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A lot has happened in hip-hop since Atmosphere dropped Overcast in 1997. Kanye West went from obscure Chicago producer to celebrity superstar. Rhymesayers grew into one of the most important independent labels in hip-hop history. Yung Lean was born. Through all these things, Atmosphere is still Atmosphere.
Slug has always had a way of touching on the ugly and the beautiful, relatable and poetic at the same time. Ant has always been a master of balancing the gritty with the melodic. On the duo’s new album, these things have not changed.
Atmosphere’s eighth studio album Southsiders comes out on May 6. “It’s a natural progression from the last record, The Family Sign, which was about growing my family,” says Slug, now a father of three. “I’m starting to think, ‘What is post–family man? What am I supposed to rap about now?’ I’m sticking to my roots, rapping about what I’m doing, what I think about. This record is—much like the other ones—a very detailed look at my life.”
When we first saw the tracklist for Southsiders, the title “Kanye West” had a lot of people wondering. Well, here it is. “I wanted to write a song about loving something so much that you submit to the moment,” says Slug.
Pre-order Southsiders now and get “Bitter” and “Kanye West” instantly. Listen to Atmosphere’s “Kanye West” below.
Atmosphere also announced that they will be playing two very special, intimate record release shows on May 6 at New York’s Highline Ballroom and May 8 at Los Angeles’ Roxy Theatre. Release party tickets go on sale this Thursday, April 10 at 11am CST for NYC and 12pm CST for LA. See full list of tour dates below.
April 18 – Boulder, CO @ eTown Hall (live radio show taping – SOLD OUT)
May 6 – New York, NY @ Highline Ballroom (Album Release Party)
May 8 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Roxy Theatre (Album Release Party)
May 14 – Saskatoon, SK @ O’Brian’s Event Centre
May 15 – Calgary, AB @ Flames Central
May 16 – Calgary, AB @ Flames Central (second show added!)
May 17 – Edmonton, AB @ Union Hall
May 18 – Regina, SK @ The Exchange
May 20 – Winnipeg, MB @ Garrick Centre
May 25 – Shakopee, MN @ Soundset Festival
May 28 – Kitchener, ON @ Wax
May 29 – London, ON @ London Music Hall
May 30 – Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre
May 31 – Montreal, QC @ S.A.T.
June 1 – Ottawa, ON @ Ritual Nightclub
June 4 – Halifax, NS @ Marquee
June 6 – Portland, ME @ State Theatre
June 8 – Boston, MA @ Blue Hills Bank Pavilion (w/ Damien “Jr. Gong” Marley)
June 7 – Clifton Park, NY @ Upstate Concert Hall
June 10 – Philadelphia, PA @ Skyline Stage @ the Mann Center for the Performing Arts (w/ Damien “Jr. Gong” Marley)
June 11 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr. Smalls Theatre
June 12 – Pontiac, MI @ Crofoot
June 13 – Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
June 27 – Milwaukee, WI @ Summerfest
August 10 – Squamish, BC @ Squamish Festival
July 11 – Saugerties, NY @ Hudson Project Music and Arts Festival
*New dates in bold
