Hip-hop outfit and Rhymesayers label heads Atmosphere represent the Twin Ci… Read Full Bio ↴Hip-hop outfit and Rhymesayers label heads Atmosphere represent the Twin Cities with introspective rhymes, creative storytelling, and classic production (often incorporating live instrumentation), building a devoted grassroots following with prolific output, collaborations, and consistent touring. First appearing as a trio during the mid-'90s, Atmosphere settled into the core duo of rapper Slug and producer Ant, and first made a major impact on the hip-hop underground with 2001's Lucy Ford, a collection of three early EPs. Slug's lyrical focus shifted from personal struggles to character-based narratives with releases like fifth full-length When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold, which landed at number five on the Billboard 200 when it arrived in 2008. With releases like 2011's The Family Sign and 2018's Mi Vida Local, Atmosphere's songs reflected on middle age and fatherhood, while 2020's The Day Before Halloween was an electro-tinged detour into dystopian paranoia. 2021's Word? was a more lighthearted return to a vintage boom-bap sound. As co-founders of Rhymesayers, they are also affiliated with a roster of like-minded hip-hop acts and curators of the annual Minneapolis music festival Soundset.
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.
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.
They Lied
Atmosphere Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It ain’t how you die, it’s how you breathe
It ain’t what you take, it’s what you leave and conceive
What you got is nothing if your soul don’t represent it
Present it,
it ain’t where you’re from, it’s where you been, kid
Eh yo Slug, I used to know this girl named Dawn
Back in the day she had love and everybody was fond
See Dawn was the bomb, her attitude it was calm
Her heart was warm though with the wrong peeps she tagged along
Now she’s gone, long passed away
She kicked it with this kid named Andre who lived life the wrong way
I know that kid, seemed as if he had no insecurities
Acted like he was the mac mixed with Hercules
Disturbingly flow just to hold the title “Fly cool”
The first one to tow the tool freshman year in high school
Now mind you, this was back a decade
We was thinking girls, music, shoes, Andre was thinking get paid
But let’s say my man just had a knack for acting ill
To the level of immaculate as if it was a practiced skill
He’d have to fill your head with tales
Keep a rep from getting stale
Fourteen, said he spent his winter break in jail
As time goes by, the lines that try to differentiate
The fake from truth get loose so what’s the use?
Kid was living on the rails cause he chooses to
Goes to jail, comes back with juice, crews enthused
Who knew the bruise would heal so quick?
Who knew the passion would become fashion
And get you fastened onto his dick?
You might as well have let him penetrate
The situation shook me, looking at rookies that try to emulate
One sets the standard, the weak randomly follow
Space ain’t shit, some kid’ll take your place tomorrow
The cycle never stops cause you can’t recycle styrofoam
I still see Andre nowadays, he fucks with microphones
Man, they lied, it ain’t how you die, it’s how you breathe
It ain’t what you take, it’s what you leave and conceive
What you got is nothing if your soul don’t represent it
Present it, it ain’t where you’re from, it’s where you been, kid
They lied, it ain’t how you die, it’s how you breathe
It ain’t what you take, it’s what you leave and conceive
What you got is nothing if your soul don’t represent it
Present it, it ain’t where you’re from, it’s where you been, kid
What you got ain’t nothing if your soul don’t represent it
Present it, it ain’t where you’re from, it’s where you been, kid
What you got is nothing if your soul don’t represent it
Present it, it ain’t where you’re from, it’s where you been, kid
They lied, it ain’t how you die, it’s how you breathe
It ain’t what you take, it’s what you leave and conceive
What you got is nothing if your soul don’t represent it
Present it, it ain’t where you’re from, it’s where you been, kid
But the sun will come out tomorrow
And you can bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow
There’ll be someone that’s harder than me and smarter than me
And stronger than me and lasts longer than me
So check my fate, wide awake but feels like I’m sleeping
Trife life can’t catch a wife that’s really worth my keeping
It’s deeper, I peep it, I seem to need to understand
How am I gonna explain to my seed I was the man?
