Bavitz was born in Syosset, New York and grew up in Northport, New York. While attending college, Bavitz initially recorded and released two self-financed efforts, Music for Earthworms (1997), a full-length featuring underground artist Percee P on two tracks. Bavitz also released a music video to "Abandon All Hope", which was one of the tracks on the CD. The album sold over 300 copies, largely from a grassroots internet-based promotion at his website AesopRock.com and then-popular web portal, MP3.Com. It was a success. With the money he made from his previous release, he then released his Appleseed EP in 1999 which received critical acclaim in the underground hip hop circuit.[citation needed] Both of his early records were produced by long-time friend Blockhead, and underground producer Dub-L. He completed these albums while also working as a waiter.
After his breakthrough success in the underground hip hop and indie rap community, he was eventually noticed by the Mush label and obtained his first record deal in 1999, just a year after he graduated from college. Aesop released his first major album, Float (2000), with guest appearances from Vast Aire, Slug, and Dose One. Production was split between Blockhead and Aesop himself, with one track by Omega One. During this time, Aesop worked at a photography gallery. In August 2001 tragedy struck when Bavitz had a nervous breakdown. The song "One of Four" on his Daylight EP documents his struggles.
Shortly after releasing Float, Aesop Rock signed to Manhattan-based label Definitive Jux (commonly shortened to Def Jux), where he released Labor Days (2001), an album dedicated to the discussion of labor in American society and the concept of "wage slaves". This album was most well known for its single "Daylight". Because of its popularity, Daylight was re-released in 2002 as a seven-track EP, including an "alternative" new version of the song "Night Light", whose paraphrased lyrics simultaneously refer back to, and stand in stark opposition to, the original's. The song "Labor" (from Labor Days) was featured in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4; it also was the first album in his catalog to break through the Billboard charts, peaking at number 15 at the United States Independent Charts, giving Aesop Rock more recognition.
Labor Days was followed by Bazooka Tooth in 2003. For the first time, production was mostly handled by Rock himself, with three tracks from longtime collaborator Blockhead and one from close friend and Definitive Jux label CEO El-P. Guest appearances include Party Fun Action Committee, El-P, and Mr. Lif (all Definitive Jux labelmates) and Camp Lo. With this release Aesop hit a higher level of recognition, releasing "No Jumper Cables" as a single and music video, then another single, "Freeze", shortly after. A remix of "No Jumper Cables" was featured on Tony Hawk's Underground 2, furthering Aesop's recognition. In 2004, He released Build Your Own Bazooka Tooth and created a contest in which you had to create a remix of an Aesop Rock song using the a cappellas and instrumentals.
In February 2005, Aesop Rock released a new EP, Fast Cars, Danger, Fire and Knives. The first pressing of the EP included an 88-page booklet with lyrics from every release from Float until this EP (the lyric booklet is titled The Living Human Curiosity Sideshow); later pressings of the album come without the booklet, but with an additional bonus track, "Facemelter". In addition, a limited number of albums were available direct from Def Jux with Aesop Rock's graffiti tag on them. In response to demands from his fans, Rock did less production on the EP: three songs are produced by Blockhead, three produced by Aesop, and one by Rob Sonic. During this time he was asked to join The Weathermen to replace Vast Aire.
Aesop Rock was commissioned to create a 45-minute instrumental track for the Nike+iPod running system, entitled All Day. It was released in February 2007. Distributed via the iTunes Music Store and featuring his wife Allyson Baker on guitar and scratches from DJ Big Wiz, Aesop has described the release as "something that evolved enough that the sound was constantly fresh and attractive, as though the runner were moving through a set of differing cities or landscapes."
All Day was followed in August of the same year by Bavitz's fifth full-length album, None Shall Pass released in 2007. The album also contained original artwork by Jeremy Fish. About Jeremy Fish, Aesop Rock said: "Man that guy is my hero. We have a friend in common who hit me up a while back saying that this guy Jeremy Fish had an opportunity to pitch a cartoon to Disney and wanted me to be involved in the music side. I flipped out cuz I was also a fan of his, and owned some of his work." Aesop Rock also teamed up with Jeremy Fish again in a project called Ghosts of the Barbary Coast. Aesop Rock made a song called "Tomorrow Morning", to go along with a slideshow of drawings that Jeremy Fish drew. This was displayed in San Francisco, but was also made available for download online. None Shall Pass had positive reviews from critics and fans, applauding Aesop for his change in sound.
