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.
Step By Step
Atmosphere Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But it seems to keep following me
I get up and move on the double
Look at my face and what you see?
You might say that I'm a little crazy
But I'm just being me
You know that I ain't got no worries
This is my life and I'm finally free
Step by step, step by step
Step by step, step by step
You gotta take it, step by step
Step by step, step by step
Take my life by the hand and grab it
Gonna do what I wanna do
I ain't taking me no stuff from nothing
You'll be alone 'cause I'm being cool
You may say that I'm a little bossy
But I'm just being me
You know that I ain't got no worries
This is my life and I'm finally free
And I'm taking it
Step by step, step by step
Step by step, step by step
You gotta take it, step by step
Step by step, step by step
I'm not lookin' for trouble
But it seems to keep following me
I get up and move on the double
Look at my face and what you see?
You might say that I'm a little crazy
But I'm just being me
You know that I ain't got no worries
This is my life and I'm finally free
And I'm taking it
Step by step, step by step
Step by step, step by step
I'm gotta take it step by step
Step by step, step by step
And I'm taking it
Step by step, step by step
Step by step, step by step
You gotta take it step by step
Step by step, I'm gotta take it step by step
And I'm taking it
Step by step, step by step
Step by step, step by step
You gotta take it, step by step
Step by step, step by step
The lyrics of Atmosphere's "Step by Step" talk about the struggles and hardships of life, but also about the courage to overcome them. At the same time, it also emphasizes on the freedom that one experiences once they start taking control of their life, one step at a time. The opening lines talk about the singer being someone who is not actively looking for trouble, but someone whom trouble seems to always find. The following lines reveal the singer's approach to dealing with trouble: they move on from it quickly, determined to make the most of life, no matter what their troubles may be.
The lyrics also highlight the singer's fierce independence and determination to live life on their own terms. They make it clear that they will not be bossed around or bullied into doing something they don't want. The singer's self-assurance and assertiveness may come across as bossy, but they see it as simply being true to themselves. The chorus emphasizes the importance of taking life step by step, making progress gradually, and not giving up in the face of adversity.
Overall, "Step by Step" is a song about personal growth, change and the freedom that comes with it. It encourages the listener to take control of their life and be true to themselves, even if it means going against what others expect of them.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not lookin' for trouble
I am not seeking any issues or problems
But it seems to keep following me
However, they happen to come towards me on their own
I get up and move on the double
I make sure to act fast and leave the situation immediately
Look at my face and what you see?
Do you notice anything different about my appearance?
You might say that I'm a little crazy
You could classify me as eccentric or insane
But I'm just being me
However, I am just living my life according to my own values
You know that I ain't got no worries
You should be aware that I am stress-free
This is my life and I'm finally free
I am liberated, this is the life that I have chosen
And I'm taking it Step by step, step by step
I am moving forward slowly and steadily
You gotta take it, step by step
You should take things gradually, one step at a time
Take my life by the hand and grab it
Embrace my way of living and take part in it
Gonna do what I wanna do
I have decided to fulfill my desires and aspirations
I ain't taking me no stuff from nothin'
I refuse to be mistreated or manipulated by anyone or anything
You'll be alone 'cause I'm being cool
You will be isolated since I am staying composed
You may say that I'm a little bossy
You may describe me as controlling
Take my life by the hand and grab it
Embrace my way of living and take part in it
Step by step, step by step
Gradually and steadily
I'm not lookin' for trouble
I am not seeking any issues or problems
But it seems to keep following me
However, they happen to come towards me on their own
I get up and move on the double
I make sure to act fast and leave the situation immediately
Look at my face and what you see?
Do you notice anything different about my appearance?
You might say that I'm a little crazy
You could classify me as eccentric or insane
But I'm just being me
However, I am just living my life according to my own values
You know that I ain't got no worries
You should be aware that I am stress-free
This is my life and I'm finally free
I am liberated, this is the life that I have chosen
And I'm taking it Step by step, step by step
I am moving forward slowly and steadily
You gotta take it, step by step
You should take things gradually, one step at a time
I'm gonna take it, step by step
I have decided to proceed with patience and persistence
And I'm taking it
I am moving forward gradually and consistently
Step by step, step by step
Gradually and steadily
You gotta take it, step by step
You should take things gradually, one step at a time
Writer(s): David Strasser
Contributed by Elena E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@robwiens2675
Slug is just awesome man. Seen Atmosphere live a couple times in my city, was always there early and lined up to get into the venue. Slug always came out before the doors opened and gave every single person in the line a hug or a handshake, thanked them for the support, and wished them well. Always remembered that.
@michel9749
He was shaking hands last Friday at the Melkweg Amsterdam. Great stuff
@sean78745
"killed the pain with jameson under a blue moon" had so much emotion it hit me
@CapnKorl
one day i hope to move people the way slug moved me.
@chrisheid5532
Karl Eulberg have you? I hope you have
@zepzeven226
You will
Reap what you sow
@dimavalentino1699
Just for that he's my favorite artist of all time.
@LG-rv8dx
This song perfectly describes my adult life😄👌 this is why I love atmosphere!
@mikelorla8941
I never quit looking up. I don't stop looking up
@JaredGH26
Mike Lorla beautiful buddy