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
Sinister
Aesop Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Do you know what 'nemesis' means?
A righteous infliction of retribution
Manifested by an appropriate agent....
Personified in this case by me"
(Aesop Rock)
We're all in the same gang, bread and butter
Influences shark biting the fuck outta your brother
Friendship is Professor Plum ratting on Colonel Mustard
You are now witnessing the world's most craft version
Of a barnstormer, reveal time with a jagged edge
Arm mortars and field mines for a bastard sledge
On the style diamond cutter
Swung before that magnificent havok sketch
You fidget like a nervous culprit gulping
Sweat a bullet, dead a bullshit sequence reactor
Speaking disaster
Who leaped off the canvas to provoke a ?style miner?
Fake as the grass with a sturdy belly and his work to sell me
I got my word to tell you
I got absurd magic
For the forks like pistons pumping through the realm my family habits
(?Madder or Rabbit Hat? combination)
Nah, more like I'm spitting pixleak dust
Till the mixed vapor community combusts
(Yeshua Da Poed)
I hold words for ransom
Demand some attention pays
Not to mention praise for their release on a page
It might amaze the light of day
I never said I, gave, them all, the fight to be brave
More insight to behave
Raw like them others
Whose ads have been paid for by some brothers
While some of us lie in the eyes of others
I discovered another way to stay undercover
Kill everyone involved, Unsolve
Mysteries, this to me is how to leave matters resolved
Out of this all, you should take a break, ask the fake
Get snatched out your habitat and left on the side of alake
I try to debate
Whether a clean getaway is harder to make
Than a call to the cleaners
Dropped off a seamless bag
Zipped it up with enough cash to pay the cat
With the aqua demeanor
(Vast Aire)
God is a name I call myself
I don't like Ugly, Original, Synthetic
I breathe rusty air logic
It becomes the lung, the mind is a closet
That is if it's a walk-in, cuz I'm open
You fell from the clips of weakness, I scoped it
I'll ball your rhyme up and stuff it inside my mouth
As if this was the first grade...(C'mon man)
And you'll just stand there
Your eyes'll water up
And your teeth'll grind cuz you rhyme first grade
Seeing me is like time, I'm a caged poet
But I think life is more than a jail sentence
That's why I, took my time
Doing calisthenics which euphemisms to hand out a life sentence
When I rhyme, I put my ass crack in it
And you in a glass bottom boat with a crack in it
So fuck your attitude
My poetry's position is the sole definition of latitude
"Sinister" *repeated*
"You tell the angels in heaven you've never seen
An evil so singular personified as you being hit
In the face by the man who killed you"
The sample from the movie "Snatch" sets the tone for Aesop Rock's "Sinister" by defining the word "nemesis" as a "righteous infliction of retribution manifested by an appropriate agent." This idea is echoed in the opening line of the song, "We're all in the same gang, bread and butter," suggesting that everyone is interconnected in some way. However, this sense of unity is quickly dismantled by the following lines, which describe how people can't help but be divided and hostile towards one another, acting like sharks attacking their own kind. This is exemplified by the reference to the game Clue, where friendship is likened to betrayal and in-fighting as Professor Plum rats on Colonel Mustard.
The rest of the song presents itself as a display of craft, using linguistic dexterity to deploy jagged lines and aggressive imagery. The verses are split between Aesop Rock, Yeshua Da Poed, and Vast Aire, each taking a different approach to the rap style. The consistent use of metaphor and word play makes it difficult to parse out a specific narrative or meaning, but the general tone is one of aggression and defiance, as they all boast about their individuality and how they aren't afraid to break the rules. The final lines, "You tell the angels in heaven you've never seen an evil so singular personified as you being hit in the face by the man who killed you," add a sense of grandiosity and mythos to the song, suggesting that there is a sense of cosmic justice to the chaos portrayed in the verses.
Line by Line Meaning
We're all in the same gang, bread and butter
Despite our many differences, we all work together for the same ends.
Just a couple subdivisions who naturally hate each other
Although we have similar goals, we still naturally hate each other due to our differences.
Influences shark biting the fuck outta your brother
The world is a difficult place and those who follow and manipulate the system will often end up hurting those closest to them.
Friendship is Professor Plum ratting on Colonel Mustard
Even those closest to us can turn on us, betraying us when we least expect it.
You are now witnessing the world's most craft version
I am at the top of my game, and whatever you think is the most impressive thing you have seen, I am going to one-up it.
Of a barnstormer, reveal time with a jagged edge
I am a skilled performer, always pushing boundaries and breaking norms to create something new and exciting.
Arm mortars and field mines for a bastard sledge
I am well-armed, both literally and metaphorically, and prepared to take on any challenges that come my way.
