Mistah Rapsey is my name..
staying underground is the experience..

I’ve been traveling since my youth searching for experiences of truth. An old soul back again to discover what I left uncovered. I love to love and live to laugh. Enrolled in a school called Knowledge of Self. Paying attention is my drug. Learning to live Life like music and flow with the rhythm, careful not to miss a beat. A renaissance man, Life is my art project. An habitual nomad, I roam to evolve. Music and cannabis are my constant companions. Interested in people, i’m always searching for my tribe. The beauty of the wilderness is the closest i’ve come to experiencing Truth.

music, graffiti, vinyl, treeplanting, & mixtapes..

Love is an Action. Love is the Answer. Love is the Movement.

Sunday Evening Tea and LP! Atmosphere (Slug & Ant)are one of the artists that have remained on constant rotation since i first heard the duo back when i was thirteen.  I will keep this short because i am going to do an ‘Artist that Changed My Life’ piece on them. Anyway i have been listening to the  God Loves Ugly LP all day, it is possibly my favourite Atmosphere album simply because of the amount of classic songs on it.  Lyrically Slug was incredible, there are way to many quotable’s to mention.  My fav tracks are Godlovesugly, Fuck You Lucy, Lovelife and Modern Man’s Hustle. Song: God Loves Ugly Artist: Atmosphere Album: God Loes Loves Ugly

Sunday Evening Tea and LP!

Atmosphere (Slug & Ant)are one of the artists that have remained on constant rotation since i first heard the duo back when i was thirteen.  I will keep this short because i am going to do an ‘Artist that Changed My Life’ piece on them.

Anyway i have been listening to the  God Loves Ugly LP all day, it is possibly my favourite Atmosphere album simply because of the amount of classic songs on it.  Lyrically Slug was incredible, there are way to many quotable’s to mention.  My fav tracks are Godlovesugly, Fuck You Lucy, Lovelife and Modern Man’s Hustle.

Song: God Loves Ugly

Artist: Atmosphere

Album: God Loes Loves Ugly

Atmosphere headlines Soundset 2010 

While Atmosphere may have been quiet the last few months they definitely haven’t been idle. They’ve been busy recording an EP to coincide with the release of long time friend and Atmosphere documentarian Dan Monick’s book. The book spans over seven years of Atmosphere history and will be available later this fall. Slug talks about the two projects on RSE Radio which you can listen to over at Rhymesayers.com/Radio. Speaking of RSE Radio you can now catch Slug every Saturday night from 9PM-11PM CST on RSE Radio as he joins Siddiq to co-host each week. Tune in to 90.3FM Minneapolis & 106.7FM St. Paul or you can listen online at KFAI.org

The band added two new members to the family recently. Slug welcomed his new son into the world and Erick the keyboard player is now the proud father of a baby girl!

Keep your eyes peeled for Slug & Ant’s most recent business venture in the Mall of America. The MC, DJ duo is embarking on a delicious journey into the world of the hamburger stand so stay tuned for more updates on that front!

While we have your attention check out some live footage of Atmosphere performing “Sunshine” from Soundset ‘09.

Watch “Sunshine”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VYqEr96aUk

You can catch Atmosphere headlining the main stage at Soundset Sunday, May 30th this is their first performance of the year so you won’t want to miss it!

[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

Soul Position // Things Go Better With RJ & AL

Soul Position is an American hip hop duo hailing from Columbus, Ohio, consisting of DJ/producer RJD2 and rapper Blueprint. They have released two albums and one EP on Rhymesayers Entertainment.

Real talk!

Atmosphere // the Best Day

Our friend, artist & sexy merch guy Isaac took photos on tour of our friends. We took those photos and made this video for “Best Day” off the new double ep To All My Friends, Blood Makes The Blade Holy. If you haven’t picked up a copy yet make sure you grab it from Fifth Element, your local indy music store, iTunes or Amazon.

New video from Rhymesayers..

Brother Ali // Breakin’ Dawn

Brother Ali & Rhymesayers bring you “Breakin’ Dawn” the second official video off of Ali’s latest album Us.

