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
Shere Kahn
Aesop Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"You can come, I'll leap right over
Any day you like
System 605, Union 91"
(Aesop)
I forever wallow in glitches grimly distributed by side effects
Consumed, cocooned in antisocial trenches drenched!
a grey so blueless it's got eye fiendin for the sky
Synthesized lies rise synthetic
Sittin inside solidified plastics who's latteral burns germ compatible
My firm's radically piloted, dodging a fire swiftly
Yellow brick stalker walking shifty
I am but a prototype metroid programmed to holocaust style
while you're soakin in the stages of denial
Your petty soldiers seem fragile like Giacometti sculptures
Embedded in aramatic cultures. We's rock steady vultures
Plus I's the guise of rowin a soul
My wingspan stands flags in the snow of the poles
Bezerk
Swerve my alignment towards solitary confinement and jade it
Stripping, color my passion mitigated
Slipping
(Ann Colville)
You always seem like a small grey cat to me
Sleepin underneath the silvery moon
Paws curled beneath your head
'til the sun came round just around noon
And you would greet me, purring in your doorway
Drawing up your tail around my hips
And I would go to your mouth wide open
waitin for my nourish to come from your lips
And I move you
And you like it
Just enough
To let me
But I hate you
Cause you're lonely
And you know how
To forget me
(Aesop)
For the love of my personal practice I reside
where obstructive fluxes and societal withdrawl collides
Slide fuel by the fury
Spun a ring around my honor
but the opulence took shelter in my horror
Melancholy masquerade
Cast amongst the braiding of biligerence
and blazing terror that blew the lock down off my placement
I stay special agent till the sky falls
Reverse the curse till my fellow lost children disperse
(Ann Colville)
And your footsteps leading down the pathway
never seem to be quite like my own
Your mind is smokey circles
it blinded me till I turned towards home
And you would watch me far in the distance
hands held high above your head
I only leave the territory where there's nothing left, to be said
And I move you
And you like it
Just enough
To let me
But I hate you
Cause you're lonely
And you know how
To forget me
(Sample from Sing-A-Song)
"You can come, I'll leap right over"
(Aesop)
I make music and connect color to canvas
Swoop down from the trees with potpourris and other bandits
Landed randomly upon the valleys of the grimace
Saw my planted leaf stars burnin from the oustide in
Meaning your clout lies thin
Salt prep the blades prior to five phase in my ever changin underworld
Serate a day to decorate a traitor
That sting never fades like belly wounds from sling blades
Follow my portion, Im gonna swallow distortion and spit the filter
(Sample (Sing-A-Song High Tone Voice)
"You can come, I'll leap right over
Any day you like
System 605, Union 91"
The song "Shere Kahn" by Aesop Rock explores themes of alienation, loneliness and societal withdrawal through a series of vivid metaphors and allegories. The lyrics paint a picture of a bleak dystopian world, where the singer is trapped in a cocoon of glitches and anti-social trenches. The world is depicted as a grid of polar values, where lies are synthesized and truth is elusive. The singer, who sees the world through a lens of melancholy, attempts to navigate this treacherous landscape, dodging fires and walking shifty.
The song features three distinct voices - Aesop Rock, Ann Colville, and a high tone voice sampled from Sing-A-Song - each of which adds a layer of complexity to the narrative. Ann Colville appears to be a close friend or lover of the singer, but their relationship is strained by his inability to connect with her emotionally. In one stanza, she sings, "And you would greet me, purring in your doorway / Drawing up your tail around my hips / And I would go to your mouth wide open / waiting for my nourish to come from your lips." This image of a small grey cat is a powerful metaphor for the singer's emotional state - closed off, unwilling to connect, and painfully aware of his own loneliness.
Overall, "Shere Kahn" presents a bleak and unsettling vision of the world, where our attempts to connect with one another are constantly thwarted by the systems and structures that surround us.
Line by Line Meaning
I forever wallow in glitches grimly distributed by side effects
I am constantly struggling with the negative consequences of my actions and choices.
Consumed, cocooned in antisocial trenches drenched!
I am isolated and trapped in a cycle of negative behaviors and emotions.
Gridled between dense pillars of polar value lies
I am caught between conflicting beliefs and ideas.
a grey so blueless it's got eye fiendin for the sky
The drab monotony of my life makes me crave something more.
Synthesized lies rise synthetic
Falsehoods and misinformation are spreading and becoming normalized.
Sittin inside solidified plastics who's latteral burns germ compatible
I am surrounded by artificial and potentially harmful materials and influences.
My firm's radically piloted, dodging a fire swiftly
My actions and decisions are constantly adapting to avoid negative consequences and danger.
Yellow brick stalker walking shifty
I am an unpredictable and potentially dangerous force in my environment.
I am but a prototype metroid programmed to holocaust style
I feel like a weaponized tool, designed to inflict harm and destruction.
while you're soakin in the stages of denial
Others may be oblivious to the true nature of our situation.
