“What? My dad bod isn’t good enough for you?” Atmosphere’s energetic frontman Slug said to an audience chanting for his tour mate Brother Ali at Emo’s in Austin, Texas, on Friday, January 20th. Slug’s persona on Atmosphere’s records and on stage is that of serious indie rap superstar, self deprecating stand up comedian, and world weary father figure all at once. The remark summed up the man; knowing pioneer of “dad rap,” playfully teasing his adoring audience.
After being in the game for over 20 years and playing sold out venues everywhere in America, Atmosphere has been through it all. Their original brand of emotive lyricism has ceded itself to an acknowledgment of their accomplishments and their status with their fans. Slug knows he can play around with his fans because he knows his standing with them. This comfort in his own skin is something a much younger Slug would have been bashful about.
That came through when the group ran through their old fan favorites. A song like “GodLovesUgly,” which came early in the night, is rapped with a wink and a nod. It’s a song for us, the audience, now, rather than the man who wrote it. Slug punctuated every chorus by telling the beautiful people to be quiet, to screams from the crowd who so connect to the lyrics of admitted imperfection.
This connection with the audience is one of the most impressive aspects of an Atmosphere performance. While so many rappers build the foundation of their persona on being above their audience, being larger than life celebrities or gangstas, Slug’s has cornered the market on being one of us. The audience lives and breathes with him at a show, and hangs off his every word.
Slug delivers to them what they demand as well. While so many rappers would be shy about playing songs from their youth, Atmosphere busted out songs like “God’s Bathroom Floor,” which Slug proudly declared was written in 1995. When the group did run through newer songs, Slug thanked the audience for appreciating them. It’s those moments of honesty, admitting that the audience came to hear “Sunshine” or “Trying to Find a Balance,” both of which were played in the encore, that keep fans coming back for more.
It’s also not surprising that, despite the self deprecation, the new songs are just as welcome in the setlist. Songs like “Seismic Waves” from last year’s Fishing Blues or “Kanye West” from 2014’s Southsiders engaged Atmosphere’s cult following just as much as classics like “Yesterday” or “Puppets.” Credit is due to producer and DJ Ant for crafting such immaculate and consistent beats that those newer songs don’t sound awkward or out of place. Yes, Atmosphere has grown up. Slug spends more time talking about family life than thug life these days. Yet they’re still themselves and their progression has stuck within a realm that allows them to craft sets which never hit a lull or a moment when the audience is left begging for them to just get back to the oldies.
If Atmosphere’s greatest strength has been being so in tune with their fans, it’s a strength that has only grown with time. After all these years, the niche that Slug and Ant have carved out for themselves still enables them to connect and engage with their most loyal fans in a way of which most rap groups can only dream.
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Good stuff, Corey!
Slug sure has grown — as we all have!