Atmosphere (hip hop group)
Atmosphere is a Minnesota rap group, formed around 1994. At its creation, the group was called Urban Atmosphere. Atmosphere originally consisted of Spawn (emcee) ANT (producer) and Slug (DJ at the time). After the Spawn left the group (now rapping under the name Rek The Heavyweight) the line up was set, with Slug and ANT and a rotating DJ. Currently the group consists of rapper Slug (rapper) (Sean Daley), producer ANT (Anthony Davis), and DJ Mr. Dibbs (Brad Forste). They are widely considered to be one of the most successful underground rap groups. Slug is one of the co-founders of a Minneapolis hip hop label called Rhymesayers Entertainment, including other talent like Eyedea & Abilities;, Brother Ali, Los Nativos, I Self Devine, Musab, P.O.S (of Doomtree), and other native Minnesotans as well as some national artists (Soul Postion, MF Doom and so on). Slug's rhymes focus on his personal truths regarding politics, women, and other physical/emotional experiences. Many of his raps tell elaborate stories, often doing away with the chorus to better facilitate storytelling. Many of Atmosphere's recordings are considered to be "conscience rap." Atmosphere is also known to have one of hip hop's largest female fan base.
Atmosphere's most recent album, Seven's Travels was released on Epitaph Records, a major punk label. It features a much more experimental, mainstream sound, especially in the beats and background music, but also in the vocal style. A hidden track on the disc, "Shhh," is a tribute to Minnesota and the Midwest. Originally featured on the mixtape Midwest Broadcast, it was used as the track that launched Minnesota Public Radio's contemporary music service on KCMP 89.3 FM in the Twin Cities in 2005.
Discography
- Overcast EP (1996)
- Overcast (1997)
- Headshots: SE7EN (1999, re-released 2005)
- Sad Clown Bad Dub (1999)
- Sad Clown Bad Dub 2 (2000)
- (2001)
- God Loves Ugly (2002)
- Sad Clown Bad Dub 3 (2002)
- Seven's Travels (2003)
- Sad Clown Bad Dub 7 (2003)
