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Over the past six years, EarthGang has opened for major acts such as Billie Eilish, Mac Miller and J. Cole, who signed them to his label Dreamville in 2017. They launched their own Welcome to Mirrorland tour from 2019 to 2020 to support their first big-name album Mirrorland. Of course, the world is EarthGang’s stage – and they’ve found a way home.
“Building EarthGang on a global space has always been part of our master plan,” said Barry johnson, president and co-founder of the management company EarthGang Since the 80s, in a statement to Billboard. “The land is our territory and receiving the call to be the only hip-hop group in New Zealand has proven it. We play World Monopoly and I love it. “
Billboard jumped on the phone with EarthGang shortly after they returned to Atlanta to discuss how the quarantine in the United States inspired their upcoming sophomore album, which they say will be released this year, and how them performances in New Zealand reminded them of the magic of live music.
How did you feel when you went back on stage in front of thousands of people?
Olu: It was ecstatic. As if it had been literally months since we had been in front of thousands of people. Then we had the chance to do it again, to be in front of people and to really vibrate with them. And this energy is insane. It was amazing, it was magic. It was a reminder of how magical it can be.
You were the only American actor to play Bay Dreams. When the opportunity presented itself, how were you sure you were pursuing it safely?
WowGr8: The last time we were in New Zealand in 2019 we did an end of year show. And they mentioned [performing at Bay Dreams] then. We said to ourselves “Yes!” right now. And then when COVID happens, they say, “Well, that might never happen.” But then they told us all we had to do, around October actually they told us all we had to do was quarantine and we could do the show again.
How was the quarantine in New Zealand over Christmas?
WowGr8: Yeah, that was an interesting quarantine. … They had us like all in separate hotel rooms. And it was like soldiers on the outside. We’ve had the COVID test about three, maybe four times [a week]. Like every other day, they did another test. It was a very serious process. After a while it was a little maddening to stay in one building. You can’t even go out and have a little glimpse of the earth for a little while.
What COVID-19 measures did spectators have to obey to attend the festival?
Olu: Zero! There is no COVID measure. The government took all the measures when it quarantined us inside, and it took all the measures earlier in 2020, when it actually shut down the country. When we got out the only people wearing masks were Uber drivers and people working in hotels. And that was only in some cities. Everyone else didn’t have a mask unless they wanted to, but no, you didn’t need to wear a mask. You didn’t have to distance yourself socially. Of course, hygiene is always a priority, so they had hand sanitizer stations and things like that available. But other than that, nothing.
Dr Fauci announced during a press conference that the concerts could return “sometime in the fall”. How hopeful are you of playing in the US again?
Olu: I feel hopeful all the time, I will always feel hopeful. I think one of the things that keeps people in this nation going and believing is music and just the healing properties of music that it brings to the world.
You joined Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms on Instagram Live to talk about the vote and you performed on Stacey Abrams’ Fair Fight Rock the Runoff Virtual Concert. What parallels do you draw between your experiences as artists and your voter engagement efforts in Atlanta?
Olu: It’s clear that if you put positive energy into something, and empower people with that positive energy, then there is no limit to what you can accomplish…. There were people who couldn’t believe we were in New Zealand playing in front of thousands of people in a COVID-free environment, just as there were people who thought we couldn’t render the state of Georgia blue.
Congratulations on your song “Collide” with TianaMajor9 earn a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Song! How did you react to the news?
Olu: I lost my sh–. Ran around a screaming AirBnb, people FaceTiming, responding to texts. It was a very peaceful morning to watch Moana and then everything else went crazy.
WowGr8: This sh – was super crazy, super crazy.
Thinking about the music you released in 2019 is like a long time ago. What midlife inspirations have helped evolve your sound on your new music, like Spillage Village’s new album released this fall or your most recent collaboration with Wale, “Options”?
Olu: For me personally, before all of this, I used to make music based on past experiences. But now it’s the manifestation, the things that I create, the things that I do, I put out there for things to grow. It is not so much a recording of time, but a production of time…. You make these things happen rather than just letting life happen to you and writing about it.
I don’t want to sit in the nursery and make sad music. [Laughs] As I could do for a day or two, but life is to be enjoyed and rejoiced. It can be very difficult at times, but I think these are the times when we need to balance it with joy and celebration because it is a blessing to be alive. You can’t let the things going on around us make people feel like we shouldn’t be here or that it’s a curse or something, but being alive is a blessing.
Once the pandemic is over, where do you go first and why?
Olu: The first place I’m going to go is Africa. I have been to three African countries. I would like to visit much, much more Africa. I would like to go to West Africa.
WowGr8: I would love to see Asia. We had to go to Asia before the pandemic and everything was canceled. So I would like to have this little tour of Asia – the shows, the trips, whatever I need to see more parts of the world.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
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