Your petty soldiers seem fragile like Giacometti sculptures
Your followers and supporters are weak and vulnerable.
Embedded in aramatic cultures. We's rock steady vultures
Our group is firmly entrenched and ruthless in our pursuit of power and resources.
Plus I's the guise of rowin a soul
I pretend to care about others and the world around me.
My wingspan stands flags in the snow of the poles
My influence and power stretches to the furthest corners of the world.
Bezerk
I am acting in a wild or irrational manner.
Swerve my alignment towards solitary confinement and jade it
I am choosing to isolate myself and become bitter and cynical.
Stripping, color my passion mitigated
My enthusiasm and drive are diminishing over time.
For the love of my personal practice I reside
I am committed to my work or craft, even if it isolates me from others.
where obstructive fluxes and societal withdrawl collides
I find myself where societal pressures conflict with my own desires and beliefs.
Slide fuel by the fury
My emotions and anger are fueling my actions and decisions.
Spun a ring around my honor
My reputation and sense of morality have been warped or twisted.
but the opulence took shelter in my horror
Wealth and success have brought me no happiness or satisfaction.
Melancholy masquerade
I am hiding my sadness and pain behind a facade or persona.
Cast amongst the braiding of biligerence
I am surrounded by conflict and aggression.
and blazing terror that blew the lock down off my placement
A violent or traumatic event shattered the stability and safety of my life.
I stay special agent till the sky falls
I will continue to act as a disruptor or rogue agent until drastic change occurs.
Reverse the curse till my fellow lost children disperse
I want to undo the harm and negativity caused by societal pressures and expectations.
I make music and connect color to canvas
I express myself and my ideas through artistic endeavors.
Swoop down from the trees with potpourris and other bandits
I bring creativity and inspiration from unexpected or unconventional places.
Landed randomly upon the valleys of the grimace
I find myself in dark or unpleasant situations without warning or reason.
Saw my planted leaf stars burnin from the oustide in
I observed my efforts and accomplishments being destroyed or undermined.
Meaning your clout lies thin
Your power or influence is weak or limited.
Salt prep the blades prior to five phase in my ever changin underworld
I prepare for conflict and change in my tumultuous existence.
Serate a day to decorate a traitor
I seek out those who betray or undermine me and take action against them.
That sting never fades like belly wounds from sling blades
The pain and trauma of past conflicts and betrayals continue to affect me.
Follow my portion, Im gonna swallow distortion and spit the filter
I will accept and internalize negativity, but use it to challenge and criticizes societal trends and norms.
Your mind is smokey circles
Your thoughts and beliefs are unclear or distorted.
it blinded me till I turned towards home
Your influence or power caused me to feel lost or disoriented, until I found my own way.
And you would watch me far in the distance
You observe my actions and choices from afar, without fully understanding them.
hands held high above your head
You act with confidence and authority, even if you lack true power or influence.
I only leave the territory where there's nothing left, to be said
I avoid conflict or confrontation by leaving situations where nothing productive can be achieved.
And your footsteps leading down the pathway
Your actions and choices are leading you towards a specific outcome or goal.
Just enough
Your approach or behavior is mildly satisfying or effective.
To let me
You allow me to be a part of your life or situation.
But I hate you
I feel negative or hostile towards you.
Cause you're lonely
You feel disconnected or isolated from others or the world around you.
And you know how
You are aware of how to cope or deal with this loneliness or isolation.
To forget me
You will move on from our relationship or connection without much difficulty or attachment.
Contributed by Jasmine M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
MartialArtsGuru
I forever wallow in glitches grimly distributed by side effects
Consumed, cocooned in antisocial trenches drenched!
Gridled between dense pillars of polar value lies
A grey so blueless it's got eye fiendin for the sky
Synthesized lies rise synthetic
Sittin inside solidified plastics who's latteral burns germ compatible
My firm's radically piloted, dodging a fire swiftly
Yellow brick stalker walking shifty
I am but a prototype metroid programmed to holocaust style
While you're soakin in the stages of denial
Your petty soldiers seem fragile like Giacometti sculptures
Embedded in aramatic cultures. We's rock steady vultures
Plus I's the guise of rowin a soul
My wingspan stands flags in the snow of the poles
Bezerk
Swerve my alignment towards solitary confinement and jade it
Stripping, color my passion mitigated
Slipping
You always seem like a small grey cat to me
Sleepin underneath the silvery moon
Paws curled beneath your head
'Til the sun came round just around noon
And you would greet me, purring in your doorway
Drawing up your tail around my hips
And I would go to your mouth wide open
Waitin for my nourish to come from your lips
And I move you
And you like it
Just enough
To let me
But I hate you
Cause you're lonely
And you know how
To forget me
For the love of my personal practice I reside
Where obstructive fluxes and societal withdrawl collides
Slide fuel by the fury
Spun a ring around my honor
But the opulence took shelter in my horror
Melancholy masquerade
Cast amongst the braiding of biligerence
And blazing terror that blew the lock down off my placement
I stay special agent till the sky falls
Reverse the curse till my fellow lost children disperse
And your footsteps leading down the pathway
Never seem to be quite like my own
Your mind is smokey circles
It blinded me till I turned towards home
And you would watch me far in the distance
Hands held high above your head
I only leave the territory where there's nothing left, to be said
And I move you
And you like it
Just enough
To let me
But I hate you
Cause you're lonely
And you know how
To forget me
"You can come, I'll leap right over"
I make music and connect color to canvas
Swoop down from the trees with potpourris and other bandits
Landed randomly upon the valleys of the grimace
Saw my planted leaf stars burnin from the oustide in
Meaning your clout lies thin
Salt prep the blades prior to five phase in my ever changin underworld
Serate a day to decorate a traitor
That sting never fades like belly wounds from sling blades
Follow my portion, Im gonna swallow distortion and spit the filter
"You can come, I'll leap right over
Any day you like
System 605, Union 91"
MartialArtsGuru
I forever wallow in glitches grimly distributed by side effects
Consumed, cocooned in antisocial trenches drenched!
