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
I'll Be OK
Aesop Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pad the circles 'round your life
To capture all the sides you sight
Magic tricks where skeptics sink
The ice is thin, stay off the lake
Waiting for a clock to punch
Wish I could breathe and stop for lunch
If I stop to count the leaves on one of these here trees
Born to kill the insecure
Some respect, some resent, some remain from start to end
Wear my heart on my short sleeves
I'm stuck out here, I lost my keys
From the roof I watch the street
And pray for those that's caught beneath
As long as I know right from wrong
I'll be OK, I'll sing my songs
As long as I know right from wrong
I'll be OK, I'll sing my songs
I dunno what I have to left
To give other than truth and breath
Angel when she shuts her eyes
Like we will leave to my demise
Between my time is short
About to start my last resort
Wake me up when it's time to make babies
Talkin' planet earthquakes
Tied the laces, touch the ground
Let emotions ruptured now
As long as I know right from wrong, I'll be OK I'll sing my songs
As long as I know right from wrong
I'll be OK, I'll sing my songs
As long as I know right from wrong
I'll be OK, I'll sing my songs
As long as I know right from wrong
I'll be OK, I'll sing my songs
As long as I know right from wrong
I'll be OK, I'll sing my songs
I want to lift every yellow brick
I never felt pressure to have to justify my selfishness
At least not to your and yours
Maybe just my friends and fellowships
As long as the mood is somehow linked to my enhanced development
I swear they'll understand!
There's a storm outside my tenement
Beats upon my windows with Mother Nature's adrenaline
I guess that's why my homey Blockhead stays glued to the television
Now I look less intelligent
'Cause I'm the one that tried to bear the elements and lost
Well it's warm by the filament
Huddled up close in the company of all my relatives
Stories lash like coffee and honest-to-God sentiment
Cocooned in the unified efforts to all get settled in
Away from where the rain pours!
Well count your delegates
Weed out the bums who practice migration under the elegant
Of course I realize to fill the ring, procedure's delicate
But lead devils inside to collide with your over-zealousness
And fall to rock bottom
Spot em with their carelessness
The urge could burst to turn even those hazardous to militant
You can't even have half of free second
The beat comes gelatin
You gotta aim, fire and the spider be model veteran
Buried in merit badges
I'm stuck in the center and could care less
About the eye of the storm and its monstrous measurements
I got a defense that I call coolin' with my brethren
Sometimes I get wet
But it's better than risking life and limb to me, don't you agree?
As long as I know right from wrong
I'll be OK, I'll sing my songs
As long as I know right from wrong
I'll be OK, I'll sing my songs
As long as I know right from wrong
I'll be OK, I'll sing my songs
As long as I know right from wrong
I'll be OK, I'll sing my songs
If you want to push, than I'm ready to push
But if you pulling while I'm pushing
Then why did you ask me to push?
If you want to push, than I'm ready to push
But if you pulling while I'm pushing
Then why did you ask me to push?
In "I'll Be OK," Aesop Rock explores themes of finding stability and peace amid chaos and confusion. In the first stanza, he advocates for building protective barriers around oneself to block out negativity and focusing on the simple things in life. Despite feeling lost and unsure, Aesop recognizes the importance of knowing right from wrong as a guiding principle to stay on track. Much of the second and third stanzas discuss the struggle to weather storms both literal and metaphorical, including environmental disasters and personal crises. However, he emphasizes the importance of having a community of friends and family to weather these struggles with, rather than facing them alone. The final lines of the song suggest a willingness to push forward despite the challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Burn it down
Destroy everything that is holding you back or causing you pain.
Pad the circles 'round your life
Surround yourself with people and things that bring you comfort and joy.
To capture all the sides you sight
Take in and embrace all of the different perspectives and experiences that life has to offer.
Magic tricks where skeptics sink
Cynics will doubt and dismiss the wonders of life that believers embrace.
The ice is thin, stay off the lake
Be cautious of the potential dangers that lurk beneath the surface, and avoid taking unnecessary risks.
Waiting for a clock to punch
Feeling trapped and unfulfilled by the routine and monotony of everyday life.
Wish I could breathe and stop for lunch
Longing for a break from the pressures and stresses of life to simply relax and enjoy the moment.
If I stop to count the leaves on one of these here trees
Taking a moment to appreciate the beauty and complexity of nature, despite feeling unsure about its true nature and purpose.
Not sure that I know what's pure
Feeling uncertain about what is truly good and right, and struggling to discern what is real or fake.
Born to kill the insecure
Empowered to overcome and rise above feelings of inadequacy, inferiority, and self-doubt.
Some respect, some resent, some remain from start to end
People will have different opinions and reactions to your life and your choices, but a select few will stand by your side through thick and thin.
Wear my heart on my short sleeves
Willing to openly and vulnerably express your emotions and desires to others.
I'm stuck out here, I lost my keys
Feeling alone, lost, and unsure about how to move forward in life.
From the roof I watch the street
Observing and reflecting on the world and people around you from a distance and with detachment.
And pray for those that's caught beneath
Expressing empathy and compassion for those who are struggling or suffering.
I dunno what I have to left
Feeling exhausted and depleted, and uncertain about what you have left to offer or contribute to the world.
To give other than truth and breath
Being honest and authentic with others, and simply existing and breathing as a living human being.
Angel when she shuts her eyes
Finding peace and beauty in the world by shifting your focus to the realm of your imagination and dreams.
Like we will leave to my demise
Feeling a sense of mortality and impermanence in life, and recognizing the inevitability of one's own death.
Between my time is short
Feeling like time is passing by quickly and that there is limited time left to live your life to the fullest.
About to start my last resort
Feeling like you are at your wit's end and about to give up or resort to drastic measures to achieve your goals.
Wake me up when it's time to make babies
Feeling disinterested in or disillusioned by the prospect of starting a family or perpetuating the cycle of life.
Talkin' planet earthquakes
Discussing current global issues and crises that are affecting people worldwide.
Tied the laces, touch the ground
Preparing oneself for the journey ahead, and grounding oneself in reality and the present moment.
Let emotions ruptured now
Allowing oneself to express and release pent-up emotions and feelings.
If you want to push, than I'm ready to push
Being willing and prepared to fight for what you believe in and to stand up for yourself and others.
But if you pulling while I'm pushing
Feeling frustrated when the people around you do not share your dedication or enthusiasm for your goals and dreams.
Then why did you ask me to push?
Questioning the motivations and intentions of those who seem to stand in your way, or who do not share your passion and commitment.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind