Welcome to Earthgang's algorithm. The American hip-hop duo from Atlanta, comprised of Olu and Doc, have journeyed into uncharted sonic terrain for their new EP, ROBOPHOBIA. A brilliant infusion of their artistic lyrical abilities, funk, rock and hip-hop beats alongside an exploration of DreamMachineAI (a computer rigged up to write music and imagine visuals as it broadcasts), it's an interesting, exciting and thought-provoking offering.

"We find ourselves in the hands of AI after the fall from the top of the building from our RIP HUMAN ART cover,” explains Earthgang. “Our bodies are being operated and altered to become symbiotic with technology under AI’s discretion. Hopefully, the rebels save us before we’re robotic slaves. The video imitates life as we become more connected and sometimes dependent on technology. The song asks, ‘can we love ourselves as we are without need for constant system updates and improvements?'" We spoke to the duo about creating this world and what's to come:

We’ve loved your music for years and this EP is such a great evolution of your sound. How do you personally think EARTHGANG has evolved over the years to this moment?

OLU: Well for me the focus is to be more authentic musically and emotionally present over all. I think sometimes artists feel rushed to put out music because of scheduling or timing etc. But I want to take my time and truly feel everything that I’m presenting to the world in one way or another. It’s going even deeper into yourself, your experiences, your stories.

DOC: I think EarthGang has evolved into completely owning what makes us unique. The intangible factors that add personal flair are on full blast. This is so essential in a time where music is more commodity than oddity. It gives the listener a chance to feel like they are experiencing an art piece as opposed to some product to judge and compare numerically.

Tell us about creating these songs and this new chapter in the EARTHGANG vs the Algorithm EP series. What was your intention with these songs and what was inspiring you?

OLU: The intention with these particular songs was to present a totally different soundscape. To put our fans in a world we created. One reminiscent of that analog sound sort of but with a futuristic twist. Marrying the raw emotional element with the digital decorations.

DOC: These songs were created from pure love with very little outside influence. Simply aligning instrumentals with thoughts that are in the deepest parts of our minds.

Was there a catalyst for you in terms of deciding to create freely with emphasis on breaking away from the algorithm? We love Put In Work 2. Which song are you most excited for longterm fans to hear?

OLU: We’ve always wanted to stick to what we do best and stand out in our own unique way. I think that’s becoming more important now than ever. I’m excited for the fans to hear the whole project. I know it’s different from what some may describe as the authentic EarthGang sound but that’s the beauty of creativity. It’s supposed to be continuously unfolding in new true directions.

DOC: For me the catalyst for this “anti-algorithm” campaign was realizing we’re valued by terms we didn’t agree to. The streaming services pretty much control the value of music these days from which artists are “important” to how much monetary value a stream has. As they lay off more and more employees from these companies, the decisions are then left up to bots and equations to value a product based on human emotions. I’M EXTREMELY EXCITED FOR THE FANS TO HEAR OSMOSIS.

BLACK LIGHT is also brilliant. We love the message behind it. Tell us about the session creating this song and how it came to fruition?

OLU: Doc sent the record to me and immediately went and recorded my verse. There was just something about the beat that invited me to talk about experiences and relationships and conversations that I was having in my life at the time.

DOC: Black Light was started at my home studio affectionately known as the “SpaceSt8tion.” During the pandemic my producer Dish stayed at my house for a few weeks and we made tons of music. Blacklight was the product of a shroom trip and rewatching the video “October/ 3Storms.” The message is a pretty basic self love concept. I think we should start looking at human “flaws” as customizations or perks rather than mistakes.

We love the collaboration with Snoop Dogg. How was the experience working with him? What did you learn from him?

OLU: LONGEVITY!!!! Snoop is a global icon and he’s gotten that way by staying true to herself while also being innovative and seizing new opportunities.

DOC: Snoop is the eternal Uncle to the world. He’s been in a totem for me in this plane of existences since I was born. It was an honor and a blessing to work with him and the main lesson I learned is to ALWAYS have fun with the music. Don’t ever get to serious in your creation because the emotion you go in with is what the audience will receive .

ROBOPHOBIA is taking us back to a pre-digital age. What are some of your favourite things from the 70s that have inspired this EP?

OLU: I love the sounds from the 70’s everything sounds so lush and in your face. You can listen to a song and almost fell the texture is the room and smell the perfume, see the colors that people where wearing as they indulged in the music amongst other things lol

DOC: PINK FLOYD HIPGNOSIS 5TH DIMENSION .

Which other artists have been exciting you lately?

OLU: I’ve been listening to a lot of Sault. Their music has that same lushness and analog feel to it. It sounds vintage but the messages are so relevant to today.

DOC: Veeze, Baby Face Ray, Navi, Myd is incredible.

The visual world of EARTHGANG never disappoints. We love the EP artwork. Who did you work with to create the visual world of ROBOPHOBIA? What did you hope to convey?

OLU: We worked with Hayden Fun Films to create the artwork. We’re peering into the future of what it’s like to create, what it’s like to be human and to live immersed in technology at the same time.

DOC:WHAT HE SAID

What’s next?

OLU: PART 3!    

DOC: MORE IS ALWAYS NEXT!!!!!!

Listen to Robophobia HERE.

@earthgang