Atlas of the World (Brian), a 24-year-old Annapolis-based hip-hop artist, performs two original songs — ‘Endangered,’ a personal narrative about leaving drug dealing behind to pursue music as an act of self-worth, and ‘Stepped On,’ a politically charged track about racial identity and perseverance. Between songs, he reflects openly on his OCD diagnosis, the challenge of discussing mental health as a young rapper, and his gratitude for a community that accepts his authentic voice.
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Transcript
[02:41:53] Yes, oh Beasley, somebody on the joint said they want to hear the vivid sexual poems
[02:41:58] No, no, not tonight y’all
[02:42:00] Look, you can find her on Instagram, at Beasley the dirty poet, right there
[02:42:06] Oh, and also shout out, everybody give it up for Adrienne
[02:42:10] She’s been on there all night commenting and stuff
[02:42:13] Give it up for Adrienne
[02:42:13] Thank you, Adrienne
[02:42:15] Alright, who do we have next?
[02:42:21] Oh, Atlas of the World
[02:42:23] Hey, coming to the stage, Atlas of the World
[02:42:27] My girl’s a super fan
[02:42:30] Hey, we got a couple super fans
[02:42:34] What’s up, all you beautiful faces
[02:42:36] It’s honestly pretty cool being one of the younger speakers here tonight
[02:42:41] Because a couple mentors, they always tell you
[02:42:43] Like, surround yourself with older people
[02:42:46] Those who are knowledgeable
[02:42:47] Always try to be the least smart one in the room
[02:42:49] Things of that nature
[02:42:50] So being here listening to you guys
[02:42:52] It’s a big step towards my musical career
[02:42:56] So I’m a hip-hop artist
[02:42:57] Started right here
[02:42:59] What’s dope?
[02:43:00] Shout out to you guys
[02:43:01] Because from those Tuesday night open mics that you guys have heard about
[02:43:05] I’ve been invited to Alabama
[02:43:07] I’ve been flown out to Georgia
[02:43:09] I have made it down to Miami
[02:43:11] Done a lot of things
[02:43:13] So, I’m going to be here for a while
[02:43:13] I’m going to be here for a while
[02:43:13] I’m going to be here for a while
[02:43:13] I’m going to be here for a while
[02:43:13] Just from that
[02:43:14] So, I want to shout out what’s dope
[02:43:17] Before we get into two songs
[02:43:19] Describing my mental health
[02:43:22] And my perspective on the race
[02:43:26] Battles that are happening in the world
[02:43:28] And things like that
[02:43:29] I just want to give you guys a brief synopsis
[02:43:32] I don’t have any spoken poetry for you
[02:43:34] Like I wanted to
[02:43:35] Left my flipbook at home
[02:43:36] But, I’m 24 years old
[02:43:39] I go by Atlas of the World
[02:43:40] A-T-L-A-S-O-F-T-H-W-R-L-D
[02:43:44] There’s no O in world
[02:43:45] R-I-P to Juice World
[02:43:47] I don’t know if you guys know who Juice World is
[02:43:50] But he was a very prolific young artist
[02:43:53] And he was only in the industry for about a year and a half
[02:43:57] And then he overdosed
[02:43:58] Very sad
[02:44:00] But, it is what it is
[02:44:02] My mom called me Atlas as a child
[02:44:05] She always said, baby, you got the world on your back
[02:44:07] Go do it
[02:44:08] Then she bought me an Atlas
[02:44:10] National Juice World
[02:44:10] National Geographic one day
[02:44:11] And I looked at it and I said
[02:44:12] That’s going to be my name
[02:44:15] So I took the O out of it
[02:44:16] And then, just to you guys’ left
[02:44:19] My right, there’s actually some stickers
[02:44:21] A little guy sitting on a bag of money
[02:44:22] With a QR code
[02:44:24] Please take one on the way out
[02:44:25] That will take you to my link tree
[02:44:27] All of my information will be there
[02:44:29] We’ll have a website up in August for you guys
[02:44:31] With that being said
[02:44:35] I was diagnosed with OCD very young
[02:44:39] So
[02:44:40] Being part of a much larger community
[02:44:44] And recognizing that I’m not alone
[02:44:47] Is awesome
[02:44:48] And as a younger artist in the hip hop industry
