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 JesieΕ 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 80βs. The group was produced by Franco & Venise Scopinich, and their one single βSwedeβs Scandalβ 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.
The River
Atmosphere Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I see lighting feels like my buzz is heightening
Every time I feel the sun I can smell the love
And every time I smell the air I can hear a child trying
But every time I hear a river I think the mother is crying
It was a purple purple sky and an orange orange moon
And everyone was whistling the same tune
Bryan stared out across the field
And watched the horizon blossom to copper feel
Off of the edge of the world
The one we're all afraid to walk
Rational for why we're so high off of the small talk
But Bryan knows where the crows all go
To find the If's and the And's and the But's and Also's
(Chorus 2)
If I could run through the woods and speed like the light
I'd find the answers to why and be back by tonight
If I could fly through the fog and look at this rock
I'd figure out how to sweep hell off of my block
But as it stands I stay content
Trying to be the magic man trying pay my rent
Stayed bent trying to turn on the secrets you sought
While we're still burning the dawn just to keep the day hot
They slipped hidden messages into the cards that they dealt
Trying understand myself and all the sorrow I felt
For as simple as I am, how'd i get so complex?
Got me studying the margins and disregarding the text
I open the curtains and listen to the traffic go
But i still get nervous each time a piece passes go
The residue is thick and the memory fails
I still laugh because the path feels a lot like a trail
(Chorus 2)
If I could run through the woods and speed like the light
I'd find the answers to why and be back by tonight
If I could fly through the fog and look at this rock
I'd figure out how to sweep hell off of my block
But as it stands I stay content
Trying to be the magic man trying pay my rent
Stayed bent trying to turn on the secrets you sought
While we're still burning the dawn just to keep the day hot
We used to be lost walking these hallways with pride
Drunk or sober life was nothing short of roller coaster rides
Used to trip off the music speak to the rhythm
All we wanted out of life was living
And when you passed I wanted to take back the time we wasted
I'd trade all the buzzes in for one more conversation
We could sit in the shade and discuss the meaning of sacred
Because I can't see the garden no more just the aphids
But the wind still blows and the plants still grow
And I wish your name was on my guest list to my shows
I want you to see me find my freedom
Because you got to meet the Son before you got to meet my son
(Chorus 1)
And when I see the lighting feels like my buzz is heightening
Every time I feel the sun I can smell the love
And every time I smell the air I can hear a child trying
But every time I hear a river I think the mother is crying
Atmosphere's song The River depicts a vivid imagery of nature and the importance of introspection. The song is divided into three verses, each discussing a different aspect of the human psyche. The first verse talks about the interconnectedness of the natural elements, as the singer feels a heightened sense of awareness when he sees lightning or feels the sun. However, he also associates the sound of a river with a mother's crying, perhaps symbolizing the pain and suffering that often comes with life.
The second verse shifts to a narrative about a man named Bryan who is different from everyone else. While the rest of the crowd is whistling the same tune, Bryan looks out at the horizon and contemplates the unknown. This sense of curiosity and introspection is further explored in the chorus where the singer yearns to run through the woods, fly through the fog and find answers to the meaning of life itself.
The final verse is a tribute to a lost friend who the singer wishes could see him find his freedom. The lyrics acknowledge the fleeting nature of life and remind us to cherish the moments we have with our loved ones. In the end, the song seems to suggest that true understanding of ourselves and the world around us can only be achieved through a deep examination of our own consciousness.
Line by Line Meaning
When I see lighting feels like my buzz is heightening
Seeing lightning makes me feel more excited and alive.
Every time I feel the sun I can smell the love
Feeling the sun on my skin makes me feel happy and loved.
And every time I smell the air I can hear a child trying
Smelling the fresh air reminds me of the innocence of a child trying their best.
But every time I hear a river I think the mother is crying
Hearing the sound of the river makes me think of the pain of a grieving mother.
It was a purple purple sky and an orange orange moon
The sky was a vibrant shade of purple and the moon had an orange tint.
And everyone was whistling the same tune
Everyone around was humming or whistling the same melody.
