Atmosphere

"Beautiful"

"Beautiful"



Beautiful is how we know you though
Rebel, rebel, for all your people
Until the talons of the bald eagle
Reach out and rip the back of your head off leaving your skull peaceful
Beautiful is how we know you though
We were all taught to root for the underdogs
One nation under got complex
No wonder we all wanna watch 'em undercover cops
Beautiful is how we know you though
So beautiful, so upset
Came from a place that bred success
So shame on the grass on that side of the fence
Beautiful is how we know you though
Guess daddy didn't hold you enough
I ain't saying that you never had to struggle for a buck
Or some luck or some love, motherfucker join the club
Beautiful is how we know you though
Give the kid a paintbrush and a subject
Self-portrait caricature of the undead
Skeleton staring at a picture of the sunset
Beautiful is how we know you though
Misunderstood is not a birthright
The monster lost control after the first bite
Master your high life, bitch get your swerve right
Beautiful is how we know you though
It ain't new to you, ain't that unusual
And we knew you fully meant it when you drew
Your little line in the sand and chose to stand with the beautiful
Beautiful is how we know you though
I hope you live to tell the war tale yourself
I wish you well on escape from your hell
But 'til then stay the fuck off my doorbell

"Became"

"Became"



It's no surprise I over slept, put my boots on and climbed out my tent.
I didn't see you, assumed you were sleeping, immediately start a fire 'cause it's freezing.
I can't believe we went camping in the cold; I'm in the wilderness standing in some snow.
A late start but we can still catch up, you need to wake up, we should eat and then pack up.
It's when I noticed your foot prints, snows fresh and those have been put since.
What you're already up, making the rounds? So where you at now, you laid back down?
The breeze came and it stalled out the flame, while I went to your tent and called out your name.
You didn't answer so I opened up the flap; it's just an empty sleeping bag and your backpack.
I'm looking at your tracks; you took a couple laps around the campground and hoofed down the path.
I figure you'll return no concern; I'm a hold put and try to make this cold wood burn.
The wind is blowing strong, the minutes rolling on, it's going on at least half an hour you've been gone.
It ain't right, start the paranoia; I left the camp site to go and search for ya.
I read the trail your feet made, each step was deliberately placed.
It looks like you know where it leads but I see nothing but leafless frozen trees.
About a ¼ mile into the course, another set of tracks appeared next to yours.
From the north it came out of the thick woods, and those footprints belong to a big wolf.
Trying to find service on my cellphone, I felt aight with my knife on my belt though.
I hope the wolf is intimidated by you, I wonder if you even knew what was behind you.
Stalkin ya, maybe watchin ya, waiting for the opportunity to hop on top of ya.
Salivatin wanna take ya to the stomach, in the cartoons you would have turned into a drumstick
And it gets about as bad it goes, 'cause I notice there's a new set of tracks in the snow.
I understood. It doesn't look good. Your fan club doubled now you've got another wolf.
And the odds are in favor of the home team, why'd you walk off all alone where you going?
It ain't the right time to complain, but it feels like I'm trying to find your remains.
Your foot prints grew further apart, I knew what that meant and it was hurting my heart.
It means you started to run so I did the same, now my breaths looking like a steam engine train.
Suddenly your tracks dip off of the path and so did theirs so my knife I grabbed.
Into the forest, expect the worst. Adrenaline burst disturbed the nerves.
50 yards into the woods and brush, it got so thick that it looked like dusk.
The air stood serene, sober, it seemed like a good 15 degrees colder.
And I'll admit hell ya I felt fear the sound of my heart beat was all I could hear.
Looking at the snow it was plain and clear there was a third set of wolf prints where yours disappeared.
I can't process, I don't follow. It would be easier to believe that you were swallowed.
With no sign of death, no sign of struggle, no signs of blood, no signs of trouble.
And the wolves never stopped, the tracks kept going and I took off.
So I don't know how your story ends, but I know I'll never go into those woods again.

It's not that tragic, it's not a shame.
You're not the hunted, you're not the aim.
You just another dog with hunger pains
I was so afraid that you'd become the game.

I forgot to worry about what you became.
You're not the hunted, you're not the aim.
You just another dog with hunger pains
I was so afraid that you'd become the game.

It's not that tragic, it's not a shame.
You're not the hunted, you're not the aim.
You just another dog with hunger pains
I was so afraid that you'd become the game.

I forgot to worry about what you became.

