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.
Cats Van Bags
Atmosphere Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't scratch, cause I'm drunk
I got bad teeth and my gums are bleeding
Come and fucking get me, motherfucker
Yeah, break, start the song now, fucker
(Verse 1)
[Slug]
Leavin behind a trail of amateur porn and orange peels
Navagatin through this basement, the mascarades
As our nation, practicin' my acid take, masturbation
Watchin the expressions on the faces
Of the ones designated to be the queens, kings, and (??)
How many miles can you put on one soul
Before the smile starts to blend into one big bullet hole
[Brother Ali]
Shoot through it as a union, with the best of my crew
Bumpin melodys and memories too, my heads killin me, ohh
Stomach empty, my bladdar is full
(????) on Jay Birds phone Cryin, ya missin me
And I'm stallin', I'll bite ya arm off
Sabertooth Tiger, run the night with the sharp claws
In ya backyard just to fuck with ya guard dog
Throw a brick through your shit and cut the alarm off
Bitch
[Slug]
Fuck yes, I do my best to take advantage in bouts
With one hand over the mouth, still managin' to shout
there's more said, then in the lines in your forehead
Then could ever try to find print on the inside of that warhead
Cross counrty, like a little lost junky
Make them hot and jumpy, trying to get that God money
Stearin the van through the blizzards, the fanfare
Pivit when we visit, spit victim if you stand there
[Brother Ali]
Take a map of this picture, throw a dart at it, that's where
We took a room back full the kids and threw a heart at it
Angry like a hostage, Kickin like a little bitch in one of Dibs's mosh pits
Shifitin through your city limits tryin to find the raw shit
Thread and needle wit it, and weave a world of hate together, till we get
'em car sick
Face full of war paint, strapped ready for action
Battle cracks headin, trying to seek the satisfaction of the captain
[Slug]
Climbed over the side, closed his eyes
Took a dive into his fame, inspiration for stayin alive
Swam to the shore, stepped upon land
Walked up to a whore, grabbed her by the hand
And said
(Chorus)
[Slug & Brother Ali]
Let the wheels spin, let the road shake
Let the speakers blow
Let the line in, let the kids play
Let the people know
Let the roof burn, let the girls love
Let the heat flow
Let the world turn, let the curtains up
Cats Van Bags, Yo
(Verse 2)
[Brother Ali]
Lock eyes, with a thousand people at the same time
They minds, believin this, my style (???)
Squeezin this, the mid west, sweat out of my shirt
And leavin with my life essence embedded in ya dirt
[Slug]
We work, move, and hustle with the rest of the Gypsies
Spoon feed these issues to a new school of Fishies
Swimmin through a hazy shade of passion
Here they come, the Hazleton has-been, and his chaplin
[Brother Ali]
that's them, the migrants, seasonal workers
The finest imperial wordsmiths on the circuit
Two Million smiles and runnin, stompin', trying to flee the heat
Turn around, shootin at the monster till his knees are weak
[Slug]
They call me Jesus Freak, I came to listen
Then I save you, then I make you, my favorite position
Chasin' this pidgeon down the street towards the banks
Just in case, my traffic receives jeeps and tanks
(Bridge)
[Slug]
And we wonder through the snow(?), so let it be known
Mama I don't know if I'ma ever be home
The revolution won't have any distribution
I love my son and my music so I gotta keep it movin'
Like
(Chorus)
[Slug & Brother Ali]
Let the wheels spin, let the road shake
Let the speakers blow
Let the line in, let the kids play
Let the people know
Let the roof burn, let the girls love
Let the heat flow
Let the world turn, let the curtains up
Cats Van Bags, Yo
The lyrics to Atmosphere's song "Cats Van Bags" are a fast-paced, abstract reflection on the band's experiences touring across the country. The song is a collaboration between two members of the band, Slug and Brother Ali, and features their signature rapid-fire delivery style layered over a driving beat.
Throughout the song, the two rappers describe their experiences traveling through various parts of the US, encountering different people and situations along the way. From "weavin' through cornfields" to "swimmin' through a hazy shade of passion," these lyrics paint a vivid portrait of the band's experiences on the road.
Despite the fast pace and abstract imagery of the song, there is a sense of urgency and purpose underlying the lyrics. The chorus, with its repetition of "let the people know," suggests a desire to connect with and inspire their audiences, and a commitment to using their music to effect change.
