In a time like this, when you turn on MTV or VH1, or flip through your favorite music magazine, maybe Rolling Stone or Spin, and see the choices of popular hip-hop/rap groups that are forced down your throat at nausea; you may feel disgusted at what rap has become since the early 90s. Lets take the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards for example. The nominees included: 50 cent ft. Snoop Dogg & G-Unit, D12 & Ammonium, Jay-Z, Lil Jon & The Eastside Boys, Ludacris, Black Eyed Peas, Chingy, Nelly, Outkast and Kanye West. This list was nearly enough to make me gag, aside from Outkast and maybe Black Eyed Peas. MTV has proved to me that the glory days of conscious songwriters in popular hip-hop music are long gone. I'm just so embarrassed for the people that listen to this crap. I tell people I'm a fan of hip-hop music, and they automatically assume I like the crap mentioned above. Maybe I need to be more specific. I'm a fan of old school hip-hop, underground rap and the entire Rhymesayers crew. As far as I'm concerned, the underground is all that is keeping this genre alive and kicking.
I was introduced to "Seven's Travels" from a friend of mine. I was pleasantly surprised with the first track, "Trying To Find A Balance". From there on, it was just realization after realization about how good this album actually is. "Slug" is one of the best vocalists I've heard in several years. His lyrics are so down to earth, charismatic, and vulnerable. Atmosphere could have went with a larger label, since they have exploded in the underground in the past couple of years. I'm happy to see them stick with Epitaph, one of my favorite labels. Besides, several of these songs convey messages about how corporate labels suck ("National Disgrace"). I can hardly see any of these songs getting a lot of radio play; which is sad, considering we have been brainwashed to think that way. Other standout tracks include: "Reflections," "Apple," "Cats Van Bags," "Shoes," "Liquor Lyles Cool July," "Good Times (Sick Pimpin')" and the last track, including the hidden track "Always Coming Back Home to You". The hidden track, an ode to the Midwest, mainly Minnesota has sentimental value to me. It makes me feel proud that a quality group like Atmosphere comes from the same town as I do.
After several listens to this album, convinced that this is one of the finest albums in new hip-hop music, I decided to research some other Rhymesayers/Epitaph artists. Since then I've discovered "Eyedea & Abilities" and "Brother Ali", and they have since become my favorites. Aside from the new "Beastie Boys" album, "Atmosphere" has nearly single handedly reinstilled my faith in hip-hop music. It's an experience that every hip-hop lover should experience.
