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.
Lovelife
Atmosphere Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Becoming A piece, of everything that grows
Some numbers, A name, to indicate you played the game
Came empty handed and left the same
A soul is A soul and A shell is A shell
The border in between is full of everything you felt
Some cling to A cross because they're tired and lost
They leave it up to the weather to measure the cost
Familiar to the image of the artist
Staring at the bathroom mirror in A strangers apartment
Can't remember her name, don't remember how I got here
But here I am, thinking about death again
Humbles out the stress, helps the breath get in
I need to check my friends as well as my next of kin
To let them know I love them all to the end
And when the soul begins to reap, I think she'll know me from the sleep
I keep caught in the corner of my bloodshot eyes
And if she has the nerve, to let me dump a few last words
I'm gonna turn to the earth and scream "Love your life!"
Love your life, quite cliche but I guess that's me
A ball of pop culture with some arms and feet
As discrete as I've tried to keep the drama and cancer
It's no secret I hunger for someone to feed the answers
I never expected a bowl of cherries
I'm just a virgo trying to find my own version of the virgin mary
And when I let them carry me to a cemetery
I want to be buried with a pocket full of clarity
(Chorus)
Now, how many times must you prove you're an angel
How many more demons do you have to strangle
How much longer must you remain in this dream
Before I finally figure out if you're insane or a genius
How many times must you prove you're an angel
How many more demons do you have to strangle
How much longer must you remain in this dream
Before I finally figure out if you're insane or a genius
Let no tears to fall from none of y'all
Just remember it all, the beauty as well as the flaws
L-O-V-E L-I-F-E
Here lies Sean, finally free
And as I look across the sea I smile at the sun
While it feeds the weeds the nutrition they need
The people still breathe, the city still bleeds
I'm going to love it to death and keep planting my seeds
I'm going to love it to death and keep an eye on the seeds
I'll be in love till I'm dead, I keep reaching the seeds
I'll give all I got left just to teach you to read
Love life to the death and keep planting my seeds
And when the soul begins to reap, I think she'll know me from the sleep
I keep caught in the corner of my bloodshot eyes
And if she has the nerve, to let me dump a couple last words
I'm gonna turn to the earth and scream (Love your life)
(Chorus)
LOVELIFE (x16)
The song Lovelife by Atmosphere is a reflection on life, death, and the need to love and appreciate every moment one has on earth. The song begins with the idea that every person is unique and contributes to the world in their way. The lyrics suggest that people are part of broader ecosystems and that every individual is a tiny piece of what grows around us. The song continues to explore the idea of death, with the lyrics suggesting that death is inevitable and that all humans will ultimately become a part of the earth. The artist then looks back at his life and discusses how he has tried to deal with the dark side of his existence. The idea of how one deals with death is a central theme, with the lyrics suggesting that people should love life and appreciate every moment they have on earth.
The song's chorus poses several questions, asking how many times someone needs to prove that they are an angel, how many demons they need to strangle, and how long they must remain in their dream before it is clear whether they are insane or a genius. These lines seem to suggest that people often struggle with their place in the world and the role that they play in it. The closing lines of the song emphasize the need to love life, not just in the good times, but throughout one's entire existence.
Line by Line Meaning
Individually wrapped, placed in neat little rows
We are all unique individuals, but society tries to fit us into uniform boxes.
Becoming A piece, of everything that grows
We are all part of the cycle of life and death, and our actions impact the world around us.
Some numbers, A name, to indicate you played the game
We are often reduced to statistics or labels, and our worth is measured by how well we conform to societal norms.
Came empty handed and left the same
We all enter and exit this world with nothing, but the experiences we have and the people we touch make our lives meaningful.
A soul is A soul and A shell is A shell
Our true essence is our soul, and our physical body is just a temporary vessel.
The border in between is full of everything you felt
The line between our soul and body is where we experience emotions and sensations.
Some cling to A cross because they're tired and lost
People often turn to religion as a source of comfort or guidance when they feel lost or uncertain.
They leave it up to the weather to measure the cost
Many people believe that the fate of their souls is determined by a higher power, rather than their own actions.
And everytime I look within I recognize the darkness
Self-reflection can reveal our own flaws and inner struggles.
Familiar to the image of the artist
Artists often use their own experiences and emotions as inspiration for their work.
Staring at the bathroom mirror in A strangers apartment
Feeling lost or disconnected can lead to impulsive or regretful actions.
Can't remember her name, don't remember how I got here
Lack of self-awareness or self-control can lead to memory loss or regretful behavior.
But here I am, thinking about death again
Death is a common theme in life and often a source of anxiety or reflection.
Humbles out the stress, helps the breath get in
Releasing stress and anxiety through humility and deep breathing can be therapeutic.
I need to check my friends as well as my next of kin
We should value and cherish the people closest to us and check in on their well-being.
To let them know I love them all to the end
Expressing love and appreciation for others can bring emotional fulfillment.
Love your life, quite cliche but I guess that's me
The idea of loving life may seem cliche, but it's a core value for this artist.
A ball of pop culture with some arms and feet
The artist sees themselves as a product of their environment and upbringing, shaped by popular culture and personal experiences.
As discrete as I've tried to keep the drama and cancer
The artist has tried to keep personal struggles hidden from the public eye.
It's no secret I hunger for someone to feed the answers
Despite attempts to hide personal struggles, the artist seeks guidance and answers from others.
I never expected a bowl of cherries
The artist didn't expect life to be easy or perfect.
I'm just a virgo trying to find my own version of the virgin mary
The artist is searching for meaning and guidance in their life, but in their own unique way.
Let no tears to fall from none of y'all
The artist doesn't want their loved ones to be sad or mournful after their death.
Just remember it all, the beauty as well as the flaws
Remembering the good and the bad experiences is an important part of cherishing life.
L-O-V-E L-I-F-E
Love life, value it, and find joy in it.
Here lies Sean, finally free
The artist envisions their own death as a release and a form of freedom.
And as I look across the sea I smile at the sun
The beauty of the world and nature brings joy and peace to the artist.
While it feeds the weeds the nutrition they need
Even the smallest or seemingly insignificant aspects of the world have a role to play in the cycle of life and death.
The people still breathe, the city still bleeds
Life goes on, people continue to live and experience the world despite its flaws and struggles.
I'm going to love it to death and keep planting my seeds
The artist will continue to cherish and value life, and spread that message to others.
I'll be in love till I'm dead, I keep reaching the seeds
The artist will continue to love and value life, and pass that message on to future generations.
I'll give all I got left just to teach you to read
The artist wants to leave a lasting legacy and impact on the world, and impart important lessons to others.
And if she has the nerve, to let me dump a couple last words
The artist hopes to have the opportunity to share a final message with the world before their death.
I'm gonna turn to the earth and scream (Love your life)
The artist's final message is a reminder to love and cherish life, despite its struggles and imperfections.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: EMMA VICTORIA JANE ANDERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind