Atmosphere's Slug Explains Southsiders, Soundset Music Festival, & Transitioning from DJ to Rapper

[@Psquared2324]

Slug is super underrated. He can spit a story or scenario to you in a very intricate way

[@krem1982]

I understand SOME don't give Sean the credit he deserves, but I don't think he's underrated. He has a legion of devout fans. I've been following Atmosphere since 98 and I hear the most complaints from heads who were on Atmos circa late nineties/ early oughts. It seems anytime an artist makes an album(s) that deviate from previous material fans are familiar with, the artist is subject to criticism.

[@Milkbutter]

Southsiders charted near the Billboard 10. Underrated? No. I DO feel like their lyricism is under appreciated by fans who don't truly understand it (Atmosphere does have some..."interesting" fans) but as far as the skill level of the group, yeah it's definitely some great shit.

[@Bmp1113]

***** I dont know where you are but little kids really dont know him and theres no real radio stations that give play to non hip pop rappers.

[@Ckypwnd]

He don't seem underrated to me everyone bumps hiss shit where I live in Minnesota he is like fuckin shakesphere lol

[@zevshapero1640]

isn't atmosphere considered to be one of the most successful underground hip hop groups today? not really underrated....

[@drinkingpoolwater]

slug is a real legend.

[@LouieV6]

Slug is more than just a rapper, he's a poet!

[@Ferro12211]

love the fact that he is getting this shout out, still so many people have no clue who he is who Atmosphere is. People have a whole distorted view on what real hip hop is these days. All his sh## is sick and real and raw, his label is insane. Brother Ali, Sage F, Dialated P, Living Legends, J5, AESOP rock, this is my hip hop. I could listen to them spit all day long

[@sureslick1]

I'am a fan Now!!! This dude spits real!!!

[@lucaswessels8926]

I dont know if you were implying it, but Living Legends and Sage Francis aren't on Rhymesayers. But other then that I agree! For forget Eyedea & Abilities!

[@Ferro12211]

Lucas wessels yeah I know that but I was just saying some of the artist that spit the real shit with the beats to back it. I realized after that comment that it could be mis read.

[@DJRAKKK]

People have no fucking clue how Hard Minneapolis hip hop is.

[@Ferro12211]

I hear that!

[@s9erkills]

slug sounds just like he does in his songs when he preforms live. now thats a real mc.

[@HOESDONTMATTER]

It's people's kids sitting on their ass at home making autotrash relevant

[@bradn6919]

"JUST BECAUSE YOU MAY NOT FEEL MY RECORD DOESN'T MEAN WE CAN'T HAVE A CONNECTION HERE..." -Slug

[@scioncoop]

Thank you Sway for having "Slug" on your show! He's helped me with a lot though my life, and when I'm missing home I just pop in a Atmosphere cd and I'm right back home. And to all you that think he's whack? He's The REAL deal, not one of those FAKE auto tune wanna b's..

[@BrendanSlob]

Co-signed. This is the elevation of REAL hip hop. Not Lil Wayne and Kanye..autotune and rhymes that don't make sense. The Wayne line about Lasagna should've gotten him banned from Rap permanently.

[@GDX2470]

do people really think he's whack? lol

[@DanteZzZ]

One of the few rappers you can actualy look up to.

[@MH-cj1gz]

Plus Ant the beat maker

[@VindreKane]

Sway, remember back in the day when you had Slug & Eyedea in the studio spittin fire bars at each other for like an hr? Didnt see all this coming from Slug aha

[@OrganicWheat]

Vindre Kane its your own expectations

[@OrganicWheat]

Vindre Kane its your own expectations

[@SW-jg7yh]

thats on Sway, not slug

[@Justin-uh9zp]

Slug, I'm 15 living in East LA. I'm proud to say that I enjoy bumping your shit! My friends and I are hooked with your uniqueness. Saludos!

[@liamrappleye5205]

jafeth Rivera I know an 11 year old who listens to atmosphere

[@ganjahtokah]

i got introduced to atmosphere by my family when i was about 7, 15 now. couldnt be more grateful

[@noahmeasher7727]

phew. maybe some hope in this next wave.

[@slinkydinkky]

Man that explanation for 'camera thief' took me by suprise, what a great artist

[@JeyMichael]

Slug is one of the few rappers in my opinion who sound even better live. Met him in Hamburg after his gig. Was too nervous to ask anything important but at least I met him. Awesome dude!

