For the past six years, EarthGang has been opening shows for big shows, like Billie Eilish, Mac Miller and J. Cole, who signed them to their Dreamville label in 2017. They embarked on their own Welcome to Mirrorland tour from 2019 to 2020 to publicize their debut album from a major label Mirrorland. Naturally, the world is the stage for EarthGang – and they found a way to get home.
“Building EarthGang in a global space has always been part of our master plan,” said Barry Johnson, president and co-founder of EarthGang management company Since the 80s, in a statement to Advertising panel. “The land is our territory and being asked to be New Zealand’s only hip-hop band proved it. We play Global Monopoly and I love it. “
Advertising panel called EarthGang shortly after returning to Atlanta to discuss how the U.S. quarantine inspired their next sophomore album, which they said would be released this year, and how performing in New Zealand reminded them of the magic of live music.
How did it feel to go on stage in front of thousands of people again?
Olu: It was ecstatic. As if it had literally been months since we stood in front of thousands of people. So we really had the chance to do it again, to be in front of people and really vibrate with them. And that energy is insane. It was incredible, it was magical. It was a reminder of how magical it can be.
You were the only American acting on Bay Dreams. When the opportunity arose, how were you sure to pursue it safely?
WowGr8: The last time we were in New Zealand in 2019, we did a year-end show. And they mentioned [performing at Bay Dreams] So. We were like, “Yes!” Immediately. And then when COVID happened, they said, “Well, it may never happen.” But then they told us everything we had to do, well around October, in fact, they told us that all we had to do was quarantine and do the show again.
How was the quarantine in New Zealand during Christmas?
WowGr8: Yes, it was an interesting quarantine. … They had us like everyone else in separate hotel rooms. And it was like an army out there. We did the COVID test about three, four times, maybe [a week]. Like every other day, they would take another test. It was a very serious process. After a while, it was a little maddening to just be in one building. You can’t even go out and look at the land for a while.
What COVID-19 measures did the spectators have to follow to attend the festival?
Olu: Zero! There are no COVID measures. The government took all measures when it quarantined us in the interior, and took all measures in early 2020, when they actually closed the country. When we left, the only people who wore masks were Uber drivers and people who worked in hotels. And that is only in some cities. Everyone didn’t have a mask, unless they wanted to, but no, you didn’t have to wear a mask. You didn’t need to distance yourself socially. Of course, hygiene is always a focus, so they had hand sanitizer stations and things like that available. But other than that, nothing.
Dr. Fauci announced during a press conference that shows may return “sometime in the fall”. Are you hopeful of performing in the United States again?
Olu: I feel hopeful all the time, I will always have hope. I think one of the things that keeps people in this nation believing and believing is music and just the healing properties of music that it brings to the world.
You joined Mayor of Atlanta, Keisha Lance Bottoms, on Instagram Live to talk about voting and perform at Stacey Abrams’ Fair Fight Rock the Runoff virtual concert. What parallels do you draw between your experiences as performers and your efforts to mobilize voters in Atlanta?
Olu: Of course, if you put positive energy into something and empower people with that positive energy, there will be no limit to what you can achieve. There were people who couldn’t believe that we were in New Zealand playing for thousands in a COVID-free environment, just as there were people who believed that we couldn’t make the state of Georgia blue.
Congratulations on the song “Collide” with TianaMajor9 earning a Grammy nomination for best R&B music! How did you react to the news?
Olu: I lost my shit. Came through an AirBnb screaming, FaceTiming people, answering text messages. It was a very quiet morning watching Moana and then everything else went crazy.
WowGr8: That shit was super crazy, super crazy.
Thinking about the song you released in 2019 seems like it was a long time ago. What quarantine-inspired inspirations have helped to evolve your sound in your most recent songs, like the new album Spillage Village that came out this fall or your most recent collaboration with Wale, “Options”?
Olu: For me personally, first of all, I used to make music based on previous experiences. But now it’s the manifestation, the things I’m creating, the things I’m doing, I’m putting it there for things to grow. It is not so much as a record of time, but a production of time…. You are making these things happen instead of just letting life happen to you and writing about it.
I don’t want to sit in the crib and make sad music. [Laughs] As if I could do it a day or two, but life is to be enjoyed and to be happy. It can be very difficult at times, but I feel that it is at these times that we have to balance it with joy and celebration, because it is a blessing to be alive. You cannot allow the things that are happening around us to make people feel that we shouldn’t be here or that this is a curse or something, but being alive is a blessing.
After the pandemic is over, where do you go first and why?
Olu: The first place I will go is Africa. I have been to three countries in Africa. I would like to visit much, much more in Africa. I would like to go to West Africa.
WowGr8: I would like to see Asia. We should go to Asia before the pandemic and everything is canceled. So, I would like to know that little tour of Asia – the shows, the trips, whatever takes me to see more parts of the world.
This interview has been edited for clarity.