Overall, "Cats Van Bags" is a powerful and highly evocative piece of lyricism that captures the spirit of an independent band striving to make their mark on the world.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't scratch, cause I'm drunk
My current state of drunkenness is preventing me from scratching
I got bad teeth and my gums are bleeding
My dental health is poor, resulting in bleeding gums
Come and fucking get me, motherfucker
I am daring someone to come and try to get me
Yeah, break, start the song now, fucker
An aggressive statement urging someone to start the song immediately
We travelin the missile, weavin' through your cornfields
We are on the move, navigating through rural areas with speed and agility
Leavin behind a trail of amateur porn and orange peels
As we travel, we are leaving behind evidence of our activities, which include pornography and discarded fruit rinds
Navagatin through this basement, the mascarades
We are exploring this underground space while disguised
As our nation, practicin' my acid take, masturbation
Amidst all of this activity, I am also honing my ability to take LSD and masturbate
Watchin the expressions on the faces
We are observing the reactions of those around us
Of the ones designated to be the queens, kings, and (??)
We are watching the reactions of people in positions of power and influence
How many miles can you put on one soul
I am contemplating how much wear and tear one's spirit can endure
Before the smile starts to blend into one big bullet hole
I am questioning how long it takes for happiness to turn into hurt and despair
Shoot through it as a union, with the best of my crew
We are forging ahead together as a unified group, with the most skilled members leading the way
Bumpin melodys and memories too,
We are listening to music and reminiscing about past experiences
My heads killin me, ohh
I have a headache
Stomach empty, my bladdar is full
I haven't eaten, but I need to use the bathroom
(????) on Jay Birds phone Cryin, ya missin me
Someone named Jay Bird is receiving a call from someone who is upset about being missed
And I'm stallin', I'll bite ya arm off
I am delaying, but I am also willing to resort to violence if necessary
Sabertooth Tiger, run the night with the sharp claws
I am comparing myself to a fierce prehistoric predator, with the ability to navigate through the darkness and inflict damage with sharp claws
In ya backyard just to fuck with ya guard dog
I might go into someone's backyard just to taunt their dog
Throw a brick through your shit and cut the alarm off
I might throw a brick through someone's window and disable their alarm system
Bitch
An insult directed at someone
Fuck yes, I do my best to take advantage in bouts
I make every effort to seize opportunities and come out on top
With one hand over the mouth, still managin' to shout
I am successfully holding my hand over my mouth while still shouting
there's more said, then in the lines in your forehead
I am saying a lot more than what is visible on someone's face
Then could ever try to find print on the inside of that warhead
There is more information in my head than anyone could possibly access or understand
Cross counrty, like a little lost junky
We are traveling across the country like a confused, directionless drug addict
Make them hot and jumpy, trying to get that God money
We are causing chaos and unease among those who are desperate for wealth and success
Stearin the van through the blizzards, the fanfare
We are driving through harsh weather conditions, making a lot of noise in the process
Pivit when we visit, spit victim if you stand there
We quickly turn and attack anyone who tries to interfere with us when we arrive at our destination
Take a map of this picture, throw a dart at it, that's where
Choose any location on this map randomly by throwing a dart, and that's where we will go
We took a room back full the kids and threw a heart at it
We rented a room and filled it with children, who we entertained and gave our hearts to
Angry like a hostage, Kickin like a little bitch in one of Dibs's mosh pits
We are angry and combative, like hostages who have been taken against our will; we also fight like people at a concert in a mosh pit
Shifitin through your city limits tryin to find the raw shit
We are quickly and efficiently navigating through the boundaries of a city in search of something valuable
Thread and needle wit it, and weave a world of hate together, till we get 'em car sick
We are carefully constructing a negative worldview and spreading it until people feel ill
Face full of war paint, strapped ready for action
We are prepared for battle, with our faces painted and weapons at the ready
Battle cracks headin, trying to seek the satisfaction of the captain
We are aggressively pursuing conflict, in an effort to impress and satisfy our leader
Climbed over the side, closed his eyes
Someone is climbing over the side of something and closing their eyes
Took a dive into his fame, inspiration for stayin alive
This person is immersing themselves in fame as a way to stay motivated and keep moving forward in life
Swam to the shore, stepped upon land
This person swam to shore and stepped onto land
Walked up to a whore, grabbed her by the hand
This person walked up to a prostitute and took her hand
And said
An introduction to something this person is about to say
Let the wheels spin, let the road shake
An exhortation to let loose and have a good time
Let the speakers blow
Another way of saying to turn up the volume and let the music take over
Let the line in, let the kids play
We are inviting people to join in and enjoy themselves
Let the people know
We want everyone to be aware of what's happening and join the party
Let the roof burn, let the girls love
We are encouraging a wild, party-like atmosphere where people are free to love and enjoy themselves
Let the heat flow
We want high energy and excitement to be present at this event
Let the world turn, let the curtains up
We are inviting everyone to be a part of this event, and to join in the fun
Cats Van Bags, Yo
This is a catchphrase or slogan that may mean nothing specific
Lock eyes, with a thousand people at the same time
We made eye contact with a large crowd of people
They minds, believin this, my style (???)