[@DrumNbassSets]

I wish ant wasn't so shy , only ever seen him interviewed once , he is a unrated master in the lab

[@jordandenny6875]

I've heard and seen he isn't very good with words and it's sometimes hard to communicate ideas and thoughts, so that's probably part of it.

[@KristopherWilliams_tahmson]

There are no words to explain how awesome it was to watch this video. I've been a fan of Atmosphere since a friend of mine really introduced them, about 6 years ago. Since then, they've put out tracks that really clicked with sections of my life... Since Southsiders has dropped, I've yet to go a day without listening to at least a part of the album. Their maturity level, mixed with Slug's wisdom is practically a perfect symphony of sound. There isn't a track on the album that I skip, and that is saying something. A month ago, I decided I needed to buy the album because of how much it has given me. The video was fantastic. The only thing I wish was different, is the environment. Listening to Atmosphere albums, you sort of gain an understanding of how the MC is as a person, and in the video the enviroment is your a-typical hip-hop/rap atmosphere, where speaking with a drop-off is considered the norm. We must blend into our surroundings, so whatever I'm simply happy it was made and I was able to see him MC Camera Thief and Kanye West. "It goes Don't throw no stones if you're living in a fish bowl Blow a kiss though Where the aim is based on which way the wind floats And pride is a bottle on a fence post"

[@dubba-dmcc6305]

"Centuries from now they're gonna study Atmosphere"

[@MH-cj1gz]

Plus Ant. His beat maker

[@granta3044]

" i like them fine women with low self esteem"

[@S0ULDIER]

carefully i steer im aware life is fatal

[@illustratornamedkasper]

I've seen Atmosphere live twice in Denmark, and what is remarkable is his way of performing so well whilst also giving everyting he's got to connect with the audience.

[@talkischeap2423]

A legend in the house right here.

[@awolf007]

Seriously, NO ONE tells an intimate story to make your hair stand on end like Slug. His shit is no-nonsense, reality. Not afraid to talk real about what we all feel but might be afraid to say cuz we're suppose to act hard or speak cliches to fit in. This dude is like no one else

[@chawnchwee943]

This interview made me sit and put my shoulders back... cheers

[@1VMDJAnomalous]

I got to meet SWay at last years Sounset he is one classy down to earth dude. He was a Great host !!! Glad to see him back !!!

[@Significant7rapsongs]

camera thief is 🔥

[@SoCalDude805]

RIP Eyedea

[@anthonytruman]

This made me smile . When the guy called and said you helped me get through things he said no you gotta blame yourself. You got through that. That's awesome

[@4thQuarterMentality]

Good Run Slug man; glad to have the pleasure of talking to you in person.

[@Apropoetic]

Snap, they did their research to bring up Spawn. I got a lot of respect for Sway, he can do an awesome interview.

[@tommyjohn_45]

Check Nardwuar if you want to see the king of interviews and digging up the past!

[@krem1982]

TRUTH^ Nardwuar is extremely knowledgable and digs up gems from the past in the form of gifts&info. Nardwuar is the boss

[@MrJoshs223]

Drone Jones Sway is better to me.

[@krem1982]

I'm not comparing Nardwuar to Sway man. I LOVE SWAY!! I prefer his show over Nardwuar.. Just saying Nardwuar has a very unique approach.

[@MrGot2film]

Spawn ain't digging

[@chuckbilly907]

Class Act!! Both Slug And Sway!!

[@1VMDJAnomalous]

Real cool Sway and Slug let know how Dope Soundset is ! My favorite one was when Ztrip did the Afterparty at FirstAve with Brother Ali and the Hiphop karaoke !!!

[@StoneThatTheBuilderRefusedKK]

Slug is criminally underrated.

[@killacali_]

I grew up on Slug, this dude is OG and a straight legend in the game.

[@telepathy90]

legendary dude right here. Big up! great to see him on sway. real hip hop stand up.

[@curtishale4271]

Sways contribution is way underrated I think. Siik all around huge slug/atmos fan

[@MrGot2film]

Dynospectrum...Man, dude is a true hip hop legend

[@WolfnWool]

glad to see a real rapper on here

[@Dack720]

Slug just kills it at life in general.

