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
NY Electric
Aesop Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stanton Isle, up state, Tri-state
Just for my people
Just for my people
Just for my people
Just for my people
Get down
Fresh cut as a pigeon blooded smoke
Load bazooka
Stoke the cobra coats over a broken hookah
Got rabble pants with psycho dance and cook because the wattage
Electric yoke N.Y. there’s gonna be movie sluts in gospels
Finish the bodega rode in moment composure to echo
Nammen uncommon
Doubt monkey polish
My twenty-three’s lean over a cobra motor milligram bender
Book novelty
A tip lives prior to clippin' the camaraderie
Check the muck out
When metal maggot’s borough in Promised Land vein division I tug my friend down to my astigmatism
Low Bro
Packs and rows, Max a golden butcher
Last catapult standin' in a land of coke and hookers
King cotton common, no problem for brick shawl lows, sock puppets and sitcoms describe long pages bread in a hotbox wigwam
Debra tone hit the dish where the teens demonstrate ease in the hot days when she purchase the foundations of the last remix of ? service
Me oh I checked into the murals to see sub numinous f***er and um respect
Find out what it means to me New York
Walk knots with electric ninjas who bark bounce with punked out whip
Like my company Delorean’s the s***
Skipper’s out of happy pills again, he’s in the neighbors garbage (ah Skippy)
He’s making paper dolls decorated with targets (don’t do it)
He’s labeling the dolls with the names of s***ty rap artist (no)
Then tearing out the still beating heart from the loose-leaf carpets
I ordered a hovercraft off the back page of an RC comic
Built it in three days and thought about starky comics
My gills call the east river rock bottom home in three eyed guppies and sea horses mutations
See New York as ancient Rome, basic
Basically stoned, faith is
My friend jumped of the empire state building while I hung tenth grade head cases
(Suck ? fame is)
Some of them lost the base hit
While they all read brims in the metal die cast Vol-tron cadence, what
N-Y electric, cannibal, burners, pigs, magnums, crack, bag baby, roach bait
Pristine kicks spread in the iris of the needle (Just for my people)
I’m a thread the needle (just for my people)
I’m a thread the needle (just for my people)
I’m a thread the needle (just for my people)
I’m a thread the needle (just for my people)
Here we go
Da da da, da da da, da da da, da da da
Da da da, da da da, da da da, da da da
Beaker one-nine-nine-eleven-o-one witness, maybe you don’t get this
(Let’s go)
Kill ‘em all slow
I was on a serious tree bender with my hands up at a crazy wall’s show
Never circuit bacon don’t police me anymore
You’re a trained professional ? forty-one shots over par
Least common denominator
Raise truth like Charlie within a grants raise roofs in a glass wankavator
Monster maker
Operate wild by the company of the turn stones and thinner
Talk his way out of a sunburn and be home in time for dinner
Paid dues since the door two days of bad acid and Quaaludes
While a boom box talks trash to the Richter
Sulkin' awkward
With a zip lock on a pill hole
Bitter f***er
Nothing is free
I’ll spend my last dollar on me
Put one up for my family, should have made time to thank them
Put one up for my crew, for recognizing the sanctum
Put one up for the socially broke choke stoke me
New York pissed hits bleed Dolby homie
N-Y electric, cannibal, burners, pigs, magnums, crack, bag baby, roach bait
Pristine kicks spread in the iris of the needle (Just for my people)
I’m a thread the needle (just for my people)
I’m a thread the needle (just for my people)
I’m a thread the needle (just for my people)
I’m a thread the needle (just for my people)
Here we go
Da da da, da da da, da da da, da da da
Da da da, da da da, da da da, da da da
It go beaker one-nine-nine-eleven-o-one witness, maybe you don’t get this
B****
I didn’t expect it dog
Yes people
N-Y electric
Welcome to N-Y Electra
Where buildings fall and hopes crash
Yeah, I’m vast air from can Knox
Peace to Adam’s fam
Juggernauts, strong hold
That’s my mother f***in word
You’ve been all over the world
You’ve hunted just about every kind of game
You’ve stalked elephant, lions, tigers, polar bears, dear
You’ve been within fifteen, twenty yards the most deadly game in the world
You’ve been everywhere
You’ve been with some of the most famous guides and hunters in the world
What’s the biggest thrill you’ve ever had out of all of that?
Well I think I can answer that best by calling attention to the
Bazooka Tooth Be-atch
I say bazooka tooth right?
