Atmosphere, the hip-hop duo from Minnesota comprised of Sean “Slug” Daley and Anthony “Ant” Davis, have been hitting our ear drums for twenty plus years. In speaking with Slug, he reflected on how the art of Atmosphere has evolved. “Ego is something I have had to learn to deal with. In the beginning ego was riding shotgun in the car, sometimes even the driver. Now it is scaled back.” At the age of 44, Slug continues to pump lyrics that lead you to reflect on life and keep searching.

In 2016, Atmosphere released their studio album “Fishing Blues”, where Slug was surprised how “a lot of people on social media interpreted this album as a retirement album, as in we’re gone fishing. I have no intentions of retiring ever.” Hip-hop heads everywhere should take delight in knowing this. The album has some true gems, including the under appreciated track “Perfect”, which can be put on loop to help you with your resolutions this new year. With Atmosphere, Slug shares, “we have never tried to announce our presence as pushing the envelope or bending the rules, we take what our predecessors did, and kind of build on top of that. I am proud that we are an extension of our heroes, to the point we are now peers.”

February 25, 2016 is the last time Atmosphere was in Houston when they were on their “Welcome To Texas” tour. For those who came early, concert goers are sure to remember the bars of Brother Ali, which Slug mentions that “his new album is in the can, it should be dropping sometime this year”. Reflecting on the tour, Slug shared “Not to knock other places, but Texas truly is a great place to be. If I can’t handle the Minnesota winters when I get older, who knows I might come down here.” If this ever happens, the Texas soundscape will never be the same, for the better.

Atmosphere will be at House of Blues Sunday January 22, along with Brother Ali, deM atlaS, Plain Ole Bill, and DJ Last Word.