The crowd was impressed by our style of performance and seemed to believe in what we were doing
Squeezin this, the mid west, sweat out of my shirt
We are exerting ourselves and sweating from the intensity of our performance in the Midwest region of the US
And leavin with my life essence embedded in ya dirt
We are leaving a permanent impression on the places we perform, with our energy and style becoming part of the fabric of the location
We work, move, and hustle with the rest of the Gypsies
We are constantly on the move, living and working in a similar fashion to the nomadic Romani people
Spoon feed these issues to a new school of Fishies
We are introducing a new generation of people to our concerns and ideas
Swimmin through a hazy shade of passion
We are navigating through our emotions and creative inspiration with uncertainty and haziness
Here they come, the Hazleton has-been, and his chaplin
We are being approached by two people who may be from a small, insignificant town or area, accompanied by someone who serves as a spiritual advisor
that's them, the migrants, seasonal workers
These people are described as immigrants or migrant laborers
The finest imperial wordsmiths on the circuit
These individuals are skilled in writing and performing in a grand, elaborate style
Two Million smiles and runnin, stompin', trying to flee the heat
A large group of people are running and dancing, perhaps to escape the intense heat of the environment
Turn around, shootin at the monster till his knees are weak
This group is turning back to confront some kind of perceived threat, perhaps with violent force
They call me Jesus Freak, I came to listen
People are calling me by the nickname 'Jesus Freak,' but I am here to observe and absorb what is happening
Then I save you, then I make you, my favorite position
I will help or rescue you, and then form a close bond
Chasin' this pidgeon down the street towards the banks
I am chasing after a bird, which is likely a metaphor for pursuing something elusive
Just in case, my traffic receives jeeps and tanks
I am taking precautions against some kind of looming danger, by acquiring military-style transportation
And we wonder through the snow(?), so let it be known
We are walking through snowy terrain, and want people to recognize what we are doing
Mama I don't know if I'ma ever be home
I am uncertain about whether I will return home to my mother
The revolution won't have any distribution
This revolution may not be widely spread or disseminated
I love my son and my music so I gotta keep it movin'
I am committed to both my family and my artistic pursuits, so I must keep moving forward
Lyrics © ANT TURN THAT SNARE DOWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brian Younger
I listen to this song when I am working out and it just gives me energy....One of the best tracks I ever heard in my life.
Peter Wall
The Brother Ali verse is just ridiculously good. "And I'm starving, I'll bite your arm off..."
Schrödinger's Gat
First time i saw Atmosphere live he was touring this album with Ali. When they dropped this joint it turned a small venue into a huge moshpit. Good times.
Lacey Woodruff
fuckin love everything Slug does...I like this especially cuz of the mix of genres which he has been doin a lot of lately and I dig it!!
Mk3 Vr666
this is the atmosphere i love.....
SquillyTwoShoes
I cant be the only one waiting for an instrumental of this still
thecianinator
@Buzzkill Odium where
Lisa Hemming Warren
Indigo Dab well, good luck there mister. i like the heavy cello personally but, hey each to their own, yes?
Buzzkill Odium
Instrumental already exists.
C Knight
this crew is killin shit if you like this look up PROF bar breaker, he just signed with rhymesayers he is a beast. This label is renewing my love for rap that I had given up a long time ago.