[02:44:53] I’ve grown up in a society that
[02:44:57] Is, gets excited about the drugs
[02:45:00] And the guns and the money
[02:45:02] And my job every day
[02:45:05] Is to cultivate complete freedom from suffering
[02:45:08] Through my music
[02:45:09] Through my music
[02:45:10] Through my music
[02:45:10] That’s what I see
[02:45:11] So society does a very good job
[02:45:14] Of telling us we’re not cool enough
[02:45:17] So as artists
[02:45:19] Just know that you guys are appreciated
[02:45:21] And know that
[02:45:23] I’m learning so much from being here with you guys
[02:45:26] So I’m excited to share my music with you guys
[02:45:30] Tell a friend to tell a friend
[02:45:32] And
[02:45:35] I
[02:45:36] It’s awesome
[02:45:37] So let’s kick it off, big dog
[02:45:39] First song is going to be called
[02:45:40] Endangered
[02:45:41] It’s actually a little story about how I used to sell drugs
[02:45:44] And then I made a decision to stop
[02:45:46] And sell my music
[02:45:47] Because I realized that that was a lack of self-worth
[02:45:51] Then the next one is going to be called
[02:45:52] Stepped On
[02:45:53] Which is a very political message
[02:45:56] Hope you guys feel it
[02:45:57] I’m going to turn the energy up a little bit for us
[02:45:59] I’m a rapper, that’s what I do
[02:46:00] So whenever you’re ready, Malcolm
[02:46:03] You click that play button
[02:46:04] Turn it off
[02:46:06] Ay
[02:46:07] Heard they like my shit
[02:46:08] I ain’t signing no deal
[02:46:09] Turn me down a little bit
[02:46:10] I’m going to ask them how they feel
[02:46:12] Ay
[02:46:14] Sadness
[02:46:14] Sadness
[02:46:16] I said they worried about the cell
[02:46:17] I’m worried about the casket
[02:46:19] The reason I don’t sell no more
[02:46:20] I started rapping
[02:46:23] Ay
[02:46:25] Look
[02:46:26] They worried about the cell
[02:46:27] I’m worried about the casket
[02:46:29] The reason I don’t sell no more
[02:46:31] I started rapping
[02:46:32] I never asked for help
[02:46:33] And still I made it happen
[02:46:34] I was nothing
[02:46:35] Now I’m something
[02:46:36] You don’t know me, bitch
[02:46:37] I’m Atlas
[02:46:38] I can’t go for nothing
[02:46:39] Cause I know my kind of danger
[02:46:40] Ain’t too many like me left
[02:46:42] But boy, that’s why I’m famous
[02:46:43] Either getting money, smoking weed, or making bangers
[02:46:46] Got everything I wanted
[02:46:47] I ain’t doing no complaining
[02:46:48] Life changed quick
[02:46:50] I was just outbanging
[02:46:51] Showed them I could spit
[02:46:52] Now I’m selling out stages
[02:46:54] Touching all these mics
[02:46:55] I was just ripping the stainless
[02:46:57] I can’t go back to that corner
[02:46:58] I got too much on the line
[02:46:59] Some people turn they back on me
[02:47:01] Couple told me lies
[02:47:02] Act like I don’t peep them
[02:47:03] I don’t need them
[02:47:04] I’ll be fine
[02:47:05] I got a little paper
[02:47:06] And that shit had changed my life
[02:47:08] They told me I was going to change
[02:47:09] But I ain’t changed
[02:47:10] I’m still Brian
[02:47:10] They worried about the cell
[02:47:12] I’m worried about the casket
[02:47:13] The reason I don’t sell no more
[02:47:15] I started rapping
[02:47:16] I never asked for help
[02:47:17] But still I made it happen
[02:47:18] I was nothing
[02:47:19] Now I’m something
[02:47:20] You don’t know me, bitch
[02:47:21] I’m Atlas
[02:47:21] I can’t go for nothing
[02:47:23] Cause I know my kind of danger
[02:47:24] Ain’t too many like me left
[02:47:26] But boy, that’s why I’m famous
[02:47:27] Either getting money, smoking weed, or making bangers
[02:47:30] Got everything I wanted
[02:47:31] I ain’t doing no complaining
[02:47:32] For real
[02:47:35] Mama taught me never complain
[02:47:37] No matter how
[02:47:39] I feel
[02:47:40] Watch this
[02:47:42] Look
[02:47:43] Heard they like my shit
[02:47:44] I ain’t signing no deal
[02:47:45] Hunger pains
[02:47:47] I’ma ask them how that feel
[02:47:48] Remember days
[02:47:50] I ain’t even eat a meal
