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
Fascination
Aesop Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
CHORUS
Fascination. Fascination. And everything I do I'm fascinated with, That's why I pass the hated wasteland with a grin, 'cause in the end I got my passions while you splash in a puddle of trying to pick apart the puzzle. Fascination. Fascination. And everything I do I'm fascinated with. That's why I pass the jaded grips of competitors who initiate disturance with a smirk, 'cause I feel I got direction in my work.
And everything I touch magnificent. Picking apart a drunken township. Sitting in the rain rusting the nails my crown's bound with. If I had an anchor I would lay it in the dirt and mark today the day the earth stood still while I complete my search. You honor delusions and falsified life comfort systems as boy in the bubble huddled up to simple simon subtle. Born tomahawk. Shock the peanut gallery loopy. Debate the cutesy, groupie, cupie doll community. And I'm hung in a virtual skin and bones emaciated ringworm circus freak bloodthirsty intern trainee urchin feast with a delectable style compiled of that which stands to buff a child's yellow brick vision of slick living. I observe the stories from my fire escape observatory. First I herd the glory, then desert the herbs that word it poorly, understood? Well, maybe a pat on the back for the lucky losers who truly felt they were born to touch the music. I catalog cats as welcome mats, and for the ones insisting on dimming the stars I wipe my snearkers extra hard. I wish upon a penny toss that every servant will betray his gatekeeper and leap to reap the freedom fighter mad galaxy. Huff the war gas vapors and cram hard for tomorrow. Brother, I own twice my wiehgt in patience. Be it padded cubicle or beautiful tomb, I'll be listening 'til you whistling that more suitable tune.
The lyrics of Aesop Rock's song "Fascination" are a collection of abstract and poetic images that represent the rapper's fascination with the world around him. He describes himself as a "beautiful disaster" and likens himself to a marionette controlled by the threat of wire-cutters. He talks about the desire to count his "warrior hatchling batch" before their gestation segment ended and uses vivid language to describe the release of a Japanese beetle swarm to counter the spread of bitch crops. The song is filled with metaphorical references to nature and the struggle for survival, such as the unseen iceberg in the water and the manufacture of flotsam and jetsam from the charter.
The chorus of the song repeats the word "fascination" as a mantra, emphasizing the rapper's persistent interest in the world around him. He is able to find the beauty in even the most difficult situations and is unphased by the attempts of his competitors to disturb his work. He speaks of his own magnificent touch and his ability to pick apart a drunken township, suggesting that he is able to find the beauty in even the ugliest situations.
Overall, "Fascination" is a complex and abstract exploration of the rapper's perspective on the world around him. Through the use of poetic language and abstract imagery, Aesop Rock is able to convey both his fascination with and acceptance of the beauty and chaos of the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Shooken to Casper.
Surprised and shaken up by a situation that bewilders.
Illustrate beautiful disaster.
Depicting something that is paradoxically beautiful and disastrous.
Flight of the mothership lift to badger the male-factor.
Being liberated, like a spaceship lifting off, from the male-dominated system.
Marionette vs. the threat of wire cutter function.
Being a marionette puppet and being threatened by those who can control the strings.
Stereotypical grinch bashing your pumpkins.
Someone who is negative and destroys the happiness that others have created.
Plug.
A pause.
Try to count up your warrior hatchling batch before gestation segment ended and head a platoon of embryonic remnants to the game board.
Get your strategy in place and execute your plans before time runs out.
Release Japanese beetle swarm to counter the spread of bitch crops, demolish the harvest and herd colony out immediate.
Taking big actions to stop something bad from spreading.
One massive attack. Hunted, confronted and gutted.
A sudden, powerful attack that leaves the enemies exposed and vulnerable.
Most pungent component cloned in outrageous bunches.
Individuals in groups that are clones of each other but particularly obnoxious.
From the grimacing faces to the knots in my shoelaces, I'm a show you all the phases of a fuck up.
Being a mess and struggling.
Plucking the petals but every rose had its thorn.
Feeling disappointed after putting energy into something that looks nice but not perfect.
Consider that first warning, second will be good times, laughs and epitaphs.
A message to not take life too seriously.
As a matter of basic principle next I set my boat a sail.
Setting out with a plan or goal.
I won't always be there for your tugging on my coat tails.
A message that one cannot always rely on others for help.
Family stuck. Voyage of the S.S. Martyr.
Feeling trapped and helpless.
Who you think put that unseen iceberg in the water?
Questioning the hidden dangers and challenges in life.
Manufacture flotsam and jetsam from out your charter.
Taking the pieces of a situation and creating something new from them.
We got the once pushovers pushing back a little harder now, blink.
The underdogs are rising and fighting back.
I think I can. I got grips.
Boosting one's confidence and motivation.
Muckraker major spin circles 'round sunken ships.
Digging up dirt and exposing the truth about bad situations that have already happened.
Walk an invisible city of lost clans and he's jealous 'cause my silhouette had more dimensions than his game plans.
Traversing an unknown place where others have lost their way, and feeling superior because one's plan is more advanced.
CHORUS Fascination. Fascination. And everything I do I'm fascinated with, That's why I pass the hated wasteland with a grin, 'cause in the end I got my passions while you splash in a puddle of trying to pick apart the puzzle. Fascination. Fascination. And everything I do I'm fascinated with. That's why I pass the jaded grips of competitors who initiate disturance with a smirk, 'cause I feel I got direction in my work.
Finding joy and meaning in everything that is done.
And everything I touch magnificent.
Being capable of creating amazing things.
Picking apart a drunken township.
Deconstructing a flawed society.
Sitting in the rain rusting the nails my crown's bound with.
Facing challenges that are impacted by personal reputation or status.
If I had an anchor I would lay it in the dirt and mark today the day the earth stood still while I complete my search.
Wishing to pause time in order to take a moment to search for meaning.
You honor delusions and falsified life comfort systems as boy in the bubble huddled up to simple simon subtle.
Observing people who live in a bubble and fail to see the truth about the world.
Born tomahawk. Shock the peanut gallery loopy.
Being born a fighter, and leaving one's opponents in a dizzying state of confusion.
Debate the cutesy, groupie, cupie doll community.
Engaging in arguments with those who are shallow and superficial.
And I'm hung in a virtual skin and bones emaciated ringworm circus freak bloodthirsty intern trainee urchin feast with a delectable style compiled of that which stands to buff a child's yellow brick vision of slick living.
Feeling like an outcast but possessing the ability to see beyond the superficial visions of others.
I observe the stories from my fire escape observatory.
Watching events from a safe distance.
First I herd the glory, then desert the herbs that word it poorly, understood?
Recognizing success when it arrives, but quickly moving away from it if it does not seem genuine.
Well, maybe a pat on the back for the lucky losers who truly felt they were born to touch the music.
Encouraging those who have lost, and might still feel inspired to make art.
I catalog cats as welcome mats, and for the ones insisting on dimming the stars I wipe my snearkers extra hard.
Categorizing individuals and keeping those who bring negativity at arm's length.
I wish upon a penny toss that every servant will betray his gatekeeper and leap to reap the freedom fighter mad galaxy.
Desiring that those who are used to serve others will rise up and take control of their lives.
Huff the war gas vapors and cram hard for tomorrow.
Working hard to prepare for the unpredictable future.
Brother, I own twice my wiehgt in patience.
Being capable of enduring long periods of waiting.
Be it padded cubicle or beautiful tomb, I'll be listening 'til you whistling that more suitable tune.
Listening intently for the message or direction that is aligned to personal values.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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