I’m loving this album man, now for the sake of those who don’t know this album is 2 ep’s put together, the first one is a re-release of Centa of da Webs “Beyond Human Comprehension” (first released in 1996) and the second one is Atoms Family Archives Volume 1. I recently spoke to the groups spokesperson. Peep it.

So now for those who have difficulty in keeping up with the names and the crews, can you please tell us who the Atoms Family are and any other pseudonyms you have?

Atoms family is made up of:

Cryptic one
Jest one art
Cannibal Ox (Vast, Vordul and DJ Cip one)
and Hangar 18 (Alaska, Windnbreez and PaWL)

You come from NYC right? Or are you from all over? When did you start in this hip hop thing, who were your influences now and then?

We are all from NY except PaWL who came to NYC from New Hampshire via Boston. Most of us live in the city now. We all got started for similar reasons, we are all huge fans of the music and the types of people who throw ourselves into whatever we come to love whether its art, skateboarding, sports or whatever. I think that the music hit us all in a similar way. It was a revolutionary force when it first started to take off and i think thats what attracted all of us too it. I think it was like being around rock and roll when it first jumped off. 

As far as influences its interesting because we all come from different backgrounds but have similar influences. From Main Source, to BDK, Run DMC, PE, BDP, Eric B and Rakim, etc. When we all met back in 95 we were all listening to the same stuff then as well Mobb Deep, Nas, Black Moon, Tribe, Smif and Wesson, DeLa, Souls of Mischief, Del, Organized Konfusion. Now we all are getting a lot of influence from people like Ghost, Jay Z, Nas, etc. I think it is really important for mcs and producers to watch the current landscape of hip hop and grow from that. Find influences in everything that is going on presently, and try to be a step or two ahead of it all. Once your dated you’re done.

You’ve got your own label CP Records, tell us about that?

CP Records is the brainchild of Cryptic, it is a label focused on putting out music that we do and that we dig. It is really a great way to give artists that we like an outlet to put out material. 

What’s the first thing that comes to your minds when you think of South Africa?

Shock that someone in South Africa even knows who we are..haha. But besides that, apartheid and the movement to stop apartheid. 

What has been the craziest best place you’ve ever performed at?

Compton, CA

And the worst?

Probably a small club in NYC that had shit sound and was poorly promoted. 

What artists out there do you think are really coming with innovative hip hop?

Def jux, Jay Z, Ghostface, Outkast, Us, The Roots, Clipse. 

Do you guys battle? Do you have any memorable ones?

We dont really battle anymore. We used to alot. I think the most memorable ones are the ones we used to see outside nuyorican poets cafe, it would be cats like Wordsworth, Pumpkinhead, Canibus even came through from time to time. If we battle anymore its just with each other for fun. 

What would you consider the key ingredients for good hip hop production?

Banging drums….weak drums equal weak production.

What do you guys do besides rhyming / making beats?

Hang out, drink, have fun.

Do you guys experiment with different flows/deliveries?

We just try to develop new styles and rhythms to ride the beat to. I think we all see flow as being another instrument to ad to the beat. 

Where’s the best place to write your rhymes?

Whereever inspiration hits. Once you get to a point in your development you can pretty much write anywhere.

Which artists would you like to collaborate with?

Outkast, Jay z, Ghostface, Just Blaze, the Neptunes, Murs, Stronghold, Weebee Foolish, Weightless, etc. 

When will you be coming to South Africa, you need to look into that!

Whenever a promotor gives us a call and can provide plane tickets, hotel, and food. 

What releases can we expect from CP Records, any new artists?

Cryptics album is the next album to come and then we are also releasing Euphony 2 sometime this year. 

What are your favourite movies/books?

I can only answer for me, since I am the spokesperson I guess. Favorite books anything Hunter S Thompson, Tropic of Cancer, The Lucifer Principle, anything Bukowski, Yes Yes Y’all. Movies; One Flew Over The Cookoos Nest, Pulp Fiction, Style Wars, Best in Show, Clerks, Rushmore, Juice, etc.

What irritates you?

People that think hip hop is dead, and people who try to sound like groups from 94. 

What are your thoughts on e.g. the Dirty South, The Bay Area, Mid West etc

I love them all. there are always interesting sounds coming from all over. 

and the European scene?

I don’t know much about it other than from what I have heard from Vast and Vordul who said it is off the hook. 

What do you think of Screw music?

Is that music to screw too? if so then its good if not then I have no idea what screw music is.

What equipment are you using for beats?

paWL uses a MPC and Crypt uses an ASR 10

What do you think of net emcees?

Some are great writers but if they cant spit it, it doesnt really matter. But I dont know much about netcees. It seemed to be a big topic a few years ago. I try not to focus on what other people are doing to much, it just takes energy away from what we are trying to do. 

Favourite websites?

www.bobanddavid.com
www.cprecords.net
www.headbopmusic.com
www.definitivejux.net
www.weightless.net
www.espn.com
www.getunderground.com
www.viceland.com

If it wasn’t for making records what else would you be doing now?

I would probably have my masters and be working on my phd. 

What are you aiming for? Like what would have to happen for you to say you finally made it?

My primary goal is to make a classic album. But now that I feel I have (the hangar 18 album) I want to make enough money so that I never have to do anything I don’t want to do for the rest of my life. 

Sickest rhyme you ever heard?

That changes from day to day, but the Ghostface rhyme when he said “tyson bit holyfields ear” from the Bobby Digital album always stands out. Ghost is the best EVER.

HERE’S SOME QUESTIONS FROM OUR USERS:

Morph asks:
With Vast and Vakill being on Def Jux do you cats still thinking of doing an album together as Atoms Fam as a whole cause I heard some tracks from the prequel and I liked that stuff. So are you going to do that or is it on hold until Center of Da Web has been out for a while or what?

Vast and Vordul are still part of Atoms family. We will definitely do stuff together but for the time being we are all working on our own projects. Cryptics album is done and will be out in a few months on CP Records. Vast is working on a solo album and Cannibal Ox is working on an EP for def jux. Myself, Wind and paWL have just completed our album and we are shopping it to labels right now and Jest has just completed one of the greatest albums i have heard in ages. He also just graduated from law school. I dont think there will be an actual atoms album anytime soon. Its very hard to get 8 people together especially when we all have so much going on right now. but we are all on each others stuff. Im sure its an idea we will revisit down the line. 

Space Vein asks:

Has Cannibal Ox broken up or are you just doing solo’s? 

No Cannibal Ox are not broken up. Vast is doing a solo album but they have also just started working on and EP for def jux and have an album planned for next spring. 

Vast Aire what would you do if the Live Poets were to steal his mothers underwear and wore them at a live show? 

I’m not Vast but I’m sure he wouldn’t be to happy

What makes Crypt make such sick ass beats?

He has a method of taking an album and whatever the album is, snatching three of four samples and then just reworking them….its the damnest thing.

Where can fans connect with Atoms Family?

either at www.cprecords.net or at the bar at one of our shows.

Thanks for talking to us, shout outs or last thoughts?

I just want to thank you for taking sometime to find out about Atoms Family and I am just so shocked, honored, amazed, etc that we have been able to reach you all and connect with yall through our music. Peace and love, Alaska.

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