Southsiders

Minneapolis is known for many things — pretty lakes, the Mall of America, lutefisk. But 17 years ago, hip-hop act Atmosphere transformed the city into something else entirely: a nexus from which underground rap spiralled-out to the masses. And thanks to the duo's indefatigable touring habits, Top 20-charting albums, and their galvanizing artist-owned label Rhymesayers (MF Doom, Aesop Rock), they're still pushing the boundaries of what indie rap can mean.

It's with that overachieving-underdog spirit that MC Sean "Slug" Daley and producer Anthony "Ant" Davis have named Atmosphere's eighth studio album, 'Southsiders', a shout-out to their native neighbourhood.

While 'Southsiders' is a celebration of the group's fortitude, it is also a deeply introspective, and sometimes conflicted, work. "It's a natural progression from the last record, The Family Sign, which was about growing my family", says Slug, now a father to three, who finds himself contemplating mortality. "I'm starting to think, 'What is post–family man? What am I supposed to rap about now?' I'm sticking to my roots, rapping about what I'm doing, what I think about. This record is — much like the other ones — a very detailed look at my life."

The album captures everything from a blazing, anthemic takedown in 'Southsiders,' to the ebb-and-flow of loss in the sauntering "Arthur's Song," to emotional abandon in the rousing "Kanye West."