EarthGang has spent the past decade steadily carving a unique space for themselves within hip-hop. Known for their eclectic mix of southern hip hop, funk and Afrofuturism, the Atlanta duo made up of Olu and WowGr8 (also known as Doctur Dot) are continuing to push boundaries with their new album Perfect Fantasy. 

The Spillage Village (collective made up of JID, Mereba, and 6lack, among others) founders’ journey to their project featuring the single “Love You More” featuring T-Pain is marked by a desire to explore new sounds and ideas while staying true to their roots.  Speaking on the theme of Afrofuturism that runs through the album, Olu shared that it's less of a concept and more of a lifestyle. Their ability to fuse influences from their surroundings with their authentic selves gives EarthGang their distinctive edge.

"Living in Atlanta every day is Afro-futuristic," Olu explained. "We're not trying to create something outside of ourselves; it’s just who we are. We went out to Tokyo, which is a very futuristic place, and that blend really took everything we do to the next level." 

Interestingly, Perfect Fantasy almost had a different name—Final Fantasy. For the uninitiated, that title is inspired by Square/Enix’s popular Japanese role-playing game series. WowGr8 explained, "We were going to call the project Final Fantasy, but we got scared of the law."

So they pivoted to Perfect Fantasy, a lateral transition that still paid homage to their love of RPG video games. "Our journey as artists parallels a game journey,” said Doc. “Each album is like leveling up." 

Video games have long been a part of EarthGang’s brand, and their 2019 album rollout for Mirrorland even included a game. Reflecting on that experience, WowGr8 admitted that making games is a "time-consuming and detailed experience," but worth the effort for its artistic value.

EarthGang's collaborations on Perfect Fantasy are equally impressive, including The Neptunes, Snoop Dogg, T-Pain, The Gorillaz, Little Dragon, Eric Bellinger, and more. Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, better known as The Neptunes, could be considered one of many high-profile guest appearances on the project. 

"We linked with The Neptunes through KP [Kawan "KP" Prather], who executive produced our album Ghetto Gods," said Olu. Their time with Pharrell and Chad in Miami resulted in what they described as "rich n**ga shit," with IV fluids and blood pressure checks during recording sessions. Olu reminisced about how The Neptunes first caught his attention through Clipse and later with productions for Jay-Z and Snoop Dogg. For EarthGang, working with The Neptunes was a full-circle moment, a chance to connect with the musical legends who had influenced them from the start.

Speaking of Snoop Dogg, the hip-hop icon also appears on the title track of Perfect Fantasy. WowGr8 couldn't help but express his admiration for Snoop's longevity in the industry, calling him "the greatest" for making his career work for himself and his family over a long period. Olu echoed the sentiment, noting that Snoop's blueprint for success has inspired countless artists, including themselves.

Despite their love for collaborations, EarthGang takes pride in staying grounded in their individuality. They often explore side projects outside of music. Olu, for instance, is a certified yoga instructor who started a health and wellness company called Compxss. 

"I feel like everyone reaches a point in their life where they realize they need to be in control of their health," he said. His goal with Compass is to give people the tools to take charge of their well-being. The company has hosted activations at major festivals like Bonnaroo and South by Southwest. Olu plans to expand the brand to connect with more fans and partners nationwide.

On the other side, WowGr8 has been diving into comedy and comics. After performing at various open mic nights around Atlanta, he hosted the first-ever comedy experience at Dreamville Fest. He’s also currently partnered with Vault Comics to produce a series of graphic novels or comics. For Doc, pursuing these creative outlets is a way to nurture his passions since childhood while continuing to push his boundaries as an artist.

"I’ve always written stories, and now I’m drifting into writing humorous stories and pitching them to comic book companies," WowGr8 said. 

Their sense of community and giving back is reflected in the EarthGang Foundation, which focuses on environmental sustainability and food security. WowGr8 explained, "The health of the environment is entangled with the health of the people. If it's a dirty environment, you have sick and dirty people." 

This belief drives their foundation's mission to parallel environmental initiatives with human well-being. Recently, EarthGang organized a 5K race for the Race Against Hunger, which helped raise awareness about global hunger and high food prices, particularly in developing countries and communities hit hardest by rising costs.

EarthGang's commitment to sustainability is also manifested in its local efforts. It started a community garden at a middle school that feeds into its alma mater, Benjamin E. Mays High School, in Atlanta. For them, it’s about teaching the importance of cultivating one's food and mastering one's destiny. 

"We want to shine a light on how nourishment affects your understanding of life and how you move through it," Olu said.

Another significant influence on EarthGang has been their relationship with J. Cole and the Dreamville family. The duo expressed deep gratitude for Cole's ongoing support, emphasizing that his presence extends beyond music. 

"Cole always answers the phone," Olu said. "Whether it's about music or life, you need someone who's going to be real with you, and Cole has always been that for us." 

WowGr8 agreed, appreciating Cole’s genuine nature in a “world filled with superficiality.” The personal connection EarthGang shares with Cole has been a cornerstone of their success, helping them grow as artists and individuals navigating the often-challenging music industry. 

With Perfect Fantasy, EarthGang invites listeners to embark on a journey that mirrors their own—full of twists, turns, and moments of pure creativity. 

"We just want people to dive into the record and enjoy the ride," Olu said. "Don’t think too much. Just feel it." WowGr8 echoed the sentiment: "Have a good time with the music, please."

As EarthGang continues to evolve as a group and through its endeavors, its commitment to pushing artistic boundaries, inspiring others, and giving back to its community remains unwavering. Whether through music, yoga, video games, comedy, or comics, EarthGang is on a quest to live life to the fullest—and it’s bringing its fans along for the ride.

Perfect Fantasy is set for release on October 29th.