Show Preview: Atmosphere w/B. Dolan, Dem Atlas, and DJ Adatrak @ Echostage (Thur. May 2)
–Written by Kevin Madert
While spring has struggled to shake the persevering grasp of winter, I’ve struggled to maintain my composure in the lead-up to May 2. Between this recent bout of cooler weather and my steadily rising anticipation for Atmosphere’s Echostage debut this coming Saturday, neither I nor spring seem to be succeeding. The Minnesota-based duo is bringing the Fortunate Tour to the nation’s capital with B. Dolan, Dem Atlas, and DJ Adatrak along for the ride.
If you aren’t in the loop, Atmosphere is one part Slug and one part Ant. Slug is the pseudonym of rapper Sean Daley, who’s spent close to two decades putting pen to paper and spit to mic with some of the most intricate imagery and relatable rhymes hip-hop has seen this side of the new millennium. Ant is short for Anthony Davis, Daley’s long-time production partner. Odds are when Slug is laying down verses Ant is providing a hard-charging backbeat.
Atmosphere – Shoulda Known
The duo’s ceaseless touring and massive back catalog have combined to make Atmosphere a popular part of the alternative hip-hop scene, and their humble attitude has garnered them the respect of an ever-widening fanbase. When they felt no label was right for them, they started their own – Rhymesayers Entertainment came into being in 1995 and has since seen acts like MF Doom, Aesop Rock, and Grieves join its roster. They saw the Midwest as an underrepresented locale for hip-hop gatherings, and they filled the gap – now in its eighth year, Soundset Festival brings the biggest names in the genre to Atmosphere’s home state for a massive Memorial Day party. They even opened a record store in a time when most of them are shutting their doors – Fifth Element has been peddling music and music accessories in Minneapolis since 1999. Slug and Ant are the rare pair that can say “we play this music for the fans” and then back it up by shaking hands with every person in line before a sold-out show. Take notes whack rappers; this is how you do it.
Atmosphere – Fortunate (Official Video)
Atmosphere doesn’t hit the road without talented support in tow. As such it’s no surprise to see Rhode Island native B. Dolan & recent Rhymesayers signee Dem Atlas slated to warm up the crowd. DJ Adatrak rounds out the bill, opening the night with a solo set in addition to backing up Dem Atlas.
East coaster B. Dolan started his career as a spoken word artist, winning a number of slam poetry contests in the early 2000s. While he’s distanced himself from that since – “you need to get the hell out before you become some asshole who wins the poetry slam for the tenth year in a row,” he told the Boston Phoenix – he’s turned his wordsmithery into an admirable career in hip-hop. Signed to Sage Francis’ Strange Famous Records since 2005, Dolan has toured nationally and released two studio albums + a bevy of mixtapes and EPs; a third full-length, Kill The Wolf, is out July 10.
B. Dolan – The Devil is Alive
Ohio-born and Minnesota raised, Dem Atlas is a relative newcomer to the alt-hip-hop scene. Not that you would know it from his confidence in studio or his infectious stage presence. I last caught Atmosphere at a near-capacity Rams Head Live in Baltimore, another show Dem Atlas was tapped to open. He was little more than a blur, working the crowd with the ease of a born performer without once dropping the wide grin plastered across his face. That exuberance should play well in the expansive confines of Echostage; be sure to show up on time to see for yourself.
Dem Atlas – All We Got
Tickets for Atmosphere w/B. Dolan, Dem Atlas, & DJ Adatrak at Echostage on Saturday, May 2 are moving fast; you can grab yours here.
Connect with Atmosphere: (Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Rhymesayers Soundcloud)
Connect with B. Dolan: (Facebook / Twitter / Soundcloud / Official Site)