Rags (EP)
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox album
| italic_title = yes
| name = Rags
| type = EP
| artist = EarthGang
| cover = EarthgangRags.jpg
| alt =
| released = August 31, 2017
| recorded = 2015–2017
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = {{flatlist|
| length = 24:01
| label = {{hlist|Spillage Village|Empire}}
| producer = {{flatlist|
- J. Cole {{small|(exec.)}}
- Ibrahim Hamad {{small|(exec.)}}
- Anonxmous
- Childish Major
- Elite
- Hollywood JB
- Ron Gilmore}}
| prev_title = Strays with Rabies
| prev_year = 2015
| next_title = Robots
| next_year = 2017
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Rags
| type = EP
| single1 = Meditate
| single1date = September 1, 2017
}}
}}
Rags is the third EP by American hip-hop duo EarthGang, released August 31, 2017 by Spillage Village and distributed by Empire Distribution. Released after the announcement of their signing to Dreamville,{{cite web|last1=Cowen|first1=Trace William|title=J. Cole's Dreamville Just Signed EarthGang|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2017/08/j-cole-dreamville-signed-earthgang|website=Complex|accessdate=March 4, 2018|date=August 31, 2017}} it is the first installment in a trilogy of EPs, leading up to their debut album, Mirrorland.{{cite web|last1=Goddard|first1=Kevin|title=Stream Earthgang's "Rags" EP|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/stream-earthgangs-rags-ep-new-mixtape.117469.html|website=HotNewHipHop|accessdate=March 4, 2018|date=September 1, 2017}}
Background
EarthGang initially met J. Cole in 2014 while touring with Ab-Soul and was told by their manager that "Cole was feelin' them". Shortly after the release of their 2015 album Strays with Rabies and while touring with Bas in 2016, Dot and Venus began recording a "deconstructed album" which would form the three EPs, leading up to their major-label debut album, Mirrorland.{{cite web|last1=Ivey|first1=Justin|title=EarthGang Explain How They Got Signed By J. Cole, "Rags" EP & Upcoming Projects|url=https://hiphopdx.com/interviews/id.3066/title.earthgang-explain-how-they-got-signed-by-j-cole-rags-ep-upcoming-projects#signup|website=HipHopDX|accessdate=March 4, 2018|date=September 26, 2017}} It features production from Hollywood JB, Childish Major, Anonxmous, and Ron Gilmore. The EP features guests appearance from JID, Childish Major, and Mick Jenkins.{{cite web|last1=Weinstein|first1=Max|title=EarthGang Drop New 'Rags' EP|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2017/08/earthgang-new-rags-ep/|website=XXL|accessdate=March 4, 2018|date=August 31, 2017}}
Singles and promotion
Upon announcing that the duo was signed to Dreamville, music video for "Meditate" featuring JID was released the same day as the EP release.{{cite web|last1=Skelton|first1=Eric|title=After Signing With Dreamville, EarthGang Share New EP 'Rags'|url=http://pigeonsandplanes.com/music/2017/09/earthgang-rags-ep|website=Pigeons and Planes|accessdate=March 4, 2018|date=August 31, 2017}}
Critical reception
Rags has received positive reviews since its release. In a positive review from Creative Loafing, Montana Samuels wrote: "Rather than providing an outwardly raised fist to the system of politics and oppression that are all too familiar to black men growing up in the city, EarthGang’s Johnny “Olu O. Fann” Venus and Doctur “Eian Undrai Parker” Dot alternatively pen an even-keeled reflection of black life in America".{{cite web|last1=Samuels|first1=Montana|title=RECORD REVIEW: EarthGang's 'Rags'|url=https://www.creativeloafing.com/article/20974689/record-review-earthgangs-rags|website=Atlanta Creative Loafing|accessdate=March 4, 2018|date=September 6, 2017}}
Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline =
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| total_length = 24:01
| title1 = Meditate
| note1 = featuring JID
| writer1 = {{hlist| Olu. O Fann | Anthony Parrino|Eian Undrai Parker | Destin Route}}
| extra1 = Elite
| length1 = 4:38
| title2 = Nowhere Fast
| note2 = featuring Childish Major
| writer2 = {{hlist| Fann | Parker|Marcus Randle}}
| extra2 = Childish Major
| length2 = 3:57
| title3 = Red Light
| writer3 = {{hlist| Fann | Parker}}
| extra3 = Anonxmous
| length3 = 3:13
| title4 = Legendari
| note4 =
| writer4 = {{hlist| Fann | Parker|Randle}}
| extra4 = Childish Major
| length4 = 5:22
| title5 = House
| note5 = featuring Mick Jenkins
| writer5 = {{hlist| Fann | Parker | Justin Bryant | Ronald Gilmore | Jayson Jenkins}}
| extra5 = {{hlist|Hollywood JB|Ron Gilmore}}
| length5 = 6:15
}}
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col" | Chart (2017)
! scope="col" | Peak |
|---|
| {{Album chart|BillboardIndependent|48|artist=Earthgang|refname=Independent|access-date=October 7, 2023|rowheader=true}} |
| {{Album chart|BillboardHeatseekers|16|artist=Earthgang|refname=Heatseekers|access-date=October 7, 2023|rowheader=true}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
{{EarthGang}}
{{Authority control}}