As a teenager, Slug (Sean Daley) became entranced with hip-hop, graffiti, and breakdancing, forming the Rhymesayers label and collective (originally known as Headshots) with two high-school friends, Siddiq Ali (Stress) and Derek Turner (Spawn). After some early gigs as Urban Atmosphere -- where Slug DJed behind Spawn's rhyming -- the pair hooked up with producer Ant (Anthony Davis), as well as like-minded locals such as MC Musab, Mr. Gene Poole, and the Abstract Pack, forming an underground hip-hop clique dedicated to freestyling and clever lyricism. In 1997, Atmosphere released their debut album, Overcast!, which received college radio airplay and earned an underground hip-hop following thanks to Slug's deeply personal, poetic musings, as well as Ant's bare-bones -- but inventive -- production.
Atmosphere participated in the supergroup the Dynospectrum (who released a self-titled album on Rhymesayers in 1998) and Slug contributed to another supergroup, Anticon's Deep Puddle Dynamics (whose full-length The Taste of Rain...Why Kneel appeared in 1999). The Headshots collective concluded their series of underground cassettes with a seventh volume in 1999, later reissued as an Atmosphere release called Headshots: Se7en. The group also began a series of limited releases (often sold exclusively on tour) titled Sad Clown Bad Dub, beginning with an extremely scarce 1999 cassette.
A year later, Atmosphere (then down to the duo of Slug and Ant) released the Ford One and Ford Two EPs, followed by the Lucy EP in 2001. Collected as the 2001 full-length Lucy Ford: The Atmosphere EPs, the three EPs were built around the theme of Slug's complicated relationship with his ex-girlfriend, the lost love of his life. As Atmosphere's following increased beyond underground hip-hop circles, they toured consistently, both at home and overseas; while Ant usually didn't accompany the group on the road, Mr. Dibbs of the group 1200 Hobos often joined in behind the turntables while Slug was assisted on the mike by young rappers like the teenaged Eyedea. In June 2002, Atmosphere unleashed God Loves Ugly, an 18-track effort that returned to previous themes ("F*@k You Lucy"), but also contained the group's pop-friendly single "Modern Man's Hustle," which reached the Top 20 of the U.S. rap singles chart.
By this time indie rap superstars, Atmosphere returned with their fourth album, Seven's Travels, in 2003, followed two years later by You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having. Following the record's success, Ant began regularly touring with the group. They continued to put music out during the next couple of years, including the free download Strictly Leakage in late 2007, a near-party album that they followed up with When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold in April 2008. The record featured plenty of live instrumentation and guest background vocal spots from Tom Waits and TV on the Radio's Tunde Adebimpe; it was also their highest-charting album, hitting number five on the Billboard 200. The "double EP" To All My Friends: Blood Makes the Blade Holy appeared in 2010, with the full-length album The Family Sign following in 2011.
In 2014, the group released the album Southsiders, which featured the single "Bitter" and became another Top Ten-charting hit. The following year, Atmosphere celebrated the ten-year anniversary of You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having by reissuing the album as a four-LP set (including instrumental versions of all the album's songs), in addition to The Fun EP, a picture-disc vinyl issue of an EP of You Can't Imagine outtakes that was originally released as a promo CD in 2006. In 2016, they returned with Fishing Blues, an album that featured the single "Ringo" along with guest appearances from MF Doom, Kool Keith, and Aesop Rock. While the set peaked just outside the Top 20 on the Billboard 200, it became their second album to top the U.S. indie chart. Mi Vida Local, an urgent reflection on middle age, appeared in 2018, followed a year later by the full-length Whenever. The Day Before Halloween arrived on that exact date in 2020, with Atmosphere unexpectedly switching to sci-fi/horror-informed themes over spooky, synth-heavy backdrops. Nearly a year later, Ant and Slug swerved back to their signature sound with Word?, which included guests such as Evidence, Aesop Rock, Sa-Roc, and MF Doom.
Biography by Dan LeRoy
There are other artists with the same name:
2) A Polish rock group, established in 1993 in Leszno, Poland, with Marcin Rozynek as a vocalist. In 1994 the group appeared at Mokotowska Jesień Muzyczna, where they were runners-up just behind Myslovitz. Two years later they won competition Marlboro Rock In. In 1997, Atmosphere released their self-titled debut album, Atmosphere, and in 1999 released Europa Naftowa. Atmosphere was awarded the Album debut of the year 1997 by magazine Tylko Rock and was nominated for the award Fryderyk in 1998 in the category Debut of the Year. In 1998, Atmosphere appeared at the National Festival of Polish Song in Opole with song Niewielki Skrawek Ziemi. Disbanded after Marcin Rozynek departure for a solo career. However, Atmosphere regrouped recently with a new line-up and is recording a new album.
3) An obscure one hit wonder Italo-disco group of the early 80’s. The group was produced by Franco & Venise Scopinich, and their one single “Swede’s Scandal” was realased on Superradio Reccords (label owned by Franco & Venise Scopinich).
4) A thrash metal band of the same name from Vietnam who have released two demo's.
Apple
Atmosphere Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hi, my name is Sean Daley and you might know me from such films as
"I Can't Sing, But Neither Can You."
Haha yea, heheheh what are you lookin' at?