"Between The Lines"

"Between The Lines"


(What it tis it taint, & What it taint it tis
Its the theme of where we're goin')

[Verse 1: Slug]
See the police man, notice the lonely man
How do you think he keeps his head on straight?
Can you feel his rhythm? What do you think he visions
When he squints at the line from behind those shades
Feel the summer's crest, overdressed
So much sweat, his skin begins to chafe
Its the surface sweat the nervous mess
Overbearing and jaded from carrying the weight
Irritated and constipated
And its all covered player hated,funnelled and consolidated
Into the shell of one man with a gun
Riding that thin line between the program and the sun
And I don't hate you, tryin to relate to
Wishin you could find a trap door to escape through
But if I see you, as a threat to my seedling or my sibling
Ill die to pull the plug on your machine

[Chorus: (2X)]
And I just might just find somebody
And I just might just love somebody
And I just might just feel somebody
And I just might just kill myself (somebody)

[Verse 2: Slug]
Can you see her?
She spends her whole day in a theater
Livin her time in the life that she would prefer
& she stirs nothing, comes & goes she wishes
Surroundings oblivious to her whole existence
But if they only knew
About the thoughts that she can't seem to stop from comin through
Comin' across
At a loss for dialouge
Walkin through the fog
With her eyes closed & her mind gone
And now she lives in the films that she sees
And daydreams that she kills us repeatedly
I'm impressed with the tolerance she brandishes
If it was me, I would snapped from the sheer overanxiousness
of waitin for the day she strolls through Muddy Waters
And slaughters sons & daughters and bloodies mothers and fathers
Lovely little *case*study castaway cutie
Masturbating in back of that matinee movie
And someday, oneday, when the credits roll
She'll hold a pocket full of gunplay for the ignorant souls
Then we'll know what depth awake touches sleep
Make me walk the thin line between shallow and deep

[Chorus: (2X)]
And I just might just find somebody
And I just might just love somebody
And I just might just feel somebody
And I just might just kill somebody (my body)

[Verse 3: Slug]
He used to write his rhymes and recite his lines all the time
Sometimes he'd make them up right off the top of his mind
After doin shows for years, gettin respect from peers
Killed the ego, lookin at these people like *they* weird
Road trips, turn to head trips
Became a hunger for sedatives and essentric ettiqute
Optimism needs to feed off self-esteem
But it seems as if he doesn't see it or hasn't felt a thing
Records sell well but still undergound
Travels town to town
Holdin hands with fans that love his sound
When it comes around *let*s hope you can enjoy it
Don't slow down momentum, afraid he might destroy it
When he stops to shake the hand, I doubt they understand
That here now stands only the shadow of a man
Havin a hard time with life on a drumroll
Walkin that high-wire, passin it off is humble
But it's a thin line,between screams and smiles
Seen the miles, wishin he can go home & read to his child
But tonight's the last day, put the butt in the ashtray
Locked the door and slit both of his wrists backstage

[Chorus: (2X)]

[Outro: Slug]
Onwards,forwards contin*uos*, renaissance
Encore, ignorance wrapped inside of innocence
Onwards,forwards contin*uos* renaissance
Encore, ignorance wrapped inside of innocence
Onwards,forwards contin*uos* renaissance
Encore, ignorance wrapped inside of innocence
Nothing but love for the music and its offspring
Bouncin' off the boxsprings just tryin to make it to the cross*ings*

I just might just....
I just might just....
I just might just....[fade out]

"Bird Sings Why The Caged I Know"

"Bird Sings Why The Caged I Know"


It's the bird, it must have been the bird
Disgusting critter, it must
We should have known better then to trust
This disease infested ball of lust and carnage
Piece of garbage with wings and she has the guts to sing
Get the bird, catch her shoot her, I dont care
Get the bird, bring her down to the ground from out the air
Gotta tear her apart, let me at her first
Sink her to the level of the rest of us that inherit the earth

What's she thinking? does she really believe
That shes above the creatures that work the dirt and the streets
See her up in the tree, looking down at you and me
Like she's chosen over those who walk around on two feet
The bird, the melodys she play
The music she make, rubbing our faces in the feces of the daybreak
Trying to remind us, its time to awake
Antaganizing and instigating my hate
The chirps, I turn them into screams
My feathered friends end will justity the means
Disturbed, I'll grab her by her beak
And swing her in circles untill she's too dizzy to speak

Well I'll shake her from her branch, tear apart her nest
Break her skinny legs and fry her eggs up for breakfast
(she's a snake that can fly) she's just food for the fleas
She thinks she's better then me just because she's free?
I'll shake her from her branch, tear apart her nest
Break her skinny legs and fry her eggs up for breakfast
(she's a snake that can fly) she's just food for the fleas
She thinks she's better then me just because she's free?