Seven Years With Atmosphere & Rhymesayers (book) The Minneapolis-based record label Rhymesayers and its groundbreaking group Atmosphere have become one of the most powerful forces in independent hip hop today. Photographer Dan Monick has traveled with the musicians and rappers from Rhymesayers and Atmosphere on and off for the better part of a decade. He’s documented a wide swath of territory from the fans to the shows and illuminated behind-the-scenes photos of the artists being themselves. Monick likens the Rhymesayers work ethic to the DIY punk rock approach that he experienced playing in bands. Includes a 15 track Rhymesayers compilation CD featuring songs from the seven year period the photos were taken. (pre order your book @ Fifth Element)

Seven Years With Atmosphere & Rhymesayers (book)

The Minneapolis-based record label Rhymesayers and its groundbreaking group Atmosphere have become one of the most powerful forces in independent hip hop today.
Photographer Dan Monick has traveled with the musicians and rappers from Rhymesayers and Atmosphere on and off for the better part of a decade. He’s documented a wide swath of territory from the fans to the shows and illuminated behind-the-scenes photos of the artists being themselves. Monick likens the Rhymesayers work ethic to the DIY punk rock approach that he experienced playing in bands. Includes a 15 track Rhymesayers compilation CD featuring songs from the seven year period the photos were taken.

(pre order your book @ Fifth Element)

Copyright Criminals (trailer)

A documentary about digital samplings head-on collision with copyright law, features many of hip-hop musics celebrated figures—including Public Enemy, De La Soul, the Beastie Boys, and Digital Underground—as well as emerging artists from record labels Definitive Jux, Rhymesayers, Ninja Tune, and more. The documentary also provides an in-depth look at artists who have been sampled, such as former James Brown drummer Clyde Stubblefield, as well as commentary by another highly sampled musician, funk legend George Clinton.

bueller: If you haven’t heard the great news, Jay Electronica has signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation imprint-label things (I actually don’t know if it’s a label or a pretty sticker on the back of an album, kinda like G.O.O.D. Music.) and me being me I’m not thrilled, not one bit. Why? A lot of reasons, but mainly…. Whats the last great rap artist Jay-Z signed? Kanye? NO I think Dame signed Kanye. Nas? Yup Hip Hop is Dead is a classic (read that in your most sarcastic voice) Memphis Bleek? I’ll let you make your own punchline for that one. Pittsburgh Slim? You have no idea who that is. Jay even dropped the ball on Joe Budden, while I’m not a fan of dude, he’s still a solid rapper. Jay-Z has a great ear for talent but that talent is in the pop genre (Rihanna, Ne-Yo…..), where it’s damn easy to get on the radio. Rappers need radio (unless your Kanye or Jay-Z), no one knows who you are if your not on the radio, because Internet nerds don’t buy albums, word to Wale.  Now I know what your saying “Radio & album sales don’t make you a good rapper.” True but it does help you sustain a career which is the reason you do sign a deal, which is why Drake is touring and Wale is doing whatever he’s doing right now.  For all I know Jay doesn’t even know what to do with J.Cole. The kid single handily shut down the internet and you can’t get his album out? Now your taking on Jay Electronica a dude known for flaking on projects? I’m still a little upset I haven’t heard Dear Moleskin. I just don’t see it.  But at the same time I hope for the best, maybe they could prove me & other doubters wrong.  (Sorry D.C. for the shots at Wale, just seems like an easy target.)  I won’t hate on Jay Electronica for signing with Roc Nation, but I don’t think it was the best move for a few reasons.  Turn on the radio, turn on BET, listen to the “music” for a 15 minutes, listen to it for 12 hours.  Do you hear anyone that sounds like Jay Electronica? Does anyone’s lyrics talk about anything of substance? I can tell you the answer, it’s NO!  They will not play you if you don’t fit a formula that they are allowed to market  So that means no more Jay Electronica songs over 3 or 4 minutes, no more interesting beats, no more songs talking about anything of substance, because they don’t allow that on the radio or tv. He is not going to be marketed to the mainstream, he isn’t going to get that type of shine.  So why is he on a major label?  I don’t see the benefit of it. Remember Atmosphere last album, When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold debuted at number 4 on the U.S. Billboard 200.  That album didn’t have half the anticipation that Jay Electronica has for Act II.  Rhymesayers has the distribution and the marketing to give him sales and allow him to create any type of music he wants.  It seems it would a better choice for him to stay independent. While we are on the topic of Roc Nation, I have a couple for questions for Jay-Z that I would like an answer to. Where the fuck is my Peedi Crakk album?  It was going to be called Prince of the Roc! You telling me you can’t even market that? Peedi Crakk is fyre!

bueller:

If you haven’t heard the great news, Jay Electronica has signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation imprint-label things (I actually don’t know if it’s a label or a pretty sticker on the back of an album, kinda like G.O.O.D. Music.) and me being me I’m not thrilled, not one bit.

