There is no such thing as a favourite rapper (or musician of any kind really). It all depends on your mood at the time, as well as what is current and what seems relevant. That said if pressed to come up with a favourite rapper I would usually cite Slug (of Minneapolis duo Atmosphere) as mine. Slug has put out honest, introspective, substantial and entertaining music for the past 13 years, which seems to always remain relatable and relevant no matter how many years pass since its release date. Therefore when I got the chance to interview him for HipHopFiend.net, it was one of those times when I began to feel that this music journalism thing is starting to pay off.
It seems to me that Minneapolis puts out Hip-Hop that I really enjoy and relate to, with a lot of the Rhymesayers artists residing there, and collectives like Doomtree, there seems to be an awful lot of good, honest hip-hop music coming from the area. Slug puts this down to a “Regional honesty” and the fact that “This city has always had a beautiful art scene. The scene was already amazing when I started out, groups like Micranots paved the way for groups like us.” He went on to explain, “I know the people you just mentioned, and we are far from smart. We are just honest inside and outside of our music, and I think that’s what may separate us from the rest of this carnival.”
He said that the city influenced his work due to three main factors; “Supportive, honest, and full of resources. Then I give credit to how isolated we are from the next big city, and how much winter we get. All of these factored into my ability to stay productive and prolific.”
It has become commonplace to hear rappers talk more introspectively these days, and to be more truthful about themselves, something which wasn’t as common when Slug was starting out, however he didn’t find it difficult to do something a bit different, and talk about how he really felt, “It was natural, and I am not surprised that many have chosen that route. It’s a lot more natural and fulfilling than rapping about how awesometastic I am.” Likewise he has no difficulty in making music with lasting relevance, “I have no approach for that. I just stick with what I believe in, and I let the chips fall where they may.”
His raps have, in recent years, switched perspective, from first person to third. He explains that he “was bored with the old, “Why me? – Tortured artist” bullshit. I’m not the same drunk cynic that I was in my late twenties” he explained, “I wanted to try something different.” His story-telling skills do not take their influence from literature he tells me “I’m somewhat of a lazy reader, I’ve never read anything my Charles Dickinwhatevs, or Jack Kerowhat? I suppose I should, but I guess I’m saving it for when I run out of other things to do.” He informs me that his story-telling influences come from “Comic books, crime novels, magazines, special interest books. Other influences include family, friends and pets. I enjoy the television series “Madmen, as well as the cartoon “King of the Hill”” and explains that he put his stories into rhymes rather than onto pages as “Hip-Hop seemed more fun? Really though, I have no idea what I would write a book about.”
His last full-length release was the third Felt record in collaboration with Murs, which, this time around, was produced entirely by Aesop Rock. Slug described how his approach to making these records was to have fun above all else “There were no worries about anything other than enjoying the process. I almost feel like they were never really intended for listeners, but moreso for our own selfish enjoyment.” He went on to describe his relationship with his collaborators, “Murs and I are friends first, colleagues second. So I never really put much thought into anything other than just smiling and having fun with those songs. Working with Aesop as a producer was very fulfilling. Dude is a rapper, so he was more patient and understanding to our egos than most producers might be.”
With Atmosphere often dropping EP’s in the past they have seemed absent for quite a while since Slug has been busy touring and with the latest Felt album. Their last full-length album release was two years ago, however Slug had some good news for Atmosphere fans, “We are working on a new album, which we are hoping to release in the Spring. I do not have a title for it yet, so everyone feel free to Myspace me some suggestions.”
The one question that I always here asked in interviews with Slug is the classic “Who is Lucy Ford?” (in reference to the character who often appeared on his earlier albums most notably in the track “Fuck You Lucy”) and I felt that the interview wouldn’t be complete without a Lucy Ford question. I have often heard Slug reply that Lucy Ford is the name of his cat, so tried to flip the question, and ask “What made you name your cat Lucy Ford?” to which he replied “I am Lucy Ford. Spread the word.”
For more information go to Rhymesayers
If you have an album title suggestion go to Atmosphere’s Myspace
Listen to Atmosphere’s latest track “To All My Friends” here
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