Gridled between dense pillars of polar value lies
A grey so blueless it's got eye fiendin for the sky
Synthesized lies rise synthetic
Sittin inside solidified plastics who's latteral burns germ compatible
My firm's radically piloted, dodging a fire swiftly
Yellow brick stalker walking shifty
I am but a prototype metroid programmed to holocaust style
While you're soakin in the stages of denial
Your petty soldiers seem fragile like Giacometti sculptures
Embedded in aramatic cultures. We's rock steady vultures
Plus I's the guise of rowin a soul
My wingspan stands flags in the snow of the poles
Bezerk
Swerve my alignment towards solitary confinement and jade it
Stripping, color my passion mitigated
Slipping
You always seem like a small grey cat to me
Sleepin underneath the silvery moon
Paws curled beneath your head
'Til the sun came round just around noon
And you would greet me, purring in your doorway
Drawing up your tail around my hips
And I would go to your mouth wide open
Waitin for my nourish to come from your lips
And I move you
And you like it
Just enough
To let me
But I hate you
Cause you're lonely
And you know how
To forget me
For the love of my personal practice I reside
Where obstructive fluxes and societal withdrawl collides
Slide fuel by the fury
Spun a ring around my honor
But the opulence took shelter in my horror
Melancholy masquerade
Cast amongst the braiding of biligerence
And blazing terror that blew the lock down off my placement
I stay special agent till the sky falls
Reverse the curse till my fellow lost children disperse
And your footsteps leading down the pathway
Never seem to be quite like my own
Your mind is smokey circles
It blinded me till I turned towards home
And you would watch me far in the distance
Hands held high above your head
I only leave the territory where there's nothing left, to be said
And I move you
And you like it
Just enough
To let me
But I hate you
Cause you're lonely
And you know how
To forget me
"You can come, I'll leap right over"
I make music and connect color to canvas
Swoop down from the trees with potpourris and other bandits
Landed randomly upon the valleys of the grimace
Saw my planted leaf stars burnin from the oustide in
Meaning your clout lies thin
Salt prep the blades prior to five phase in my ever changin underworld
Serate a day to decorate a traitor
That sting never fades like belly wounds from sling blades
Follow my portion, Im gonna swallow distortion and spit the filter
"You can come, I'll leap right over
Any day you like
System 605, Union 91"
On the Rims
I just can't help but pour over your work. Gonna buy your albums. I want them all. I'm hanging them on my wall. When people ask what's that?..i'll say
....get the hell out of my house.
IGOR ATLUS
I know this comment is late and I'm late to hearing this but this is the best comment I've ever seen on YouTube
Oracle
hang them as art, as they are. Aes says he's a failed artist turned rapper but he actually found himself creating a new type or painting which resides in your minds eye.
Gysie de Waal
Music for earthworms is super rare, don't even think it's available.
etnamA
Mad props to the dude who hooked me up with Appleseed and Music For Earthworms in 1998, shit changed my life
Dan Fontaine
Amante good shit, I've managed to turn like 3 people onto Aesop. Most people think it sounds like garbage shrug guess they need a catchy tune to appreciate musical art
GetMoreOdder
those who cannot stomach Aesop are not ready for Aesops' words yet.
RandyMontana87
@Dan Fontaine You need to realise not everyone has to enjoy music in the exact same way you do. I can guarantee those people enjoy other things that you simply don't, because that's how people are. It says a lot about you that you put people down for not appreciating a musical artist you like.
Vinny
@RandyMontana87 it says he wants his peers to relate to how much interest he has in an artist? You taking this personally is pretty weird buddy, especially with this whole "it says a lot about you" shtick. He made an off handed comment about music and you're turning it into some shitty psychology class.