EarthGang Talk All Things Michael Jackson, Musical Theatre, Dreamville & More.
Ahead of their much anticipated debut Australian tour this December, I caught up with the EarthGang boys for a quick chat for everything about their latest album “Mirrorland” and them finally coming down-under for headline shows.
To start things off, l wanted to congratulate you guys on two things, first thing is selling out your debut shows in Sydney and Melbourne (Brisbane close to selling out) — how does that make you guys feel?
It’s beautiful, we came over there previously for Cole’s “4 Your Eyez Only” tour so it’s good to see that blossom into us selling out our own dates on our headliner tour, it’s beautiful.
100% you guys have a lot of fans here and the hype since the announcement has been super high! The second thing I wanted to congratulate you on is “Mirrorland”, it was a hugely anticipated album and you guys delivered…just from a fan’s perspective I see it as this vivid representation of both of your unique characters but it’s also a showcase of the richness of where you guys are from—Atlanta, we here in Australia much like the rest of the world are huge fans of the Atlanta Hip-Hop scene — with Mirrorland in mind who has shaped your sound the most from ATL?
The thing about Atlanta and ATL music, it’s like a family tree, we all feed into each other — we take from the past generation and take it directly into the present, all the way down to today, ATL has always continued to inspire us.
You have definitely taken the ATL sound forward, one thing you guys did mention on Mirrorland is how THE WIZ — the Quincy Jones production version of “The Wizard of Oz” with Michael Jackson and Diana Ross had such a big influence on the album.
Yes, THE WIZ!
A lot of artists obviously say Michael Jackson inspired them, but none of them specifically mention this often forgotten musical, would love to hear more about this, like did you guys have that playing in the studio?
Yes we did have THE WIZ playing in the studio while we were recording… thing about Michael Jackson is that (The Wiz) was the only full length feature film he starred in, ever…he was one of the greatest pop stars ever, in the history of time…..he inspired us with this album to take that kind of devotion he had in his projects like this, into our projects.
One of the most sad things is that Michael never got to do anything like that again.
YEA, YEA!
…so it’s really great to see you guys continue the musical theatre aspect of Michael’s legacy
We have big love for musical theatre
Who knows maybe “Mirrorland on Broadway” one day... Just on the live touring front, you guys have opened for JCole, performed with the TDE crew, played major festivals like Rolling Loud and Afropunk, but what’s been the most memorable tour you guys have been on?
…that’s a tough question, all of them but for me one of the most memorable ones, when I look back in present time, was when we did the “4 Your Eyez Only” Europe leg, that was us Arii Lennox, JID all of us, we all got signed to Cole at the same time right before that tour, and that was just a good time, all your brothers and sisters together, we all shared a bus, we had a good time.
That sounds amazing, on that note actually, Dreamville right now is legitimately on top the world, all the solo projects, the collab project that just went platinum, you guys are on fire…
Make sure you say that when you talk to TDE
<laughs all around>
We’re obviously psyched about your shows this summer, but are we ever going to see this dream-team all together for a tour anytime soon?
Ahhh I can’t answer that question, we gon’ see what happens next, North Carolina best chance to see us all, it’s hard to get us all together…
Understand, can’t blame me for trying there. Just to finish off, on a personal perspective not about music or anything, what are you guys looking forward to the most when you visit Australia?
Animals, wildlife….last time we came to Australia we didn’t really have a chance to see anything. I need to hold some animals in my hand.
Those are compulsory photo ops, and can definitely be arranged.
Look, thanks for your time legends. We can’t wait for you to bring Atlanta to Australia this summer, we’re really excited to have you and rage at these headline shows.
Oh we can’t wait, it’s your summer and our winter so that’s wild, see you in December man.
With support from label mate Cozz, EarthGang’s debut Australian tour is happening this summer! The Brisbane and Auckland legs still have available tickets, so get in quick if you’re keen.
