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
Alchemy feat. Blueprint
Aesop Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Skull flame showers, cowards, cower, underneath our
Storm clouds that indicate the acid rain hours
Now or, never, ever, ending on a bad note
Ripping ya' craft spoke, for spitting a bad quote
(Blueprint what's your approach?)
I smash black folk and white folk alike for jokes with mics
I'll make a sad fan appreciate rap again
Fuck around and forget just how wack it's been
I'm a bad man (Why's that?)
I catch bullets in my molars, body slam boas
And take flight with the weight of the world on my shoulders
And blame David Blaine on any chains that hold us
What started out as food for thought, turned into thoughts to
Turn they
Crews into food in hopes to satisfy my
Insatiable appetite to dine on lifeforms
Small planets and satellites
You solar system is my condiment
I'm bombin' comets, and don't sweat the small things and
Nonsense
Every dog has his day and even more so in rhyming
So I decided that I'd never play the fire hydren
Or grab the mic sounding lazy, worn down and tired
Cats don't really fall off they just get uninspired
But before you, get a reason to ever diss us
I'll drop a ill LP and disappear like Bobby Fischer
But this is, the building block of all that is
And what it is, is Alchemy
Alchemy, basic with a touch of wild wonder
Alchemy, we made this to take your style under
Metal frame, walking through a, metal game with a limp, tight
Grip
Determined not to let time slip
This is Alchemy, iron be -boy and all his glory
Alchemy, hold it from the colder sob story
Metal frame, walking through a, metal game with a limp, tight
Grip
Determined not to let time slip
Ah, dirty, dirty destiny
Birded murders with a burn gurshin a peasantry
Nervous flux flirtin' with hurley burly chemistry
Graffiti burner urchin merchant with a certain urge jerkin'
Served and centerpiece
My zig-zag bully balance gallops with a fiery outline
Ban and bomb y'all pastel poets belly up (I'll tell you what)
Born stylin' 4 dimensions count em'
?Breed it take it to em' up,? run to build a world you'll never
Touch
And I'm a pilot, delerium, serum, poison arrangement
Aroused when I feel like storming suck the raw enslavement
With a grin-style stinger creeping out the basement
Impatient wild ritualistic visions of sacrificial bitch hatin'
For all my iron giant soldiers with a metal fist upshielding
Mother nature
From her fatal wrist cuts story I'll respect you
(So why they blaming you for the cats that sleep while the earth
Turns?)
Yeah I had em' up all night praying I'd re-release Music For
Earthworms
Greed even are lease screaming with milestone like ring ring
Ring I just
Caught the screen fiending click dial tone
Welcome to a clouds swell blew to hallucination war pillar
Carnivore, carnival, karma slasher
I dash like a jack rabbit that orbits revelation with a single
Pounce
To Edward Scissorhands your spring of doubts (Yo turn it out)
This is that mighty case of home field advantage to bend your
Blizzard With
A crocodile smile and fight robot knuckles to your kisser
This is Alchemy, basic with a touch of wild wonder
Alchemy, we made this to take your style under
Metal frame, walking through a, metal game with a limp, tight
Grip
Determined not to let time slip
This is Alchemy, iron be -boy and all his glory
Alchemy, hold it from the colder sob story
Metal frame, walking through a, metal game with a limp, tight
Grip
Determined not to let time slip
In "Alchemy" by Aesop Rock, he fiercely spits with an immense amount of power, spewing skull flame showers and cowards cower underneath their storm clouds, which indicate the acid rain hours. He rips apart crafts spoke, demolishing those who spit a bad quote. As he moves on, he seems to hold no prejudice against either black or white folks, making a Kodak moment out of the most boring open mic. Aesop Rock proves to be a bad man, one who catches bullets in his molars, body slams boas, and takes flight with the weight of the world on his shoulders. He could blame David Blaine on any chains that hold them since every small thing and nonsense do not concern him. Aesop Rock moves ambitiously forward with a desire to dine on lifeforms, small planets, and satellites with the solar system as his condiment while others get uninspired and fall off. Ultimately, what Aesop Rock is presenting is an Alchemy, a building block of all that is.
Line by Line Meaning
I spit with an immense amount of power
I rap with a strong and forceful delivery
Skull flame showers, cowards, cower, underneath our
My music is intimidating and causes fear in those who hear it
Storm clouds that indicate the acid rain hours
The dark tone of my music signifies impending danger and negativity
Now or, never, ever, ending on a bad note
My performance must be perfect or else its repercussions will be long-lasting
Ripping ya' craft spoke, for spitting a bad quote
I will expose poorly written rhymes with my superior skill
(Blueprint what's your approach?)
Questions from another rapper on how I craft my rhymes
I smash black folk and white folk alike for jokes with mics
I am an equal opportunity insult comic, and make fun of everyone
And make a Kodak moment out of the most boring open mic
I will turn the most mundane event into something memorable
I'll make a sad fan appreciate rap again
My music will make people rediscover their love for hip-hop
Fuck around and forget just how wack it's been
Hip-hop has had many low points, but I aim to change that
I'm a bad man (Why's that?)
