Dem Atlas

Dem Atlas
Dem Atlas in 2019
Background information
Birth nameJoshua Evans Turner
Born (1992-05-31) May 31, 1992 (age 32)
Akron, Ohio, U.S.
OriginSaint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
GenresHip hop
OccupationRapper
Years active2010–present
LabelsRhymesayers Entertainment
Websitedematlas.bandcamp.com

Joshua Evans Turner[1] (born May 31, 1992),[2][3] better known by his stage name Dem Atlas (often stylized as deM atlaS),[4] is an American rapper from Saint Paul, Minnesota.[5] He was formerly a member of the group Sifu Hotman alongside rapper Guante and producer Rube.[6] He was formerly signed to Rhymesayers Entertainment.[7][8][9]

Early life

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Born in Akron, Ohio, Turner moved to Minneapolis at age 4.[10] He attended Eagan Senior High School.[11]

Music career

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In 2013, Dem Atlas self-released his debut EP, Charle Brwn.[12] During 2013, Dem Atlas signed to Rhymesayers Entertainment and they re-released the Charle Brwn EP on their own imprint. After signing to the label, Dem Atlas joined label mate Greives' Running Wild Tour. In 2014 he released the Dwnr EP to critical acclaim. Pitchfork included it on the "Best MN Hip-Hop Releases of 2014" list.[13]

After releasing the EP Dem Atlas joined Atmosphere's summer tour and joined Joey Bada$$ on tour to promote the EP.[14] While touring in 2014, Sifu Hotman, his collaborative project with Guante and Rube, released a studio album, Embrace the Sun.[15] Dem Atlas spent the entirety of 2015 on the road touring the US and released a single, "With a Smile".[16] The Village Voice included him on the "Five Rap Artists to Watch For in 2015" list.[17] In 2016, he released a mixtape, MF Dem, which became an instant cult classic and featured 13 previously released instrumentals from MF Doom.[18] During 2016 and 2017, Dem Atlas, served as opener from Atmosphere's Freshwater Fly Fisherman and Welcome To Colorado tours. In 2018, he released his debut solo studio album, Bad Actress.[19] He then performed at Soundset 2018 and spent the rest of 2018 on the road touring in support of Bad Actress. Dem Atlas spent the entirety of 2019 on the road touring both the US and Europe.[citation needed]

In 2020, Rhymesayers was accused of racism and sexual abuse stemming from within the organization. Rhymesayers ended its working relationship with Dem Atlas, following allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse.[20] deM atlaS refuted the claims by providing both a written and video testimony.[21] There was no formal investigation and no charges were ever filed. In 2021, Dem Atlas signed a management deal with San Francisco Supply. After a year under contract, deM atlaS and San Francisco Supply parted ways. On November 12, 2021, deM atlaS self-released the redeMption EP. Today,[when?] deM atlaS continues to do his music, working on a follow-up project to redeMption.[citation needed]

Style and influences

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In a 2015 interview with Star Tribune, Dem Atlas stated that his influences range from Pharcyde to Nas, Minor Threat, Bad Brains, Louis Armstrong, and Billie Holiday.[22]

Discography

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Studio albums

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  • Embrace the Sun (2014) (with Guante and Rube, as Sifu Hotman)
  • Bad Actress (2018)
  • FANTASY PKWY (2024)

Mixtapes

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  • MF Dem (2016)

EPs

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  • Charle Brwn (2013)
  • Sifu Hotman (2013) (with Guante and Rube, as Sifu Hotman)
  • Dwnr (2014)
  • redeMption (2021)

Singles

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  • "All We Got" (2014)
  • "With a Smile" (2015)
  • "In the Mud" (2017)
  • "Bad Days Are Over" (2019)
  • "Retribution" (2021)