[@gee_ruiz]

Safe to say that Slug is the greatest story teller in hip hop history?

[@dopey3155]

yes!

[@Dumerils8]

+Guillermo Ruiz Aesop Rock might be a touch better

[@sullyernaluvr]

Hell yeah!

[@Qonvex]

+Todd Cheesman aesop might have a bigger vocabulary and much more complex rhyme patterns but he's nowhere near the story teller that slug is.

[@Dumerils8]

Might be a difference of opinion I think. Aes still seems a bit deeper with his story telling. They're both amazing artists though!

[@dwells-93]

Every interview Slug does is always great and i always take something from them.

[@holysteez]

He took the picture for his album right by my house :)

[@chaosinorderrr]

damn thats dope!

[@DJRAKKK]

Soundset is the Hardest hip hop concert i ever been to. What a great Variety and real hip hop and the soul of the culture up there. Its too much fun.

[@manidalla1218]

This always brings me back to Eyedea and Slug on the Sway show for the first time freestyling. It was fn insane

[@Shadegraffiti2013]

This guy saved my life

[@MrGot2film]

Ditto

[@vegasman98]

Man I been a fan of atmosphere since 2007 a lot love man true inspiration of my culture of music.

[@DuFresne-em2jd]

I saw slug at the roxy in Hollywood with blueprint!! One of the greatest shows to this day I've been to!! Peace slug!

[@thebigj8691]

The Felt records are legendary, When Atmosphere played St. Louis, Mo. Back on the God Loves Ugly tour I went to the merch booth and asked I need something new, Dyde opened a box said we just got these. I coped a Felt Christina RIcci...... Best night ever, I even got arrested later that night for acting a fool after listening to it.

[@stayresearched]

Living legend... Overcast still top 10 all time greatest album... Glad I checked this out...

[@ChipDouglas024]

Meh…God loves ugly is the perfect album

[@matthewhendriks2014]

Such a wholesome guy

[@big0514]

nice to see slug get the credit he deserves any one know of an interview where he talks about his writing process i was always so courious about it cause his lines and songs are out of this world

[@LouieV6]

There's a video circulating somewhere on KZbin, he talks about how his writing process gradually got better as he got older. Type up "slug talks about his writing process" you'll get exactly you're looking for

[@chaosinorderrr]

Slug is one of the best to ever do it. No doubt about that.

[@brianperez4787]

Much love!! Atmospher!

[@dailyrapshow3757]

You can hear Eyedea in him.

[@LordJapos]

Great interview, great job Sway.

[@CAPS0L]

straight up blessed!

[@TheBandFamousTM]

Love and respect to the Rhymesayers family. #Southsiders

[@Capsule71420]

interview was kinda off, but slug always makes everything interesting. Thank you Atmosphere for making Life worthwhile..

[@randalllawkin]

Man I'm so late we need this in Tampa!!!

[@BigNasty0813]

Top 5 all time

[@moldyjames439]

*27:48* when respiration by blackstar randomly starts playing

[@jonbrown-ng2hx]

Slug is one of the best his flow is amazing good storytelling great lyricism and great at capturing emotion on the mic

[@therosewaters9978]

i was there for the palladium show :D he brought murs and they performed dirty girl, shit was so fun

[@MsAfroAssassin]

Sways Intro should make it into the real cut haha

[@gantzroom4725]

Big Ups to atmosphere and R.EYE.P Rhymesayers run the underground

[@Tatourice1]

8 years later still loving slug.

[@josetavares5094]

Land Of The NICE , i Cant wait to work with him and make some records to leave a mark in history with this beautiful movement happening in my city

[@klbarbre73]

I am a 44 year old groupie, when it comes to Rhymesayers. My love of Brother Ali lead me to Atmosphere.

[@CadillacJonze]

I've been a fan for years, I'm 41. I took my son to see atmosphere when he was 9, he is 15 now.

[@HollerAtcherBoi]

Slug is the best white rapper to ever do it. And one of the best to ever do it, period. Atmosphere’s catalog and consistency are insane. Them and People Under the Stairs are my favorites.

[@dillwillsybdotent]

dman the living legends on tour with hieroglyphics in 98 thats some epic cali underground shit!!

