Back when things seemed like simpler times, EarthGang offered fans a ray of hope by way of a brand new Spillage Village album, titled Spilligion. And while they didn't give an exact date, it would appear we've reached the rollout stages. Today, EarthGang took to Twitter to preview the project's first single "End Of Days," confirming that it would be arriving in full this Thursday, complete with some visuals.
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The song features contributions from J.I.D, Mereba, EarthGang, JB, and Jordan Bryant, along with production from the stacked collective of Christo, Elite, Mike Dean, Olu, NiceRec, and Jay Card. J.I.D. previously teased the track on his IG Live back in March, revealing a slick verse from Wowgr8. "Before it's all said and done I'ma spend this money," he raps, over the slinking bassline. "Before it's all said and done I'm gon' fuck these hoes / and I ain't pulling out shit but the chopper though, I end the weak like Domingo and Sabado."
Given everything going on in the world right now, the title "End Of Days" feels appropriately spooky. Still, we can't help but take comfort in knowing that Spillage Village is returning to the fold, and a full album from the Atlanta collective should be exactly what the doctor ordered. Look for their new single to arrive by the week's end, and keep an eye out for more news on Spilligion's release date. Are you going to check this one out?
Wale & EarthGang Tease A New Banger
EarthGang and Wale are sitting on a new banger, taking to Instagram to let the world know.
Every so often, hip-hop brings two like-minded entities together, kindred spirits if you will. Case in point, EarthGang has officially connected with none other than Wale, a rapper who brings as much soul and energy to the table as the Dreamville duo. Together, they came through and put together a song that may or may not be titled “Options,” and EarthGang took a moment to hype the track on their Instagram page.
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“Who wants this new heat with us and @Wale???? DROP A [Green heart emoji] IF YOU GOT #OPTIONS,” captions EarthGang, inviting fans to get the ball rolling. The post features footage of Wale’s recent Instagram Livestream, during which he provided a thorough glimpse at the upcoming bop. The snippet features a fair amount of Olu, who rides the bouncy instrumental with a lovesick verse. “You hang up that brand new dress, you clean up that same ol’ mess, but it’s beautiful,” he sing-raps, before passing the mic to Wale.
Though no release date has yet to be provided, it’s clear the demand for this one is high — Guapdad 4000, Tay Keith, MixedbyAli, and more have already shown some IG love. And while it’s unclear as to when exactly the track was recorded, EarthGang described it as being “new-new,” far removed from the Dreamers 3 sessions.
EarthGang & J.I.D. Dropping "Spillage Village" Album Soon
EarthGang, J.I.D, 6LACK, Mereba, Hollywood JB, and JordanxBryant -- aka Spillage Village -- are doing their part to cure the quarantine blues.
Though humanity's battle against Coronavirus has ultimately led to a state of mass self-isolation and quarantine, EarthGang, J.I.D, 6LACK, Hollywood JB, JordanxBryant, and Mereba of Spillage Village have decided to stack the deck in our favor. True, the entire music industry currently rests in an uncertain state; the idea of artists holed up in a studio, using the same microphone one after another hits a little different these days. Yet art must prevail, and the Atlanta Collective has officially announced their new album SPILLIGON is on the way.
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EarthGang took to both and Twitter to make the announcement, taking a moment to share a heartfelt message on the former platform. "The quarantine has made it happen," writes EarthGang, putting a positive spin on an otherwise negative situation. "New album coming from the village, are y’all ready for it. Let’s make it happen. Let’s build a stronger community during this time."
Olu & Wowgr8 doubled up by sharing an unreleased track, presumably off the album, which features JID, Mereba, EarthGang, JB, and Jordan Bryant. It's unclear whether it was whipped up in recent times, but the subject matter certainly suggests as much. "It's the end of days, end of times, my oh my," sings Venus, previewed in what looks to be a J.I.D Instagram Live stream. As of yet, none of the participating parties have yet to unveil further release date information. Considering EarthGang's tone, however, it wouldn't be surprising to see SPILLIGION surface sooner than later. Major thanks to the Village for this one!