Except Bryan
The only person not participating in the activity was someone named Bryan.
Bryan stared out across the field
Bryan was focused on looking out at the wide open field in front of him.
And watched the horizon blossom to copper feel
Bryan observed as the horizon transformed into a copper hue.
Off of the edge of the world
He looked out at the farthest point of the horizon, as if it were the edge of the world.
The one we're all afraid to walk
The edge we all hesitate to venture near due to fear.
Rational for why we're so high off of the small talk
Our tendency to avoid deeper conversations and instead engage in superficial small talk may explain why we are often not fulfilled.
But Bryan knows where the crows all go
Bryan has insight into where the crows congregate.
To find the If's and the And's and the But's and Also's
The crows are searching for words like 'if', 'and', 'but', and 'also', which may connote uncertainty.
They slipped hidden messages into the cards that they dealt
Someone may have intentionally included secret messages in the cards they dealt.
Trying understand myself and all the sorrow I felt
The individual is attempting to comprehend their own emotions and feelings of sadness.
For as simple as I am, how'd i get so complex?
Despite feeling like they are relatively uncomplicated, the individual wonders how they became so complicated and wrought with emotion.
Got me studying the margins and disregarding the text
The person is examining the margins of their experience and neglecting the written explanations.
I open the curtains and listen to the traffic go
The person opens their curtains and hears the sound of cars passing by.
But i still get nervous each time a piece passes go
Despite having grown accustomed to the sound of traffic, it still causes the individual unease when cars pass by.
The residue is thick and the memory fails
The remnants of past experiences linger heavily and their recollection is beginning to fade.
I still laugh because the path feels a lot like a trail
Despite the difficulties and uncertainty faced on this journey, the person still finds humor and optimism in their path.
We used to be lost walking these hallways with pride
At one point, the individuals were lost yet confident as they walked through these hallways.
Drunk or sober life was nothing short of roller coaster rides
Whether sober or drunk, their life was consistently filled with highs and lows.
Used to trip off the music speak to the rhythm
They used to be fascinated by the beat and rhythm of the music they listened to.
All we wanted out of life was living
All they aspired to achieve in life was to truly live and experience everything it had to offer.
And when you passed I wanted to take back the time we wasted
The person laments the time they lost with someone who has since passed away.
I'd trade all the buzzes in for one more conversation
They would forego all the temporary highs they have experienced for one last chance to speak with the person they lost.
We could sit in the shade and discuss the meaning of sacred
They fantasize about the deep conversations they could have had with this person, including topics as meaningful as the concept of sacredness.
Because I can't see the garden no more just the aphids
The singer can only see the negative aspects of what once brought them joy and fulfillment in life.
But the wind still blows and the plants still grow
Despite the setbacks and obstacles the person is facing, the world keeps turning and life goes on.
And I wish your name was on my guest list to my shows
They wish the person they lost was still here to share in their experiences, specifically attending their events or shows.
I want you to see me find my freedom
The person wants the person they lost to witness their continued growth and personal liberation.
Because you got to meet the Son before you got to meet my son
The artist regrets that the lost person was never able to meet their son before passing away.
Contributed by Makayla R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Alias Name
this song is a masterpiece - always gives me shivers
D&B π
In my top 3 atmosphere tunes. Goosebumps every time. That piano is the cherry on top β€οΈ
Maarten Lauwers
bro ive been playing this on repeat daily for 7 days. it gets better every day. finally i can sing along
Matthew Doyle
One of my new favorite songs, beautiful.
D&B π
Glad you found Atmosphere bro. My all time favourite
Master Rosheesh
I asked for this like maybe a few months ago, I lost all hope but then bam dream come true!!!!! Thank you!!!!
Pippy longbottoms
love this song so much thanks for uploading bad clown bad dub 2 love all of the bad dub albums!!!!!
Dax H
I like a lot of Atmosphere's new music. Slug's my favorite rapper. But I wish they would still make gritty and grimy tunes like this every now and again.
thebigfuckers
Sounds better than the mixtape I played in my yellow walkman until it wore outπ
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Word. Now I finally know what he said before the rap