My beautiful bird has gone away [x12]

"Bitter"

"Bitter"


[Verse 1:]
Everything used to be so good then
Now it seems like you're mad at my footprints
I'm only trying to scribble in the book, man
It's not my fault that y'all couldn't
You must have a lot of free time
Otherwise why are you trying to see mine
Strain your neck, let the blame project
But don't give yourself the same respect
So independent but undependable
We're all getting old, now take a mental note
And stop being so covetous
The crime is the punishment
Now run and get a slither of dignity
You ain't gotta be a figure of misery
You don't want to be a victim to victory
Listening to a bitter sweet symphony

[Hook:]
You're so bitter
You call this a river in the winter
This one is to recognize you
Your jealousy needs an anthem too
You're so bitter
You're as cold as a river in the winter
This one is to recognize you
And all of these dreams that can't come true

[Verse 2:]
We used to get up in Uptown
Then we hit the highway to run around
Came home everybody wanna judge now
Don't let them see you celebrate your touchdown
Keep clutching those grudges
Don't budge if no budget
The old puppets show love in public
But behind the back can't trust it
Disgusted, repugnant
Insulted, repulsive
Discouraged, rejection
No protection from your own reflection
Chip on your shoulder big as a boulder
Insecurities a slippery slope
Got ya looking around for the sympathy vote
Anything to give a little glimmer of hope

[Hook]

[Verse 3:]
Treat love like a limited resource
Fight for it like there's never gonna be more
On the rooftops talk to the spaceships
Like you've got 2Pac locked in the basement
Get the bag, make the get away exit
You get mad like your middle name desperate
No net, better not get left back
Yeah, you should probably protect that
I'm trying to keep it simple, teeth to the nipple
Beat my chisel, leave my initials
Fly so far when you follow the signals
Sky full of stars and all of them wishful
Not only are we bitter but we're brittle
The world's getting small, and everybody's little
Go roll your eyeballs, toot your own whistle
Don't ever stop waiting for the window

[Hook]

"Blamegame"

"Blamegame"


[Slug]
Yo yo yo...
I wish that I had something to say
That could wipe that smile right off of your face
Here take my hand pretend you know my man
Blame it all on the game, blame it all on the game

[Sample]
?? is a thing that we love
So here's another one to get jealous of...do it Ja!(?)

[Slug]
So put your hand up if you remember the Juice Crew
They don't make em' like they used to
This supposed to be the new school?
Your guns are aimless, songs are nameless
How long you been famous?
I claim this region 200 hundred-mile radius
Twin Cities' flavors RhymeSayers got the tastiest
And you can hate me, it's part of the territory
As long as you know it's impossible to ignore me
>From middle fingers to hugs, tofu to the drugs
The fights fist(?), might as well just take pictures of Slug
And live out your own life to the fullest
Why you starin' at my feet when you're standin' in this bullshit?
You could never learn how to ride a bike without balance
So what's the point of trying to grab the mic without talent
Go get your brakes looked at, you fuckin' fake hood rat
Wanna be the basement's greatest? Too late, already took that!
Father knows best, but Father knows stress
But Father needs love, a back rub, and some rest
Damn he could use a good home cooked meal
Been burnin' both ends since he broke the seal
Up, up and away, watch him take off
Give himself a little hell and quit the day job
And ignite the sunlight, tryin' to write about life
About face(?), break the fear, and you're here till the plight(?)

[Chorus]
And I wish that I had something to say
That could wipe that smile right off of your face
Here take my hand pretend you know my name
And blame it all on the game, blame it all on the game

[Slug]
Cat's be walkin' into the spot like they own it
Wearin' a face that they should save for they opponents
With the shoelaces tied, you're(?yet?) too wasted to drive
Either way I've arrived to bless this place with my vibe
Yeah right, my vibe ain't even cool
I sit in the corner and drink until I slur and drool
The t-shirt says shoot pool, not people
Kill time, not life, grab the mic and let the beat go
(Beat go beat go beat go)
But that's good for me,
It's hard to hide a magic card when you wear a short sleeve
Force feed what I've got when they not hungry
Tryin' to replace everything that they ripped off from me
Below the tummy, and choke the dummy theory
Beat the point dead until these folks hear me clearly
Keep it all simple, a simplistic intricate(?)
Rebuild the robots with little hands and finger tips
Reprogram, a world full of slow jams
Grab the prize and clutch it tight with both hands
Why go ?? talk
Anyone that calls this fall off(?) can suck my balls off
I ain't goin' nowhere, I'm still here, right here
Same spot that I stood when you first woke up
The same guy that grabbed the mic and made your girl wanna fuck
The same MC still runnin' on an empty tank of luck

[Chorus]
And I wish that I had something to say
That could wipe that smile right off of your face
Here take my hand, pretend you know my name
And blame it all on the game, blame it all on the game
And I wish that I had something to say
That could wipe that smile right off of your face
Come here take my hand, pretend you know..know..know
Blame it all on the game (Blame it all on the game) [x10]

[Sample]
Because of the beats other rhymes, when in fact it did (?whole line?)

"Bob Seger"

"Bob Seger"


[Hook]
My father's to the left of me
Move like the knight
My mama's to the right
Move the knight
Like everyone else, they're pointing
But nowhere feels quite right

[Verse 1:]
I pour a little more whiskey on them ice cubes
I’m tryna to get tipsy as a tugboat
Most of us gettin' lost in the night moves
The rest of us wanna watch from the front row
Come and look into the eyes of a landslide
Let me know if your recognize blood shot red
Not above passin' out in the cab ride
Wake me up when its time to unfuck my head
Whatchu know about a party
Y'all still tryna have some fun
Throw your hands up like it’s 2001
You wanna taste the teat, you want a place to sleep
But you need somebody else to come change the sheets
I hold composure, the snow will melt
The hope stays low cause I know myself
But I treat it like a test to keep me at my best
Rest in peace to Nekst

[Hook]

[Verse 2:]
I ain’t as cool as I used to be, leave me alone
I’m kinda blurry from the journey, man, my speakers are blown
Truthfully, I'd rather keep it in a zone
I could maneuver easily from the comfort of my home, but
Don’t ever let the headlights die
Stars only fall out of the dead night sky
The more I travel, the farther I see
The more it seems as if my shadow ain’t following me
Now everyone’s impressed with impressions
All of y'all dressed up in the finest flesh
I’m not tryin' to imply I’m on a different page
Similar traits, familiar face
I remember the days when I felt like fightin' it
Lost in the ways of my own self-righteousness
Feels like I’m still tryna find my fix
Before this lightning hits

[Hook]

"Breathing"

"Breathing"


"Take a deep breath relax, don't push it on out." [x2]
Somebody please explain to them what it be about
"Take a deep breath relax, don't push it on out." [x2]
Somebody please explain to them what it be about

They can't sleep yet, too many re-grets
Got em running round in circles for the re-spect
They need the gossip, but where's the logic?
Voices in the box guarantee a better product
So here I sit now, and watch em trip out
Trying to pick a finger to put upon what its about
But if there was a point, you would still avoid
You should've taught the boys and girls how to take apart their toys
I stay up-set,with all the pup-pets
Submerged in the drama cuz they love it
That if they can hold the pain, and then they complain

Why would you chase away the sun if you don't want the rain?
I never asked for the world, just a portion
Tryin to make a good soldier out of daddy's little orphan
But management called down, demanded that we turned the sound down
And with that, I suggest we start the count-down
Simplistic spiral and work your way backwards
'Til the bastards collapse and choke on their last words
And I'll be back when its happy hour
So just pour me another and ignore me my brother

[Chorus]
Breathe in, breathe out, the sign says "keep out"
Breathe in, breathe out, somebody please explain to them what it be about
Breathe in, breathe out, the sign says "keep out"
Breathe in, breathe out,
Somebody fill up my gut before I freak out

Low profile, no more smiles, til all of y'all quit acting so damn wild
Slow down child, you're gonna lose balance, too
Overanxious, the goods will get damaged
Girl, how many stories can you fit into a tanktop?
How many wishes get spent on what you ain't got?
The youth want truth, well thank god
Tryin to keep it movin, while you're sittin in the same spot
Been in this cage for a long time (long time)
Been coverin this page with the wrong rhymes (wrong rhymes)
Got a strong mind, I got a weak will
I've got bad nerves and I can't keep still
But I stay humble, so when the meek take the planet
I can get a little piece with my name on it
The only problem is by then I won't want it
I'm in the backyard praying and hoping for the comet
Are you lookin to remember or searchin for adventure?
I guess it all depends on the agenda
Do you carry a grudge? Do you carry a gun?
I guess it all depends on where you come from
Surroundings are gonna dictate the needs
I'm out, I wanna live around lakes and trees
And I'll be back when its happy hour
So just pour me another and ignore me my brother

[Chorus]

Breathe in...

