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
Attention Span
Aesop Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of a warm pig itching to re-stitch the seams
Namsayin, when I walk, I want to break concrete!
Ox'll spit some shit that'll reflect off the mirror
My light beams are mad bright,
They stay clever
Get a vow severed
Found your body in the desert (scavenger's dessert)
Yeah yeah I rap tight like Saran
Plus enter battles talkin' shit like
'Look mom, no hands!'
I'm tired of cats tryin' to sum me
You can't add that far yet,
That counting is far fetched
I treat MC like canines
Throwin' words at they face
To see if they bite when they catch
I told you my poetry sponsors Gillette
Now you standing there
Wit razors in your head like barrettes
Man, if the mic had ass cheeks
The sticker in my hand
Would say priority seating
And man, I dunno if it was me or you
But your girl was on my dick like she was teethin'
You play the role/roll,
I'll play the poppy seed on top of you
The godspeed is actual,
That doesn't mean I act usual
One of the first emcees to give
The crowd full attention
'Cause you need love and affection
If we could absorb every star in the sky
We noticed some shine brighter than others,
You wonder why
It's the simple things in life
That turn the peasants into leaders
And we know the differences between
The walkers and the sleepers
If we could absorb every star in the sky
We noticed some shine brighter than others,
You wonder why
It's the simple things in life
That turn the peasants into leaders
And we know the differences between
The walkers and the sleepers
I boogie with picket-a-vision,
Carbon based stickler
City piss aroma,
Therapy coma, clone sitter
Itching to pigeon hole villain soul magnet
Feelings activate
Passionate the germ,
And the book met the worm
I hold a book of matches captive to flashin'
For some need flat line
Be a thick fatigue episode,
Brewed in batches
Flirted curse at perked nurse,
Broken skeleton patches
One muddy veteran collapsed
The untapped resource center
Housing style pageants
My little limbs lassoed catered to wings
While mankind's baby steps
Break dirt and demon
I know a crossbreed strung well in the key of
Mass times weight times tame semantics
Encompassing that which splits lips
But never supply and demand it
To hell wit plastic, ooh yeah it's splendid
Tap it on the shoulder,
Grab it, tag it, apprehend it
Lend it to the devil of a friend it,
Wrench it back, mend it again
It still never renders suspended
But finicky picket fences
Now every toy dreams to manufacture hearts
Start with the diving parts and the blueprints
You follow the precedence
Set by war pigs of a yesteryear
Let the tears pray
Skip a stone over the reservoir
To shake the whole charade
Hmm gun play the tumors platoon
I couldn't see
I fell asleep holding an Appleseed,
Woke up holding a tree
The only bridge I ever burned
Along this legacy at dance
Was the one that linked
The cities of Prosperity and Chance
If we could absorb every star in the sky
We noticed some shine brighter than others,
You wonder why
It's the simple things in life
That turn the peasants into leaders
And we know the differences between
The walkers and the sleepers
If we could absorb every star in the sky
We noticed some shine brighter than others,
You wonder why
It's the simple things in life
That turn the peasants into leaders
And we know the differences between
The walkers and the sleepers
The lyrics of "Attention Span" by Aesop Rock and Vast Aire are filled with abstract imagery, making it challenging to decipher a coherent meaning. However, this lyrical enigma, in turn, gave rise to multiple interpretations. The song displays the two rappers' individualistic styles, with Aesop Rock's punchy lyrics juxtaposed with Vast Aire's abstract imagery. The song's theme mainly revolves around the difference between leaders (walkers) and followers (sleepers).
The first verse seems to criticize the society that prioritizes materialistic desires by comparing it to a pig itching to sew up the seams with the dreamer's broken dreams. The chorus then emphasizes the little things in life that can turn peasants into leaders, implying that perhaps people need to focus more on simple pleasures rather than chasing grandiose illusions synonymous with society's ideal.
The second verse emphasizes the difference between leaders and followers and how they respond to challenges. Ox, the rapper, spits some lyrics that reflect off the mirror, challenging an Ox member to a vow severed. The verse seems to imply that true leadership arises from being able to confront and overpower challenges. The verse's final section seems to hint at a romantic relationship, where a girl is attracted to the rapper's poetic, razor-sharp lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Every little step we take breaks the dreams
Each small action we take can destroy someone's aspirations
Of a warm pig itching to re-stitch the seams
Referring to someone in power who is eager to fix a situation in their own twisted way
Namsayin, when I walk, I want to break concrete!
