Atmosphere

After what felt like forever (3 years in reality) Slug and Ant dropped Southsiders, in what some considered a return to form after the slightly more reflective, mellow sounding The Family Sign and I'm sure I am not the only one who has this LP on heavy rotation since the release! I haven't seen Atmosphere live since the RSE European Tour and was chomping at the bit to finally get the chance to watch them do their thing at Koko London (one of my favourite venues) once again.
Of course, they didn't disappoint, there was no live band this time around just Slug, Ant, Plain Ole Bill and Us and the end result was beautiful. A set list which featured some of the classic Atmosphere we all come to expect, blended in with the hardest hitting beats Southsiders had to offer - Kanye West really getting the crowd up! One thing I love about Atmosphere and the whole RSE crew is the diversity within their audience, normally I am situated smack bang in the middle of a wave of merch-wearing-lunatics while we all rap our own version of GLU back at Slug, hoping he will invite us up for the big break we all want but this time my partner and I situated ourselves at the rear of the standing section with decent sight of the stage, plenty of space to breathe and the best view of one of the craziest audiences I've seen - the crazy couple who partied on the rear left hand side of the floor were the MVPs for me, CRAZY ENERGY!
Hip-hop nowadays is generally associated more with the younger generations but to see these 40+ year olds party even harder than me really personified what hip hop means in my heart! The highlight for me was the encore when the latest LPs title track dropped, the place erupted and I was sure the upper balcony was going to land on me before Slug even started the first verse, that coupled with the fact when he shouted "Let's hear it for Public Enemy!" I genuinely believed for a second I was going see Chuck and Flav grace us with their royal presence, only to finally click that he was referencing the sample. You can only dream right? In a nutshell, Slu and Ant deliver yet again with a passionate and organic account of themselves no less than what I've seen time and time again over the years, Plain Ole Bill is always welcome in my book too, dropping in some of the craziest cuts and loops all night to mix up the track.
As I said in my tweet to Koko post show, thank you Atmosphere and come back and party with us real soon. Love London

A special treat for me. Been a big fan since I stumbled upon them in 2005 and finally managed to get to one of their gigs. Solid album after solid album. Even as a latecomer, I still saw heaps of originality in their work and I'd even go as far to say that they changed my taste in music....probably forever. Their music oozes personality and touches topics that most hip hop artists wouldn't even consider. On top of that, Slug raps pretty damn well and Ant's beats continue to get better and better. Although I was a bit disappointed that they've stopped touring with a live band, it really didn't spoil anything. They've got a ridiculous catalogue of songs to choose for their set list and a dedicated fanbase that's going to be happy as long as one or two mainstay songs still make it in (which they did). In a bid to please the masses some songs made up medleys, while others were played in their entirety. I wont tell you what they played (why spoil the surprise) but they clearly tried to make it as big a mix as possible, covering songs from their most acclaimed albums, their early work and from some of the EPs that they put out to tide people over.. Slug has toured relentlessly for a good couple of decades now so he knows exactly how to work a crowd and how to enjoy himself on stage. It translates pretty well and pretty much lights the room up. Most of the crowd (including my own sad self) know the most of the words to most of the songs and duly follow Slug's lead throughout the gig. They've just dropped another gem of an album, so now is a great time to go see them. I can't see any reason why any fan would be disappointed (I got exactly what I'd been waiting for) and the £14 entrance fee should make them well worth a punt for anybody wanting to take a chance on them. A great energy on and off stage from one of the most influential duos in underground hip hop. Even though they've shown no signs of fizzling out, why take the risk? See them sooner rather than later :-)

The Hollywood Palladium Atmosphere show was AMAZING! I've personally seen Atmosphere before a couple years ago at the Greek Theatre but this recent experience beats them all. Everything played out perfectly that night, the venue was great, the crowd was up and the performers were all outstanding. Each performer gave it their all, Dem Atlas with his unique old school flow left me wanting more, PROF "the dirtiest m********* of the tour" as they claim had great energy and bad ass beats to follow his downright attitude and what can I say about the one and only Atmosphere, Slug is my #1 man so he never fails to impress me and regardless of his age he still has that swag that he's had throughout his entire career as an underground rapper. Oooh but this performance was one of a kind they performed a perfect balance of their new and old music and Murs as the surprise guest was just the cherry on top. But my favorite part of all was when Slug, Dem Atlas and Prof came out at the end to freestyle, all my life I've spent hours youtubing Slug's lfreestyles and never thought I'd be part of one, it was an absolute honor and overall the best night of my summer!

Atmosphere is my most favorite band out there right now. It is a musical trio, with slug on the mic with ANT, and Mr. Dibbs. The rap music that these three create is incredible and hits very close to home.

The lyrics are always about "the struggle" and how to keep your head up high in a time when its not so easy to do so. Atmosphere has gained such a large following in the underground scene.

When asked to join major music labels Atmosphere has refused in order to avoid selling out and making their fans mad. Atmosphere is about the music and sending positive vibes rather than the money and the corruption it brings.

When on the mic, Slug kicks it out of the park. He is never off beat or forgetful of his lyrics. You can literally hear the joy and passion in his voice when he raps, which is usually something rare with rappers now a days.

Overall, Atmosphere is the most genuine artist out there. They have and always will be about the music which is what drives this trio to victory. Do not miss these guys live! They are the best thing that has happened to music!

Positive vibes and hands swaying in the air. With lyrical rhymes that hit the heart all hands in the air. Dem Atlas and Prof getting the crowed ready with deep songs of reality. Getting pumped when Ant gets on stage then Slug walks out and everyone starts jumping. Small venues are always awesome when you're close and you can feel the music running through your body. Atmosphere laid the lyrics down and the audience was all one hand in the air. It's not that often where all the people around you introduce themself in a welcoming manner but this show everyone was about mad love. The ending was a huge kick when Dem Atlas and Prof joined Ant and Slug on stage. Woke up with a smile just thinking about the show and the vibes. I would love to see Atmosphere again. Atmosphere draws in a great group of all ages and types of people. Their music is about reality and just some seriousness some people faced. Realist hip hop.

A++++ Performance as expected! All of the performers were on point! Dem Atlas opened the show with his wild,crazy energy that everybody fed off. Brother Ali came on set with such an aura about him. I felt like we were all going to to church, but voluntarily. Not like back in the day when I was being forced. Lols. Brother Ali reminded us all to open our hearts, and enjoy the experience! Last, but never least...Atmosphere! Slug and Ant really out did themselves with this album. I'm in love with it! Please don't ever stop! Can't wait for you all to come back to Indianapolis! Xoxo, peace, love-The Brocks

The show was amazing Dem Atlas is a new member of the Rhymesayer family and he's killin it kid puts on a good show, then Brother Ali comes on putting out his jazzy concious rap which is just so fun and makes you think and last but not least Atmosphere always been such a big fan DJ Ant has fantasia production skills, slug well he's the best so much charisma and stage presence and his lyrics can relate to the everyman. Thier concerts are always a treat if you've never seen them don't miss out!.

i saw atmosphere november 2016 in cleveland, it was absolutely freezing and me, my best friend & my fiancé at the time all were huddled together freezing and slug actually came and gave everyone a pep talk in the line waiting, never had something like that happen at a show. the show itself was indescribable, i had goosebumps the whole set, rapped the whole set. slug & ant truly lit the stage up. keep rocking and hold onto your ugly

Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! they played all the songs I love and the crowd loved it, met Antony afterwards is such a humble guy, can't wait to see them again !!!!!!!!!!! Best show I've seen in a long time ! Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! they played all the songs I love and the crowd loved it, met Antony afterwards is such a humble guy, can't wait to see them again !!!!!!!!!!! Best show I've seen in a long time !

Everyone who played killed it. Slug (from Atmosphere) had really cool hints as to what was coming up, sometimes subtle, sometimes obvious. And he is such a good lyricist, and Ant killed the beats. The Lioness is, in my opinion, the best female hip hop artist out right now. And Dem Atlas got the dance moves unlock. Unforgettable show. Everyone should see this guy at least once.