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THE RISE OF EMO-HOP

What to do when the status of musical pioneer is thrust upon you? That's exactly the kind of existential quandary MC Slug, of Minneapolis's Atmosphere, thrives on. Like it or not, Slug is reluctant kind of emo-hop, the emerging alt-rap scene. Typical songs deal with the familiar: fights with a girlfriend or temping at an office. "I rap about the personal. It's no different that Tupac rapping about his experiences. Dysfunctional families are more relatable to me than carjacking or selling crack," Slug explains. With cohorts like Mr. Lif and Aesop Rock, plus lyrics like "Alone is when he finally feels likes a person" from the classic emo-hop album LUCY FORD (Rhymesayers), the only occupational hazard for Slug might just be the fans who track him down pre-show for impromptu therapy sessions. "People feel like they've listened to me vent on songs, and they want to vent back. But hey," says Slug, straying from the sensitive tip, "I have no problem making out with a girl to get her to shut up about her boyfriend problems." Giselle Zado Wasfie

Atmosphere's latest, SEVEN'S TRAVELS, will be released on Rhymesayers in September 2003.

COPYRIGHT Black Book Magazine, 2003