Outkast’s Big Boi Launches Atlanta Festival
Big Boi's KryptoniteFest will be held in Atlanta, and will feature performances from Big Boi himself, Goodie Mob, EARTHGANG, and more!
Big Boi, most notably known for his work with Andre 3000 in Outkast, is getting ready to hold his first-ever festival in his hometown of Atlanta, GA. The KryptoniteFest joins a long list of festivals that are already enjoyed by fans and artists alike. Many of the festivals on this list are well-established brands that have been putting on shows for years, however, artist-thrown festivals have been growing in popularity over the years as well; OVO Fest, Camp Flog Gnaw, and Yams Day to name a few.
We're expecting Big Boi's festival to join the likes of these powerhouses soon, as it will likely be a hot-spot for Atlanta's already thriving music scene. Atlanta superstars will gladly represent for their city and grace the stage for a well-respected "OG" like Big Boi.
Goodie Mob, EARTHGANG, and Kneel'n Rey are already confirmed acts, however, we're expecting the whole city to show out for their first-ever KryptoniteFest, and we can't wait.
The festival is set to take place on April 18 at the Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park in Atlanta.
Tickets for the show went on sale to the public on Friday (March 6th) here.
If you're in the Atlanta area, we'd recommend snatching them up as soon as possible, as there can only be one first-ever KryptoniteFest!
EarthGang Bring Out J. Cole, J.I.D. & 6LACK In Atlanta
Dreamville was in the building during last night's EarthGang concert, where the duo brought out J. Cole, J.I.D, and 6LACK.
EarthGang are known for putting on a memorable live show, and last night's Atlanta concert found the duo bringing out J. Cole, J.I.D, and Spillage Village's own 6LACK. A testament to Dreamville's unity, fans were surprised to see J. Cole take the stage in the opening moments of the Welcome To Mirrorland Tour. "Turn the music up," he begins, as the crowd reacts with uproarious applause, before launching into "A Tale Of Two Citiez" off 2014 Forest Hills Drive.
Naturally, having all those Dreamville rappers in one place meant a performance "Down Bad" was inevitable, and fan footage shared on Twitter reveals a spirited rendition of the Grammy Nominated posse cut. 6LACK also got his time to shine with a performance of "Pretty Little Fears;" while the R&B singer isn't an official Dreamville signee, his Spillage Village credentials make him an affiliate through and through.
Following the raucous concert, EarthGang's Olu and Wowgr8 took to Twitter to have a laugh at the changing of the guard. "ShoutOut to the homie @JColeNC for opening up our show last night. Keep doing your thing bruh you gone be big one day." Clearly, EarthGang wanted to close out their Welcome To Mirrorland tour with a bang, and what better way to do that than bring the homies into the fold?
All things considered, Dreamville seems positioned for another major year in 2020, following a 2019 campaign that saw Revenge Of The Dreamers 3 arrive alongside EarthGang's own long-awaited Mirrorland. If you haven't checked that one out yet -- don't sleep, there's still time. Were you lucky enough to catch the homecoming concert in Atlanta?
EarthGang Does Q&A With Kids, Answers If J. Cole Is Annoying In The Studio
EarthGang chops it up with kids in a crafty Q&A on All Def’s “Arts & Raps.”
Kids were saying the darndest things once again for Arts & Raps, this time with special guest EarthGang. The Atlanta duo has been picking up steam as one of Dreamville’s hottest acts, so they linked up with All Def for the kid-friendly, craft hip hop series. The two sassy kids had a handful of questions for the rappers, including those about their diets, hairstyles, and label boss J. Cole.
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When asked if “J. Cole was annoying in the studio,” EarthGang made it clear that Cole was quite the opposite. “We talk about all types of stuff,” Johnny Venus said. “Life after death. Puppies.” Venus also shared that he doesn’t have a problem with strange autograph requests, but he’ll shut down anyone who asks him to sign a pack of cigarettes.
