The shows were crazy, especially in Joburg being able to perform with so many black people. Olu: It was crazy because we were just having a good time parlaying, partying in Cape Town, partied in Joburg. WowGr8: That, and then the exchange rate. So is it safe to say that was your favorite part of the tour? In South Africa, it’s just hella swag bro. You’ve got that acientness and that regalness. ![]() In Sudan, you’ve got that Middle Eastern beauty, that Islamic beauty. It was just so much swag that’s relatable to America. South Africa has a different level of Western impact, so if you get the chance to go to Soweto-even some of the townships-n****s was still dressing in some cool ass sunglasses, cool shoes and shit. That was my first time touching African soil. Was this your first time visiting the continent? Judging by Instagram, y’all had a blast in South Africa. After a run of mixtapes, EPs, singles, and two self-released full-length albums spanning back to 2009, EarthGang was ready for their grand re-introduction. The album was preceded by the group’s five appearances on the platinum-selling Revenge of the Dreamers III compilation, including standouts “Down Bad,” “Wells Fargo,” and “Sacrifices.” The ROTD3 success came on the heels of EarthGang’s Spillage Village brethren, 6LACK and J.I.D, introducing the collective to the industry’s greater conscious. Cole’s Dreamville imprint couldn’t have dropped at a better time. Like the cool kids in high school who didn’t belong to a specific clique, but managed to be cool with everyone, WowGr8 and Olu have been patiently awaiting their turn. Somewhere between the city’s trappers and hipster rappers rocking Supreme utility pouches, there’s EarthGang. It doesn’t take hearing Young Thug’s So Much Fun on loop, drowning your prescription drug-fueled sorrows in Future’s verses, picking your favorite Migo, or discovering the city’s left hand to know that its grip on hip-hop is only getting tighter. Sure, Atlanta’s musical and cultural influence on the planet seems to be at a fever pitch. They don’t want one.įrom their first mixtape, 2010’s The Better Party, to the group’s latest full-length, Mirrorland, that “mission” has always been the same: bring Atlanta’s story to the world. One would think, like any humans, WowGr8 and Olu could use a break from the marathon life of being a touring musician. On that Saturday the group will headline Afropunk, and on Sunday head to Tallahassee to kick off their Welcome to Mirrorland tour with Benji, Duckwrth, and Guapdad4000. It’s a Friday night, and WowGr8’s transportation troubles can’t reduce the positive energy he’s feeling seeing cars go by blasting Goodie Mob. “I’m blowing through cars like Kleenex right now,” he says. He wrecked his own before they went on this latest tour. We’re talking about Olu’s birthday plans for the 48 hours the group is back on their home soil when WowGr8 calls into the conference line with bad news. In less than a month, the pair did 18 shows, culminating in two more gigs in Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa. It was the group’s first European headlining tour, with special guests Wifisfuneral and Innanet James. A few hours prior, Olu and his partner-in-rhyme WowGr8 landed in ATL after wrapping up the What On Earth tour. ![]() Dad is Olu aka Johnny Venus, one-half of the Atlanta music duo EarthGang. He’s annoyed that dad’s having to delay the return home because he’s doing a phone interview. ![]() It’s his dad’s birthday, but Duke doesn’t care. The chow/pit mix has had his fill at the dog park.
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