In 2002, Atom joined forces with the hip-hop crew Secta 7. Shortly thereafter, Atom independently released his first full-length LP, Sword of 77 Faces. Atom's intense style and verbal ability quickly gained the attention of hip-hop fans across the globe, establishing a small but growing fanbase. In December 2003, Download.com launched its music site, music.download.com, and in the first week of operation, Atom's track "A.I." (Sword of 77 Faces) received over 6,000 downloads. This made it the second most downloaded track on the entire site. The momentum was building.
After graduating from his university studies in 2004, Atom spent two months backpacking through South America. This trip changed his view on politics, poverty and to life. Upon his return in early 2005, Atom independently released his second LP, The Day the World Changed. That same year he was also voted "Solo Artist of the Year" on mp3unsigned.com, chosen out of twelve thousand other artists and groups. His track "A.I." remains one of the top 10 most downloaded songs on that site. (As of April, 2006.)
Atom has received radio play on numerous radio and internet stations, including KSDB 91.9FM, KDUR 93.9FM, KUCR 88.3FM, WRTE Radio Arte 90.5FM, UK Conspiracy Radio Worldwide and Redlightradio.com. He is working on his third album, Son of Slaves and Lords, which is set to drop in 2008.
Listening to Atom's music, it is hard not to be moved to thinking about matters that really matter. There is no quick fix for the planet but doing nothing is not the answer. We need a revolution for and by the people, not necessarily a bloodbath but a change. Change comes from ideas and Atom lays out quite a few. Now it's up to you to listen.
© 2007 AtomthaImmortal.com
The Essential
Atom Tha Immortal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I defeat you weak kings
Is the sound of the bell at the side of the ring
Bringing the legendary
Strike men
The Mighty mythical
Invincible
Titan with tight lyricals
Will dominate your thought
And leave my song standing longer than the Parthenon
Revolutionary Renaissance
Moving the masses
From military to mic clashes
Class is in a session of regression
Mentioning words to smite you
I could rip your rhyme with a haiku
Because I don't like you
Or what you're doing
I'm on the mic
In your face, ready to ruin
Like city states of ancient humans
Or like a statue of Stalin after the fall of the Soviet Union
Moving in
And taking over
Atom rocks with thoughts
That blows up spots like Supernova
Chorus:
-------
Prepare, for me to dominate your mentals
"If you feel I disrespected you, good, I meant to"
Who needs a rhyme
I can beat your crew with instrumentals
"If you feel I disrespected you, good, I meant to"
Saw me once, saw me again got your pistol
"If you feel I disrespected you, good, I meant to"
Atom'll rip a rhyme, and devastate a mind with 3 lines
That's the Essential
"If you feel I disrespected you, good, I meant to"
Potential
How do I have it?
I'm potentially the illest lyricist upon the planet
I take it for granted that I
Could rock your show single handed
You've been abandoned
To my consortium
MCs I be warning them
That I'm
A philosophical historian
Who orders men
Like Julius Caesar seizing control of the Praetorium
... A gladiator on mics
I'm known to strike like a Hittite
Fighting an Anakite
Mic demagogue
The artist with heart darkness
I ain't a democrat
I'm a straight up monarchist
Hostile takeover
Like the colonists did to Americas
Consolidating your urban areas
For those feeling that what I said offends you
If you feel I disrespected you, good, I meant to
(Chorus)
To the punk MC
Spitting vanity
Claiming he can handle my mic mastery
Nigga, you couldn't handle half of me
It's sad to see
A wack MC that still raps
MCs are like women
They're all thinking they're fat
When in fact they're not
But that's aight
I'ma keep mine tight
Yo
And let you know tonight
That on a PH-scale
We got opposites of lyrics
Your style's "basic" while my rhyme remains "acidic"
Storing energy in my lyrics like photosynthesis
Exist
Before the first fossilized Australopithecus
Lyricist
I write tight with mic inferences
Invincible before the due time
Like Two Witnesses
The difference is we're unequal
Nigga, you couldn't get signed if you talked to deaf people
I'm better on the mic
Say it ain't true
Ain't saying I'm the best
I just said I'm better than you.
(Chorus x2)
The lyrics of Atom Tha Immortal's song "The Essential" reflect his confidence in his lyrical abilities and his ability to dominate other MCs. He boasts about his potential to be the best lyricist on the planet and his ability to defeat weak kings in the rap game. Atom asserts that the only sound that will be heard as he emerges victorious from lyrical battles will be the sound of the bell at the side of the ring. He compares himself to a revolutionary renaissance figure moving the masses from military to mic clashes, and his principles are built to dominate thoughts far longer than the Parthenon.
He also warns other MCs that he could rip their rhymes with a haiku if he wanted to because he doesn't like what they're doing. Furthermore, he proclaims himself as a philosophical historian who orders men like Julius Caesar seizing control of the Praetorium. Atom goes on to assert that he is better on the mic and that he can beat any crew with his instrumentals. In essence, the lyrics paint Atom Tha Immortal as a rapper who's confident in his abilities, unafraid of competition, and focused on taking over the rap game.
Interesting facts about "The Essential" by Atom Tha Immortal include that the song is the title track of his 2005 album The Essential. The album features other tracks like "Battle of the Unbeatables," "No Simple Joy," and "I'll Die Smiling." Additionally, the song "The Essential" features in Season 4 Episode 2 of the hit AMC television series Breaking Bad. In the episode, the track is used as background music during a low-key drug deal in the desert.