Elsewhere in the video, the group talked about being on tour before the little girl said that she’s always wanted to go to an afterparty. The boy chimed in, “If I went to an afterparty, even though I’m underage, I’m probably gonna get drunk.” The boy added, “Hey, I’m an adult in a small body.” Watch EarthGang’s Arts & Raps episode to see what else they had to say about being pescatarian, ancient Egyptians, and why they didn’t receive a Beyoncé x Ivy Park box.
Mick Jenkins Is Top Five With The Pen
A conversation with Mick Jenkins.
Prior to the release of his 2018 album Pieces Of A Man, Mick Jenkins declared himself to be hip-hop’s first overall draft pick. A bold claim to be sure, but the statistics measure up. Few are as nice with the pen as the Chicago writer, pairing poetically-rendered imagery with an athlete’s formidable swagger. His vision most recently manifested with The Circus, an appetizer to a greater vision scored by music from Hit-Boy, Black Milk, Da-P, Beat Butcha and more. At once socially relevant and darkly comedic, Mick’s latest finds him at his most artistically confident. And this is only the novel’s prelude.
On January 27th, I had the chance to speak with Mick over the phone. Never one to pull punches, Mick remains refreshingly blunt in his world-view, keeping it real about the current state of the game, the album as an art form, and why he had to temper his competitive spirit. At once eloquent, affable, and inclined toward gallows humor, his unflinching style of commentary remains essential in today’s mad climate — perhaps now more than ever.
This conversation has been edited for clarity.
Gonzales Photo/Flemming Bo Jense/PYMCA/Universal Images Group Getty Images
Hey, Mick, how are you doing man?
Chillin, bro. How you doing?
It’s kinda somber over here with the news of Kobe. I don’t know if you were a big fan of his.
Yeah, it’s pretty shitty.
Are you a basketball fan?
I’m just a basketball fan. I wasn’t really a Kobe fan. It wasn’t like I didn’t like Kobe, I just wasn’t a huge Kobe fan. But it’s Kobe.
Pretty much. On a lighter note, congrats on The Circus. It’s great. What can you tell me about the title, what The Circus means to you as a concept? When you hear “The Circus,” there are many different connotations and images that come to mind.
I think it’s a representation of what the world is right now. What my life is like right now. I see a lot of allegories. People performing dangerous feats for half-interested audiences. Having a ringmaster over an animal, person, or entity that can really defeat the powers-that-be, but not realize it cause of the system that’s happening. Cause of the whip, in a sense. Sideshows and people’s uniqueness being taken as energy. It’s really not that deep at all. It’s real. [Laughs] It’s a shitshow out here! With Trump in office, head clown.
It was just that. A loose take on society and where I am right now. A direct prelude to the album that should be coming.
Do you see any dark humor there? Sometimes all you can do is laugh.
For me, yeah! I don’t know if people do, but I do. [Laughs] I be laughing at shit Trump do. Shit is funny. It’s not but at the same time it’s so crazy. I think that in itself is a darker humor. A lot of people don’t think that shit is funny.
I keep thinking about the album cover, which is very bright and colorful, suggesting something lighthearted. But then when you listen to the tracks, you’re speaking on darker themes. There’s a cool juxtaposition there, between the darker elements and the comedic elements.
That’s actually why I liked the red. It’s darker at the bottom of the image and then it gets lighter. I just liked that. I feel like it’s bringing an element of moodiness to it. If you’re looking at it not knowing what you’re about to experience.
Definitely. Did you have that album artwork done before you started working on the music?
Nah, after the music was done. After we already chose the seven tracks.
Was there an inciting incident that led you to go: You know what, this is the story I need to tell right now. Make this particular commentary.
It’s a culmination of ideas. Speaking on the topics that I am is always going to happen. It was in The Water[s] at a very surface level. It was in Pieces Of A Man. It’s my life. It’s really what I rap about. The experience on “Carefree” is a real experience. That shit happened to me. That’s what I rap about. That will always be in my music.
As far as a defining moment, it’s really just a culmination of two years of work. Finally reaching a place where I know what I’m going to do and every move can be streamlined. I can draw a line between everything I can do for the next two years. Building up music and content to be able to move like that. This is the beginning of the story I’m trying to tell. The EP is a direct preface to the album that should be out this summer. I’m excited. I feel like I’ve been low key for a while, but I’m coming back out with all my ducks in a row.
