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
Hot Dogs
Aesop Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We don't know what to do because we're
About to re-enter the level above human)
(I couldn't have had a better
Life than I've had
These 21 years and if it was good here
I know it's gonna be twice as
(This isn't a troubling circumstance
Don't take it as that it's just a gateway
Just a doorway)
(What we're doing is we're going
Home we're going home to
Those individuals who sent us here
To do this task
And this is the happiest and
Joyous thing that you can)
Alright raised on dirty hot dog
Water and popcorn butter
EPMD tellin' me every popstar a sucker
Don't let him smell the potstickers
He'll stick around for supper
He'll stick around for cheesecake
Then three days, then the summer
Where spiders eat their mothers
Where rodents eat their young
I'm not here to make sense
Where there is none, that's dumb
My attitude is ghastly
Any gallantry been going gone
I think I'm probably a lot
Like dating Mola Ram, i should work on that
The geezer not a leader, I'm a loner
Lover, believer, upholder of the under
Just not a people person
Please forgive me if I'm flustered
I'll save a thousand whales before
Your grit's are even buttered
My name is Aesop Rock
I've been a mess for my entire life
All I know is fight or flight
What the fuck's a silent night?
Who the fuck are you to tell me
Who the fuck you even are
This is more than band-aids
Over it'sy-bit'sy bleeding hearts
This is GNR announcing Jesus
Christ on lead guitar
Finding Heather Hunter still inside
Your college VCR mirror mirror on the wall
I feel like a fucking dog
Something this depraved is not a
Product of a loving God
Periwinkle Pegasus through rat-infested
LEGO bricks hug his mother briefly
Then we're off to see the exorcist
I will not be checking messages
Why, should I be?
Special is as special does
You aren't special just because
Yes, your mother said you was
That's pretty much what mothers does
Someday I might find the pluck to
Roam the Earth with zero strings
Cut the tether float this feather
Over eastern seaboard winds forever
Like sea-born kings invested in the
The froth and fog
They'll talk of his adventuring and call
Him things like "salty dog"
He freed like a bajillion prisoners
From some secret haunted vault
Always had a L to puff
Never yelled "Get off my lawn!"
Full disclosure I don't even have a lawn
If I did I'd probably grow the
Grass until the house was gone
Kick it ‘til the town forget the
Address or the house at all
This is how performance art
Exacerbates an albatross
I should maybe shake some hands
I should turn the music down
Have some people over without askin'
Them to move a couch
But, since you're here I've got this
Awful futon I could do without
Should take like two seconds
The lyrics to Aesop Rock's song "Hot Dogs" contain a mix of introspective thoughts, playful wordplay, and social commentary. The opening lines "We're so excited, We don't know what to do because we're, About to re-enter the level above human" suggest a sense of anticipation and longing for something beyond the ordinary human experience. It reflects a desire to transcend the limitations of existence and enter into a higher realm.
The lyrics also touch on themes of self-reflection and acceptance. The lines "I couldn't have had a better life than I've had, These 21 years and if it was good here, I know it's gonna be twice as good when we get up there" speak to finding contentment and gratitude for the life one has lived, while also holding onto the hope that there is more to come. It demonstrates a sense of optimism and faith in the future.
Throughout the song, Aesop Rock's wordplay and clever metaphors are evident. He describes his upbringing as being raised on "dirty hot dog water and popcorn butter" and references EPMD's influence on him, warning against the influence of fame. The lyrics also touch on societal issues, such as the destructive nature of greed and the disconnection between individuals.
Overall, "Hot Dogs" is a thought-provoking song that explores themes of longing for something more, introspection, social commentary, and Aesop Rock's unique wordplay.
