, creative and also challenging everything that's been going on with, AI ect. It's not scary, but you could get lost in it, if you're not mindful it's important to make sure that you don't get lost in it. Continue to create from within. Make from the heart.
REEM:
One of my favorite songs on Human Art is, Flavors of Karma. I've seen you guys perform before and I think that your live performances have a great reputation for having a really electric atmosphere. For someone who's yet to see you guys perform. What is the earth gang live experience all about? What can they expect coming to one of your shows?
DOC:
Energy. Energy. Energy. Energy. Life. Life. Life. They can expect to lose their shit. Have a good time with strangers and leave with best friends.
The energy, moshing, screaming the words, jumping off stuff, that's what make me feel like we are all here.
REEM:
Outside of your music, what gets your creativity flowing? Are there any non-music influences that really light a spark for you guys?
OLU:
Movies & series
OLU:
I just watched Black Cake. It's a Caribbean series about this woman from Jamaica who puts her family secrets in a cake before she dies. It's crazy. It's really fire, talks about how we hold family secrets and it fucks people up.
DOC:
Cartoons and animation.I like everything for real. From the super chill to the og to the super intense like attack on Titan, like or Pantheon
REEM:
I just got really excited because I just started Attack on Titan. It's crazy!!
I was really captivated by your tiny desk concert, especially the choice of the church as a venue I remember seeing a comment on the video that said, why do I smell cocoa butter and vanilla through the screen
DOC & OLU
(laugh)
REEM
So, what's your favorite scent?
OLU
Crazy. My favorite scent.. I like sandalwood, lemon ginger.
DOC
Citrus things. I like the incense Nag Champa.
REEM
I'm a big fan of musks and sandalwood. 'cause I grew up in Dubai. It's a big part of the culture, so I had to ask. So who are some up and coming artists that you guys have been vibing with lately? Are there any fresh talents that you really like?
DOC
Yeah! We gotta pull up my SoundCloud, I like Mavi a lot.
OLU
Oh yeah i've been listening to one of his joints. Uh, who else? Elmiene
DOC
I also like MYD. He had my top song on Spotify this year. It's called The Sun.
REEM
So my last question is more of a request because I love the song you did with young thug; Proud Of U. So can you tell me you're proud of me? (laughs)
OLU
Oh yeah. For sure. We proud of you.
DOC
Proud of you. Proud of y'all. Proud of y'all.
OLU
We are proud of y'all for making, for being part of this dope magazine.
REEM
Thank you, so when I'm feeling down I'm gonna look back at this and be Like, Earthgabg are proud of me and pick myself up.
OLU
This magazine is hard. Killing it.
And now, as Earth Gang continues to push the boundaries of their artistry, their latest EP, "ROBOPHOBIA," has arrived, offering listeners a sonic journey into uncharted territory. Featuring collaborations with artists such as Snoop Dogg, Tommy Newport, and Spillage Village, "ROBOPHOBIA" builds upon the foundation laid by their previous release, "RIP Human Art." This EP explores a dystopian future where the impact of artificial intelligence on humanity takes center stage. With a blend of funk, rock, and hip-hop influences, Earth Gang creates a rich soundscape that mirrors the sci-fi themes embedded in their lyrics, showcasing their prowess for crafting genre-defying music. It's a testament to their ongoing evolution as artists and their commitment to pushing the boundaries of creativity.
Directed, writen and photographed by Reem Elnour / Listen to ROBOPHOBIA here
More like this