I’m looking forward to it. It’s interesting you say that — you mention “Carefree” as being something that actually happened to you, such a frustrating experience. But then it turns into art that then gives other people joy. It’s this weird cycle of pain to joy that speaks to the themes of The Circus. The relation between artist and fan on a deeper level. And lyrically, you’re able to touch on many different topics at once.
That’s spot on bro. I appreciate that. That’s just where I’m at, artistically. As far as what you’re saying lyrically, my biggest thing about a song like that is how can I speak to this and still make it a vibe. I think everybody, myself included…it can get heavy to listen to some shit, you know what I’m saying? For it to be another protest-esque, complaining-ass song…it’s valid to do that, but I don’t want to run that back! [Laughs]
When I did this joint called “Eleven,” that’s not a song I listen to a lot. As powerful as it is may be. I don’t put “Drowning” on when I want to vibe out. Being able to create that vibe for “Carefree” is something I was really excited for when we clicked like that in the studio.
Definitely. Given the meaning behind your lyrics, how long does it take you to write a full song? Are there many drafts?
Some songs. Right now I’m working on this joint from Rascal that I’ve been racking my brain over for two weeks. “Carefree” I did that shit in an hour and a half. Certain things, like the intro, I did that shit in thirty-minutes. It’s about what’s going on, where I’m at, what I’m prepared to do. When I did “Carefree” and the Hit-Boy joint, that was three weeks in L.A. where I only came there to work. It wasn’t taking me long to do shit at all.
I tell people all the time, if I go into the studio and knock out five joints solid, that didn’t happen today. That happened over the last three months. It just came out today. I don’t ever try to make it seem like I’m pumping shit out like that. I be thinking about these concepts and ideas for a very long time. So when I go lock in, it gets done quick most of the time. There’s a space like now where I’m not locked in, I’m on the road, I got a lot of shit distracting me. Now, I’m fuckin’ taking two weeks to finish this song from Rascal.
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Compared to back in the days with The Water[s] and Trees & Truths, did you always have that confidence to know when something was done?
Yeah, I’ve always had that confidence. I’ve actually changed that approach. A lot of times now I sit with shit. It’s what I’ve been able to do holding on to so much music for so long. In comparison to what I used to do, which was drop it immediately. Holding a song or project for a year or two isn’t crazy to me. Cause what are you doing in that meantime? Listening to it. Checking. Going back and making sure I’m singing melodies that compliment. I’m revising over and over. The album I’m working on now will be my best album because of that type of effort. As opposed to the first fifteen joints being like this is it. I have a direction.
But yeah, I’ve always had that confidence. [Hearty laugh] The first fifteen songs was like ‘yep! That’s it!’ That’s how I did The Water[s]. It’s reasons like that I have conflicting feelings when people be like ‘that’s your best work.’ It’s like, damn yo, we put loops and we put the first fifteen songs and didn’t revise. We just put that shit out. But that’s how we did shit, I always had that confidence.
I can imagine. Last time we spoke was before Pieces Of A Man, when you had just dropped “Bruce Banner.” You said “can’t nobody come for me except Kendrick.”
On some rap shit, people aren’t rapping like me. For real. Top five in the game with the pen. Right now. For sure. Go argue with your mom. That’s how I feel.
I wouldn’t argue with that.You delivered it well on this project. “Carefree” is the perfect example. You hooked them in with a banger. By the time you start rapping, they’re in.
Listen hard if you want to, or vibe out if you want to.
Yeah, exactly. On that note, one of my favorites tracks is “The Fit.” You alternate nicely between melody and spitting bars. How do you decide when you’re writing a song if you want to go in a more melodic direction or spit? On a song like that, you could have gone either way and it would have been dope.
That’s what I’m working on. When I went with Waves and The Healing Component I was melody-based, and I saw how it was received and how it sounded. When I did that, I think I needed to find a better balance. And I’ve been finding a better balance. Melodies are crucial to replay value in songs. As a rapper, especially one that can bar up the way I can, it’s not always necessary and definitely not always absolutely necessary. Finding the right balance will make a song go crazier.
