Veteran underground hip-hop duo Atmosphere returns with “Virgo,” the promo single from the duo’s ninth studio album, ‘Mi Vida Local.’

“I get it, we’re specks of dust, at the bus stop busking for extra crust / Like f**k it, you can sacrifice me to the weather / If you promise that you’ll let my songs live forever.” It’s hard to believe that Minneapolis, Minnesota underground hip-hop duo Atmosphere (Slug and Ant) have been around since the 90s.  That is the case, with both members of the duo firmly planted in middle age.  Rapper Slug is currently 45, while DJ and producer Ant is 47.  The duo returns with their ninth studio album, Mi Vida Local, on October 5, 2018.  Despite the excellence of an earlier single, “Make it All Better Again”, it fails to appear on Mi Vida Local.  That’s not the case with “Virgo,” which serves as the promo single from the project.

“I pledge allegiance to myself / Food, shelter, and health / Let me find a beach full of seashells to sell / Put your oxygen mask on first before you offer me help.” For Slug, it’s all verses (two) and hook on “Virgo.” ‘Course, has Atmosphere ever required a hook to be effective? Nope, and that’s the case once again on “Virgo.” Backed by rhythmic guitar and haunting keyboard (synth), it’s the perfect, minimalist backdrop for Slug to drop some sick lines.  Unsurprisingly, he thinks big and goes deeper with his poetic, reflective, wise rhymes.  On the second verse he spits, “Lower the arrow and take a breath / I won’t waste ammo aiming at the angel of death / I might have already left, but they hear me still / With my pale knuckle grip on this steering wheel.”

Final Thoughts 

For Atmosphere, “Virgo” encompasses social and political issues, and self-awareness.  Throughout, Slug often references to himself, and how he fits into a crazy world now and potentially when he’s gone.  It’s the perfect record for any underground rapper, specifically a vet like Slug. Ant complements superbly with reserved, yet chilling production work.

Atmosphere • Mi Vida Local • Rhymesayers Entertainment • Release: 10.05.18

Photo Credit: Rhymesayers Entertainment