Atlanta natives EarthGang sound nothing like stereotypical Atlanta (c)rap
They’ve been compared to OutKast and De La Soul, but these Mays High alums are on their own trajectory
Meet EarthGang: the funky, rap duo bubbling in Atlanta’s indie scene. They garnered attention last year with their debut mixtape, The Better Party, and such energetic performances as seen at Perfect Attendance during the A3C Festival. The release of the haunting single “Miss the Show” hammered fans’ interest further. So I had to meet with Johnny Venus of the uber-talented and hilarious duo to inquire about their upcoming album Mad Men and to find out what exactly makes EarthGang tick.
“Kick’n It”
Where did EarthGang come from?
Johnny Venus: The name came to me abruptly one day. It represents what we’re made of and why we do what we do. It’s for the people by the people. Our music is influenced by the the conscious and subconscious, and we create it to influence the like.
What’s the inspiration behind your music?
JV: Life! Green pastures! Telling stories! Influencing people in positive ways and leaving lasting imprints in their memories. And of course, the spirit of pure creativity.
How did you both meet?
JV: We met in high school during a vicious rap battle sponsored by the Part-time Hall Monitors Guild. (laughs) I hope these jokes don’t make us look like assholes. Seriously, we met in high school during a field trip in 10th grade. I decided to approach Doctor Dot with the proposition of starting the music group under the Shade Tree at Mays High School. He obliged.
What are your feelings on the music scene in Atlanta?
JV: It’s lacking. Atlanta has lost it’s identity due to the music industry. Partly because many non-native, “industry heads” have come down here and have changed the culture of our music scene and partly because the radio only plays a certain sound. The underground scene has become the same way. The hype is what determines the “dope” artists and that isn’t always true. Conversely, events such as A3C, which showcase dope artists from all over the country have a certain reverence in the environment. I hear about shows all the time and it’s usually the same nine or 10 artist who have ties to a promoter. The hood music scene sees radio as the only way through, so of course we imitate what we hear. But over all, the city needs something to call its own. Even artists that have mass nationwide and global appeal from the city are grouped into a category of music, not as artists from ATL. In the past, you knew when an artist was from the A. T.I., Bohagon, OutKast, TLC. Now they barely have an identity, just a “sound” that represents Atlanta. The world needs to know that Atlanta is more than a sound.