Name: Word?
Brand: Atmosphere

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

RSE330CD

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

4 Panel Colour Digipack.

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Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2021-10-08

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

0826257033024

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Total Cap

1 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

RSE330LP

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Black

Download code: Yes

Housed in Gatefold Sleeve.

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0826257033017

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2 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No / black

Artist

Atmosphere

Genre GB

Hip Hop

Label GB

Rhymesayers Entertainment

Atmosphere is an American hip hop group hailing from Minneapolis, Minnesota. The group currently consists of Slug (Sean Daley) and A.N.T. (Anthony Davis). With their unique blend of introspective lyrics and soulful beats, Atmosphere has become a staple in the underground hip hop scene. Known for their raw and honest storytelling, their music resonates with fans on a deep level. Whether they're addressing personal struggles or societal issues, Atmosphere's music always leaves a lasting impact. Explore their catalog today and experience the power of their artistry.
Since forming in the late 1990s, Atmosphere has released numerous critically acclaimed albums that have solidified their place in hip hop history. Their discography includes iconic tracks such as "Sunshine," "Trying to Find a Balance," and "Yesterday." Each song showcases Slug's lyrical prowess and A.N.T.'s skillful production.
Over the years, Atmosphere has toured extensively, captivating audiences around the world with their energetic live performances. Their stage presence is unmatched as they effortlessly engage with fans, creating an intimate connection that transcends traditional concert experiences.

Rhymesayers Entertainment is an underground hip-hop label based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Founded by Sean "Slug" Daley of Atmosphere and Brent "Siddiq" Sayers, the label has been a driving force in the hip-hop scene since its inception. With a focus on showcasing talented artists and pushing boundaries, Rhymesayers has become synonymous with quality music.
Known for their unique sound and thought-provoking lyrics, Rhymesayers artists have gained a loyal following worldwide. The label's releases are highly regarded within the industry and have received critical acclaim from both fans and critics alike.
With an impressive roster of artists including Atmosphere, Brother Ali, Aesop Rock, and many more, Rhymesayers continues to be at the forefront of independent hip-hop. Their dedication to authenticity and artistic integrity sets them apart from other labels in the industry.

Following their last release, The Day Before Halloween—an imaginative, distorted-synth-driven concept album—Atmosphere returns with a refreshing new project, simply titled Word? Steering back toward their signature sound, the album further highlights producer Ant’s undeniable talents as the project leans into the classic boom-bap aesthetic, bringing a unique energy out of Slug’s wisdom, wit and delivery. From onset, Word? proves to be every bit an exercise in refining and advancing their craft as it is a harkening to earlier work. That is, while their releases have grown more broodingly cinematic, and increasingly concerned with the human condition and mortality, Word? manages to reintroduce moments of levity and lightheartedness throughout, an approach seldom heard on their albums of late.

From album opener “Fleetwood,” with its razor-sharp snares and warm fleshy bassline, to the resonant melody of “Clocked”, there are strong hints of Atmosphere’s nascent years within the sound. Meanwhile, songs like “Woes”, “Strung” and “Vanish” cheerfully make light of daily hardships, but they’re more likely to be remembered for making listeners want to bob their heads and sing along. With Slug and Ant directing the course, the album plays like a joyride through a range of experiences and emotions, with an extensive cast of special guests hopping in and out along the way, including Evidence, Muja Messiah, Musab, Nino Bless, Nikki Jean, Anwar HighSign, BlackLiq, Sa-Roc, Haphduzn, Lateef the Truthspeaker, Aesop Rock, and the late MF Doom (RIP). The result is a project that feels like it came from the era or, perhaps more fittingly, the mindset that created albums like God Loves Ugly, Seven’s Travels, or the popular Sad Clown series, while sounding as polished and perfected as more recent albums like Mi Vida Local or Whenever. 

Ultimately, Word? pairs the breadth of Atmosphere’s talents with the beauty of their growth, all while showing they still have a lot of fun in the process and don’t mind letting the listener in on the fun as well.

Word?

Music GB

Buy Atmosphere - Word? (Vinyl, CD) now from Rough Trade - independent purveyors of great music, since 1976.