From Earth to Essence: Johnny Venus Charts a New Path

Music

Best known as one half of the GRAMMY-nominated, award-winning duo EarthGang, Olu — now stepping into his Johnny Venus alias — is ready to claim a new chapter. His debut solo single, “So Beautiful” featuring the elusive R&B heavyweight 6lack, marks a lush and intoxicating new direction. Layering warm percussive beats with acoustic textures, the track offers a rich canvas for Johnny’s velvety lyricism, underlining a new versatility that's both deliberate and exhilarating.

But the move into solo territory isn’t just about the music. Away from the stage, Johnny has been steadily building a holistic empire with his COMPXSS wellness brand, designed to challenge the harsh realities often glossed over in rap culture — touring schedules, mental strain, and the need for real healing. His advocacy spans from training NBA stars to collaborations with Nike, Lululemon, and Soho House, running alongside EarthGang’s wider environmental mission with their nonprofit foundation, recently recognised by the City of Atlanta and celebrated at the residence of former US Vice President Kamala Harris.

As Johnny Venus prepares to drop more music this year, his solo project promises a fuller glimpse into the artist — and the man — behind one of hip-hop’s most exciting modern legacies. I caught up with him to talk about rebirth, resilience, and why real beauty often starts from within.

"So Beautiful" feels like a really intimate and lush beginning to this solo chapter. What made this the right song to introduce Johnny Venus to the world?I wanted to set a new standard for my career. Richness, fullness, lush; that's what my artistry will be all about in this chapter. I want to leave people satisfied in every way. Music is such a gift and I want to leave people feeling full after experiencing my gift. It’s a joy to be able to give in this way, so I make sure it's the best experience I can.

How did the collaboration with 6lack come about — and what was it about his voice and energy that made him the perfect fit for this record?

6lack was at the sessions where this project was recorded. He’s been a long time collaborator within our Spillage Village camp. We go back many years. He’s always had this comforting tone to his voice that people gravitate to, and his music is honest and that’s what we need now and always. 

Was there a specific moment that made you realise you were ready to step out solo, even with EarthGang still thriving?I think I’ve always been destined to create music on my own. It’s been in my soul for many lives and EarthGang, SpillVill, and Dreamville all provide fertile soil for my gifts to grow. I think the moment (I realised) was when my brothers told me I had their support. I remember conversations with Doc, Cole, Bas and so many of the camp. They would just say “Bro, do this shit!” Like they had been waiting. 

You’ve always pushed musical boundaries with EarthGang, but "So Beautiful" shows a different kind of vulnerability. What new sides of yourself are you hoping listeners hear on this project?I wish to show all that I am. The man I am, the rough edges I have, the tenderness I protect. The rude boy, ha!... All of it.

The textures on the track — the warm percussion, the acoustic layers — feel very intentional. How involved were you in building the sonic landscape of the track?I actually didn't touch this track much, but I called my guy Wu10, a legendary producer who’s worked with so many artists, most recently J Cole and Coco Jones, to add that organ, Wurlitzer sound. I thought the track needed one more element of freedom. It’s like the feminine energy. It dances around the bass and drums and vocals. And she's just free. 

Your journey with meditation, yoga and mental health feels deeply woven into your artistry now. How has that personal work shaped the music you're making as Johnny Venus?

Yoga, meditation, etc allows people a chance to separate from the masses and be closer to themselves. You get to be your rawest, truest self because you know and differentiate between what is you and what isn’t. So you pour that raw material into the music. And it's perfect because it is pure.

You've flipped the narrative around rap culture with COMPXSS — creating space for wellness and healing. What sparked the creation of that movement for you?

I hit a wall a few years ago where I needed to shed a lot of things in order to climb that wall and get to the next level. I quietened the noise and turned it into a transformative and “beefed up” space, so to say. Music brings people together; it has tremendous power to transform spaces, people, energy and reset the vibes. Wellness is another version of that. We set the space and it allows you to have whatever experience you wish to leave with.

Training NBA stars, running workshops with brands like Nike and Soho House — that’s a powerful crossover. How do you balance such a physically and emotionally demanding wellness practice with your creative life?

Well you make time for what you love. And in life we can easily forget to live because we’re working so hard. This balance reminds me to live as well as work. My wellness practice is simply an extension of my joy to be alive. 

There’s often an invisible toll that success takes on artists, especially in hip-hop. How do you personally protect your peace while still moving forward at a high level?

I’ve accepted the fact that less is more. Less people should have immediate access to you. Less people should be able to pull on you and “direct” you. Precious things need to be protected and nurtured; then all the right people will show up in alignment with you. I also remind myself that I’m having a human experience and I can't take any of this with me when I’m gone. I can only take my peace. 

EarthGang’s environmental work has been truly inspiring — from your foundation to your partnership with the UN Oceanic Global Programme. How did environmental justice become such a core mission for you?

I think we’ve always been thankful and curious about our planet. It was never something to “shout about” or become “activist” with. It’s just our way of life. We’re on a floating rock in the middle of space that provides us with everything we need and more. Who wouldn't want to protect that and be more curious? I’ve seen the world Shawty and it’s the greatest physical gift God could have given us. Why destroy such a gift? It’s honestly weird that some people don’t have that type of gratitude. 

Being honoured by the City of Atlanta with your own day must have been surreal. What does that kind of recognition mean to you personally — especially for your community efforts outside of music?

We love our city. Atlanta is such a gem at the crux of sports, entertainment, culture, civil rights, and technology. Man, we're just glad that we’re doing our part while we’re here as sons of the city. 

As Johnny Venus, how are you approaching fame and influence differently compared to when you were starting out with EarthGang?

Well this is my story. This is my offering and I’m going to approach it with boldness and definitive action, with strategy and the best of everything I have. Fame honestly is just a by-product of who I am. I’ve accepted it. I'm just ready to take this to another level. EarthGang gave me a chance to collaborate, learn and play off my brother and dope artists. This is my canvas and a reflection of my full expression. 

You’ve spoken about wanting to make real change, not just gestures. How do you stay grounded in purpose when the music industry can sometimes feel more focused on image?

I remind myself that I’m not in the industry to appease the industry. I’m in it to create and produce value for the people. My music is not for the industry. The industry serves me. Not the other way around. 

With more music promised this year, can you give us a hint — are you building towards a full album, or is this a different kind of journey?

Yes! I’m building a full album. A rich dish for the hearts of the people. 

Finally, in your own words, what does beauty mean to you right now? And how do you protect that inner beauty when the outside world gets loud?

Beauty is fearlessness, authenticity, and respect. I protect it by surrounding myself with positive energy and remembering that God created me, so what shall I fear?

So Beautiful is out now

Photographer Ian Lam / SATIN HEART

Words by Jheanelle Feanny