Line by Line Meaning
(We're so excited
We are filled with anticipation
We don't know what to do because we're
We are unsure of how to handle the upcoming situation
About to re-enter the level above human)
About to transcend the limitations of humanity
(I couldn't have had a better
My life has been truly remarkable
Life than I've had
life experience
These 21 years and if it was good here
In these 21 years, if life was good
I know it's gonna be twice as
I am confident it will be even better
Good when we get up there)
when we transcend to the higher level
(This isn't a troubling circumstance
This is not a worrisome situation
Don't take it as that it's just a gateway
View it as a gateway or portal
Just a doorway)
Simply a passage to another realm
(What we're doing is we're going
Our current objective is to go
Home we're going home to
We are returning to our true home
Those individuals who sent us here
The beings who assigned us this mission
To do this task
To fulfill this mission
And this is the happiest and
This is the most joyous and
Joyous thing that you can
blissful experience possible
Alright raised on dirty hot dog
Growing up on low-quality hot dogs
Water and popcorn butter
Unhealthy food choices
EPMD tellin' me every popstar a sucker
EPMD informing me that all popstars are foolish
Don't let him smell the potstickers
Prevent him from discovering the delicious food
He'll stick around for supper
He will stay for dinner
He'll stick around for cheesecake
He will remain for dessert
Then three days, then the summer
And then for an extended period of time
Where spiders eat their mothers
A metaphorical place where there is no logic or reason
Where rodents eat their young
A chaotic world where even the basic instincts are disrupted
I'm not here to make sense
I do not have the purpose of making sense
Where there is none, that's dumb
In a nonsensical and absurd setting, logic is pointless
My attitude is ghastly
My demeanor is unpleasant
Any gallantry been going gone
Any trace of bravery has disappeared
I think I'm probably a lot
I consider myself to be quite similar
Like dating Mola Ram, i should work on that
Similar to dating a villain, I need to improve myself
The geezer not a leader, I'm a loner
I am an outsider, not a leader
Lover, believer, upholder of the under
A supporter and advocate for those who are marginalized
Just not a people person
I am not someone who enjoys the company of others
Please forgive me if I'm flustered
I apologize if I appear confused or overwhelmed
I'll save a thousand whales before
I prioritize saving animals even before
Your grit's are even buttered
attending to your personal needs
My name is Aesop Rock
I identify as Aesop Rock
I've been a mess for my entire life
I have been in a state of chaos throughout my entire existence
All I know is fight or flight
My instinctual response is either to fight or flee
What the fuck's a silent night?
I question the significance of a peaceful and calm night
Who the fuck are you to tell me
I challenge your authority in defining
Who the fuck you even are
who you really are
This is more than band-aids
This goes beyond superficial solutions
Over it'sy-bit'sy bleeding hearts
Over small and insignificant emotional wounds
This is GNR announcing Jesus
This is Guns N' Roses proclaiming Jesus
Christ on lead guitar
taking the forefront in their music
Finding Heather Hunter still inside
Discovering the essence of Heather Hunter within
Your college VCR mirror mirror on the wall
Reflecting upon the revelations experienced through the college years
I feel like a fucking dog
I feel degraded and subhuman
Something this depraved is not a
This level of depravity is not
Product of a loving God
the result of a compassionate higher power
Periwinkle Pegasus through rat-infested
Navigating through a treacherous and chaotic environment
LEGO bricks hug his mother briefly
Even in the midst of danger, finding solace and comfort
Then we're off to see the exorcist
Continuing the journey despite the challenges ahead
I will not be checking messages
I have no intention of reading or responding to messages
Why, should I be?
There is no reason for me to do so
Special is as special does
One's actions determine their level of uniqueness
You aren't special just because
You are not unique solely based on
Yes, your mother said you was
Your mother's belief does not define your uniqueness
That's pretty much what mothers does
It is common for mothers to have a biased view
Someday I might find the pluck to
In the future, I may gather the courage to
Roam the Earth with zero strings
Explore the world without any obligations
Cut the tether float this feather
Sever the attachment and let myself drift freely
Over eastern seaboard winds forever
Across the constant winds of the eastern seaboard
Like sea-born kings invested in the
Similar to majestic rulers dedicated to
The froth and fog
the vastness and uncertainty of the ocean
They'll talk of his adventuring and call
People will discuss his explorations and refer to him as
Him things like "salty dog"
using terms like "salty dog" to describe him
He freed like a bajillion prisoners
He liberated an enormous number of prisoners
From some secret haunted vault
From a clandestine and ghostly prison
Always had a L to puff
Always had a joint to smoke
Never yelled "Get off my lawn!"
Never displayed anger or hostility towards others
Full disclosure I don't even have a lawn
I must confess that I do not possess a lawn
If I did I'd probably grow the
If I had one, I would likely cultivate the
Grass until the house was gone
Grass to the point of obliterating the house
Kick it ‘til the town forget the
Continuously indulging in this repetitive action until the entire town
Address or the house at all
Forgets the address and even the existence of the house
This is how performance art
This is how the act of performing art
Exacerbates an albatross
Intensifies an already burdensome situation
I should maybe shake some hands
Perhaps I should engage in social interaction
I should turn the music down
I should reduce the volume of the music
Have some people over without askin'
Invite people to my place without specifically requesting
Them to move a couch
them to assist in moving a piece of furniture
But, since you're here I've got this
However, since you are present, I have
Awful futon I could do without
Unpleasant futon that I no longer desire
Should take like two seconds
Should be a quick and easy task
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alissa McKleroy
HOT DOGS LYRICS
[Intro]
We're so excited, we don't know what to do
Because we're about to reenter the level above humans
I couldn't have had a better life than I've had in since 21 years
And if it was good here, I know it is going to be good-twice as good when I get up there
This isn't a troubling circumstance, don't take it as that-it is just a gateway, just a drawing
W-What we're doing is we're going home. We're going home to those individuals who sent us here to do this task, and this is the happiest and joyous thing that you can-
[Aesop Rock]
Alright
Raised on dirty hot dog water and popcorn butter
EPMD tellin' me every popstar a sucker
Don't let him smell the potstickers, he'll stick around for supper
He'll stick around for cheesecake, then three days, then the summer
Where spiders eat their mothers, where rodents eat their young
I'm not here to make sense where there is none, that's dumb
My attitude is ghastly, any gallantry been going gone
I think I'm probably a lot like dating Mola Ram, I should work on that
The geezer not a leader, I'm a loner
Lover, believer, upholder of the under
Just not a people person, please forgive me if I'm flustered
I'll save a thousand whales before your grits are even buttered
My name is Aesop Rock, I've been a mess for my entire life
All I know is fight or flight, what the fuck's a silent night?
