1. Slug - For me, Atmosphere is the pinnacle of the enlightened hip-hop head. It is impossible to find another MC that can paint a picture like Sean Daley. He has become a consummate story teller in his most recent releases and the style just keeps getting better. If you have never heard any of his stuff I suggest to start with the earlier material. When I was first getting into hip-hop (and I mean real hip-hop) your boy Tekst had a mix CD he made "Chris's Funky Stuff V. 2" The tracks were fire and like nothing I had ever heard before. My favorite track, I discovered later, was called "scapegoat" by Atmosphere. This song usually blows minds... Check it out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvCOAQwVA2E
In doing more research into the underground scene I happened upon another unbelievable atmosphere track called "The Woman With The Tattoo Hands". This track also tend to blow people away. I am still trying to figure out the entire meaning of this song 8 years later....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8f9Wudn_eZA
As I got older and more seasoned to the underground I found that I was hearing more and more about Atmosphere and every single thing I heard from them I fell in love with. Slug puts his heart-break on the track and I always felt like he was speaking to me. Any time I had woman issues I'd just pop in an Atmosphere CD. To this day I would have to say that the song "Fuck you Lucy" is the most emotionally charged song I have ever heard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qlr1H_iV6qs
I watched Atmosphere go from virtual unknown to selling out venues and being featured as an MTV Artist of the week. They have become relatively well known with out compromising their music. Their newest album,When Life Gives You Lemons You Paint That Shit Gold, is a testament to that. Their series of Sad Clown Ep's have also been spectacular recently. My favorite of their newer, story driven songs has to be The Rooster.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VSfDcwNQpA
So get to know this MC. He is my favorite of favorites and has had much influence on my style. I hope you enjoy what you hear.
