Atmosphere, joined by rap duo Blimes and Gab, brings the Party Over Here Tour to the world-famous SOMA in San Diego.
If you have never been to the world-famous SOMA in San Diego, it’s self-described as “a concert venue in the Midway neighborhood of San Diego, California, adjacent to the San Diego Sports Arena.” It has been described as San Diego’s “leading all-ages venue for punk and alternative-rock concerts.” But SOMA is much more culturally and musically rich than described. The converted cinema located in the corner of an aged strip mall is camouflaged by a number of boutique gyms and a kite store. Blink and you might miss it as you cruise the parking lot, much like the more glamorous and famous clubs on the Sunset Strip of Los Angeles such as The Whiskey, The Troubadour, and the Roxy. SOMA has hosted any number of up-and-coming and now mega superstar acts. SOMA is a special place in San Diego with a rich history, so it was fitting that influential hip-hop journeyman act Atmosphere made a stop at SOMA.
Joining Atmosphere on the Party Over Here Tour was the hip-hop duo Blimes and Gab. The rap duo comprising of Seattle MC Gifted Gab and San Francisco’s Blimes Brixton, gave an inspired set punctuated by their back-and-forth performance style. Introducing themselves as “Aunties Blimes and Gab,” they hit the stage firing on all cylinders, with their song “Feelin’ It” featured on Issa Rae’s hit HBO series Insecure. Blimes filled the role of the super confident bar-spitting MC, and Gab the blunt smoking golden voiced R&B singer and rapper. The super happy and positive Blimes and Gab constantly reached out and connected with their crowd. The duo was vibrant on stage and truly enjoyed the opportunity to play to the full house of over 1,000 people. Playing at a place like SOMA gave them the opportunity to create genuine connections with the audience.
The sold-out night belonged to the influential and seminal hip-hop group Atmosphere. Atmosphere, formed in 1995 in the Twin Cities, is touring their latest release “Sculpting With Fire.” The midwestern group is fronted by the 50-year-old lyrical poet and “rap dad,” Slug. The influence Sean “Slug” Daley has had is immediately recognizable, and truly astonishing. Slug’s lyrical storytelling has influenced younger MCs like the late Mac Miller, Kid Cudi, and giants like Kendrick Lamar and (dare we say) Ye.
During Atmosphere’s 90-minute set, master storyteller Slug, famous for his smart ass, self-deprecating humor, and unique story-weaving lyrical delivery style, straddled a sweaty urgency and effortless raps on stage. Slug’s rhymes tell the story of the everyman and the challenges of daily life, love, and topics most listeners relate to without the violence and misogyny. Often jumping from insight and observation to authentic wordplay, seasoned with honest emotional commentary. That everyman’s attitude is a huge part of Atmospheres appeal. Slug, who at this point in life truly looks like the dad next door, revels in his appearance. Daley works his appearance into their set, maximizing his midwestern blue collar appeal. In today’s beat-emphasized, chorus-heavy, repetitive, content-light flavor of mega-money hip-hop, Atmosphere flexes a muscle most in hip-hop artists can’t. Slug, whose lyrics are winding stories, has all his lyrics memorized, no iPads, teleprompters, or cheat notes on stage. A fact he pointed out to his audience when they got ahead of him singing along to a song, telling them he didn’t need any help, he knew all the words. Garnering a huge swell of cheers, Slug dedicated the song “God Loves Ugly” to “all the ugly people” at the show, and “all the beautiful people that are ugly on the inside.” Atmosphere tore though a rousing version of “F’@k You Lucy,” Slug’s tale of a love lost and the ensuing anger and emotional fallout felt after. Each song drew Slug and his audience closer and closer as the show grew to a crescendo of a freestyle finale.
Any fan of hip-hop, even casual fan, would be impressed with the Atmosphere live experience. The Atmosphere live show is memorable and tailored for a place like SOMA. Those lucky enough to be there saw one of hip-hop’s influential OGs in full flight and at their best.
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