On the style diamond cutter
I have mastered the art of perfect execution, able to craft my skills and ideas into something truly unparalleled.
Swung before that magnificent havok sketch
I have created chaos and destruction in the world, combining my powers and skills to achieve my goals.
You fidget like a nervous culprit gulping
You are afraid of what I am capable of doing, uncertain of what I might unleash on you next.
Sweat a bullet, dead a bullshit sequence reactor
You are sweating and panicking, knowing that I am capable of taking you down with a single shot as soon as you make a wrong move.
Speaking disaster
Everything I say and do has the potential to create disaster and chaos.
Who leaped off the canvas to provoke a ?style miner?
I am a true master of my craft, pushing boundaries and showing the world what true art looks like.
Fake as the grass with a sturdy belly and his work to sell me
There are many fakes in the world, who pretend to be something they are not in order to profit off of the hard work of others.
I got my word to tell you
I have a message to impart, and I am determined to spread it far and wide.
I got absurd magic
My powers are truly extraordinary, and I am capable of achieving feats that others believe are impossible.
For the forks like pistons pumping through the realm my family habits
I will stop at nothing to achieve my goals, and my family will always be there to support me in all of my endeavors.
(?Madder or Rabbit Hat? combination)
I am a true original, and no one can match my unique blend of skills and talents.
Nah, more like I'm spitting pixleak dust
I am creating something truly unique and powerful, spitting out my ideas and skills in a spray of pixleak dust that is impossible to ignore.
Till the mixed vapor community combusts
My skills are so unique and powerful that they are capable of shaking the very foundation of the world, causing chaos and destruction wherever I go.
I hold words for ransom
I have the power to transform language into something truly extraordinary, and I will use my abilities to shake up the world and demand attention.
Demand some attention pays
I want the world to pay attention to my words and ideas, recognizing the power and value of my unique perspective on the world.
Not to mention praise for their release on a page
I want to receive recognition and praise for my ideas, and I believe that putting them down on paper is the best way to achieve this goal.
It might amaze the light of day
My ideas and skills are so innovative and powerful that they might just surprise and shock the entire world.
I never said I, gave, them all, the fight to be brave
I did not give my ideas and skills away lightly, and I am willing to fight to protect them and keep them safe.
More insight to behave
By sharing my unique perspective and ideas with the world, I hope to encourage people to behave more thoughtfully and critically, making the world a better place for everyone.
Raw like them others
I am a true original, and I refuse to compromise my unique vision and perspective in order to conform to others' expectations.
Whose ads have been paid for by some brothers
Others may have achieved success and recognition through more conventional means, but I will not compromise my integrity by selling out to corporate interests.
While some of us lie in the eyes of others
Others may see me as dishonest or untrustworthy, but I am simply staying true to my own unique vision and perspective on the world.
I discovered another way to stay undercover
I have found a way to stay true to myself and my unique vision without compromising my principles or my integrity.
Kill everyone involved, Unsolve
I am not afraid to take drastic action in order to achieve my goals, even if it means taking lives or engaging in other extreme behavior.
Mysteries, this to me is how to leave matters resolved
For me, the best way to resolve any situation or problem is through careful and meticulous analysis of the evidence, and a willingness to take unconventional approaches if necessary.
Out of this all, you should take a break, ask the fake
The world can be overwhelming and chaotic, and sometimes the best thing we can do is to take a step back and seek the guidance of those who may not be what they appear to be.
Get snatched out your habitat and left on the side of alake
Sometimes we need to be removed from our comfort zones in order to gain a new perspective on the world and achieve new levels of insight and understanding.
I try to debate
I am constantly questioning and analyzing the world around me, seeking new answers and insights to the complex problems that we all face.
Whether a clean getaway is harder to make
I am always trying to determine the best way to achieve my goals and avoid any obstacles that may arise along the way.
Than a call to the cleaners
Sometimes the easiest way to achieve our goals is to call in outside help and take advantage of the skills and abilities of others.
Dropped off a seamless bag
I am always on-the-go and ready to take on new challenges, often packing lightly and moving quickly from one place to the next.
Zipped it up with enough cash to pay the cat
I am not afraid to take bold action and make unconventional decisions in order to achieve my goals, even if it means paying a high cost in the process.
With the aqua demeanor
My demeanor is always calm, cool and collected, even in the most challenging and high-pressure situations.
God is a name I call myself
I have a deep connection to something greater than myself, but I refuse to define it in conventional or narrow terms.
I don't like Ugly, Original, Synthetic
I reject anything that is fake or synthetic, preferring to focus on those things that are true, genuine and authentic.
