Boston-born rapper ATM has been hard at work defining a style he calls "perspective lyricism", a mix, he explains, of individual insights and voices not common in hip hop today. Across two LPs and last year's "Business Casual" mix tape, ATM's complex narratives and and classic instrumentation style have already captured quite an audience.
We caught up with the man himself to discuss his upbringing, what makes his style unique, and what MCs inspired him.
You grew up in Boston and attended Boston Latin Academy, how has your hometown affected your music?
Boston is what I would like to call an "ethnic quilt," made up of a variety of individuals from all over the world. Being able to make music that any group of peoples can relate to has been at the core of what inspires my musical creativity. I strive to reach out to every neighborhood in my city, from the tightly-knit community of Southie to the urban mecca of Roxbury.
You label your style as "perspective lyricism", what's unique about the perspective you bring to hip hop?
I like to describe my perspective in hip hop as "the guy who's a little too drunk, not having a good time at the party." It's easy to make music that embraces the "baller" lifestyle, but what about the guy who can't emulate the ideals of Jay-Z's "Big Pimpin"? I try to make music for those who can relate to an alternative and honest insight, telling a story not commonly heard on the radio.
What artists did you grow up listening to or admiring?
I actually didn't start listening to hip hop as much as I do now until the early 2000s. After hearing the beat to the Clipse's breakout single "Grindin'," it all took off from there. In addition to a variety of artists who catapulted into the forefront of hip hop at the time, I admired the lyricism and energy of Eminem, Fabolous, Freeway, The Diplomats, and the aforementioned Clipse.
If I had to pick a favorite hip hop lyric, it's probably "Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, when I was dead broke man I couldn't picture this" (big video game nerd), what's yours?
This is a tough one, but my favorite hip hop lyric would have to be: "When I die, my house is going to be a tourist attraction. 'You serious, that's the same chair Hell Rell sat in? You lying, that's the same toilet Hell Rell crapped in?'" - Hell Rell in J.R. Writer's "Goonies"
Check out his latest mix tape, in its entirety, below:
