For over two decades, Atmosphere has maintained a course of rigorous output, releasing over two dozen studio albums, EP's and collaborative side projects in as many years. In that time, the venerated duo have built a legacy out of bringing honesty, humility and vulnerability to the forefront of their music, continually challenging themselves to evolve without straying too far from their roots. Slug has proven masterful at storytelling and writing compelling narratives, leaving a trail of his own influence while paying homage to the rappers and songwriters that helped shape him. Ant has skillfully molded the soundtracks with inspiration from soul, funk, rock, reggae, and the wizardry of hip-hop's pioneering DJ's and producers, creating his own trademark sounds while providing the pulse for songs about life, love, stress and setbacks. At its essence, Atmosphere has been a musical shepherd, and with each new album comes a new journey as they guide generations of listeners through this thing called life.

We’re not going to talk about how Imani, Slimkid3, and Fatlip created two of the  most classic back-to-back Hip Hop albums in the 1990’s as The Pharcyde (Bizarre  Ride II: The Pharcyde and Labcabincalifornia). 

We’re not going to talk about how The Pharcyde was one of the most popular Hip  Hop acts of that era nor are we going to talk about the necessary lineup changes  needed to move forward. 

No. We’re going to talk about where they are now and how Imani, Slimkid3, and  Fatlip made what was once only a dream finally come true. Officially reunited as  The Pharcyde, the talented West Coast trio is preparing to embark on a three week spring European Tour in March, Australian Tour in June & Asia Tour in  November.  

But before that was even a possibility, Imani had to go through some spiritual  transformations that took him to a place of forgiveness and acceptance. After all,  in 2015 interview, IMANI said it would essentially take an act if God for him to  reunite with Slimkid3 and Fatlip, who’d been performing as Bizarre Ride following  The Pharcyde’s split. But after the death of his grandmother, life looked different. 

“That’s just really what it was, just to keep it real.” IMANI says. “I was dealing  with issues inside my own head, and thought it was the world, but it was inside  my own mind. I created my own demons. “I asked myself, ‘What do you want if  you don’t have to worry about what anybody else wants or to make anybody else  happy?’ And the first thing that came up to me, the universe said, ‘You got to  make it right with your brothers.’ And the universe didn’t say, “Make music with  them.” It said, ‘Make it right.’” 

And that’s precisely what we did. The Pharcyde is currently working on new music  and a 30th anniversary project to commemorate the release of Bizarre Ride II. A limited-edition producer’s tape was released on January 22nd, 2020 (digitally  available April 2nd, 2022, through “Spear of the Nation” artist’s pages) featuring  The Pharcyde, Wu-Tang Clan luminary Inspectah Deck and more. Executive  produced by Spear of the Nation, the tape kicks off yet another colorful chapter in  IMANI, Slimkid3, and Fatlip’s story, one that’s just beginning. 

Growing up in a family of artists, Gregory Keltgen (aka DJ Abilities) had early ambitions of working in the visual medium, but it wasn't until he discovered Hip-Hop that he’d found an art form that he truly identified with, and he immersed himself in all aspects of the culture. However, after trying his hand at B-Boying, MCing, and even drawing graffiti-inspired comics, Abilities ultimately gravitated toward the turntables, becoming a DJ at age 17. He soon found himself deeply embedded in the Hip-Hop scenes of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, linking up with friends and future-collaborators who would become the foundation of Rhymesayers Entertainment, and it wasn’t long before he established a name for himself.

After only two short years of intense practice on the turntables, DJ Abilities went on to compete in the legendary DMC DJ competitions in 1999. He won the regional title and advanced to the U.S. finals that year, before doing it again in 2001. Soon after, Abilities was also garnering attention for performing all the scratches on El-P’s classic debut, Fantastic Damage, as well as contributing his turntable talents and production skills to other cult favorites like The Anti-Album by Semi.Official, and The Taste of Rain… Why Kneel? by Deep Puddle Dynamics, among others. But above all, his name would become most celebrated throughout the 2000’s as one-half of the dynamic Hip-Hop duo Eyedea & Abilities.

DJ Abilities had first met Micheal “Eyedea” Larsen in the mid-90’s, and the two soon began a working relationship that would eventually play a prominent role in the burgeoning Indie-Rap movement of the time. Together, the pair developed a near symbiotic creative union that produced three albums—First Born; E&A; and By The Throat—a catalog animated by the burning fusion of Eyedea’s introspective and technically adept rhymes with Abilities’ precise scratches and versatile production. Tragically, his partner Eyedea passed away in 2010 leaving Abilities to soldier on by himself, but the influence of their partnership continues to shape DJ Abilities’ music to this day.

His latest project, Phonograph Phoenix, finds the DJ/Producer returning to the forefront and embracing an entirely new approach to making music. A departure from previous work that was primarily sample-based, Phonograph Phoenix finds Abilities opting to build the album’s compositions from the ground up, creating his own sound through Ableton Live and enveloping synths, with razor sharp cuts and select vocal chops providing a voice where his fallen partner may have once stood.

Abilities’ new production techniques breathe an awakening essence into Phonograph Phoenix, whether that’s in the deep, cavernous bass and funky drum loops of “Worldwide”, the gorgeous atmospheric synths he conjures on “Waves”, or the sinister head-nodding groove of “The Badman” with its vulnerable-but-not-self-pitying vocal samples. Throughout its creation, Abilities sought to remain as truthful as possible, ensuring that each song held qualifying meaning and that the album on a whole made a definitive statement. The process inspired Abilities to dig deep and pull up some heavy, heartfelt beats and, speaking with his hands as all great turntablists do, he used this space to address grief, loss, and his own personal shortcomings, all while making room for hope and optimism.

Aaron "Abstract Rude" Pointer is an American hip-hop artist, event presenter, audiobook narrator and hip-hop documentary filmmaker from Los Angeles, CA. He has released over twenty albums, appeared in four hip-hop documentaries on Netflix, MAX & Amazon, and has been a quoted source in four published university Hip-Hop educational textbooks. As an event presenter or headliner, Abstract Rude has rocked thousands of shows all over the globe. 
Rude's distinct voice, vast catalog and performing prowess has established him as a trusted icon and innovative leader in hip-hop culture. He has been a full time franchise player in the music business since the mid nineties.
 

The artist currently known as HEBL, St. Paul based DJ and turntablist Plain Ole Bill started as a bedroom DJ turned record store clerk, turned club DJ, spending decades building a reputation as one of the Twin Cities’ most respected selectors and live performance DJs. Scratching his first records in the late 90s and DJing since 1999, Bill developed his style through marathon club nights, underground hip hop rooms, and years immersed in the culture from every angle. Known for his precision cuts, scratches, mixes, and live effects work, his sets blend technical turntablism with the instincts of a seasoned crowd controller.

Over the course of his career, Plain Ole Bill has spent the last 13 years on the road with Atmosphere, helping soundtrack clubs, theaters, and festivals across the world while becoming a staple of Twin Cities nightlife and independent hip hop culture. Whether performing in clubs, supporting live acts, or crafting deeply curated DJ sets, he continues to carry the spirit of a lifelong record digger with a deep love for technical DJing and the endurance of a touring veteran.