This is my opinion, but some of my favorite Mach Hommy songs have a little something like that. When it’s just machine-gun shit, it’s hard for me to vibe cause I’m intently listening to the bars. I think people feel like that a lot. Some rappers don’t care about that and they don’t have to cause of their ability. But if you care about that, which I do, I’ve been trying to find a better balance. I won’t say that I’m there. When you say how, it’s like shit, sometimes I be hoping that shit comes out! [Laughs] Sometimes it’s the reaction that lets me know.
Do you feel like certain themes are more effectively expressed through melody?
I think both are necessary. I was somebody who only rapped. I did that already. Melodies are crucial for replay value. There’s only so much I can do, so many people I can reach with only bars. It’s a limiting thing. They’re equally as important if you learn what to do with them, but not one over the other. I’m a rapper, so if I was an R&B artist I’d absolutely say that. But I’m a rapper, so nah. Not one more than the other.
Are there any artists you’ve been particularly influenced by these days?
Lately, this guy Serpentwithfeet. I think he’s an amazing writer. Amazing singer. Brent Fayaiz new shit was fire. I fucked with that. Mach Hommy I guess. I’ve been rocking that shit for a while. As far as having inspiration from artists, those three.
You’ve been developing some great creative chemistry with EarthGang. Can you tell me about the sessions that led to “The Light?”
That was a while ago. I think it was the same sessions as “House,” like three years ago. I fucked with them at their crib in Atlanta. We did multiple joints. There’s some other shit we got and I chose one for the tape.
How did you guys meet?
I don’t even remember. It was a hook up, I wanted to fuck with them and I think my manager might have reached out to the right person. They gave me an address and I pulled up and that was it. [Laughs]
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Between the three of you, there’s a lot of love for language. A lot of poetry. I think that’s what makes you guys such a good team. When you’re working with other artists, do you consider yourself to be a competitive person?
Yeah, I do! But I had to temper that shit. Muthafuckers don’t do that shit no more. I definitely do but people don’t operate like that for real. Not outwardly. People keep that shit to themselves and get offended when you have that energy in music these days. I ain’t just talking about mainstream people, even the people I know. There’s a very small circle of people I can operate like that with. Cause muthafuckers be getting butthurt! No disrespect, I mean you valid, but damn. I remember a time when muthafuckers could really be at each other about that shit and it was just competition. It wasn’t nothing personal.
There was a taste of that last year when Tory Lanez basically challenged everybody–
Nah, nah, that shit was weak. In that regard, like, everybody? Who?
Everybody who wanted it, I guess.
Who for real though? Who was a real spitter that got at Tory Lanez? You could say Joyner Lucas, but that’s not what he showed us when he battled him. [Laughs] All the people he really got into it with just teased and tweeted on Twitter cause nobody really want to get into that for real. N***as not like that anymore.
I remember J.I.D. seemed to want in, that would have been dope. But cooler heads prevailed on that one.
I mean, cause it’s too much. Essentially, and what’s crazy to me, is that n*****s be thinking about what’s the risk? What if Tory Lanez do get at me? But so what!? It’s like certain n****s at certain levels ain’t willing to risk that shit, you feel me? The culture’s not really like that anymore. N****s don’t jump out and keep it competitive. Like if Tory Lanez or JID or somebody would say the wrong shit, now the whole Dreamville run and disses him. I could see a lot of different ways that shit wouldn’t be the best. Because of how shit is, you feel me? Cause of the way social media is.
Back then, I’m thinking the early-two thousands, the nineties. When people were getting at each other they had to actually run into each other to see the consequences.
[Hearty laugh] Facts! Now people can temper both sides on social media without muthafuckas even saying shit to each other. That aspect comes and changes it.
It’s part of The Circus I guess. Have you become desensitized to social media at this point? Like if you saw something written about you, would you feel the need to respond to it?