[@enigmaelixer4540]

Yo slugger I'm from southwestNM east side of Alamogordo NM. Found you in Albuquerque New Mexico in 1999....just seen this. Prob missed soundset don't kno.1 ☝

[@Jason5hope]

Wow this is crazy good

[@tannerlund5723]

watching this on computer at work.... at 22:56 threw my hands in the air

[@maxsiebler5864]

wild. this rules

[@lou4781]

Sean is the world's greatest rapper!!!!

[@codywichman213]

i wish Slug would tell us more meanings behind his music, like the song the river, or gods bathroom floor. if i could talk to him id ask about the meanings of lots of his songs.

[@harrisonpetley1508]

Great interview

[@positiveeffect3904]

So sad Eyedea never made it on this show.

[@jonanderson4474]

He made this one. kzbin.info/www/bejne/amGwcmOmoZyCl5I

[@curtishale4271]

I've seen multiple videos of slug in the last seven years and live in concert about four years ago, always the same hoodie lol

[@jonanderson4474]

If it ain't broke.

[@kuthiya]

slug is a beauty

[@keeshedtv]

Best interview ever.my favourite song is Gods Bathroom floor

[@illagen1]

LEGEND!!!!!

[@yeeeeeeeece]

Slug is the man!

[@MH-cj1gz]

So is Ant. His beat maker

[@davidleasterlingjr2038]

Slug could body anyone. Real spit

[@charlieel36]

Rip Eyedea

[@TopTierTealTippedSpears]

Deep Puddle Dynamics

[@MrGot2film]

Brilliant shit

[@silvermannnnnnn]

Quality shit, as always.

[@Thailur5194]

This man is my hero.

[@85zeitgeist]

Sway, I grew up with you and all, but let Slug say his peace! He rewrote the game with something that not a lot of people could dream of producing, much less bringing to the main stream ears. Weather its his skill, timing, fluidity, confidence, contingency, productivity......... He is one of many reasons a lot of people are into HipHop in the south that is usually ruled by 4 bar loops with 2 bar repeats douches just looking for handouts because of cool catch phrases. Atmosphere is and will ever be here for the evolution of hiphop!

[@reeceschrock396]

Can someone link the video slug talks about of him rapping in highschool?

[@daniel_belongs_to_christ]

That beat was special

[@tha3immortals]

shit got real at 9:46

[@moldyjames439]

Slug is the goat in my mind

[@gaminonya7599]

The woman sitting next to slug is wearing a pair of Pony's shoes. Man I have not seen a pair of Pony's in forever.

[@Emjaybee_]

he still gots it

[@MegaTreeBark]

I like how Sway needs to remind Slug to promote himself

[@musicfrendlii96]

They're using Sony MDR-V6's. Great studio headphones.

[@Vextos]

Rhymesayers on top.

[@fastenerpuller]

Slug has been through the ringer and never really seen the type of success that his talent should accord. How Minnesnowda is that? One thing that always "hurt" Slug (and the rest of the rhymesayers to some extent) was that he's WAY sicker live than on wax. I'm no expert, but I went to college in St. Paul in the 90s and the freestyle scene was BANANAS. Big up Slug.

[@drinkingpoolwater]

For sure, the indie hip-hop scene in Minneapolis was ridic in the late 90s/early 2000s.

[@lawrenceshdow]

not sure dude.. they do amazing. hes got like 4 albums that reached top 10 status. He's estimated worth like 7 million. I'd be happy as fuck with that. Obviously they don't get platinum level sales and shit but I think they have a strategy that will allow them to exist pretty much forever. BTW; sorry about the 2 year late response!

[@davidleasterlingjr2038]

Go back thru atmosphere catalogue. True veterans and trail blazers. Every album is classic. Ants beats are fire

[@illustratornamedkasper]

yes!!

[@milehighty91]

Wait Murs signed with strange music?

[@WreckageRecords]

DOPE!

[@pokerchip503]

That beat is ill!!! Sway, put it on five fingers!!!

[@Rispolikid]

Best fuckin interview. Sway is the best

[@jasondurenda6454]

Amazing artest. Alot of really good music

[@MHSstuds11]

Minnesota St.Paul Mpls Breeds some of the best emcees everrrr !! It's not that cold😏

[@cirosilva4146]

Born hated. Skyedro and Mista legacy! You should check them out