Wirth Park killings, suicide in crystal court buildings
Young villains holding guns without feelings
Dealing crumbs of demons to those fiending
Lost in dreams when the pressure hit
I mean the fan hit the shit but when the shit hit the fan that was it
Flipped out, you tripped out, you couldn’t handle it
Addicted to life dismantlement
? from distortion to brain abortion forcing to perish
Life’s to cherish, the moments too little
The path is brittle for those who chose to walk hard
In regards to those who front,
stunts get elderly
Propelling me to disappointment, could’ve been avoided
By egos posing lethal with weapons
Deceptions are ill, revolve around intentions to kill
Gots to chill on that level or end up with the Devil
Digging your grave somewhere in the middle
It’s no riddle, they lied
It ain’t how you die, it’s how you breathe
It ain’t what you take, it’s what you leave and conceive
What you got is nothing if your soul don’t represent it
Present it, it ain’t where you’re from, it’s where you been, kid
They lie, it ain’t how you die, it’s how you breathe
It ain’t what you take, it’s what you leave and conceive
What you got is nothing if your soul don’t represent it
Present it, it ain’t where you’re from, it’s where you been, kid
What you got is nothing if your soul don’t represent it
Present it, it ain’t where you’re from, it’s where you been, kid
What you got is nothing if your soul don’t represent it
It ain’t what you take, it’s what you leave and conceive
What you got is nothing if your soul don’t represent it
Present it,
it ain’t where you’re from, it’s where you been, kid
Eh yo Slug, I used to know this girl named Dawn
Back in the day she had love and everybody was fond
See Dawn was the bomb, her attitude it was calm
Now she’s gone, long passed away
She kicked it with this kid named Andre who lived life the wrong way
I know that kid, seemed as if he had no insecurities
Acted like he was the mac mixed with Hercules
Disturbingly flow just to hold the title “Fly cool”
The first one to tow the tool freshman year in high school
Now mind you, this was back a decade
We was thinking girls, music, shoes, Andre was thinking get paid
But let’s say my man just had a knack for acting ill
To the level of immaculate as if it was a practiced skill
He’d have to fill your head with tales
Keep a rep from getting stale
Fourteen, said he spent his winter break in jail
As time goes by, the lines that try to differentiate
The fake from truth get loose so what’s the use?
Kid was living on the rails cause he chooses to
Goes to jail, comes back with juice, crews enthused
Who knew the bruise would heal so quick?
Who knew the passion would become fashion
And get you fastened onto his dick?
You might as well have let him penetrate
The situation shook me, looking at rookies that try to emulate
One sets the standard, the weak randomly follow
Space ain’t shit, some kid’ll take your place tomorrow
The cycle never stops cause you can’t recycle styrofoam
I still see Andre nowadays, he fucks with microphones
Man, they lied, it ain’t how you die, it’s how you breathe
It ain’t what you take, it’s what you leave and conceive
What you got is nothing if your soul don’t represent it
Present it, it ain’t where you’re from, it’s where you been, kid
They lied, it ain’t how you die, it’s how you breathe
It ain’t what you take, it’s what you leave and conceive
What you got is nothing if your soul don’t represent it
Present it, it ain’t where you’re from, it’s where you been, kid
What you got ain’t nothing if your soul don’t represent it
Present it, it ain’t where you’re from, it’s where you been, kid
What you got is nothing if your soul don’t represent it
Present it, it ain’t where you’re from, it’s where you been, kid
They lied, it ain’t how you die, it’s how you breathe
It ain’t what you take, it’s what you leave and conceive
What you got is nothing if your soul don’t represent it
Present it, it ain’t where you’re from, it’s where you been, kid
But the sun will come out tomorrow
And you can bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow
There’ll be someone that’s harder than me and smarter than me
And stronger than me and lasts longer than me
So check my fate, wide awake but feels like I’m sleeping
Trife life can’t catch a wife that’s really worth my keeping
It’s deeper, I peep it, I seem to need to understand
How am I gonna explain to my seed I was the man?