In 2011, Rhymesayers released "Are You Going to Eat That?", the debut album from Hail Mary Mallon, a collaboration between Aesop Rock, Rob Sonic, and DJ Big Wiz.
On July 10, 2012, Rhymesayers released Aesop Rock's sixth studio album, "Skelethon". Its first single, "Zero Dark Thirty", was released four months earlier on April 10. A second single, "ZZZ Top", was released on June 29.
In 2011, Aesop Rock and Kimya Dawson of The Moldy Peaches formed the duo The Uncluded. The duo's debut album, "Hokey Fright" was released on May 7, 2013.
In 2018, Aesop Rock teamed up with TOBACCO to form Malibu Ken
89.9FM Nighttrain Promo
Aesop Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I traded my title as bent pedestrian for passenger status, to coast muted.
Finding the night train mildly therapeutic.
Rugged hacker flashing mood full of swings,
Beneath this puppet master pulling my strings,
Leaking smoke rings singing...
(God, despite what's measured is honestly magnificent)
Nah I don't think the blueprints drafted tilted in the tombs,
Tampering hampered scampered well beyond the dooms.
We bloomed the matter down to those most beautifully discrete,
Applying yesterdays models, stand obsolete amongst colossals (amongst
colossals)
Comply not to enforce us, aborted claiming they came off.
Sort of stabbed them with the capital 'A' that sets my name off.
Sick of it all, Sick of the stall,
Sick of the thick, brick in the wall sob stories,
the falls, the tragic hate calls.
Shaking like magic eight balls, pausing to watch the vapors crawl.
My clique heeds lessons I'll be noted from kids sisters paper dolls.
We lining up along against these great walls,
Circling analytical,
Rhetorical inquiries
yet x is not applicable, kid.
Your flash motto we as orphans repeated,
You talking concrete examples with glass bottoms cause defeated kid,
I'm heated.
Its flight of the intruder and we all fall down.
Conditions of never blends science with religion
Cut my character cleansed in esoteric opulence,
But finding no intrinsic merit in your sense.
Well isn't that bewildering?
Drunken distortion and spit the filter in.
Mic sweltering measures like melting my rings together and you never
Seen I, Aesop Rock, flop for the love of eighty-nine point nine,
I'm here to ride upon the night train...
(yeah wkcr 89.9 . . . here for the night train . . . whats up to my man
apex, kinetic, dj ely, baz, my man dub el on productions, the mighty Jer, my
man patrick, blockhead, mr roper, omega one, my man hates one, percy p
andre . . . stay up . .. its like that . . . its big aesop rock signing off)
In "89.9FM Nighttrain Promo", Aesop Rock describes his temporary transition from being a walker to a passenger on the night train. In doing so, he reflects on the therapeutic aspect of traveling at night and being a mere observer rather than an active participant. He then delves into more complex issues like how children are sold on fabricated ideas and how these ideas are turned into reality, which ultimately becomes obsolete when compared to the bigger picture. Aesop Rock uses the metaphor of "pulling strings" to suggest the invisible influence of those in power, who manipulate society and lead people astray. He also reflects on the limitations of language, citing the inability of words to encompass the irrational nature of life. In conclusion, the artist uses the song as a platform to showcase his lyricism and pay homage to his community of fellow artists, DJs, and producers.
Line by Line Meaning
I traded my title as bent pedestrian for passenger status, to coast muted.
I exchanged the stress of walking alone for the comfort of riding the night train quietly.
Finding the night train mildly therapeutic.
I find solace and comfort when I ride the night train.
Rugged hacker flashing mood full of swings,
My emotions are all over the place, like the flickering screens of a computer hacker's monitor.
Beneath this puppet master pulling my strings,
I feel like someone is controlling my life and I have no control over it.
Leaking smoke rings singing...
I'm exhaling smoke and singing at the same time.