Who the fuck are you to tell me who the fuck you even are
This is more than band-aids over itsy-bitsy bleeding hearts
This is GNR announcing Jesus Christ on lead guitar
Finding Heather Hunter still inside your college VCR
Mirror mirror on the wall, I feel like a fucking dog
Something this depraved is not a product of a loving God
Periwinkle Pegasus through rat-infested LEGO bricks
Hug his mother briefly, then we're off to see the exorcist
I will not be checking messages
Why, should I be?
Special is as special does, you aren't special just because
Yes your mother said you was, that's pretty much what mothers does
Someday I might find a pluck to roam the Earth with zero strings
Cut the tether float this feather over eastern seaboard winds forever
Like seaboard kings invested in the the froth and fog
They'll talk of his adventuring and call him things like "salty dog"
He freed like a bajillion prisoners from some secret haunted bog
Always had a L to puff, never yelled "Get off my lawn!"
Full disclosure I don't even have a lawn
If I did I'd probably grow the grass until the house was gone
Kick into the town forget the address or the house at all
This is how performance art exacerbates an albatross
I should maybe shake some hands
I should turn the music down
Have some people over without asking them to move a couch
But, since you're here I've got this awful futon I could do without
Should take like two seconds...
Brian Hughes
Lyrics
Alright,
Raised on dirty hot dog water and popcorn butter
EPMD tellin' me every popstar a sucker
Don't let him smell the potstickers, he'll stick around for supper
He'll stick around for cheesecake, then three days, then the summer
Where spiders eat their mothers, where rodents eat their young
I'm not here to make sense where there is none, that's dumb
My attitude is ghastly, any gallantry been going gone
I think I'm probably a lot like dating Mola Ram, I should work on that
The geezer not a leader, I'm a loner
Lover, believer, upholder of the under
Just not a people person, please forgive me if I'm flustered
I'll save a thousand whales before your grits are even buttered
My name is Aesop Rock, I've been a mess for my entire life
All I know is fight or flight, what the fuck's a silent night?
Who the fuck are you to tell me who the fuck you even are
This is more than band-aids over itsy-bitsy bleeding hearts
This is GNR announcing Jesus Christ on lead guitar
Finding Heather Hunter still inside your college VCR
Mirror mirror on the wall, I feel like a fucking dog
Something this depraved is not a product of a loving God
Periwinkle Pegasus through rat-infested LEGO bricks
Hug his mother briefly, then we're off to see the exorcist
I will not be checking messages
Why, should I be?
Special is as special does, you aren't special just because
Yes your mother said you was, that's pretty much what mothers does
Someday I might find a pluck to roam the Earth with zero strings
Cut the tether float this feather over eastern seaboard winds forever
Like seaboard kings invested in the the froth and fog
They'll talk of his adventuring and call him things like "salty dog"
He freed like a bajillion prisoners from some secret haunted bog
Always had a L to puff, never yelled "Get off my lawn!"
Full disclosure I don't even have a lawn
If I did I'd probably grow the grass until the house was gone
Kick into the town forget the address or the house at all
This is how performance art exacerbates an albatross
I should maybe shake some hands
I should turn the music down
Have some people over without asking them to move a couch
But, since you're here I've got this awful futon I could do without
Should take like two seconds......
Dioneysis Rosario
I swear, Aes is the only artist who can make me laugh, tell a story, and make me analyze the lyrics like a philosopher in one song, this is a great example of it. He's truly a lyrical warlock.
Vamping Ground
Hell pay you to go down on him
Neil
Truely some Edgar shit
Jesse Hatch
Tyr Drawp expand ur vocabulary A speaks very clearly no need to analyze
Marsh Neff
well said
Luke Jackson
Grayson Wilson-Cacciapalle im picturing a german phsychologist who is both comforting and vaguely creepy in his criptic diagnosis, im assuming said german shrink is possibly as obsessed with aesop rock as i.
Simply Kody
Dope song, but FINALLY someone made a music video with a skateboarder who can actually skate.
Corey Lewis
Sonic Youth video for 100% had Jason Lee and Guy Mariano in their blind days
Vamping Ground
He can actually skate?
Merchant
DickinaBox Tru thooo