It depends on what it is. I’ve definitely got at muthafuckas already. Sayin’ shit the wrong way about what I said in an interview. My main concern was how people were going to react to it. Cause muthafuckas is crazy. I do that shit in my raps. Word have meaning and they come off certain ways. So if you misquote me on a serious topic it’s like you’re putting me at risk for real. The way these n****as act on the internet. [Laugh] I’ve done that already. I guess my answer is yeah. But it depends — there’s a lot of shit I wouldn’t give a care in the world about. But there’s certain shit I’d try to get on as fast as possible. People will take shit and run with it.
For sure. Switching gears back to music. When you’re speaking with fellow artists, maybe those in your circle, what’s the climate toward album construction? I feel like you’re an artist that values that — and a lot of artists are still making albums as linear stories — but a lot aren’t doing that. At all. Are artists still into that?
I don’t know. I am. I know I am. I don’t listen to a lot of people’s music anymore. I check out albums sparsely. It’s not that I don’t. I’m not an authority to be able to answer that question based off my knowledge of what people are out here doing. But Saba, Noname, JID, Smino, all the people that’s around me, close to me, they value that. It’s not always what we do every time. We value it. Think like that, seek to create something like that.
I would assume that if those people are there, there are other people that are too. We’re reacting to fans, to consumers. We’re not going to sit up here and act like anybody wants a fucking double-disc right now. [Laughs] With fourteen songs on each side. You can do that if you’re Drake. You can do that if you’re Chris Brown. But nobody wanted forty-five songs from that man.
That’s not how people are consuming music. Recognizing and hearing that from your label or distribution or whatever, it definitely goes into consideration. When you see Tierra Whack put out a seventeen-minute album, shit is different. Whether you want to acknowledge it or not, but it definitely influences what people are doing for sure.
Was it a deliberate decision to keep songs on The Circus pretty short?
Well, yeah. My mind was to not overdo anything with this joint. It’s about the album. I didn’t want to over-conceptualize. I wanted it to be what it was. It’s a prelude. We gon’ get into the good shit momentarily.
If The Circus is part of a deeper narrative, is the next project going to be picking up where it left off thematically? A prologue to the same novel.
Yep. They’re all the same book. I don’t know if it’ll pick up right where it left off. I don’t know how people receive what I’m saying but it’s not really a story. It’s an idea of shit being a circus. In that sense I guess it picks up where it left off. The exploration of that idea.
How does one make the distinction between being an entertainer and entertainment? Almost like the difference being laughing at or laughed with. To walk a fine line between entertaining such a big group of people, but some people are entertained for the right reasons.
I don’t even think about that, bro. I can’t control that. I hope for the best. I try to change people’s minds about that one on one when I have the opportunity, not that I seek it out necessarily. Other than that, I don’t try to rack my brain over that too much. I can’t control it at all.
Fair enough.
It crosses my mind but just as quickly I’m on to the next thing. Especially with how heavy an idea like that can be, I’m only trying to focus on shit like that if I can affect it.
You touch on it with songs like “Flaunt.” Rapping about how “They want to see you stunt.” People become so enamored with these hip-hop stereotypes of riches and wealth. It’s like, is that real, is that genuine? I don’t know. That’s why the album works so deeply on a thematic level, it’s making me think about all this shit!
I mean, yeah! I feel you, but to me, not to other people or to you, but to me that shit’s not that deep. It’s so surface level. That’s how muthafuckas get down in our faces. Especially cause of social media. You could believe all that shit back in the day, but now we know how this shit works. Now we know muthafuckas be using fake money when they put that shit to they ear. Everybody know. How do we know? Cause the muthafuckas who sell it tell us! [Laughs] You feel me? Not these days, shit’s not that deep. It’s literally what’s happening. Donald Trump is the president. It’s a circus. A shit show. It’s wild.
It’s some Death Of The Author type shit. You write something, you put it out there. It becomes whatever people want it to be basically. All it takes is a couple of bloggers to write think pieces about the themes and then people might start parroting that. The cycle will continue. And then it becomes so far away from what you were inspired by when you were creating it.
