Dating back to high school, Doctur Dot and Johnny Venus, also known as Olu, were always meant to make music together. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, the duo met on a field trip in high school and shared an appreciation of music, consisting of various genres of music they listened to. EARTHGANG was formed and since then have accumulated a community of fans that span across the world; from their debut EP, The Better Party, to their latest offering, Perfect Fantasy, the two have been able to expand their creativity beyond what you would expect from two high school students from Atlanta Georgia.
Their creativity has always spanned outside of music and even within their various artistic pursuits, whether it be as the duo as part of Spillage Village, the collective they formed alongside JID, Hollywood JB, JordxnBryant, 6lack, Mereba, and Benji. One thing is always apparent when you think of EARTHGANG: peak creativity—creating concepts and universes that encapsulate a whole era or moment in time. They are not scared of taking inspiration from whatever format they come across, whether it be TV shows, comics, animes or other media formats; their interpretation has always been evident from the sounds of their music to the look of the visuals and everything in between.
Perfect Fantasy is a clear example of this. The album has been in the works since 2020 and has been coming for a long time. Speaking about the process, Doc noted it's been all about going with the flow and being in a full creative space. "We've been working on this for a while. We started in 2020 and have been working on it throughout the last couple of projects. We just made music. We didn't have an album in mind, but we had just been going with the flow, making whatever came to our heart, whatever came to mind." The release follows RIP Human Art and Robophobia, combining the two EPs and some additional tracks to conclude the concept that has been building throughout the projects of the album that were all a part of a more significant conversation, which is present as you take in the music.
The album's themes very much tie into the concept for the EARTHGANG vs the Algorithm campaign. This campaign is a unique exploration of the impact of recent technological advances on society. It was very much relevant at the time of creation and came through during the creative process. Olu shares, "A lot of it was technology-based. It was this learning curve that the whole world is having with AI and with all these different ways of thinking. We're in a particularly unique space because we're in a space where we have seen a lot of significant changes. We know that major change happens whenever we see a new technological advancement, but this is when we are just not sure what the change will be, so we are just living with this change in real time. And that influenced our whole concept for the EARTHGANG versus The Algorithm campaign.".
We touch further on this as we examine the different concepts and themes that currently exist and potentially a source of whatever may be presented in the future. The concept of tapping into one's consciousness and storing it is where we end up in terms of the most interesting concepts currently existing at the moment the two touch on. "The most interesting concept for now is uploading your consciousness to some hard drive, device, or cloud. The idea of uploading consciousness and possibly downloading the consciousness as a form of potential immortality. The possibility of putting your consciousness somewhere else, just for later and saving it outside of your body." Tapping into new and different concepts in the realm of creativity is nothing new for the duo. Sourcing their creativity has always come from several sources they share. "We're constant consumers of creativity. Whether we're watching series, anime movies, reading comics, or other media, they inspire us to continue telling stories in the best way possible."
Musically, the two have never been limited when it comes to how they have been able to blend and incorporate different styles of music that pair together with their lyricism and melodic rhymes. Perfect Fantasy alone sees them collaborating with Little Dragon, Benji, Tommy Newton and Cocishe, all bringing something to the project that adds to the album's sonic landscape. This sonic landscape is a rich tapestry of hip-hop, R&B, soul, and electronic elements, creating a unique and diverse listening experience. This is unsurprising of the two who, from their earlier musical beginnings, have both had a broad range of musical influences that have always been apparent across their music. "When we first started making music, we would listen to anything and everything. One day, it would be Kanye West 808s and heartbreaks. The next would be Arctic Monkeys, and then it would be Lil Wayne. We didn't care as long as it was jamming." Never one to the same thing twice, one thing they have been able to do in their album decade-career is to diversify their sound to make them stand out amongst their peers.
Outside of music, one thing the two have been able to achieve quite effortlessly is their ability to cultivate a community that has spanned worldwide. Their fanbase has always been heavily involved in anything they have to offer. Their extension beyond just EARTHGANG is a testament to what that loyalty and support has been like for them and what they have created with their fans worldwide. "We always connect with people who aren't from where we are and find a way to make community anywhere we go. Whether it be in South Africa, Japan, New Zealand, or Chicago, it doesn't matter. Authenticity and who you are will always bring you to the right people and the music afterwards. Everybody has their sound, which we pull from to create our vibe." As they embark on their European show, which they are currently going through, they have perfectly crafted a live show that will bring together the life of Perfect Fantasy on stage and encapsulate the album's energy on stage. The European show will feature a mix of their classic hits and tracks from Perfect Fantasy, all brought to life with their signature high-energy performance and innovative stage design. As for what to expect, it won't be a disappointment.
Considering everything that has taken place throughout their career and the course it has talent them on, there is something to be said about their relationship and friendship, which, when you see it in action, is clearly one that has strengthened and grown over time. This is evident on set as we capture them both throughout the afternoon. Against the backdrop of the music and vibe of everyone, which made for an atmosphere where we were able to capture the two of them and as well as individually in a way that we were able to see both their personalities there is something that they both bring to the table in what makes up EARTHGANG. Interrogating this, I'm intrigued to know what they have learned from each other while in the group. "I have learned from him how to make it as business as possible. I still have my way of doing it. However, you must break down the business aspect and focus on the job and the task. Initially, when I approach, I do it like I play any other game- a little bit here but a little bit there- just because I enjoy it. With Olu, he is naturally good at picking up on tasks. So, the task management skill is fire, and the better I get at it, the better I produce for myself." Doc speaks of Olu, and when asked of Doc, Olu says, "I like how I was trying to have fun through music, through and through the business for me, let me handle business, and then I'm gonna close my books and clock out the office, and then I'm gonna have fun. But he's like, nah, let's do cartwheels in the office too. We could do that, too. It's important to say just about the trajectory of ideation and thinking."
The next chapter of EARTHGANG is around the corner regarding where they go. With everything they achieved in this era and what the next era looks like, there is no doubt that the next evolution of EARTHGANG is very much on the horizon, with everything that has been in their creative sphere and how they have continuously evolved. Although a Perfect Fantasy, it is the most open and straightforward body of work they have put together. The next chapter is also one that is all about reaping and repeating the rewards of the plants they have sowed with every aspect of their career thus far. Enjoyment is centred on what is next. "This next chapter is called Enjoyment, about doing what we love and enjoying the fruits of our labour and the fruits of the spirit. That's it." Olu tells me as we conclude the conversation. As we are at the beginning of a new year, many opportunities lie ahead for the duo. Having seen everything they have been able to do, there is no doubt that they have no signs of continuing the next Pokemon evolution of the EARTHGANG story.