[02:47:51] I would roll straight out of bed
[02:47:52] Grab my gun and eat a pill
[02:47:54] Shit is real
[02:47:54] What you know
[02:47:55] About standing in that field
[02:47:56] Getting chills
[02:47:57] Cause the shots is ringing
[02:47:58] You can tell they near
[02:47:59] But you stuck
[02:48:00] Stay on low
[02:48:01] Put aside the fear you feel
[02:48:02] Then you walk into the crib
[02:48:03] And mama ask you pay the bill
[02:48:05] I can’t do this no more
[02:48:06] Mama stop crying
[02:48:07] I can’t do this no more
[02:48:09] Mama I’m sorry
[02:48:09] I’m trying
[02:48:10] I can’t do this no more
[02:48:11] Mama I’ma make it with the rhyme
[02:48:13] And pay you back for all the sacrifices
[02:48:15] You made raising Brian
[02:48:16] I was conceived in the overnight scenario
[02:48:19] Maybe that’s the reason that I’m bumping in your stereo
[02:48:22] Truth is hard to swallow when I’m eating
[02:48:23] You can hear it though I’m done moving the Cheerio
[02:48:26] My pocket fat like Cheerio
[02:48:27] I ain’t worried bout the cell
[02:48:29] I’m worried bout the casket
[02:48:31] The reason I don’t sell no more
[02:48:32] I started rapping
[02:48:33] I never asked for help
[02:48:34] And still I made it happen
[02:48:36] I was nothing
[02:48:37] Now I’m something
[02:48:37] You don’t know me bitch
[02:48:38] I’m at this
[02:48:39] I can’t go for nothing
[02:48:40] Cause I know my kind endangered
[02:48:42] Ain’t too many like me left
[02:48:43] My boy that’s why I’m famous
[02:48:45] Either getting money
[02:48:46] Smoking weed
[02:48:46] Or making bangers
[02:48:47] Got everything I wanted
[02:48:48] I ain’t doing no complaining
[02:48:51] Always thought I don’t grow myself
[02:48:53] If you guys listen right here
[02:48:55] I say hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on
[02:48:57] I tell myself
[02:48:58] I was trying to show myself
[02:49:01] Trying to prove myself that I was worthy
[02:49:03] But I couldn’t find it
[02:49:05] So pause this for me real quick
[02:49:08] As you guys heard me say
[02:49:08] I feel endangered
[02:49:10] Because there’s not many like me
[02:49:12] But you guys are like me
[02:49:15] So as a 24 year old
[02:49:17] It’s hard to talk about mental health
[02:49:20] To a world that tells us we’re not cool enough
[02:49:23] So I appreciate you guys listening to me right now
[02:49:26] And I appreciate the fact that
[02:49:28] I will be accepted regardless of
[02:49:31] If I choose to talk about what’s cool
[02:49:34] Or what I personally feel in my heart
[02:49:37] So we’re gonna continue to play this next song
[02:49:40] Just wanted you guys to really feel that message
[02:49:42] Hopefully you did
[02:49:43] Because as an artist
[02:49:46] It’s easy to get caught up in the hype
[02:49:48] It really is
[02:49:49] But when you follow your dreams
[02:49:51] And you really strive for fulfillment
[02:49:54] You’ll realize that
[02:49:56] You don’t gotta be accepted by the majority
[02:49:59] Because you are accepted by those that really feel the same way that you do
[02:50:04] So you can play this next one again
[02:50:06] This is gonna be a big political message for you guys
[02:50:08] It’s called Stepped On
[02:50:10] I say my complexion shouldn’t matter how I sound
[02:50:13] But it does
[02:50:14] So why would I keep my opinion to myself
[02:50:16] Is the message of this song
[02:50:19] Shout out to Beans Lee who just performed too
[02:50:21] That’s my aunt
[02:50:22] If y’all look back there
[02:50:23] Sitting next to her is my mom
[02:50:25] Hey look
[02:50:27] Atlas made it happen
[02:50:28] It did happen overnight
[02:50:29] It ain’t got the magic
[02:50:30] I’m an addict
[02:50:31] I’ve been rapping all my life
[02:50:32] Remember I was eight
[02:50:34] When my granny bought that mic
[02:50:35] She said
[02:50:36] You gon’ be great
[02:50:37] Speak your mind
[02:50:38] And ever since
[02:50:39] I’ve been slept on
[02:50:40] But I ain’t never asked for help
[02:50:41] Don’t get stepped on
[02:50:42] Tryna be somebody else