Guest appearances

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  • Irenic - "Angels Lose Their Way" from Wisdom Teeth: The Art of Pulling Roots (2012)
  • Beasthead - "Different Son" from Tallest Trees (2013)
  • Atmosphere - "Color in the Snow" (2013)
  • Antioch - "Prozac Daytrips" from King of the Forest (2014)
  • Christopher Michael Jensen - "Psychosis" from CM Cool J (2014)
  • Atmosphere - "Finer Things" (2015)
  • Andre Mariette - "Beer vs. Champagne" from Cloud 8.9 (2015)
  • Doze - "Nice Guys Finish Last" from Pay Dues Forever (2015)
  • Atmosphere - "Next to You" from Fishing Blues (2016)
  • Onry Ozzborn - "Figure It Out" from Duo (2016)
  • Brother Ali - "Special Effects" from All the Beauty in This Whole Life (2017)
  • YYY - "Wouldn't It Be Nice" from A Tribute to the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds (2017)
  • Lady Midnight - "Slide" from Midnight Special Vol. 2: Countdown 2 Sunrise (2018)
  • Ultra Suede - "Selfish" from Ultra Suede (2018)
  • Atmosphere - "Drown" from Mi Vida Local (2018)

References

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  1. ^ Riemenschneider, Chris (March 21, 2015). "Young Minnesota music stars graduate to SXSW (page 1 of 2)". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  2. ^ Dem Atlas (May 31, 2016). "Throwin like a throw up. Today's my birthday! Yay!". Twitter. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  3. ^ Dem Atlas (April 30, 2014). "I'm 21". Twitter. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  4. ^ Young, Killian (March 12, 2015). "Once Upon a Time in Minneapolis: 20 Years of Rhymesayers". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  5. ^ Spencer, Jack (January 20, 2015). "Dem Atlas Proved His Star Is Rising Rapidly at 7th St. Entry (page 1 of 2)". City Pages. Archived from the original on March 29, 2015. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  6. ^ Swensson, Andrea (November 12, 2013). "Dem Atlas signs to Rhymesayers Entertainment". The Current. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  7. ^ Mayorga, Dean (November 13, 2013). "Rhymesayers Entertainment Signs Dem Atlas". HipHopDX. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  8. ^ Fischer, Reed (November 12, 2013). "Rhymesayers inks St. Paul's Dem Atlas". City Pages. Archived from the original on March 31, 2015. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  9. ^ Woods, Aleia (June 26, 2020). "Prof, Dem Atlas Accused of Misogyny, Sexual Misconduct". XXL. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  10. ^ Riemenschneider, Chris (February 13, 2014). "Rap's new throwback to the future". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  11. ^ Maloney, Patrick (February 14, 2013). "Atlas at last". Minnesota Daily. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  12. ^ Tardio, Andres (November 14, 2013). "Dem Atlas "Charlie Brwn EP" Tracklisting & Stream". HipHopDX. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  13. ^ Thompson, Paul (December 10, 2014). "Minnesota Weird: The Best MN Hip-Hop Releases of 2014". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  14. ^ Segal, Sam (February 9, 2015). "deM atlaS: DWNR (Rhymesayers Entertainment)". Radio K. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  15. ^ Spencer, Jack (July 24, 2014). "Guante details his full-length with Dem Atlas as Sifu Hotman (page 1 of 2)". City Pages. Archived from the original on March 30, 2015. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  16. ^ Riemenschneider, Chris (January 7, 2015). "Allan Kingdom, deM atlaS kick off 2015 with celebratory singles". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  17. ^ Kangas, Chaz (January 5, 2015). "Five Rap Artists to Watch For in 2015 (page 1 of 2)". The Village Voice. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  18. ^ Madden, Michael (September 9, 2016). "deM atlaS talks MF Doom project, long-awaited debut ahead of Summit Backyard Bash". City Pages. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  19. ^ Bubser, Hanna (October 23, 2018). "deM atlaS embarks on a new journey with debut full-length album 'Bad Actress'". The Current. Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  20. ^ Woods, Aleia. "Prof and Dem Atlas Dropped From Label After Allegations of Predatory Behavior, Sexual Misconduct". XXL Mag. Retrieved 2022-07-15.
  21. ^ "deM atlaS Responds to Allegations". YouTube. 6 March 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  22. ^ Blanchette, Aimee (January 9, 2015). "Style profile: Rhymesayers rapper Dem Atlas talks fashion". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
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