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
Kill The Messenger
Aesop Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is Murs, motherf***er, this is Aesop Rock, Ace Rizzle.
Ya know what I'm saying?
Check it out, like, Living Legends, Def Jux, if you don't know, now you're informed.
Be better prepared for the next time this type of s*** goes down.
'Cause when it's happening and you're unaware you look like a complete a**hole.
(Fastest motherf***er touching down on kick drums)?
La da de dah da da, La da de da da da dow dom
Set, set, set
Every hero dead and its making you forget.
Get, get, get.
La da de dah da da, La da de da da da dow dom.
I'm in and out a pig channel serrated by hand feeders.
Army of vicious kidney patrol yam peelers.
They sleep in barns and whisper looney conspiracy secrets.
Increasing payroll to end is blind, while A-W-O-L went the leaders.
The only mammal officially banned from food chain
For finishing for over twenty-five consecutive years on top is aggravating,
Alarmingly, the pulse don't bump right,
And he's up nights bumping over crunk and bug bites.
Who luck like this evening. Stay electric mud blood jockey in for the footing.
My last supper starts with a vinaigrette over pickled muppet hearts
While sheep tucked deep in the wood chipper.
For the shepherd was a milk carton in scissors.
Clammy hands make henna run on risky Jenga tugs. They're all sweating,
Hell I'm sweatin' too, just ain't nobody sweatin' you!
(Holmes!)
The muck went abacus on labor persperator official biz when auditioning demos by which to live.
No whammies, stop.
Triple six game never chose me.
Trickery gets hokey.
Pick up stix and ponies.
You've got mail champ: blow me.
Just a trooper with a question mark machine needy
pointed at the heavens like bee gee on some "where the hells my freebie?"
To clamp war stupid.
No land lords or super.
No hands.
Water no ice cubes Rubik, no plans.
No motor movement no dance, no pyrotechnics to enhance.
No chance
Too many grown men calling in sick over cramps
I weigh in heavy on the jaded bitter subtracting the frontal gimmick
I want to solve world hunger and f*** a pinup
I want to find a twenty-first century carbon crutch worthy of pedestal placement
And s***ty path walking to touch.
(Fastest motherf***er touching down on kick drums)?
Every leader dead and its making you upset.
La da de dah da da, La da de da da da dow dom
Set, set, set
Every hero dead and its making you forget.
Get, get, get.
La da de dah da da, La da de da da da dow dom.
Ain't no time to sit and lift stones
So it's left to the dogs to find their way home
And you grew up in a similar generation alone
With fist full of humanoid models along the road
With a frank? In your ancient
F*** if I can find a flesh and bone tour guide to etch me through the makeshift
Every little footprints dated and ancient
Now I'ma step through this motherf***er impatient
For the first time in a long line of dog fights
Little La**ie will not be returning home tonight
The opening lines of Aesop Rock's "Kill the Messenger" serve as an introduction to the artist himself, as well as several other notable names in the underground hip-hop scene. Aesop Rock delivers a message to his listeners that they need to be more aware and informed about current events, so they don't end up looking foolish when discussing them. The lyrics also touch upon a theme of disillusionment, as every leader and hero seems to be dead or dying, causing people to forget the importance of these figures.
The song's verses contain an assortment of surreal and abstract imagery, such as a "pig channel serrated by hand feeders" and an "army of vicious kidney patrol yam peelers." These phrases paint a picture of a dystopian world where things are not as they seem. The song's chorus repeats the lines "Every leader dead and it's making you upset" and "Every hero dead and it's making you forget," highlighting the idea that people have become numb to the deaths of important figures and they are no longer valued.
The final lines of the song mention "Little La**ie," who will not be returning home tonight, suggesting that someone innocent has been caught up in the chaos and violence of this world. The song ends on this ominous note, leaving listeners with a sense of unease and a call to action to be more aware and informed about the state of the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey stupid, you're listening to Bazooka tooth, dental cannons, molar pistols; s*** like that.
This is a musical piece crafted by Aesop Rock which comprises Bazooka tooth, dental cannons, molar pistols, and other similar weapons. This is designed for people who are into this darkness-laced kind of music to enjoy and appreciate.
This is Murs, motherf***er, this is Aesop Rock, Ace Rizzle.
The song collaborators, Aesop Rock and Murs, are introducing themselves to the audience. They want the listeners to know that they are doing this incredible music together.