"Brief Description"

"Brief Description"


[Sample:] "Have you heard it? Sing along.
If you didn't hear it you're gonna hear it right now."

[Slug]
Bam, the door way opened for me
I saw ways and told the story
Raw day dreams of holding glory
Junior high,
Hall way king
Lockin' faggot MCs
Beat boxin', breakin' Zulu Nation wannabees
It didn't take long to see who would stay strong
High school upon
Some B-Boys put their gang bangs on
But some kept on doing
Step on to ruin
Others that were pursuing the same shit we thought we ruled in
But what a surprise
The passion for being the best
Puts a quest for allies to rest
Dead
In the Midwest where heads
Is just a hand full
In a land of gangstas
Players, replacements, priests, banjos
We scramble
To break MCs that may appreciate it
Guided by their envy insecurity and their hatred
Separated by the gimmie props technique
And a desire to be the tops this week
I gotta floss the speak
Cause talk is cheap
Even the broke kids can afford it
That's why I stand close and if you're dope then I'm supportive
But if not
We'll keep the mic warm
For the next one
Respect the artform
And make your wishes on the stars born

Within the movement
Fact checkin' tryin' to completely avoid all channels of backstepping
From the lines of paint on the concrete
They reside on Lake Street
To the way we close our eyes to sleep
And drift through Deep Space 9 type shit
To find this
I've been around for as long as sound
I've been to that not so fresh faze
And that not so serious state but I've evolved
Metamorphed manifestate

I used to be young, dumb and full of vision
Like it was religious rituals
I made initial decisions
I wanted to be a rapper world renown
From Minneap to the Bronx
Capture girls in crowns
Snap, crackle and stomp
That's what I found
The abyss that sits in-between the one that holds the mic and those that
don't even listen
Formed some crews
Rocked talent shows at schools
Saturdays on the 18 make my way down to the record pool
I met a grip of people that was bullshit
Was down with a lot of people that was bullshit
But I pull shit from the asshole of an angel before I let him hassle and
strangle
The love triangle between me the mic and the turntable
Went to studios
We want to make demos
We want to do shows and rock our own instrumentals
Do our own production
Fuckin' around with this kid Kazir
Nitwit engineer
Barely knew his own equipment, Atmosphere
The prefix was urban
Wrecked shows
Made friends made foes
Overall we made flows
And right now as I sit here writing this
I'm buggin' off the people in my life that made me like this

Within the movement
Fact checkin'
Tryin' to completely avoid all channels of backsteppin'
From the lines of painted concrete
that reside on Franklin Ave
To the dead bird on the elevator
To that short in your cross fader
I never got lost later
For efforts to pester
Just throw your hands up in the air like a leper
I've been to that not so fresh faze
And to that not quite so serious state
Metamorph manifestate

Well sometimes it rings and I don't answer it
That's it no asterisks
No thirst to find the circumstances
It was planted in me deep
It was nurtured and it grew
Gave it sleep and nutrition
It was efficient let it through
There are a few that have developed when I let them in my spectrum
For the rest of em
I give them just enough to cause infection
Not trippin' on attention
But if you ? it's welcome
Open arms patient charms
I know the words and I can spell them
Seldom is it
When one inquisits
Do they leave with this interest
In fact most begin crave the business
Bringin' me to the table
That's it no more no less
The love the life the stress
Slug, the mic, the mess
Testin'
Yes, I've been tested and I've tested some
I'm not sayin' I'm the best
Believe I'm not
Like the rest of em
Just sayin' I'm better than you
That's my mind state
My rhymes take me into
When I check one two
I guess some do get pissed
But intentions were to inspire
Built the empire before I get tired
The ones that tare me down don't know it
But they're the same ones that build me
Now quietly in your head say, "Yes you can feel me."

[Sample:] "Asking himself, even before the curtain goes up, what am I?
I am now 80 years old, and more, and I am determined to find precisely
what I am, what I amount to. They tell me I am everything, they flatter
me everyday, of my life. I am now going to subject myself to a rigorous
test in order to find out really what I am. I don't care about? I don't
about rule, anymore. It is of no importance to me, as such, but I must
find out what I am before I die."