That’s what happened with The Water[s.] That’s what’s going to happen with a good concept. And this is some whole other shit, this is my own thoughts. I feel like by-and-large, at the heart of it, when there’s a good concept that cracks pop culture, I think a lot of people want to identify with that without having to be that. Especially if it’s supple. Something you can apply to your own perspective.
Not necessarily what the person meant but it sounds good cause it’s something that can be applied to different ideals and perspectives, it gives more space for you to take it and make it your own. And now you’ve got thirty-seven different meanings of one thing, that were never really what the person intended. Those are the ideas that will catch on like wildfire. Those are the feelings that people can identify with. More than being able to identify with it, I can tweak it and still keep it within the bounds of what it’s supposed to sound and look like.
And that’s how n***as front! [Hearty Laugh] So to take it from a conceptual level, that’s what muthafuckas do! Muthafuckas want to look like they’re successful or sound like they’re successful or smell like they’re successful even without the success. As long as the space I left thinks that’s who I am, I’m good.
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Dreamville’s Grammy Afterparty: EarthGang, J.I.D, Omen, Lute, Guapdad 4000, & More
The Grammy Awards hype may be behind us, but some are still recovering from a weekend filled with parties all across Los Angeles to celebrate nominees. Roc Nation hosted their annual brunch and Sean Love “Diddy” Combs was honored with the Industry Icons Award at Clive Davis’s coveted pre-Grammy gala. Yet, it was the afterparties that lit up L.A.
Linnea Stephan/BFA.com – Dreamville + ILYSM Presented A Post-Grammy Celebration Honoring Revenge of the Dreamers III
Over at the swanky The West Hollywood EDITION luxury hotel on the Sunset Strip, Dreamville invited a few friends and influencers to come party with them in celebration of their nominations. Revenge of the Dreamers III was up for two Grammy Awards for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Album, and although they didn’t win either one, it didn’t stop the label from letting loose with loved ones.
Dreamville’s co-founder Ibrahim Hamad partnered with ILYSM for the post-Grammy event on Sunday (January 26) to honor nominees J. Cole, Ari Lennox, Lute, Bas, Omen, J.I.D, Cozz, and EarthGang. The latter six of those names listed attended the open-bar shindig where the DJ spun hip hop and rap favorites. Many members of the small crowd gathered together for the electric slide as Beyoncé’s “Before I Let Go” boomed over the loudspeakers. Later, everyone went wild to Roddy Ricch‘s “The Box”—a song that had to be restarted more than once because fans couldn’t get enough of the chart-topping hit. The energetic crowd with a positive vibe lingered for hours while strangers became friends as they attempted to rap all the spit-fire bars to Revenge of the Dreamers III. The party went on until about midnight before people scattered to other events, including Billie Eilish’s afterparty where she celebrated her sweeping wins.
Also on the scene were Mereba, Guapdad 4000 and his 10-foot long du-rag, Buddy BJ the Chicago Kid, Childish Major, Jace, Kitty Ca$h, G Herbo, Young Dolph, Mozzy, Kiddominant, Yung Baby Tate, Shaun Ross, Ty Hunter, Nitrane, Luke James, Domani, Ro James, IDK, Reese LaFlare, and many more.
Thank you, Dreamville, for having us! Check out a few photos from the Dreamville + ILYSM celebration of the label’s Grammy nominees below.