Ya know what I'm saying? Check it out, like, Living Legends, Def Jux, if you don't know, now you're informed.
The two rappers from different worlds are coming together to make great music. They are appealing to their audience to appreciate and focus on their music as they have already informed them by mentioning their record labels.
Be better prepared for the next time this type of s*** goes down. 'Cause when it's happening and you're unaware you look like a complete a**hole.
Aesop Rock is warning the listeners to be ready and well-grounded in their faith for upcoming situations in life. If they are not prepared or have no direction, they will appear foolish in front of others.
(Fastest motherf***er touching down on kick drums)?
Aesop Rock is boasting about his incredible talent in music, referring to himself as the fastest motherf***er touching down on kick drums.
Every leader dead and its making you upset. La da de dah da da, La da de da da da dow dom Set, set, set. Every hero dead and its making you forget. Get, get, get. La da de dah da da, La da de da da da dow dom.
The society has become too decadent and disorganized, leaders are dying, and it's causing unrest. This is a call to action to set things straight and not forget the fallen heroes while remembering to stay true to oneself.
I'm in and out a pig channel serrated by hand feeders. Army of vicious kidney patrol yam peelers. They sleep in barns and whisper looney conspiracy secrets. Increasing payroll to end is blind, while A-W-O-L went the leaders. The only mammal officially banned from food chain For finishing for over twenty-five consecutive years on top is aggravating, Alarmingly, the pulse don't bump right, And he's up nights bumping over crunk and bug bites. Who luck like this evening. Stay electric mud blood jockey in for the footing. My last supper starts with a vinaigrette over pickled muppet hearts While sheep tucked deep in the wood chipper. For the shepherd was a milk carton in scissors. Clammy hands make henna run on risky Jenga tugs. They're all sweating, Hell, I'm sweatin' too, just ain't nobody sweatin' you! (Holmes!) The muck went abacus on labor persperator official biz when auditioning demos by which to live. No whammies, stop. Triple six game never chose me. Trickery gets hokey. Pick up stix and ponies. You've got mail champ: blow me. Just a trooper with a question mark machine needy pointed at the heavens like bee gee on some 'where the hell's my freebie?' To clamp war stupid. No land lords or super. No hands. Water no ice cubes Rubik, no plans. No motor movement no dance, no pyrotechnics to enhance. No chance Too many grown men calling in sick over cramps I weigh in heavy on the jaded bitter subtracting the frontal gimmick I want to solve world hunger and f*** a pinup I want to find a twenty-first-century carbon crutch worthy of pedestal placement And s***ty path walking to touch.
Aesop Rock talks about his journey towards self-discovery and the corrupt world around him. He highlights the disgust and issues plaguing society, with leaders failing to execute their duties as they should while others try to maintain momentum while battling sickness. He, however, tries to stay in control of his life and not let anyone dim his light. He wants to use his music to teach, impact and ultimately, leave a long-standing legacy in the industry.
Ain't no time to sit and lift stones So it's left to the dogs to find their way home And you grew up in a similar generation alone With a fist full of humanoid models along the road With a frank? In your ancient F*** if I can find a flesh and bone tour guide to etch me through the makeshift Every little footprints dated and ancient Now I'ma step through this motherf***er impatient
Life is too short to be idle and waste time, so one has to get going to find their way home. Aesop Rock stresses the importance of being able to stand alone and not wait for others to carve the path for you. In his own life, he has seen that the times move quickly, and you cannot risk missing the good opportunities. He's stepping forward with a sense of urgency and hope.
For the first time in a long line of dogfights little La**ie will not be returning home tonight
In this final line, Aesop Rock painfully highlights the loss of another soul. A dogfight has resulted in someone's dog not making it home, an issue that has likely happened many times before. It is a sad reminder of how brutal and callous humanity can be.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
royGbiv
You should really do some more of these. Awesome stuff
Bazooka Tooth
Wow, someone actually mixed these two?? My day has been made
Gabe Miniaci
Gives me chills every time. So fucking good.
Braxton Hawkins
best out of the three, IMO. all of them rock. good work.
Zach Sepeda
Man Aesop is the fucking man and badass for mixing these two together nice job
ord
omg man. I cant believe i only just discovered this <3
Rizgn
So well done
1337Gray
Nice man! I like it
Kuba Sepetowski
Thats some good shit bro
Jester Logic
Whaaaat 2012?!!!! This is sooooo goodhowd i notsee it??