Dan Monick

The Minneapolis-based record label Rhymesayers and its groundbreaking group Atmosphere have become one of the most powerful forces in independent hip hop today. Photographer Dan Monick has traveled with the musicians and rappers from Rhymesayers and Atmosphere on and off for the better part of a decade. He s documented a wide swath of territory from the fans to the shows and illuminated behind-the-scenes photos of the artists being themselves. Monick likens the Rhymesayers work ethic to the DIY punk rock approach that he experienced playing in bands. Atmosphere leader, Sean (Slug) is a charismatic driving force behind the Rhymesayers and features prominently in the story of the label and within the pages of the book. Rhymesayer fans from Japan to Australia, Europe and all of North America who have witnessed the energy in concert will enjoy feasting on the pages, and those who have never been will be brought up to speed.