I breathe rusty air logic
My perspective on the world is unconventional and deeply grounded in my own unique perspectives and experiences.
It becomes the lung, the mind is a closet
My ideas and perspectives are so central to who I am that they are like the air I breathe or the clothes I wear.
That is if it's a walk-in, cuz I'm open
I am always open to new experiences and perspectives, eager to learn and grow in my understanding of the world and my place within it.
You fell from the clips of weakness, I scoped it
I am always watching and studying the behavior of those around me, constantly seeking out new ways to gain an advantage and achieve my goals.
I'll ball your rhyme up and stuff it inside my mouth
I am always looking for new ways to push the limits of my own expressive capabilities, consuming and reworking the work of others in an effort to achieve something truly unique and original.
As if this was the first grade...(C'mon man)
My skill and proficiency are so advanced that they are like child's play to me, and I refuse to take anyone else's work seriously if it is not up to my own high standards.
And you'll just stand there
Others may be in awe of my skills and abilities, standing by in admiration and wonder as I demonstrate my craft with ease.
Your eyes'll water up
Others may be moved to tears or filled with deep emotions as they witness my creative energy and the power of my ideas.
And your teeth'll grind cuz you rhyme first grade
Others may become angry or frustrated with me if they feel inadequate in comparison to my own brilliant capabilities and skill.
Seeing me is like time, I'm a caged poet
Others may view me as a mystery, something to be unpacked and studied in order to understand my true intentions and motivations.
But I think life is more than a jail sentence
Despite any challenges or obstacles that I may face, I believe that life is a gift to be cherished and enjoyed to the fullest.
That's why I, took my time
I am always careful and deliberate in my approach to life, never rushing or taking shortcuts in order to avoid the tough parts.
Doing calisthenics which euphemisms to hand out a life sentence
I am constantly working to improve myself and my skills, always finding new ways to express myself through language and other creative mediums.
When I rhyme, I put my ass crack in it
I am fully committed to my art and my craft, always working to give my best and most authentic performance possible.
And you in a glass bottom boat with a crack in it
Others may find themselves trapped or overwhelmed by their own limitations, never fully able to escape the constraints that hold them back.
So fuck your attitude
I refuse to tolerate anyone who is not genuine or who does not share my own vision and perspective on the world.
My poetry's position is the sole definition of latitude
My poetry is the ultimate expression of my unique perspective and creativity, and nothing can limit or constrain its truly exceptional nature.
"Sinister" *repeated*
The world can be a dark and hostile place, but it is important to remember that we are all capable of achieving greatness and success if we put in the effort and stay true to our own vision and purpose.
"You tell the angels in heaven you've never seen
The afterlife is a mystery to us all, and while some may believe in an idealistic vision of heaven, others may hold darker and more mysterious ideas about what lies beyond this life.
An evil so singular personified as you being hit
There is something about me that is devilishly dangerous and fearsome, capable of striking terror into the hearts of others and achieving things that others believe to be impossible.
In the face by the man who killed you"
Even in the moment of ultimate defeat and destruction, I am capable of striking back with incredible power and force, achieving a level of greatness that cannot be denied or ignored.
Contributed by Connor V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
ScienceofSpeed
Do you know what 'nemesis' means?
A righteous infliction of retribution
Manifested by an appropriate agent....
Personified in this case by me
(Verse 1: Aesop Rock)
We're all in the same gang, bread and butter
Just a couple subdivisions who naturally hate each other
Influences shark biting the fuck outta your brother
Friendship is Professor Plum ratting on Colonel Mustard
You are now witnessing the world's most crass version
Of a barnstormer, reveal time with a jagged edge
Arm mortars and field mines for a bastard pledge
On the style diamond cutter
Swung before that magnificent havok sketch
You fidget like a nervous culprit gulping
Sweat a bullet, dead a bullshit sequence reactor
Speaking disaster
Who leaped off the canvas to provoke a side-winding
Snake in the grass with a sturdy belly and his word to sell me
I got my word to tell you
I got absurd magic
For the forks like pistons pumping through the realm my family habits (Is that a rabbit/hat combination)
Nah, more like I spit pixie dust
Till the mixtaper community combusts
(Verse 2: Yeshua Da Poed)
I hold words for ransom
Demand some attention pays
Not to mention praise for their release on a page
It might amaze the light of day