Don't look at me, don't even talk to me
Oh you rap too? Heheh I should've known
I ca, I can tell. Nah, it's in your eyes
Just cause you're an emcee doesn't mean that you get to be an asshole (asshole)
Just cause you're a man, doesn't mean you get to act like a bitch (like a bitch)
Won't you stand over here do a favor use your head to hold this apple (apple)
And on my twenty pace take, aimin' shots, swear to God I won't miss (I won't miss)
See I've been around the world without moving and I've met a lot of people (people)
And they all play the same little games the only change is the date (is the date)
It's all fame and respect a little money won't you help me build my ego? (ego)
Without taking any time to think about how it might affect fate (checkmate)
You see we've come a long way just to find that there ain't no place to lay down
(break down)
And we waited all night for the light, but the dawn never broke (never broke)
And if we let the song play we can lead all the children to the lake now (take down)
Because it seems as if most would rather choose to sit back and let 'em choke
(don't choke, don't choke)
Just cause you're an emcee doesn't mean that you get to be an asshole (asshole)
Just cause you're a man, doesn't mean you get to act like a bitch (you bitch)
If you stand over here do a favor use your head to hold this apple (apple)
And on my twenty pace take, aimin' shots, swear to God I won't miss (I don't miss)
I ain't gonna say no names..
Atmosphere's song "Apple" released in 2003 is a commentary on the attitudes and egos that often pervade the hip-hop industry. The song begins with Sean Daley, also known as Slug, introducing himself and making light of his own singing capabilities. However, the song quickly takes a more serious tone as Slug talks about the toxic behaviors that he has witnessed, particularly in the hip-hop community. Slug asserts that attitude and ego are not acceptable just because one is an emcee. Similarly, just because one is a man, it doesn't give them the right to act like a bitch. Slug goes on to describe the game that people play in the industry and how it is all about fame, respect, and money. He goes on to criticize the lack of thought and consideration given for how actions might affect an individual in the long term.
Furthermore, the song speaks to the frustration of feeling hopelessness despite the efforts put in. Slug talks about how he has traveled the world without moving, without really being able to make any tangible progress. The dawn never broke despite waiting all night for it. In light of all this, the song calls upon listeners to be conscious of their actions and not sit back while others suffer. Overall, Atmosphere's "Apple" is a social critique aimed at highlighting the need for humility, self-awareness, and consideration in the industry.
Line by Line Meaning
Hi, my name is Sean Daley and you might know me from such films as
Introducing himself and referencing a humorous line from the television show 'The Simpsons'.
Haha yea, heheheh what are you lookin' at?
Reacting to an unwelcome interruption from someone else and asking them what they want.
Don't look at me, don't even talk to me
Firmly stating that he does not want to interact with the other person.
Oh you rap too? Heheh I should've known
Recognizing that the other person is also a rapper.
I ca, I can tell. Nah, it's in your eyes
Making a sarcastic comment about how he can tell the other person raps based on their appearance.
Just cause you're an emcee doesn't mean that you get to be an asshole (asshole)
Reminding other rappers that being a good rapper does not excuse rude behavior.
Just cause you're a man, doesn't mean you get to act like a bitch (like a bitch)
Challenging toxic masculinity and the perception that men who don't act tough are weak.
Won't you stand over here do a favor use your head to hold this apple (apple)
Asking the other person to help him with a silly task.
And on my twenty pace take, aimin' shots, swear to God I won't miss (I won't miss)
Jokingly pretending to shoot at the apple held by the other person.
See I've been around the world without moving and I've met a lot of people (people)
Describing his experiences meeting different types of people as a rapper and traveling for tours.
And they all play the same little games the only change is the date (is the date)
Observing that people everywhere tend to engage in the same kinds of behaviors and activities regardless of location or time period.
It's all fame and respect a little money won't you help me build my ego? (ego)
Acknowledging the temptations of fame and fortune and how they can inflate one's ego.
Without taking any time to think about how it might affect fate (checkmate)
Pointing out that people often pursue their own goals without considering the larger consequences for themselves or others.
You see we've come a long way just to find that there ain't no place to lay down (break down)
Reflecting on the endless pursuit of success and how it can be exhausting and unfulfilling.
And we waited all night for the light, but the dawn never broke (never broke)
Expressing disappointment and frustration with the lack of progress or growth despite effort and patience.
And if we let the song play we can lead all the children to the lake now (take down)
Proposing that they use the power of music and art to inspire and guide future generations.
Because it seems as if most would rather choose to sit back and let 'em choke (don't choke, don't choke)
Noting that many people seem content to watch others struggle or suffer without taking action to help.
If you stand over here do a favor use your head to hold this apple (apple)
Repeating the silly request for the other person to hold an apple on their head.
And on my twenty pace take, aimin' shots, swear to God I won't miss (I don't miss)
Jokingly threatening to shoot at the apple once again.
I ain't gonna say no names..
Declaring that he will not call out anyone specific in his criticisms and observations.
Lyrics © ANT TURN THAT SNARE DOWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kxng Naki
Atmosphere is such a good duo I’d love to see them live!
Corey Ferguson
Just can't put into words how good atmosphere is
Timothy Stadlmueller
All the best tracks are slept on.
TEQNEEK
I love this track so much it inspired rhymes from my new song 'Growing Impatient:
I was the best before, now I'm an ass load better
This entitles me to be the biggest ass hole ever
Since I figured out my homies were really only competitors
I've taken on the role of the intellectual predator...
*I made a less bragadocious rewrite, and changed the line to "I'm tryin' not to be the biggest ass hole ever", but of course my gear screwed up and I gotta wait a couple weeks now. But yo Slug's already famous...check my shit out SON!
Desmond Bishop
Why is this not a public service announcement. We should include it with an attorney and a phone call. The "Ring Hand" clause 🤔
nickxclassic
life is the way it is. dont spend your time hatin on life. people arent simpleminded for copying lyrics. they get almost a euphoria from the song when they hear those certain lyrics and are compelled to post it. not to get thumbs up. i can only speak for myself though i guess.
unrefined
I bet he came up with this song title after holding his song and saying "apple."
Ariel
you might know me from such films as "I can't sing, but neither can you"
jasen1997
damn right 0 Dislikes!
JB
I’m like #420 and I’m so happy right now