Asserting one's own strength and desire for uncompromising action
Ox'll spit some shit that'll reflect off the mirror
Ox (the rapper) will deliver words that will make the listener think deeply
My light beams are mad bright, They stay clever
Referring to the brilliance of the rapper's ideas and expression
Yo challenge an Ox member, Get a vow severed
Challenging someone from the rapper's group (Ox) will lead to defeat
Found your body in the desert (scavenger's dessert)
Referring to the violent and unforgiving nature of certain environments
Yeah yeah I rap tight like Saran Plus enter battles talkin' shit like 'Look mom, no hands!'
Boasting about his lyrical prowess and confidence in battle
I'm tired of cats tryin' to sum me You can't add that far yet, That counting is far fetched
Rejecting attempts to classify him and his abilities, referring to them as naive
I treat MC like canines Throwing words at they face To see if they bite when they catch
Challenging other rappers (MCs) to see if they can take the heat and remain fierce
I told you my poetry sponsors Gillette Now you standing there Wit razors in your head like barrettes
Mocking those who try to emulate the rapper's style, describing them as desperate and foolish
Man, if the mic had ass cheeks The sticker in my hand Would say priority seating
Asserting the importance of the rapper's talent and the value of his contributions
And man, I dunno if it was me or you But your girl was on my dick like she was teethin'
Boasting about his sexual conquests and appeal
You play the role/roll, I'll play the poppy seed on top of you The godspeed is actual, That doesn't mean I act usual
Commenting on the superficial nature of the entertainment industry, while emphasizing that he is different
One of the first emcees to give The crowd full attention 'Cause you need love and affection
Acknowledging the importance of a genuine connection with fans and an audience
If we could absorb every star in the sky We noticed some shine brighter than others, You wonder why
Reflecting on the beauty and mystery of the universe
It's the simple things in life That turn the peasants into leaders And we know the differences between The walkers and the sleepers
Stressing the importance of humility and appreciation for everyday experiences
I boogie with picket-a-vision, Carbon based stickler
Revealing the rapper's love for detail and precision
City piss aroma, Therapy coma, clone sitter
Implying a feeling of confinement or suffocation in urban environments
Itching to pigeon hole villain soul magnet Feelings activate Passionate the germ, And the book met the worm
Describing an intense desire to categorize and stereotype people, and the negative consequences of that attitude
I hold a book of matches captive to flashin' For some need flat line
Describing a destructive or explosive desire to create chaos
Be a thick fatigue episode, Brewed in batches Flirted curse at perked nurse, Broken skeleton patches
Painting a vivid picture of a chaotic and unstable environment
One muddy veteran collapsed The untapped resource center Housing style pageants
Describing a failed or collapsing system of governance or management
My little limbs lassoed catered to wings While mankind's baby steps Break dirt and demon
Commenting on the contrast between human progress and its effects on the environment, and the rapper's own sense of limitation
I know a crossbreed strung well in the key of Mass times weight times tame semantics Encompassing that which splits lips But never supply and demand it
Describing a complex and contradictory ideology, emphasizing that it is not practical or applicable in real life
To hell wit plastic, ooh yeah it's splendid Tap it on the shoulder, Grab it, tag it, apprehend it
Arguing against the over-reliance on artificial or superficial materials in society
Lend it to the devil of a friend it, Wrench it back, mend it again It still never renders suspended
Commenting on the cyclical nature of conflicts and problems in society
But finicky picket fences Now every toy dreams to manufacture hearts Start with the diving parts and the blueprints
Critiquing the shallow and superficial values of modern society
You follow the precedence Set by war pigs of a yesteryear Let the tears pray Skip a stone over the reservoir To shake the whole charade Hmm gun play the tumors platoon
Referring to the lasting impact of past wars and conflicts, criticizing the tendency to repeat mistakes and perpetuate harmful ideologies
I couldn't see I fell asleep holding an Appleseed, Woke up holding a tree
Metaphorically describing a creative process, emphasizing the transformative power of artistic expression
The only bridge I ever burned Along this legacy at dance Was the one that linked The cities of Prosperity and Chance
Reflecting on past mistakes or regrets, emphasizing the importance of taking chances and seizing opportunities
If we could absorb every star in the sky We noticed some shine brighter than others, You wonder why
Reflecting on the beauty and mystery of the universe
It's the simple things in life That turn the peasants into leaders And we know the differences between The walkers and the sleepers
Stressing the importance of humility and appreciation for everyday experiences
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ANTHONY SIMON, IAN BAVITZ, T ARRINGTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind