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 Khan
Aesop Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Any day you like
System Six-O-Five, Union Ninety-One
I forever wallow in glitches grimly distributed by side effects
Consumed, cocooned in antisocial trenches
Drenched! Girdled between dense pillars of polar value lies
A grey so blue-less it's got eye fiendin' for the sky
Sittin' inside solidified plastics who's lateral burns germ compatible
My firm's radically piloted, dodging a fire swiftly
Yellow brick stalker walking shifty
Odd, but a prototype meteoroid programmed to holocaust style
while you're soakin' in the stages of denial
Your petty soldiers seem fragile like Jaquemetti sculptures
Embedded in Paramedic 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
Drawn at 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 withdrawal 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 belligerence
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 walking 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 want to lay in 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 outside in
Meaning your clout lies thin
Salt prep the blades prior to five phase in my ever changin' underworld
Berate a day to decorate a traitor
That sting never fades like belly wounds from sling blades
Follow my portion, I keep swallowin' cigarettes to the filter
You can come, I'll leap right over
Any day you like
System Six-O-Five, Union Ninety-One
The song "Shere Khan" by Aesop Rock explores themes of isolation and disconnection, as well as the struggle to find meaning in the face of societal pressure. The lyrics are complex and deep, with multiple metaphors and images used to convey the singer's feelings of loneliness and alienation.
The first verse sets the tone, describing the singer's sense of being trapped and consumed by their own sense of isolation. They describe themselves as "consumed, cocooned in antisocial trenches," suggesting that their sense of isolation has become so intense that it has become a barrier to connecting with others. This feeling is compounded by the sense that there is no clear path to escape, as they are "girdled between dense pillars of polar value lies" – in other words, the world is divided into opposing factions, and the singer is caught in the middle with no clear way out.
As the song progresses, the lyrics become increasingly surreal and enigmatic, with the singer describing themselves as a "prototype meteoroid programmed to holocaust style" and referencing "Paramedic cultures" and "rock steady vultures." These references suggest a deep-seated anger and frustration with societal norms and the status quo, as well as a sense of being an outsider or rebel.
Overall, the song "Shere Khan" is a complex and deeply introspective exploration of loneliness, disconnection, and the search for meaning in a world that often seems designed to frustrate those efforts.
Line by Line Meaning
You can come, I'll leap right over
I am inviting you to join me in whatever I am doing, I will accommodate you
Any day you like
We can do this at your convenience, whenever you feel like it
System Six-O-Five, Union Ninety-One
This is a reference to a certain code or system, possibly related to the singer's line of work
I forever wallow in glitches grimly distributed by side effects
I am constantly facing problems and complications that are stemming from previous actions or choices
Consumed, cocooned in antisocial trenches
I am surrounded by a feeling of isolation and detachment from others
Drenched! Girdled between dense pillars of polar value lies
I am trapped between opposing values or beliefs that are vying for my attention
A grey so blue-less it's got eye fiendin' for the sky
My mood is so bleak and devoid of happiness that it feels suffocating
Synthesized lies rise synthetic
Falsehoods or lies are being perpetuated and reinforced, creating a cycle of deceit
Sittin' inside solidified plastics who's lateral burns germ compatible
I am in a situation or environment that is damaging and dangerous to my well-being
My firm's radically piloted, dodging a fire swiftly
The business or organization I am associated with is constantly changing and adapting to challenges
Yellow brick stalker walking shifty
Someone or something is following me in a suspicious or sneaky manner
Odd, but a prototype meteoroid programmed to holocaust style
I am an unusual or unique creature that represents destruction and chaos
while you're soakin' in the stages of denial
You are in a state of denial and refusing to acknowledge reality
Your petty soldiers seem fragile like Jaquemetti sculptures
Those who support you or are on your side appear weak and easily breakable
Embedded in Paramedic cultures, we's rock steady vultures
We are entrenched in a specific field or profession, and are adept at survival and scavenging
Plus I's the guise of rowin' a soul
I am pretending to lead or guide someone, but I am doing it for my own selfish reasons
My wingspan stands flags in the snow of the poles
I have the ability to achieve great things, and can be a leader in extreme or difficult situations
Bezerk
I am going crazy or losing control
Swerve my alignment towards solitary confinement and jade it
I am deliberately isolating myself and becoming emotionally hardened or bitter
Stripping, color my passion mitigated
I am losing my enthusiasm and motivation for something, possibly due to outside factors
Slipping
I am losing my grip on a situation or emotion
You always seem like a small grey cat to me
I am reminded of a particular image or memory every time I see you
Sleepin' underneath the silvery moon
You seem peaceful and at ease
Paws curled beneath your head
You are in a comfortable and relaxed position
'Til the sun came round just around noon
Your peaceful state ended when something changed or reality set in
And you would greet me, purring in your doorway
You were friendly and welcoming to me, possibly in a metaphorical sense
Drawn at your tail around my hips
I was drawn to you and wanted to be close to you
And I would go to your mouth wide open
I was eager to receive something from you
Waitin' for my nourish to come from your lips
I was looking for sustenance or fulfillment from our connection
For the love of my personal practice I reside
I am living my life according to my own values and beliefs
Where obstructive fluxes and societal withdrawal collides
I am experiencing conflict between my personal choices and the expectations of society
Slide fuel by the fury
My emotions are fueling my actions or decisions
Spun a ring around my honor
I have been forced to compromise my principles or reputation
But the opulence took shelter in my horror
Something desirable or valuable was obtained in a way that caused fear or anxiety
Melancholy masquerade
I am putting on a facade of sadness or depression
Cast amongst the braiding of belligerence
I am caught up in a situation that involves aggression or hostility
And blazing terror that blew the lock down off my placement
I am feeling intense fear or panic that is disrupting my sense of stability
I stay special agent till the sky falls
I will continue to prioritize my own interests and goals regardless of any external circumstances
Reverse the curse till my fellow lost children disperse
I want to break a cycle of negativity or bad luck, and help others who are also struggling
And your footsteps leading down the pathway
I am following your lead or example
Never seem to be quite like my own
Our paths or choices are different and do not align perfectly
Your mind is walking circles
You are stuck in a pattern of repetitive or unproductive thinking
It blinded me till I turned towards home
Your actions or ideas caused me to lose my sense of direction or purpose, until I realized where I really wanted to be
And you would watch me far in the distance
You are aware of my actions or movements from afar
hands held high above your head
You are expressing yourself in a visible or dramatic way
I want to lay in the territory where there's nothing left, to be said
I want to reach a point where everything has been explained or resolved, and there are no more secrets or mysteries
And you like it
You enjoy the effect you have on me or others
Just enough
You are not completely satisfied, but you are content with what you have or are doing
To let me
You are willing to allow or enable me to continue
But I hate you
I have negative feelings or resentment towards you
'Cause you're lonely
Your actions or motivations seem to stem from a feeling of isolation or detachment
And you know how
You are aware of the impact you have on others and are manipulating the situation to your advantage
To forget me
You are capable of intentionally disregarding or abandoning our connection or relationship
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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.