I'm a skilled rapper who commands respect
I catch bullets in my molars, body slam boas
I am a metaphorical tough guy who can handle any challenge
And take flight with the weight of the world on my shoulders
I am able to rise above the problems of the world and still succeed
And blame David Blaine on any chains that hold us
I can find an excuse for any problem, just like how David Blaine can escape from chains
What started out as food for thought, turned into thoughts to
My creativity started as small ideas and grew into bigger ones
Turn they
Transitioning to the next line
Crews into food in hopes to satisfy
I want to metaphorically defeat other rappers in a battle and consume them
my Insatiable appetite to dine on lifeforms
My hunger for success and victory is never-ending
Small planets and satellites
I can defeat other rappers who are smaller in scope than me
You solar system is my condiment
I can destroy other rappers with ease
I'm bombin' comets, and don't sweat the small things and Nonsense
I am focused on success and ignore distractions
Every dog has his day and even more so in rhyming
Each rapper can have success in their own way, but I excel in my skill of rapping
So I decided that I'd never play the fire hydren
I won't waste my talent and potential by being lazy or uninspired
Or grab the mic sounding lazy, worn down and tired
I won't give a half-hearted performance
Cats don't really fall off they just get uninspired
Other rappers don't lose their ability, they just lose their motivation
But before you, get a reason to ever diss us
Before criticizing my music, you should listen to my album
I'll drop a ill LP and disappear like Bobby Fischer
If necessary, I can withdraw from the public eye after releasing a great album
But this is, the building block of all that is
My music is a foundation for hip-hop
And what it is, is Alchemy
My music is a transformative art form, like Alchemy
Alchemy, basic with a touch of wild wonder
My music has a simple foundation, but includes elements of surprise and creativity
Alchemy, we made this to take your style under
I aspire to outdo other rappers with my unique style and skill
Metal frame, walking through a, metal game with a limp, tight Grip
I move confidently and decisively through the competitive world of hip-hop
Determined not to let time slip
I am focused on success and won't waste any time
Ah, dirty, dirty destiny
The world is full of harsh realities and difficult paths
Birded murders with a burn gurshin a peasantry
The tough parts of life can lead to death and destruction
Nervous flux flirtin' with hurley burly chemistry
The anxieties of life can create chaos and turmoil
Graffiti burner urchin merchant with a certain urge jerkin'
I am a skilled artist who creates works that defy convention
Served and centerpiece
I am an important and well-known figure in the world of hip-hop
My zig-zag bully balance gallops with a fiery outline
I have a unique and unpredictable style that is intimidating to other rappers
Ban and bomb y'all pastel poets belly up (I'll tell you what)
I will defeat other rappers with colorful rhymes and complex wordplay
Born stylin' 4 dimensions count em'
I have a deep understanding of the art of hip-hop and can excel in multiple areas
Breed it take it to em' up,? run to build a world you'll never Touch
I will create art that is beyond the comprehension of others
And I'm a pilot, delerium, serum, poison arrangement
Like a scientist, I mix different elements together to create my art
Aroused when I feel like storming suck the raw enslavement
I am motivated by the idea of triumphing over oppression and adversity
With a grin-style stinger creeping out the basement
I have a menacing presence and can come out of nowhere to win battles
Impatient wild ritualistic visions of sacrificial bitch hatin'
I am motivated by my passion for competition, and will crush other rappers with ease
For all my iron giant soldiers with a metal fist up
I am a leader who inspires my followers to be strong and dedicated
shielding Mother nature
I am protective of the natural world and want to preserve it
From her fatal wrist cuts story I'll respect you
I respect those who work to protect the environment and want to contribute to that effort
(So why they blaming you for the cats that sleep while the earth Turns?)
People unfairly blame me for the faults of others who do not care about the world
Yeah I had em' up all night praying I'd re-release Music For Earthworms
I am a respected artist who has set a high standard for others to follow
Greed even are lease screaming with milestone like ring ring Ring I just
I am a successful artist who has earned many achievements
Caught the screen fiending click dial tone
My success has led to fame and the attention of others
Welcome to a clouds swell blew to hallucination war pillar
My art is powerful and can take people on a journey of imagination
Carnivore, carnival, karma slasher
My art has a sense of danger and violence to it
I dash like a jack rabbit that orbits revelation with a single Pounce
I am swift and agile, able to move quickly to defeat other rappers
To Edward Scissorhands your spring of doubts (Yo turn it out)
I can cut down others with ease and make them doubt themselves
This is that mighty case of home field advantage to bend your Blizzard With A crocodile smile and fight robot knuckles to your kisser
I can defeat other rappers with ease and make them feel small compared to me
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Morah NYC
I remember the first time I heard this track winter 2003 or 2004. Cold as hellI rolling around in my homie’s purple neon. Gutted interior that we used as graffiti canvas on our trips to band rehearsal. Best times!
shawnserves
there's times where simple but strong lyrics backed up with a good flow,nice delivery, and clever word play, outshine complex lyricism.. like big l for example, Big L is much better than Canibus. in my honest opinion.
Mr. Gots aka Storm-G
Blueprint ripped this for an encore at one of his shows in Carbondale, IL in 2007. By my request. haha. I still remember that shit. Thanks, print
Surge Álvarez
sweet tune! I love this
ThroneOvSeth
You obviously can't appreciate music for music, because this beat is spectacular.
FightScienceAa82
Clearly. The point was that Blue print strength here was delivery, as appose to "lyricism" while Aesop is well versed in both.
jonathanwshapiro
Rap is about both lyricism and delivery. If you only pay attention to the lyrics you're missing half of the message.
Tim Lewis
aesop rips this shit up to crazy bits and leavs it on blue print plate
Joseph Pinckney Jr.
I liked Aesop Rock's verse better but both were dope
urf radio
fuckin awesome