Furthermore, Atom Tha Immortal was born on November 18th, 1973, and his real name is Adam Arnone Jr. He recalls that he began producing his music when he was thirteen years old and started writing lyrics and rapping two years later. Additionally, as an independent artist, Atom produced and released 20 albums and performed across the United States, Europe, and Asia. However, he attributes much of his success to self-promotion and the internet.
Moreover, he has participated in several rap contests and won many accolades throughout his career. He was the winner of the 1998 Microphone Master's Rap Tournament and a finalist in the 2000 Independent Music World Series. Additionally, he received the 2001 MAXJAZZ Recording's Outstanding Recognition Award and made appearances on MTV's "JAMS," the Showtime movie "Carmen: A Hip Hopera," and HBO's "The Sopranos."
Here are the chords to the song:
Verse/Chorus:
Em -- G -- A -- Em
Bridge:
G -- A -- Em -- B
Line by Line Meaning
The only thing going "bling-bling"
When I defeat you weak kings
Is the sound of the bell at the side of the ring
Bringing the legendary
My victory against you is the only thing worth noticing. Like the sound of the bell that represents the glorious victory of a boxing match.
Strike men
The Mighty mythical
Invincible
Titan with tight lyricals
The principles that I'm built upon
Will dominate your thought
And leave my song standing longer than the Parthenon
My rap and belief system are like an invincible legendary fighter, able to defeat weak opponents with ease. My music is like the Parthenon, standing tall and strong for all time.
Revolutionary Renaissance
Moving the masses
From military to mic clashes
Class is in a session of regression
Mentioning words to smite you
I could rip your rhyme with a haiku
My music and message are part of a new era of creativity and artistry that resonates with people. I use the mic to inspire and uplift people, and challenge old ways of thinking. I'm so good at rapping that I could even destroy your rhymes with a simple haiku.
Because I don't like you
Or what you're doing
I'm on the mic
In your face, ready to ruin
Like city states of ancient humans
Or like a statue of Stalin after the fall of the Soviet Union
Moving in
And taking over
Atom rocks with thoughts
That blows up spots like Supernova
I'm a fierce competitor and I'm on the mic to win. I'm like a conqueror from the past, taking over cities and throwing away old ideas. My rhymes are explosive and powerful, like a supernova.
Prepare, for me to dominate your mentals
"If you feel I disrespected you, good, I meant to"
Who needs a rhyme
I can beat your crew with instrumentals
"If you feel I disrespected you, good, I meant to"
Saw me once, saw me again got your pistol
"If you feel I disrespected you, good, I meant to"
Atom'll rip a rhyme, and devastate a mind with 3 lines
That's the Essential
"If you feel I disrespected you, good, I meant to"
I'm warning you right now that I'm about to dominate your thoughts with my music. If you feel disrespected by my lyrics, then I've done my job correctly. I don't even need words, I could beat you with just music. I'm like a trigger that can make you afraid of what I'm about to do to you. My rhymes might seem simple, but they're effective.
Potential
How do I have it?
I'm potentially the illest lyricist upon the planet
I take it for granted that I
Could rock your show single handed
I'm supremely talented and I know it. I could easily be considered the greatest rapper alive. I'm so good that I could do your job with ease.
You've been abandoned
To my consortium
MCs I be warning them
That I'm
A philosophical historian
Who orders men
Like Julius Caesar seizing control of the Praetorium
I'm in control now, and other rappers don't stand a chance against my power. I know my stuff and I use that knowledge to be a successful rapper. I'm like the powerful leader Julius Caesar, taking over and controlling everything.
... A gladiator on mics
I'm known to strike like a Hittite
Fighting an Anakite
Mic demagogue
The artist with heart darkness
I ain't a democrat
I'm a straight up monarchist
Hostile takeover
Like the colonists did to Americas
Consolidating your urban areas
For those feeling that what I said offends you
If you feel I disrespected you, good, I meant to
I'm a fierce fighter who dominates on the mic. I'm like a warrior from an ancient civilization, fighting against another powerful enemy. I'll take over everything with my music, just like the early colonists in America. And if you don't like what I have to say, then that's too bad, because I meant to offend you.
To the punk MC
Spitting vanity
Claiming he can handle my mic mastery
Nigga, you couldn't handle half of me
It's sad to see
A wack MC that still raps
MCs are like women
They're all thinking they're fat
When in fact they're not
But that's aight
I'ma keep mine tight
Yo
And let you know tonight
That on a PH-scale
We got opposites of lyrics
Your style's "basic" while my rhyme remains "acidic"
Storing energy in my lyrics like photosynthesis
Exist
Before the first fossilized Australopithecus
Lyricist
I write tight with mic inferences
Invincible before the due time
Like Two Witnesses
The difference is we're unequal
Nigga, you couldn't get signed if you talked to deaf people
I'm better on the mic
Say it ain't true
Ain't saying I'm the best
I just said I'm better than you.
Other rappers think they can take me down, but they're wrong. I think it's sad that there are still rappers making music who just aren't good. MCs often overestimate themselves, just like many women do with their weight. But I'll continue being great at what I do. My rhymes are powerful and acidic, while your style is basic. My rhymes are like photosynthesis, storing energy and creating new life. I've been around for so long that I existed before the first human. I'm like a biblical prophet, powerful and invincible. You're not even a worthy opponent, you couldn't get signed even if you tried. I'm not saying I'm the greatest rapper ever, but I'm definitely better than you.
Contributed by Liam A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.