Bazooka tooth b****
The lyrics of Aesop Rock's "NY Electric" are a dense and abstract commentary on urban life in New York City. The first verse introduces the concept of the song, outlining a mysterious and exclusive club for Aesop's people. He then launches into a rapid-fire array of images and phrases that paint a vivid and chaotic picture of the city. He mentions cutting ropes, basing it on the broken infrastructure of the city. He throws in a reference to a broken hookah as if to imply that New York's infrastructure is crumbling. Aesop also talks about movie sluts in gospels, nodding to the entertainment industry and its impact on NYC.
The second verse is just as abstract, with Aesop Rock blending references to science fiction, drug use, and various cultural touchstones. We pick up on Aesop completing some activities of no clear origin and intent like imagining a hovercraft off an RC comic or the fancy of Skippy, tearing paper dolls with loose-leaf carpets, decorating them with names of the scummy rap artist then tearing their still-beating hearts out. Aesop attaches importance to his awareness with being in NYC, bringing in the concept of cannibalism and crack. While surrounded by a multitude of objects, drugs, and people, the song comes around to the theme of family and people most important to him, reflecting a sense of unified people amidst the chaos of the city.
Line by Line Meaning
New York (indistinct)
Referring to the city of New York, though not clearly defined or distinct.
Stanton Isle, up state, Tri-state
Referring to various locations in New York, including Stanton Isle, upstate, and the Tri-state area.
Just for my people
Doing something solely for the benefit of one's own community or group.
Get down
Getting ready for action or preparing for something.
I cut the ropes (breath)
Breaking free from constraints or inhibitions.
Fresh cut as a pigeon blooded smoke
A new, unique perspective or idea.
Load bazooka
Gearing up for a powerful or impactful action.
Stoke the cobra coats over a broken hookah
Indulging in vices or unhealthy habits.
Got rabble pants with psycho dance and cook because the wattage
Engaging in chaotic or unpredictable behavior due to the excitement or energy in the atmosphere.
Electric yoke N.Y. there’s gonna be movie sluts in gospels
The electric energy of New York will attract attention and create interesting stories.
Finish the bodega rode in moment composure to echo
Coming to a realization or gaining a deeper understanding.
Nammen uncommon
Recognizing something or someone as unique or extraordinary.
Doubt monkey polish
Attempting to fix or improve something despite doubts or skepticism.
My twenty-three’s lean over a cobra motor milligram bender
Exploring intoxication or altered mental states.
Book novelty
Enjoying or seeking out new and exciting experiences.
A tip lives prior to clippin' the camaraderie
Knowing when to move on or let go of certain friendships or connections.
Check the muck out
Examining or investigating a messy or complicated situation.
When metal maggot’s borough in Promised Land vein division I tug my friend down to my astigmatism
Feeling a sense of responsibility or duty towards one's friends, even in difficult circumstances.
Low Bro
Being humble or down-to-earth.
Packs and rows, Max a golden butcher
Having a lot of possessions or material goods and making the most of them.
Last catapult standin' in a land of coke and hookers
Being a survivor or remaining strong in a challenging or tempting environment.
King cotton common, no problem for brick shawl lows, sock puppets and sitcoms describe long pages bread in a hotbox wigwam
Navigating through everyday life and its routines, despite societal expectations and distractions.
Debra tone hit the dish where the teens demonstrate ease in the hot days when she purchase the foundations of the last remix of ? service
Observing or witnessing the actions of others in a specific context.
Me oh I checked into the murals to see sub numinous f***er and um respect
Examining or exploring art or creative expressions to find deeper meaning.
Find out what it means to me New York
Discovering one's own interpretation or understanding of the city of New York.
Walk knots with electric ninjas who bark bounce with punked out whip
Being in the company of energetic, expressive individuals who stand out.
Like my company Delorean’s the s***
Expressing pride or satisfaction in the people one surrounds themselves with.
Skipper’s out of happy pills again, he’s in the neighbors garbage (ah Skippy)
Someone who relies on external substances or distractions for happiness.
He’s making paper dolls decorated with targets (don’t do it)
Engaging in harmful or destructive actions.
He’s labeling the dolls with the names of s***ty rap artist (no)
Expressing dissatisfaction or disappointment with certain individuals or figures in the music industry.
Then tearing out the still beating heart from the loose-leaf carpets
Engaging in violent or aggressive behavior.
I ordered a hovercraft off the back page of an RC comic
Engaging in unconventional or unusual purchases.