Wirth Park killings, suicide in crystal court buildings
Young villains holding guns without feelings
Dealing crumbs of demons to those fiending
Lost in dreams when the pressure hit
I mean the fan hit the shit but when the shit hit the fan that was it
Flipped out, you tripped out, you couldn’t handle it
Addicted to life dismantlement
? from distortion to brain abortion forcing to perish
Life’s to cherish, the moments too little
The path is brittle for those who chose to walk hard
In regards to those who front,
stunts get elderly
Propelling me to disappointment, could’ve been avoided
By egos posing lethal with weapons
Deceptions are ill, revolve around intentions to kill
Gots to chill on that level or end up with the Devil
Digging your grave somewhere in the middle
It’s no riddle, they lied
It ain’t how you die, it’s how you breathe
It ain’t what you take, it’s what you leave and conceive
What you got is nothing if your soul don’t represent it
Present it, it ain’t where you’re from, it’s where you been, kid
They lie, it ain’t how you die, it’s how you breathe
It ain’t what you take, it’s what you leave and conceive
What you got is nothing if your soul don’t represent it
Present it, it ain’t where you’re from, it’s where you been, kid
What you got is nothing if your soul don’t represent it
Present it, it ain’t where you’re from, it’s where you been, kid
What you got is nothing if your soul don’t represent it
The song "They Lied" by Atmosphere is a profound commentary on life and what truly matters. The lyrics remind us that it’s not the material possessions or circumstances that determine our value, but rather the essence of our soul and the impact we leave behind. The artist conveys this message through the story of Dawn, a girl he used to know, and Andre, a boy she associated with who had a misguided sense of priorities. Through this story, the artist highlights the importance of self-awareness, authenticity, and making conscious decisions that align with our inner values.
The lyrics are a call to action for listeners to examine their own lives and ask themselves how they’re impacting the world. The artist emphasizes the importance of being present and aware in every moment because it’s not the end result- how we die- that matters, but the journey- how we breathe- that counts. We should strive to leave a positive legacy and make a difference in the world, so that when we’re gone, we’re remembered for the goodness we brought into the world.
Atmosphere's "They Lied" tackles weighty and deep themes with an honesty and introspection that is both refreshing and rare in contemporary hip hop. The poignant lyrics and powerful message resonate with audiences all over the world. The song serves as a reminder to live life with purpose and intention, to be mindful of the impact we have on others, and to always stay true to our inner selves.
Line by Line Meaning
It ain’t how you die, it’s how you breathe
Your final moments don't define you, it's how you lived your life up to that point.
It ain’t what you take, it’s what you leave and conceive
Material possessions don't matter as much as the positive impact you have on others and the ideas you leave behind.
What you got is nothing if your soul don’t represent it, Present it
Even if you have material wealth, it's meaningless if you don't show it compassionately.
it ain’t where you’re from, it’s where you been, kid
Your past doesn't define you, it's the person you become as a result of it.
Man, they lied, it ain’t how you die, it’s how you breathe
The common viewpoint that your death is what defines you is false; it's how you lived your life that truly matters.
What you got ain’t nothing if your soul don’t represent it
It doesn't matter what you have if you don't possess compassion and positive values.
Contributed by Miles S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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@hickstylez
i love how my favorite songs never have "advertisments" lol
@benjaminflores8470
Right! That’s how underground this is right here.
@frostgarcia5257
The people said it’s underground rap and YouTube understood the assignment lol
@aych33
so happy I just discovered this. one of my favorite things about slug is he has made so much damn music I'm always running into something that's old but new to me and it's fucking fantastic
@andybroberg7946
a text from a cousin in minnesota to download some songs on napster turned into 20 years of checking new tracks, and discovering old.
@palesasikwane2129
"....but the sun will come out tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" man i miss these days flip, my peers never caught this a decade ago... thanks for the upload. love from South Africa, Soweto
@jasonkmvang
Music with a message. And now I can explain to my kid that atmosphere and eyedea are some of the greatest MC’s
@CzaroTheInfinite
But that’s Slug and the dude Formerly known as Spawn!
2 absolutely wicked Emcees of their time….
Eyedea RIP but he was also a massive part of the Rhymesayers Entertainment
@toddcruz8338
From 2012 to 2023, still jamming this shit. Hidden gem.
@miscellaneouslyric
still hard that verse about Andre from slug is one of the most well written verses of all time so smooth "One sets the standard, the weak randomly follow
Space ain’t shit, some kid will take your place tomorrow
The cycle never stops cause you can recycle Styrofoam
I still see Andre nowadays, he fucks with microphones"
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