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Atmosphere to rock Orpheum Sunday
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Also by Eric Mansbach:
- Creed frontman returns with CD (December 6, 2005)
- Local group up-and-coming (December 8, 2005)
- Local rapper reveals soul (February 8, 2006)
- OneBeLo coming to Der Rathskellar (February 24, 2006)
- Ex-Pumpkin's solo outing uninspired (September 20, 2005)
Related Stories:
- Slug loves ugly (August 30, 2002)
- Atmosphere delights fans (October 18, 2007)
- Atmosphere has strong showing on latest (September 20, 2005)
- Atmosphere rapper releases second CD (January 23, 2006)
- Agreeable Air album lacks substance (March 9, 2007)
by Eric Mansbach
Friday, November 11, 2005
The hip-hop trio of Slug (aka Sean Daly), Ant (producer Anthony Davis) and touring DJ Mr. Dibbs, is now several years into its career as the critically renowned Minneapolis-based rap group Atmosphere. This October, they released their fifth studio album to date, You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having, another great album from the underground rappers. Often pegged as "emo-rap" because of Slug's emotional lyrics and choice of subject material, Atmosphere has been steadily drawing fans with their creative beats and sampling as well as Slug's complex but smooth flow.
After eight years in the rap game, and despite offers from many major record labels — including Interscope, Sony and Warner Brothers — Atmosphere has made a conscious decision to remain independent. While the lack of distribution might hurt other groups, Atmosphere has continued to release music through independent labels choosing to promote through an exhaustive tour schedule — at one point, the group played 60 shows in 71 days. On Nov. 13, Atmosphere (along with P.O.S, Turbo Nemesis, Blueprint & DJ Rare Groove) will bring their "Pour Me Another Tour" act to Madison for what promises to be an energetic and exciting show at the Orpheum Theatre.
Having sold out such famous venues as the Fillmore in San Francisco and Irving Plaza in New York City, Atmosphere has been steadily moving toward popularity in the mainstream hip-hop world. However, they remain true to their roots as indie-rappers, with their collectively owned label Rhymesayers continuing to produce successful up-and-coming artists including Eyedea, MF Doom and Brother Ali.
Atmosphere's popularity could very well be due to the subjects they treat in their music. Slug has more in common with socially conscious rappers like Talib Kweli (who played the Orpheum last year) than any gangster rapper. While many critics have dubbed his music as "emo-rap," underground rap tends to be more political and socially conscious than mainstream hip-hop.
In an interview with the Boston Globe, Eyedea discussed the subject of being labeled as emo. "Cars are cool, but what the hell do they have to do with anything? I just don't think like that. So it's more natural to sing about my emotional standpoint on things, or to make a song funny. That's an integral part of my personality. The core emotional stuff is what connects."
Slug may not be afraid to talk about emotions like love, but that doesn't mean he's a softy. On "Give Me" he says, "Just been making it cool to rap about love again," followed by the next verse, "Not that hippie stuff / I'm talking 'bout that bitch that gets you nuts." Slug's lyrics are enlightening and profound poetry, as he continually wears his heart on his sleeve. Using past relationships and his personal struggles often in a self-deprecating manner, the emotional level of his music makes the songs fascinating and gives Atmosphere a wider appeal, allowing fans to connect to the rapper on a more personal level.
The beats and samples behind Slug are also impressive. Atmosphere's producer, Ant, lays down a creative background, sprinkling in almost psychedelic pianos and keyboards, along with soulful samples and infectious hooks. Every now and then Atmosphere sounds like Eminem: other times, they bring back memories of A Tribe Called Quest. There is clearly creative genius at work here, and their music has continued to progress through the last eight years. As they say in one of their classic tracks, "Godlovesugly," "Nobody sees tears when you're standin' in the storm / Abandonin' the norm, and handling the harvest / Measuring the worth by the depth of the hardship / I welcome all the hatred you can aim at my name / I held onto the sacred ways of how to play the game."
Throughout all of the struggles of the last years and their endless touring, Atmosphere remains staunch in their loyalty to the independent rap scene and to their music. On the Nov. 13, Atmosphere will come to Madison, hoping to connect to the audience at the Orpheum through their candid confessions made with infectious beats and powerful lyrics.
