EARTHGANG travels into the future on new EP ‘ROBOPHOBIA’
The duo’s new concept project features Snoop Dogg, Spillage Village and more
The Grammy-nominated Atlanta rap duo EARTHGANG has always been ahead of the curve. Their latest release with Spillage Village, ROBOPHOBIA is an odyssey into the future. As technology continues to advance with virtual reality and AI becoming more and more prevalent in our everyday lives, opinions are split on how it will impact music. Some superstars such as Drake and Bad Bunny have publicly denounced AI-generated songs using their voices. EARTHGANG, on the other hand, aren’t so quick to write it off. ROBOPHOBIA is a sonic dive into a new terrain for EARTHGANG as they explore new soundscapes and topics on imperfections, connections and projections within humanity’s relationship with each other and AI,” the group said in an Instagram post announcing the project. The new EP is the second installment of the EARTHGANG vs. Algorithm series, which began with last year’s RIP Human Art EP.
The lead single “BLACKLIGHT,” released in November of 2023, is a soulful, funk-driven song about vulnerability and not being afraid to expose one’s flaws. The throwback, Parliament Funkadelic-esque track paired with the AI-generated futuristic video is a wonderful blend of past, present, and future.
“PUT IN WORK” is a groovy, uptempo track, in which Olu and WowGr8 take turns spitting acrobatic bars over the beat. They’ve mastered the art of playing off of each other effectively. The duo shines their brightest when showcasing their knack for creating a variety of flows and rhyme schemes, sometimes all within the same verse.
The unique rollout for the EP was equally impressive. Across their social channels, the group listed a phone number for fans to call “for more info.” Once dialed, callers would hear a robotic voice saying “Hello. Don’t be afraid. I’ve come to help. We’ve all come to help. We’re just like you.” All with a wink and a nod, EARTHGANG playfully alludes to the impending robot takeover, adding some levity and satire to an otherwise unnerving topic for some. On Valentine’s Day, the duo teased the project again using the hotline. This time, they shared a hilarious clip to social media featuring a female robot named Robecky plugging a call-in service for those who were lonely on Valentine’s Day, offering virtual companionship for $3.99 per minute. Over 3,000 devoted fans called in to the hotline, a testament to the duo’s engaged social following, which currently sits at over a million across Instagram, TikTok and Twitter.
Throughout ROBOPHOBIA’s five songs, Olu and WowGr8 showcase the eclectic style and impressive lyricism that’s become their trademark since their debut album Shallow Graves for Toys in 2013. “Perfect Fantasy” featuring the legendary Snoop Dogg is another standout track. The breezy R&B track is an ode to the girl of their dreams, with Snoop Dogg providing a fun, silky smooth verse to close it out.
Listen to Robophobia here and license from Earthgang to soundtrack your next project.