EARTHGANG puts up their most dynamic performance in “GHETTO GODS” (This review includes the deluxe version of the album).

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HONORABLE MENTION. GHETTO GODS

Of course, a song called “GHETTO GODS” is epic!

I can picture 100 feet EARTHGANG characters stomping on buildings in the music video to “GHETTO GODS.” To me, the song feels grandiose, monumental, and triumphant. What a great way to open up an album!

5. AMERICAN HORROR STORY

Pray for Ukraine. They are living in a horror story right now.

Sorry for getting political, but I feel like I had to for a quick moment. OK, back to regularly scheduled programming…

Believe it or not, “AMERICAN HORROR STORY” is powered by an instrumental that boasts very comforting vibes. As for EARTHGANG, they are with the s**ts in the song. In both Olu and WowGr8’s verses, they slyly rap about all of the trials and tribulations that come with being black in America. Personally, what I love about the song is that it has a great spirit to it.

4. WATERBOYZ

If EARTHGANG, J.I.D., and J. Cole are considered “WATERBOYZ,” I would probably be considered the floor that the players step on.

Some would view “WATERBOYZ” as a little bland, but I view it as a smooth banger that would give the slicksters of the world a hard-on. For starters, the song is powered by a sly beat that prompts both EARTHGANG and J.I.D. to bring out their cool, scholarly, unbothered, and lowkey playboy sides. As for J. Cole, he brings out his aggressive, competitive, and underdog side in the song (He didn’t understand the assignment at all).

This is not the best song on this album, but it’s one of the most significant ones.

3. ALL EYES ON ME

“ALL EYES ON ME” is an anthem for folks that have made it out of the mud.

“ALL EYES ON ME” is powered by this emotional, bass booming beat that I absolutely love (Kudos to Jetsonmade, Olu, and The Breed)! In their respective verses, Olu and WowGr8 do excellent jobs of meeting the beat at the rim with verses that tackle very powerful topics that the black community in America can relate with. Overall, the song is too catchy, infectious, hard-hitting, and deep to ignore.

2. AMEN

EarthGang are legends for working with Music Soulchild.

“AMEN” is the definition of a smooth banger. For starters, the song features a beat that is just as soulful as it is electrifying. As for EarthGang and Musiq Soulchild, they each do their thing on the song. The former relies on both delicate and assertive bars to proclaim the importance of loyalty to them, while the latter completes the song with a passionate vocal performance. All in all, I can see “AMEN” being the hottest song on this album.

1. BILLI

Holy s**t, EARTHGANG has made it to the clubs, y’all!

However you want to slice it, “BILLI” is a hit. Not only does the song feature a very catchy hook, but it also has a beat change, a splash of soulfulness, dynamic EARTHGANG verses, and a Future verse that is trill as f**k. “BILLI” is far from some spiritual EARTHGANG s**t, but it’s definitely something special.

Let’s not complicate things, this gimmicky song is the best song on the album.

SONG BY SONG RATING

1. THE GLOW (N/A)

2. GHETTO GODS (5/5)

3. BILLI (5/5)

4. WATERBOYZ (4/5)

5. HEY BOO – skit (N/A)

6. AMEN (5/5)

7. ALL EYES ON ME (5/5)

8. LIE TO ME (4/5)

9. JEANS INTERLUDE – skit (N/A)

10. BLACK PEARLS (4/5)

11. NEEZY’S WALK (N/A)

12. AMERICAN HORROR STORY (5/5)

13. POWER (4/5)

14. ZAZA – skit (N/A)

15. SMOKE SUM (4/5)

16. STRONG FRIENDS (4/5)

17. RUN TOO (4/5)

18. SMOKE SUM (4/5)

*19. BLACK PEARLS OG (4/5)

*20. AMERICAN HORROR STORY (OG) (4/5)

*21. LVL’D UP (4/5)

*22. AMBEYONCÉ (3/5)

*23. BILLI – REMIX (3/5)

*indicates deluxe tracks

RGM RATING

(B+)

These days, I feel like hip-hop albums are either gangsta, experimental, or exhilarating; Ghetto Gods is one of the first albums that I’ve heard in a while that merges every aspect that I just mentioned.

Honestly, as a casual EARTHGANG fan, I put them in a box. I initially thought that they only made weirdo hip-hop songs… I couldn’t have been wronger. In Ghetto Gods, the duo blesses us with everything from semi-reggae songs to catchy club bangers to soothing slow jams. They also straddle the line between braggadocios and uplifting, the line between aggressive and gentle, the line between relatably southern and unrecognizably southern, and the line between old-school-sounding and modern-sounding. If you are a fan of hip-hop music, in any kind of way, this album is a gem that you definitely need to listen to.

Quincy

Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.