Atmosphere

Rapper-producer duo Atmosphere is arguably the most influential hip-hop act ever to emerge from Minneapolis. • The group started out as a duo called Urban Atmosphere, featuring Sean “Slug” Daley and Derek “D-Spawn” Turner. They eventually dropped the “Urban” from their name and added producer Anthony “Ant” Davis. • Atmosphere’s 1997 debut album, Overcast!, opened doors for the group, as the single “Scapegoat” became a hit on college radio. • Overcast! was released on Rhymesayers Entertainment, the influential underground hip-hop label cofounded by Slug and Ant. Atmosphere have remained on Rhymesayers despite offers from major labels. • Spawn left the group before the release of their 2002 sophomore effort, God Loves Ugly. • Ant is known for versatile production that ranges from punchy ’90s boom-bap beats to somber alt-rock ballads. Slug masterfully adapts his lyrical content, style and delivery to fit each instrumental like a glove. • The celebrated Minneapolis concert venue First Avenue affirmed Atmosphere’s cultural impact by giving the group a star on the mural outside of the building.