Built it in three days and thought about starky comics
Taking pride in one's own abilities or craftsmanship.
My gills call the east river rock bottom home in three eyed guppies and sea horses mutations
Feeling a sense of belonging or familiarity in an unusual or unexpected place.
See New York as ancient Rome, basic
Viewing New York City as a historically significant or influential location.
Basically stoned, faith is
Feeling deeply relaxed or content, while also maintaining a belief or conviction.
My friend jumped of the empire state building while I hung tenth grade head cases
Experiencing contrasting emotions or situations.
(Suck ? fame is)
Expressing disdain or frustration with the concept of fame.
Some of them lost the base hit
Experiencing disappointment or failure in certain endeavors.
While they all read brims in the metal die cast Vol-tron cadence, what
Facing obstacles or challenges while others remain focused on superficial or insignificant matters.
N-Y electric, cannibal, burners, pigs, magnums, crack, bag baby, roach bait
Referencing various elements or aspects of New York City, both positive and negative.
Pristine kicks spread in the iris of the needle (Just for my people)
Taking pride in one's fashion choices or personal style.
I’m a thread the needle (just for my people)
Navigating through challenges or difficult situations.
Here we go
Preparing for action or embarking on a new endeavor.
Da da da, da da da, da da da, da da da
Suggesting a rhythm or beat in the music.
Beaker one-nine-nine-eleven-o-one witness, maybe you don’t get this
Addressing a specific individual or group, implying that they may not fully understand or appreciate the message being conveyed.
Kill ‘em all slow
Taking a deliberate or methodical approach to achieving a desired outcome.
I was on a serious tree bender with my hands up at a crazy wall’s show
Engaging in excessive or reckless behavior.
Never circuit bacon don’t police me anymore
Breaking free from societal expectations or restrictions.
You’re a trained professional ? forty-one shots over par
Commenting on someone's incompetence or failure.
Least common denominator
Referring to the lowest or simplest level of a situation or group.
Raise truth like Charlie within a grants raise roofs in a glass wankavator
Advocating for honesty and transparency in a world full of artifice or deception.
Monster maker
Being capable of creating or causing destruction.
Operate wild by the company of the turn stones and thinner
Engaging in risky or unconventional behavior with like-minded individuals.
Talk his way out of a sunburn and be home in time for dinner
Demonstrating a knack for smooth talking or persuasive skills.
Paid dues since the door two days of bad acid and Quaaludes
Having endured challenges or hardships since a young age.
While a boom box talks trash to the Richter
Encountering or dealing with hostility or negativity.
Sulkin' awkward
Feeling uncomfortable or out of place.
With a zip lock on a pill hole
Taking precautions or being cautious.
Bitter f***er
Expressing bitterness or resentment.
Nothing is free
Understanding that everything has a cost or consequence.
I’ll spend my last dollar on me
Prioritizing oneself and personal satisfaction.
Put one up for my family, should have made time to thank them
Expressing gratitude or acknowledging the importance of one's family.
Put one up for my crew, for recognizing the sanctum
Showing appreciation for one's friends or group.
Put one up for the socially broke choke stoke me
Acknowledging the struggles or challenges faced by oneself or others in society.
New York pissed hits bleed Dolby homie
Experiencing or witnessing intense emotions or situations in New York City.
Welcome to N-Y Electra
Greeting or introducing someone to the energy or atmosphere of New York City.
Where buildings fall and hopes crash
Describing the unpredictable and tumultuous nature of New York City.
Yeah, I’m vast air from can Knox
Feeling a sense of freedom or open-mindedness in artistic or creative expression.
Peace to Adam’s fam
Giving a shout-out or showing respect to a specific individual or group.
Juggernauts, strong hold
Referring to powerful or dominant individuals or groups.
That’s my mother f***in word
Emphasizing or asserting one's own statement or opinion.
You’ve been all over the world
Having traveled extensively.
You’ve hunted just about every kind of game
Engaging in various types of activities or pursuits.
What’s the biggest thrill you’ve ever had out of all of that?
Asking for a personal highlight or standout experience.
Well I think I can answer that best by calling attention to the
Responding to the previous question with a specific point or example.
Bazooka Tooth Be-atch
Referring to a powerful or impactful experience or moment.
I say bazooka tooth right?
Asserting or confirming the previous statement.
Bazooka tooth b****
Emphasizing or repeating the previous statement.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Hate Inclination
Classic Aesop album
lipfunction
ordered a hover craft from the back of an archie comic ...
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