Why? A lot of reasons, but mainly….

Whats the last great rap artist Jay-Z signed?

Kanye? NO I think Dame signed Kanye. Nas? Yup Hip Hop is Dead is a classic (read that in your most sarcastic voice) Memphis Bleek? I’ll let you make your own punchline for that one. Pittsburgh Slim? You have no idea who that is. Jay even dropped the ball on Joe Budden, while I’m not a fan of dude, he’s still a solid rapper. Jay-Z has a great ear for talent but that talent is in the pop genre (Rihanna, Ne-Yo…..), where it’s damn easy to get on the radio. Rappers need radio (unless your Kanye or Jay-Z), no one knows who you are if your not on the radio, because Internet nerds don’t buy albums, word to Wale. 

Now I know what your saying “Radio & album sales don’t make you a good rapper.” True but it does help you sustain a career which is the reason you do sign a deal, which is why Drake is touring and Wale is doing whatever he’s doing right now. 

For all I know Jay doesn’t even know what to do with J.Cole. The kid single handily shut down the internet and you can’t get his album out? Now your taking on Jay Electronica a dude known for flaking on projects? I’m still a little upset I haven’t heard Dear Moleskin. I just don’t see it. 

But at the same time I hope for the best, maybe they could prove me & other doubters wrong. 

(Sorry D.C. for the shots at Wale, just seems like an easy target.) 

I won’t hate on Jay Electronica for signing with Roc Nation, but I don’t think it was the best move for a few reasons. 

Turn on the radio, turn on BET, listen to the “music” for a 15 minutes, listen to it for 12 hours. 

Do you hear anyone that sounds like Jay Electronica? Does anyone’s lyrics talk about anything of substance?

I can tell you the answer, it’s NO!  They will not play you if you don’t fit a formula that they are allowed to market  So that means no more Jay Electronica songs over 3 or 4 minutes, no more interesting beats, no more songs talking about anything of substance, because they don’t allow that on the radio or tv. He is not going to be marketed to the mainstream, he isn’t going to get that type of shine.  So why is he on a major label?  I don’t see the benefit of it.

Remember Atmosphere last album, When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold debuted at number 4 on the U.S. Billboard 200.  That album didn’t have half the anticipation that Jay Electronica has for Act II.  Rhymesayers has the distribution and the marketing to give him sales and allow him to create any type of music he wants.  It seems it would a better choice for him to stay independent.

While we are on the topic of Roc Nation, I have a couple for questions for Jay-Z that I would like an answer to.

Where the fuck is my Peedi Crakk album?  It was going to be called Prince of the Roc! You telling me you can’t even market that? Peedi Crakk is fyre!

[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

Brother Ali // Star Quality

Ali was lyrically murderous on Shadows of the Sun.  He still comes hard but this album he came haaaaaaaaaaaard!

“My styles a little belligerent, isn’t it?
Considerin that i’m belittlin’ them, with little more then
My pad and my pen and my sediments
Weither its your chorus scratching, or wack track blasting,
Your whole approach to rapping, is ass crack backwards
Cats’ll see me in the spot and act salty
Stressing you save hip hop, you can’t even save a wack party..”

Blueprint // Radio-Inactive

Critically acclaimed mc/producer and Soul Position frontman Blueprint, returns with his highly anticipated sophomore solo release Adventures in Counter-Culture. Experimenting with synths, keyboards, and drum machines, Adventures in Counter-Culture touches on Blueprint’s cynicism with the world, his disdain for pop culture, the state of politics and an apathetic, uninspired society. The album encompasses every facet of music Blueprint knows. It blurs genre lines and connects his hip hop pedigree with his early days in the church choir, to the R&B bands he was a part of in high school, to his new found interest in rock and electronic music.