Linnea Stephan/BFA.com – Dreamville + ILYSM Presented A Post-Grammy Celebration Honoring Revenge of the Dreamers III (Olu of EarthGang, BJ the Chicago Kid, J.I.D, Smino, Bas)
Linnea Stephan/BFA.com – Dreamville + ILYSM Presented A Post-Grammy Celebration Honoring Revenge of the Dreamers III (Bas)
Linnea Stephan/BFA.com – Dreamville + ILYSM Presented A Post-Grammy Celebration Honoring Revenge of the Dreamers III (Guapdad 4000, Buddy, Mereba, Smino, BJ the Chicago Kid, Yung Baby Tate)
Linnea Stephan/BFA.com – Dreamville + ILYSM Presented A Post-Grammy Celebration Honoring Revenge of the Dreamers III (J.I.D, Smino)
Linnea Stephan/BFA.com – Dreamville + ILYSM Presented A Post-Grammy Celebration Honoring Revenge of the Dreamers III (Luke James)
Linnea Stephan/BFA.com – Dreamville + ILYSM Presented A Post-Grammy Celebration Honoring Revenge of the Dreamers III (Lute)
Linnea Stephan/BFA.com – Dreamville + ILYSM Presented A Post-Grammy Celebration Honoring Revenge of the Dreamers III (Mereba)
Linnea Stephan/BFA.com – Dreamville + ILYSM Presented A Post-Grammy Celebration Honoring Revenge of the Dreamers III (Omen)
Linnea Stephan/BFA.com – Dreamville + ILYSM Presented A Post-Grammy Celebration Honoring Revenge of the Dreamers III (Reese LaFlare)
Linnea Stephan/BFA.com – Dreamville + ILYSM Presented A Post-Grammy Celebration Honoring Revenge of the Dreamers III (Ty Hunter)
Linnea Stephan/BFA.com – Dreamville + ILYSM Presented A Post-Grammy Celebration Honoring Revenge of the Dreamers III
Linnea Stephan/BFA.com – Dreamville + ILYSM Presented A Post-Grammy Celebration Honoring Revenge of the Dreamers III
Linnea Stephan/BFA.com – Dreamville + ILYSM Presented A Post-Grammy Celebration Honoring Revenge of the Dreamers III
Here’s The Governors Ball 2020 Day-By-Day Lineup
The annual NYC-based music festival will see Danny Brown, EARTHGANG, Missy Elliott and more hit the stage over three days.
Following the official announcement of Governors Ball 2020 a little over a week ago, we're now getting a clearer breakdown of who will be performing over the three-day music festival and the exact day each artist will be hitting the stage.
While all three days are expected to be filled with show-stopping performances, Day 3 is definitely looking like the highlight. Day 1 is pretty packed as well, with acts like Danny Brown, Tame Impala, Pink Sweat$, Miley Cyrus, Alessia Cara, Maxo Kream, Vampire Weekend, Chase Atlantic, rising Brooklyn-based emcee KOTA The Friend and music legend Stevie Nicks amongst others gracing the stage on Friday. Day 2 keeps the high energy at peak with Vampire Weekend, Flume, Ellie Goulding, Chiiild, Steve Lacy and rap/R&B collective EARTHGANG making for key standouts on Saturday. As we stated earlier, Sunday will be the apex of the festival's 10th anniversary year as Missy Elliott, Solange, H.E.R., Summer Walker, John Bellion, YBN Cordae, Girl Talk, Johnny Utah, Black Midi, Swae Lee and Princess Nokia spearhead a long list of musicians closing out Day 3.
Governors Ball 2020 goes down on June 5, June 6 and June 7 at Randall's Island Park in New York City. Get your 1-day, 3-day and cabana experience tickets now by clicking here.
Dreamville Dominates The Grammys Red Carpet In Style
Revenge of the Dreamers.
Though their reputation might not suggest it, Dreamville can flex with the best of them. Lest we forget that time EarthGang convinced J. Cole to join them for a debaucherous evening at the strip club, making it rain torrential downpours in the process. Since then, they've only become bolder in their flexing efforts, as evidenced by the squad's latest appearance at the 2020 Grammy Awards.
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
Joined by Guapdad 4000 and his ten-foot durag, the Ville was represented in dapper fashion by J.I.D, Johnny "Olu" Venus and Doctur "Wowgr8" Dot of EarthGang, Cozz, and Ibrahim H. The boys made sure to post up for a badass picture, each one looking dapper for the occasion. Special shout out to Venus, who came through hard with the androgynous drip.
At some point, the Spillage Village crew even connected with Atlanta's mayor Keisha Bottoms, a testament to their growing pull in their home state. Elsewhere, The Ville was also represented by Bas, who held it down alongside his own associates. Check out some of the pics below, and sound off -- is Dreamville destined for a major campaign in 2020?