Biography
Dem Atlas serves as the stage name for Joshua Turner, an artist rooted in St. Paul, Minnesota, who first took up rapping in his late teens and soon issued a self-released project that secured an enduring association with Rhymesayers. That connection gained firm footing via the 2014 DWNR EP and extended through the charting full-length Bad Actress in 2018, issued alongside scattered guest spots on recordings from acts such as Atmosphere and YYY. As a flexible MC and vocalist, Turner seeks to console and inspire listeners while exploring an expansive range of feelings that encompasses mental health struggles and endurance.
Born in Akron, Ohio, Turner relocated with his family in early childhood to Minnesota, where he first settled in Minneapolis before moving on to Eagan. Engaged in multiple artistic endeavors—among them acting, painting, composing poetry, and leading a band—he postponed any attempt at rapping until after completing high school. Once begun, his skill advanced rapidly, first captured on the self-released 2013 EP titled Charle Brwn. He then joined the Minneapolis-based Rhymesayers roster, making his label introduction in 2014 via the single “All We Got” and the follow-up EP DWNR. Over the ensuing three years he issued just two further Rhymesayers singles under his own name—“With a Smile” in 2015 and “In the Mud” in 2017—while appearing on numerous other tracks, including Atmosphere’s “Finer Things” and “Next to You” as well as YYY’s rendition of the Beach Boys’ “Wouldn’t It Be Nice.” In October 2018 he joined Atmosphere once more for “Drown,” and weeks later unveiled his debut proper album, Bad Actress, which peaked at number 32 on Billboard’s Independent Albums chart.
Born in Akron, Ohio, Turner relocated with his family in early childhood to Minnesota, where he first settled in Minneapolis before moving on to Eagan. Engaged in multiple artistic endeavors—among them acting, painting, composing poetry, and leading a band—he postponed any attempt at rapping until after completing high school. Once begun, his skill advanced rapidly, first captured on the self-released 2013 EP titled Charle Brwn. He then joined the Minneapolis-based Rhymesayers roster, making his label introduction in 2014 via the single “All We Got” and the follow-up EP DWNR. Over the ensuing three years he issued just two further Rhymesayers singles under his own name—“With a Smile” in 2015 and “In the Mud” in 2017—while appearing on numerous other tracks, including Atmosphere’s “Finer Things” and “Next to You” as well as YYY’s rendition of the Beach Boys’ “Wouldn’t It Be Nice.” In October 2018 he joined Atmosphere once more for “Drown,” and weeks later unveiled his debut proper album, Bad Actress, which peaked at number 32 on Billboard’s Independent Albums chart.
Albums
Singles