After a five year musical journey, Blueprint has emerged with his greatest effort to date. A culmination of self discovery and societal critique, Adventures in Counter-Culture is just that. The adventure begins March 1st, 2011.

If your not up on Blueprint use a few minutes to experience this music video..

The Adventures of Blueprint: Episode 1 - The story of “Radio-Inactive”

I found this episode a great behind the scenes perspective of a real artists encounter with the idiots of commercial radio. 

[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
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Evidence // Line Of Scrimmage ft. Slug

Slug has always been one of my favorites, and I grew up listening to Dilated Peoples but I don’t think it was until Evidence signed to Rhymesayers that I realized how dope a rapper he is.

“win some, you just lost one though
defend what i love, don’t give a fuck the drum’s slow
i’m an eagle, fuck par for the course
your little birdies seek peace but ain’t planned for war”

-Evidence

This February, Rhymesayers bring you a first of its kind, five day tour with Atmosphere through their home state of Minnesota. Joined by friends DJ Abilities, Prof, Los Nativos and Mr. Gene Poole (select dates) the tour starts February 22nd in Mankato and makes subsequent stops in Bemidji, St. Cloud, Rochester & Duluth. Tickets for every show except Duluth are now on sale. Tickets for Duluth go on sale Monday, January 31st. 02.22 - Mankato, MN @ MNSU Ballroom ^ | Sold Out! 02.23 - Bemidji, MN @ Sanford Center Ballroom ^ | Buy Tickets 02.24 - St. Cloud, MN @ Atwood Ballroom (SCSU) ^ | Sold Out! 02.25 - Rochester, MN @ May Civic Center Auditorium | Buy Tickets 02.26 - Duluth, MN @ Romano Gymnasium (UMD) | On Sale 1/31

This February, Rhymesayers bring you a first of its kind, five day tour with Atmosphere through their home state of Minnesota. Joined by friends DJ Abilities, Prof, Los Nativos and Mr. Gene Poole (select dates) the tour starts February 22nd in Mankato and makes subsequent stops in Bemidji, St. Cloud, Rochester & Duluth. Tickets for every show except Duluth are now on sale. Tickets for Duluth go on sale Monday, January 31st.

02.22 - Mankato, MN @ MNSU Ballroom ^ | Sold Out!
02.23 - Bemidji, MN @ Sanford Center Ballroom ^ | Buy Tickets
02.24 - St. Cloud, MN @ Atwood Ballroom (SCSU) ^ | Sold Out!
02.25 - Rochester, MN @ May Civic Center Auditorium | Buy Tickets
02.26 - Duluth, MN @ Romano Gymnasium (UMD) | On Sale 1/31

Blueprint // Keep Bouncing

Blueprint is creating the type of art i expect to see lots more of in 2011.

Official Video for “Keep Bouncing” off of “Adventures in Counter Culture” dropping April 5th, 2011. Shot, edited, & directed by Optical Alchemists: http://opticalalchemists.com

Atmosphere Announce New Album On April 12, the Minneapolis indie-rap powerhouse Atmosphere will release their new album The Family Sign, via Rhymesayers. It’s the duo’s first proper album since 2008’s When Life Give You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold, though they released the album-length double EP To All My Friends, Blood Makes the Blade Holy last year. In addition to MC Slug and producer Ant, the album also features contributions from keyboardist Erick Anderson and guitarist Nate Collis. (via pitchfork) Atmosphere - Minnesota Nice feat. Felipe Cuauhtli, Prof, Mr. Gene Poole by rhymesayers

Atmosphere Announce New Album

On April 12, the Minneapolis indie-rap powerhouse Atmosphere will release their new album The Family Sign, via Rhymesayers. It’s the duo’s first proper album since 2008’s When Life Give You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold, though they released the album-length double EP To All My Friends, Blood Makes the Blade Holy last year. In addition to MC Slug and producer Ant, the album also features contributions from keyboardist Erick Anderson and guitarist Nate Collis.

(via pitchfork)

Atmosphere - Minnesota Nice feat. Felipe Cuauhtli, Prof, Mr. Gene Poole by rhymesayers