[02:50:43] My complexion
[02:50:44] Shouldn’t matter how I sound
[02:50:45] But it does
[02:50:46] Why would I keep my opinion to myself
[02:50:47] I’m a rapper
[02:50:48] Till they actually come after me
[02:50:49] For real
[02:50:50] Put that ass inside this ass
[02:50:51] And I’m a bastard with a skill
[02:50:52] Like I actually get the vaccine
[02:50:53] That’s like asking to be killed
[02:50:54] This is rap
[02:50:55] And not me asking for no deal
[02:50:56] Ever
[02:50:57] Everything I do unique
[02:50:58] I get paid to speak
[02:50:59] So please don’t let no one ever tell you talk is cheap
[02:51:00] How the fuck we gon’ get rich
[02:51:01] I’m not asking for no deal
[02:51:02] Ever
[02:51:03] Everything I do unique
[02:51:04] I get paid to speak
[02:51:05] So please don’t let no one ever tell you talk is cheap
[02:51:06] How the fuck we gon’ get rich
[02:51:07] Tryna sell a pee a week
[02:51:08] On the Atlas
[02:51:09] Cause I practice what I preach
[02:51:10] That’s my name
[02:51:11] Ayy
[02:51:12] Please don’t wear it out
[02:51:13] Ayy
[02:51:14] Look
[02:51:15] And I ain’t even got a chain
[02:51:16] But when I get one
[02:51:17] Bet I wear it out
[02:51:18] Ayy
[02:51:19] Look
[02:51:20] All this money that I’ve made
[02:51:21] It ain’t make me
[02:51:22] They just hear it now
[02:51:23] Ayy
[02:51:24] Look
[02:51:25] Everyday I had to pray
[02:51:26] Had to wait
[02:51:27] They can’t tear it down
[02:51:28] Why
[02:51:29] Cause Atlas made it happen
[02:51:30] It done happen overnight
[02:51:31] They think I did magic
[02:51:32] I might as well
[02:51:33] I might as well
[02:51:34] I might as well
[02:51:35] I been at my attic
[02:51:36] I been rapping all my life
[02:51:37] Remember I was eight
[02:51:38] When my momma bought that mic
[02:51:39] She said boy you gon be great
[02:51:40] Speak ya mind
[02:51:41] And ever since
[02:51:42] I been slept on
[02:51:43] But I ain’t never asked for help
[02:51:45] Don’t get stepped on
[02:51:46] Tryna be somebody else
[02:51:47] My complexion
[02:51:48] Shouldn’t matter how I sound
[02:51:50] But it does
[02:51:51] Why would I keep my opinion to myself
[02:51:52] Like I said I’ma keep rapping
[02:51:53] Till they actually come after me
[02:51:54] then action
[02:51:55] Till these bonuses and national catastrophe
[02:51:57] If this is what it is
[02:51:58] Like I guess this is what it has to be
[02:52:00] We all equal
[02:52:01] Ain’t no way I’m lookin past it
[02:52:02] I’ma march with the bar
[02:52:03] Your brain
[02:52:04] Drop the bar
[02:52:05] People do the madness
[02:52:06] All these rhymes got them shook, it’s got them blasting
[02:52:09] We all tied to the secrets and the lies
[02:52:11] I know I ain’t gonna be quiet
[02:52:13] Till I’m lying in a casket
[02:52:14] It’s at this
[02:52:15] Hope y’all felt that
[02:52:19] Hope that didn’t go in one ear
[02:52:21] And out the other
[02:52:22] I appreciate you guys
[02:52:24] I hope you like the energy
[02:52:26] Honestly I was a little nervous coming up here
[02:52:28] And I’ve been on a lot of mics
[02:52:30] And I’ve been in front of a lot of people
[02:52:33] But
[02:52:33] Being an artist is vulnerable
[02:52:37] And you gotta be transparent
[02:52:39] And when you’re speaking to an audience
[02:52:41] That you know is listening
[02:52:43] It’s a little different, you feel what I’m saying
[02:52:45] So again guys
[02:52:47] A-T-L-A-S-O-F-T-H-E
[02:52:50] W-R-L-D
[02:52:52] I’m on all social media
[02:52:54] I’m on all streaming platforms
[02:52:56] If you don’t follow me, that’s cool
[02:52:58] If you don’t want to check me out, that’s cool
[02:52:59] I’m sure I’ll be on the cover of GQ
[02:53:02] Fader
[02:53:02] Fader
[02:53:03] Fader
[02:53:03] Fader
[02:53:03] National Geographic
[02:53:05] And a lot more in less than five years
[02:53:07] So shout out to the city of Annapolis
[02:53:09] Shout out to What’s Dope
[02:53:12] Shout out to Speak Your Truth
[02:53:14] And shout out to us
[02:53:15] Artists of the World
[02:53:17] Appreciate you guys
[02:53:18] Give it up for Atlas y’all