I never said I, gave, them all, the fight to be brave
More insight to behave
Raw like them others
Whose ads have been paid for by some brothers
While some of us lie in the eyes of others
I discovered another way to stay undercover
Kill everyone involved, Unsolve
Mysteries, this to me is how to leave matters resolved
Out of this all, you should take a break as the bait
Get snatched out your habitat and left on the side of alake
I try to debate
Whether a clean getaway is harder to make
Than a call to the cleaners
Dropped off a seamless bag
Zipped it up with enough cash to pay the cat
With the awkward demeanor
(Verse 3: Vast Aire)
God is a name I call myself
I don't like Ugly, Original, Synthetic
I breathe rusty air logic
It becomes the lung, the mind is a closet
That is if it's a walk-in, cuz I'm open
You fell from the clips of weakness, I scoped it
I'll ball your rhyme up and stuff it inside my mouth
As if this was the first grade...(C'mon man)
And you'll just stand there
Your eyes'll water up
And your teeth'll grind cuz you rhyme first grade
Seeing me is like time, I'm a caged poet
But I think life is more than a jail sentence
That's why I, took my time
Doing calisthenics which euphemisms to hand out a life sentence
When I rhyme, I put my ass crack in it
And you in a glass bottom boat with a crack in it
So fuck your attitude
My poetry's position is the sole definition of latitude
Sinister repeated
You tell the angels in heaven you've never seen
An evil so singular personified as you being hit
In the face by the man who killed you
Aesop Rock Vast Aire & Yeshua daPoED
-Sinister (lyrics)
BlackMetal Mike
A favorite of mine. That whole Def Jux and Rhymesayers record label mash up is unstoppable. So many tracks that went unreleased. That's where the dope shit is. WAAAAYYYY deep underground. Peace
Benjamin Adams
SAVAGE SHIT! With that Brick Top intro. Vast Aire is one of baddest MC's ever.
David Miscarriage
I like the vast aire part and don‘t get me wrong vast aire is one of my favorite mc‘s but damn this track would have been so fat if it had been an aes solo track!
Colin Cole
And here I was thinking I'd heard it all. Thank you for this!
JediMindMFDoom
Glad I could help brother!
ScienceofSpeed
Do you know what 'nemesis' means?
A righteous infliction of retribution
Manifested by an appropriate agent....
Personified in this case by me
(Verse 1: Aesop Rock)
We're all in the same gang, bread and butter
Just a couple subdivisions who naturally hate each other
Influences shark biting the fuck outta your brother
Friendship is Professor Plum ratting on Colonel Mustard
You are now witnessing the world's most crass version
Of a barnstormer, reveal time with a jagged edge
Arm mortars and field mines for a bastard pledge
On the style diamond cutter
Swung before that magnificent havok sketch
You fidget like a nervous culprit gulping
Sweat a bullet, dead a bullshit sequence reactor
Speaking disaster
Who leaped off the canvas to provoke a side-winding
Snake in the grass with a sturdy belly and his word to sell me
I got my word to tell you
I got absurd magic
For the forks like pistons pumping through the realm my family habits (Is that a rabbit/hat combination)
Nah, more like I spit pixie dust
Till the mixtaper community combusts
(Verse 2: Yeshua Da Poed)
I hold words for ransom
Demand some attention pays
Not to mention praise for their release on a page
It might amaze the light of day
I never said I, gave, them all, the fight to be brave
More insight to behave
Raw like them others
Whose ads have been paid for by some brothers
While some of us lie in the eyes of others
I discovered another way to stay undercover
Kill everyone involved, Unsolve
Mysteries, this to me is how to leave matters resolved
Out of this all, you should take a break as the bait
Get snatched out your habitat and left on the side of alake
I try to debate
Whether a clean getaway is harder to make
Than a call to the cleaners
Dropped off a seamless bag
Zipped it up with enough cash to pay the cat
With the awkward demeanor
(Verse 3: Vast Aire)
God is a name I call myself
I don't like Ugly, Original, Synthetic
I breathe rusty air logic
It becomes the lung, the mind is a closet
That is if it's a walk-in, cuz I'm open
You fell from the clips of weakness, I scoped it
I'll ball your rhyme up and stuff it inside my mouth
As if this was the first grade...(C'mon man)
And you'll just stand there
Your eyes'll water up
And your teeth'll grind cuz you rhyme first grade
Seeing me is like time, I'm a caged poet
But I think life is more than a jail sentence
That's why I, took my time
Doing calisthenics which euphemisms to hand out a life sentence
When I rhyme, I put my ass crack in it
And you in a glass bottom boat with a crack in it
So fuck your attitude
My poetry's position is the sole definition of latitude
Sinister repeated
You tell the angels in heaven you've never seen
An evil so singular personified as you being hit
In the face by the man who killed you
Aesop Rock Vast Aire & Yeshua daPoED
-Sinister (lyrics)
Andrew Parker
What album is this on? I love this track
KiraDeathnote420
Damn this joint brings me back
JediMindMFDoom
yes this track is f**kin amazing
alioune traoré
Epic