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.
Shotgun
Atmosphere Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I should jump back and try to french kiss myself
The boy fell in the well and lived to tell
Put my voice in the mix, make the winter melt
I'm the best thing since a fresh loaf of sliced bread
Sitting on the bed between a pair of nice legs
I'm sex, white flag, ice bag, wipe rag
I'm twice the mess but a fraction of the price tag
But when I bend these bars, everybody get to gas face
They said it was dead, in that case
I'ma get revenge, I'ma make rap pay
Now run and tell the sun I'm turning up the light
I might arrive on the plane, train, bus or bike
You can fuss and fight, but it's just despite
Cause it functions right when I cup this mic
No feedback, ease back, let the beat crack
But Uncle Sam said he wanna see tax
Make the beeswax, no relax
Run around the map and leave tracks
You can call me Sean like nothing's wrong
I'm the early dawn, I'm the dirty bum
My thoughts get drawn on a JumboTron
If your jaw don't drop you can hum along, come on!
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
Shotgun, the raw one
We the hot sauce on y'alls tongue
We don't stop till it's all done
So turn it up till the cops come
[Slug]
You get lost in how awesome I is
You watching like you bought stock in my biz
You caught that sickness sitting on shit
You'd be better off frying up some littler fish
I'm a big catch, whoo! Sweet Jesus
Walk on the trash, keep clean as a fetus
Rip the beef into child size pieces
You talk cheap, now you need to get your teeth fixed
I don't recognize you or your toy crew
Go ahead, step aside now, let my noise through
Grew and spread like Kudzu
Didn't need a gun to put a +Slug+ in your guts
Move over chauffeur, I roll the coaster
I got older and badder and bolder
Who's the host with the monster?
Birds fly to Minnesota just to land on my shoulders
No pressure, it don't get desperate
No special effects, just sweat and spit
So fresh, still make it seem effortless
Breath smell like breast milk and peppermint
Got put on a permanent good foot
Huh, got more flavor than a cookbook
So take a look at what you couldn't have took
If I forgot anything, we'll just put it on the hook, c'mon
[Chorus:Repeat x2]
[Slug]
You ain't gon' be shit
I'm the best kept secret
Anyone can see it
If I say it loud enough, maybe you'll believe it
[Chorus]
In "Shotgun" by Atmosphere, the lyrics are a confident declaration of the rapper's skill and talent. The song begins with a boastful line, declaring that no one else can match his superiority. This is followed by a line that is both playful and odd, suggesting that he is so good that he could kiss himself if he tried. The song then takes on a more optimistic tone as he talks about being able to survive tough times and keep going despite adversity. He also talks about the power of his music to connect people and bring them together. The chorus is a powerful anthem that celebrates the joy of music and the power it has to unite people.
Line by Line Meaning
You motherfuckers ain't on my shelf
You are not as good as me and I do not value you highly.
I should jump back and try to french kiss myself
I am so good that I would love myself if I could.
The boy fell in the well and lived to tell
I have overcome obstacles and lived to tell the tale.
Put my voice in the mix, make the winter melt
My music is powerful enough to melt away the coldness of winter.
I'm the best thing since a fresh loaf of sliced bread
I am one of the greatest things to come along in a long time.
Sitting on the bed between a pair of nice legs
I am a desirable person and have romantic appeal.
I'm sex, white flag, ice bag, wipe rag
I represent both pleasure and surrender, as well as recovery and cleanliness.
I'm twice the mess but a fraction of the price tag
I may be complicated, but I am affordable and worth it.
Back stage in a rat cage
Being backstage in the music industry can be a cramped and unpleasant experience.
But when I bend these bars, everybody get to gas face
My performance is so impressive that it causes others to feel inferior or angry about their own abilities.
They said it was dead, in that case
The genre or style of music that I create was thought to be outdated or no longer popular.
I'ma get revenge, I'ma make rap pay
I will prove those who said that rap is dead or irrelevant wrong, and make it successful once again.
Now run and tell the sun I'm turning up the light
I am bringing energy and new life to my music, and everyone should take notice.