(God, despite what's measured is honestly magnificent)
Despite what science can measure, the world around us is still truly beautiful and awe-inspiring.
Syndicate sold to children, building homes for my omnipotent platoons.
People are selling out to big corporations, who then use their power to shape society in their own image.
Nah I don't think the blueprints drafted tilted in the tombs,
I don't believe the plans were made with good intentions.
Tampering hampered scampered well beyond the dooms.
Corruption and dishonesty have spread too far and too deep to be stopped.
We bloomed the matter down to those most beautifully discrete,
We simplified the complex issues to their most basic and beautiful elements.
Applying yesterdays models, stand obsolete amongst colossals (amongst colossals)
Old ways of thinking no longer hold up against the massive forces at play.
Comply not to enforce us, aborted claiming they came off.
We will not give in to those who try to control us, even if they try to force us to do so.
Sort of stabbed them with the capital 'A' that sets my name off.
I've made my mark by standing up for what I believe in, even if it means going against the norm.
Sick of it all, Sick of the stall,
I'm tired of everything, tired of being held back.
Sick of the thick, brick in the wall sob stories,
I'm fed up with sad and depressing stories that make us feel trapped and hopeless.
The falls, the tragic hate calls.
I'm tired of seeing people fall and succumb to hate and tragedy.
Shaking like magic eight balls, pausing to watch the vapors crawl.
I'm anxious and indecisive, stopping to watch the smoke and vapor move around.
My clique heeds lessons I'll be noted from kids sisters paper dolls.
My friends and I learn from the experiences of those around us, even from children playing with paper dolls.
We lining up along against these great walls,
We're standing up against the big barriers that keep us from living our lives the way we want to.
Circling analytical,
We're carefully examining the situation and trying to understand it fully.
Rhetorical inquiries yet x is not applicable, kid.
We're asking deep questions, but the answers aren't always simple or straightforward.
Your flash motto we as orphans repeated,
The popular slogans and catchphrases mean nothing to us, who feel like we're alone in the world.
You talking concrete examples with glass bottoms cause defeated kid, I'm heated.
Your arguments may sound solid, but they're full of flaws that are easily defeated. I'm angry and frustrated.
Its flight of the intruder and we all fall down.
We're all just trying to survive, but sometimes it seems like everything is going wrong.
Conditions of never blends science with religion
The worlds of science and religion never seem to intersect or agree with each other.
Cut my character cleansed in esoteric opulence,
I've tried to reshape myself into a more enlightened and mystic person.
But finding no intrinsic merit in your sense.
I don't find any value in your way of thinking or understanding the world.
Well isn't that bewildering?
It's frustrating and confusing, to say the least.
Drunken distortion and spit the filter in.
I'm speaking my mind, regardless of how it might upset people or distort the truth.
Mic sweltering measures like melting my rings together and you never Seen I, Aesop Rock, flop for the love of eighty-nine point nine,
I'm giving my all, pouring all my energy into my music, and I won't stop or fail, no matter what.
I'm here to ride upon the night train...
I'm here to find peace and solace, even amidst all the chaos and struggle of life.
(yeah wkcr 89.9 . . . here for the night train . . . whats up to my man apex, kinetic, dj ely, baz, my man dub el on productions, the mighty Jer, my man patrick, blockhead, mr roper, omega one, my man hates one, percy p andre . . . stay up . .. its like that . . . its big aesop rock signing off)
I'm signing off, but not before giving a shoutout to all my friends and supporters. We're all in this together. Peace out.
Contributed by Lucy F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lary Nx
the led zepplin sample is sick!!
NoFrillzHipHop
The station was WKCR 89.9FM(NY) and the show was called the "Nighttrain". This is the promo Aesop did for the show.
Lockshabaz
this needs more views. Some of my favorite shit from him
Sarcofaygo
This to me is his third best song, behind Troubled Waters (2) and Water (1)
greenpasta
still sounds fresh as hell
Mike Mills
It's like he's from the future
greenpasta
hello
Sarcofaygo
"its big aesop rock"
Sarcofaygo
Favorite Aesop song
KiLLeRHAnDs
Fucking illllllllllllllll killn it w the zepplin