Doctur Dot and Johnny Venus complete their trilogy with "Royalty," a well rounded piece of work that manages to be both grandiose and down-to-earth.
Doctur Dot begins Royalty with an accurate assessment: “I’m the latest phenomenon you should be hip to, bandwagon seats going extinct.” EarthGang has been around for a while, but as of late, their stock has been skyrocketing. After extensive touring and a deal with J-Cole’s Dreamville Records in August, the Atlanta duo promised an EP trilogy leading up to their third album Mirrorland. Six months and two excellent EPs later, EarthGang concludes the movement with Royalty.
Over a roughly twenty-five minute span, Doc and Johnny Venus somehow manage to revitalize the hip-hop trope of being on the cusp of greatness. The rhyming is complex, the production luxurious; the songs even transition together to form a cohesive narrative. The five tracks are interspersed with skits by comedian DC Young Fly, who reprises his role as an Uber driver slash narrator. Unlike the previous two chapters, Doctur Dot and Johnny V are the passengers this time around, travelling through contemplations of fame as they steer towards Mirrorland.
I’ve always thought of EarthGang as a more “mushroomy” version of Outkast, but the group deserves more than an oft-repeated comparison. Although the way that their camaraderie compliments each other is indeed reminiscent of Andre and Big Boi, both Doctur Dot and Johnny Venus are incredibly talented emcees, experimental with both flow and cadence. Other than a moment or two when Doc sounds a bit like Chance the Rapper, or Johnny V adopts a bit of a Kendrick-esque demeanor, it’s hard to draw many legitimate comparisons to their music.
Contradiction is one of the biggest recurring motifs of Royalty. There’s the contradiction in people’s behavior once they reach stardom. The contradictions in both values and faith that Doc and Johnny express. There are even contradictions and misconceptions in DC’s perception of the duo when they first enter his car. The most major juxtaposition that Doc and Johnny seem to be experiencing, however, is the difference between the experiences behind them and those currently unfolding. As they stand at the precipice of having their dreams come true, their lives and perceptions begin to rapidly change. Nothing is as it appears to be.
Contrary to what the title might suggest, most of the album is actually cetered around poverty. The EP’s first half may feel celebratory, but the “royalty” described is largely a state of mind. Even on a track like “Off The Lot,” which ostensibly covers the physical trappings of success, EarthGang goes beyond a simple celebration of consumer culture. Instead, they pose questions. Why do we covet the things we do? Why do bad people sometimes find themselves rewarded?