I might arrive on the plane, train, bus or bike
I am so driven and dedicated to my craft that I will find a way to get where I need to be, no matter the mode of transportation.
You can fuss and fight, but it's just despite
You can act negatively towards me, but it won't change how great I am.
Cause it functions right when I cup this mic
I perform at my best when I have a microphone in my hand.
No feedback, ease back, let the beat crack
I want the music to speak for itself, with no unnecessary interference or complications.
But Uncle Sam said he wanna see tax
I have to pay taxes to the government, even on the money I make from music.
Make the beeswax, no relax
I have to work hard to make money in the music industry, with no time to rest or relax.
Run around the map and leave tracks
I travel extensively and leave a noticeable impact on the places I visit.
You can call me Sean like nothing's wrong
You can call me by my real name, just like everyone else does.
I'm the early dawn, I'm the dirty bum
I am both a symbol of new beginnings and of living life rough around the edges.
My thoughts get drawn on a JumboTron
My ideas and creativity are so large that they could fill a huge screen.
If your jaw don't drop you can hum along, come on!
If my music doesn't impress you, at least you can still enjoy it and be entertained.
Shotgun, the raw one
I am the best and most powerful option.
We the hot sauce on y'alls tongue
My music is like a condiment that enhances the flavor of other things.
We don't stop till it's all done
I am determined to keep creating and performing until I reach my goals and accomplish everything I set out to do.
So turn it up till the cops come
My music is so loud and intense that it could attract attention from the police or other authorities.
You get lost in how awesome I is
You become overwhelmed by how incredible and talented I am.
You watching like you bought stock in my biz
You are so interested and invested in what I do that it's like you own a part of my business.
You caught that sickness sitting on shit
You are negatively affected by the unimportant and insignificant things in life.
You'd be better off frying up some littler fish
You would benefit from focusing on smaller, more manageable tasks instead of trying to compete with me.
I'm a big catch, whoo! Sweet Jesus
I am someone worth being impressed by or pursuing, even considered almost divine.
Walk on the trash, keep clean as a fetus
I rise above any negative or dirty surroundings, and maintain my purity and innocence.
Rip the beef into child size pieces
I am capable of tearing apart my rivals or competitors with ease, even making them seem small and insignificant.
You talk cheap, now you need to get your teeth fixed
Your words and your insults are not valuable, and you should focus on improving yourself instead.
I don't recognize you or your toy crew
I don't acknowledge or respect you or your group of followers.
Go ahead, step aside now, let my noise through
Let me take center stage and show off my talent and creativity.
Grew and spread like Kudzu
I have become widespread and influential, like a fast-growing plant.
Didn't need a gun to put a +Slug+ in your guts
I am able to make a significant impact without resorting to violence or aggression.
Move over chauffeur, I roll the coaster
I am in control and taking charge of the situation, even pushing aside those who were previously in charge.
I got older and badder and bolder
I have gained experience, confidence and courage over time, making me stronger and more formidable.
Who's the host with the monster?
Who is the biggest and most impressive host or performer?
Birds fly to Minnesota just to land on my shoulders
I am so important and influential that even animals travel to be close to me.
No pressure, it don't get desperate
I am comfortable and secure in my abilities and my place in the world, with no need to worry or panic.
No special effects, just sweat and spit
I rely on my own natural talents and hard work to create my music, without any need for artificial enhancements.
So fresh, still make it seem effortless
My music is both current and impressive, while also appearing to require little effort from me.
Breath smell like breast milk and peppermint
My breath is so fresh and clean that it's reminiscent of breastfeeding and fresh mint.
Got put on a permanent good foot
I have created a solid and positive reputation for myself that will last.
Huh, got more flavor than a cookbook
I am interesting, exciting, and multifaceted, with many different facets to my personality and my music.
So take a look at what you couldn't have took
I am something to be desired and appreciated, even if it may appear difficult to attain.
If I forgot anything, we'll just put it on the hook, c'mon
If I missed anything in this song, I will just add it to the chorus and keep going.
Lyrics © UPSIDEDOWN HEART MUSIC, ANT TURN THAT SNARE DOWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind