Wake Up Call
Aesop Rock Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Aesop Rock]
Wake up, wake up
Ayo Percee P, it's time to wake these kids up

[Percee P]
Word up Aesop Rock, they'd better take their fingers off
Pause and hit record
[Aesop Rock]
Is you fat cats or lab rats?
Trails to my steppin got em sweatin flashbacks
I played a part of minesweeper, plunking sneakers in my sunken city
Defunct, and apparently examinin' famine, I'm a
Volatile strobe while your blind spot swallows the globe
Sing to the track and think back
When I was a boy I employed styles exhausted
By every lost child at present
Normally I drill pillars of normalcy
You're cordially invited to accompany me
In rotation of the tables to label the opposition
As I choose, refusing to evolve with the cold
Rapidly dissolved my involvement in a solvent of soul and roll back
Brain trip the Beta weights trap for the slaughter
Like livestock infected with anthrax
On my call a pack or clan snaps, collapsed was the mandatory maze
On the fluids ???? and glory days
Desire on the opposite circuit and glorious days
Is glorious hazes of gray spun through my array of operation
Slave to idiot box revalations
And wrapped tightly in a practice with my colleagues and slackers
20,000 league nappers and the swelling increases
Once the mortar hit the pestal your whole vessel fell to pieces
And I laughed, I laughed for me and my Starving art family
I laughed tangibly, your failures ampin me to vamp fresh
My mic stabs white flags and drag trembling
Devil skin-wearers through the terrors of compliance
Once the day turns night, senoritas suck the woody like termites
And wonder how they got labeled dick-hungry damsels in distress
The all new and improved poetically portable Aesop Rock
Available in stores with my, highly suggested parental discretion
99 brilliant new dimensions

[Percee P]
I'm not your average man bragging, toe or hand tagging
50 grand bagging, pants sagging, trigger nigga on the bandwagon
Huh, I know this nigga named Rickey his girl Nikki want to get with me
Says "Stick me just a quickie, lick me and leave a hickie"
I stick instead of tricking bread in this chickenheads
One look and said I ain't shit in bed, she must be licking lead
You'd better let your gods recognize the Rhyme Inspector hides
And never sweat them lies about me haters check your eyes
One verse, lung burst, as I done first
Guns, slums, hearse don't stun Perce, where I'm from's worse (sucker)
My new cuts are hot, bodies chewed up a lot
Then flew up the block to a cipher, blew up the spot
Stacks of rhymes, ain't a match for mines, tracks and shine
Leave you back in time in a ?beeler? still ain't at my prime
I'm a stab your face in, trial and shit is wild
I turn the dial, niggas stealing my style
I should file for reparations





"Aesop Rock" "Percee P" *scratched til fade*

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Aesop Rock's song Wake Up Call feature a conversation between him and Percee P discussing the importance of waking people up and making music that has meaning. Aesop Rock starts with a rhetorical question - whether people are "fat cats or lab rats" - implying that society is divided between those in power and those being experimented on. He then uses his own personal experience of playing Minesweeper to parallel how he feels lost in a world of decadence and shortages - "examinin' famine." Aesop Rock goes on to challenge the listener that he is inviting to go on a musical journey with him to "label the opposition as he chooses," refusing to be constrained by conventions.


Percee P's verse is also filled with vivid imagery that continues the theme of not conforming to societal pressures. He discusses how he is not a follower, and that people who believe in what society deems as 'success' are not worth his time. He talks about his own talent - 'stacks of rhymes' - saying that they are unmatched, while others 'steal his style.' Overall, the song is a wake-up call to the music industry as it urges artists and listeners to move away from the ordinary and create and appreciate music that has meaning and substance.


Line by Line Meaning

Wake up, wake up
We need to alert people and encourage them to take action


Ayo Percee P, it's time to wake these kids up
Addressing Percee P and emphasizing the importance of motivating young people


Word up Aesop Rock, they'd better take their fingers off
Acknowledging Aesop Rock and warning people to stop mistreating others


Pause and hit record
Take a moment to capture this message so we can spread it further


Is you fat cats or lab rats?
Questioning whether someone is a wealthy elite or a victim of experimentation


Trails to my steppin got em sweatin flashbacks
My path is causing others to remember their past struggles


I played a part of minesweeper, plunking sneakers in my sunken city
Using a gaming metaphor to describe how I navigate through adversity


Defunct, and apparently examinin' famine, I'm a
Obsolete and observing the devastating effects of hunger on society


Volatile strobe while your blind spot swallows the globe
I am attracting attention like a flashing light while the world fails to see important issues


Sing to the track and think back
Reflect on past struggles while we move forward


When I was a boy I employed styles exhausted
As a child, I had to use strategies that were already well-worn by others


By every lost child at present
The techniques I used as a child are still needed by people who feel lost today


Normally I drill pillars of normalcy
I usually try to reinforce traditional values and customs


You're cordially invited to accompany me
I am politely inviting people to join me on my journey


In rotation of the tables to label the opposition
We will take turns being in charge, and we will identify those who oppose us


As I choose, refusing to evolve with the cold
I will make my own choices and not blindly follow the trends of society


Rapidly dissolved my involvement in a solvent of soul and roll back
I quickly withdrew from a situation that was causing me spiritual decay


Brain trip the Beta weights trap for the slaughter
I am using my intelligence to avoid being manipulated into a bad situation


Like livestock infected with anthrax
People are being poisoned and mistreated, like cattle infected with a deadly disease


On my call a pack or clan snaps, collapsed was the mandatory maze
When I take action, I expect others to follow my lead and join me in breaking free from a restrictive system


On the fluids ???? and glory days
Unclear, no meaning can be derived from this line due to missing information


Desire on the opposite circuit and glorious days
My desires go against what society deems acceptable and I long for better times


Is glorious hazes of gray spun through my array of operation
Beauty can be found in the darkness and unknown chaos of my work


Slave to idiot box revalations
People are addicted to television and do not think for themselves


And wrapped tightly in a practice with my colleagues and slackers
I am surrounded by people who do not take responsibility for their own lives


20,000 league nappers and the swelling increases
Many people are sleeping and unaware of the issues that we face, and the problems are getting worse


Once the mortar hit the pestal your whole vessel fell to pieces
One small event can have a huge impact on your life and cause it to fall apart


And I laughed, I laughed for me and my Starving art family
I found humor in the midst of struggle, and in the company of those who share my passion for creating art


I laughed tangibly, your failures ampin me to vamp fresh
I took pleasure in seeing others fail and found inspiration to create new art


My mic stabs white flags and drag trembling
I use my music to intimidate others and force them to surrender


Devil skin-wearers through the terrors of compliance
People who conform to society's expectations are like servants of the devil, lost in a state of fear


Once the day turns night, senoritas suck the woody like termites
At night, women become more promiscuous and act like insects


And wonder how they got labeled dick-hungry damsels in distress
Women are unfairly judged and criticized for their sexual behavior


The all new and improved poetically portable Aesop Rock
I have reinvented myself as a more effective artist


Available in stores with my, highly suggested parental discretion
My work may not be suitable for children and should be closely monitored by parents


99 brilliant new dimensions
My creativity and artistry have expanded to include many new innovative ideas


I'm not your average man bragging, toe or hand tagging
I am not like other men who boast about their material possessions or accomplishments


50 grand bagging, pants sagging, trigger nigga on the bandwagon
I do not care about expensive clothing or fitting in with popular culture


Huh, I know this nigga named Rickey his girl Nikki want to get with me
I am telling a story about how someone's girlfriend was interested in me


Says "Stick me just a quickie, lick me and leave a hickie"
I am quoting what the woman said to me, in a vulgar and suggestive way


I stick instead of tricking bread in this chickenheads
I choose to make money honestly instead of deceiving women for financial gain


One look and said I ain't shit in bed, she must be licking lead
The woman did not find me attractive and insulted my sexual performance, suggesting that she was not thinking clearly


You'd better let your gods recognize the Rhyme Inspector hides
I am asserting my authority as a talented rapper and warning others not to underestimate me


And never sweat them lies about me haters check your eyes
People should not believe false rumors or lies about me, and should instead look at the facts


One verse, lung burst, as I done first
I can deliver powerful lyrics with just one verse, and have been doing so since the beginning of my career


Guns, slums, hearse don't stun Perce, where I'm from's worse (sucker)
Violence, poverty, and death do not scare me, because I come from an even more difficult place


My new cuts are hot, bodies chewed up a lot
My new musical creations are impressive and have had a big impact


Then flew up the block to a cipher, blew up the spot
My music became popular and spread quickly among a group of rappers


Stacks of rhymes, ain't a match for mines, tracks and shine
My music is better than anyone else's, with its clever lyrics and polished production


Leave you back in time in a ?beeler? still ain't at my prime
I am ahead of my time and will continue to improve as an artist in the future


I'm a stab your face in, trial and shit is wild
I will retaliate with violence if someone crosses me, and the world is full of chaos and unpredictability


I turn the dial, niggas stealing my style
I am changing things up and innovating as an artist, while others try to copy what I do


I should file for reparations
I deserve compensation for the harm and disrespect that I have experienced in my life




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Joe Ramirez

[Aesop Rock]
Wake up, wake up
Ayo Percee P, it's time to wake these kids up

[Percee P]
Word up Aesop Rock, they'd better take their fingers off
pause and hit record

[Aesop Rock]
Is you fat cats or lab rats?
Trails tell my steppin got em sweatin flashbacks
I played a part of minesweeper, plunking sneakers in my sunken city
Defunct, and apparently examinin' famine, I'm a
Volatile strobe while your blind spot swallows the globe
Sing to the track and think back
When I was a boy I employed styles exhausted
By every lost child at present
Normally I drill pillars of normalcy
You're cordially invited to accompany me
In rotations of the tables to label the opposition
As I choose, refusing to evolve with the cold
Rapidly dissolved my involvement in a solvent of soul and roll back
Brain trip the Beta weights, trap for the slaughter
Like livestock infected with anthrax
On my call a pack or clan snaps, collapsed was the mandatory maze
Where the bluest ribbons yield the glory days
Desire on the opposite circuit and glorious days
Is glorious hazes of gray spun through my array of operation
Slave to idiot box revalations
And wrapped tightly in a practice with my colleagues and slackers
20,000 league nappers and the swelling increases
Once the mortar hit the pestle your whole vessel fell to pieces
And I laughed, I laughed for me and my starving art family
I laughed tangibly, your failures ampin me to vamp fresh
My mic stabs white flags and drags trembling,
Devil skin-wearers through the terrors of compliance
Once the day turns night, senoritas suck the woody like termites
And wonder how they got labeled dick-hungry damsels in distress
The all new and improved poetically portable Aesop Rock
Available in stores with my, highly suggested parental discretion
99 brilliant new dimensions, bust it



All comments from YouTube:

KevTheGOAT

Percee P's flow on this is untouchable

Joe Ramirez

[Aesop Rock]
Wake up, wake up
Ayo Percee P, it's time to wake these kids up

[Percee P]
Word up Aesop Rock, they'd better take their fingers off
pause and hit record

[Aesop Rock]
Is you fat cats or lab rats?
Trails tell my steppin got em sweatin flashbacks
I played a part of minesweeper, plunking sneakers in my sunken city
Defunct, and apparently examinin' famine, I'm a
Volatile strobe while your blind spot swallows the globe
Sing to the track and think back
When I was a boy I employed styles exhausted
By every lost child at present
Normally I drill pillars of normalcy
You're cordially invited to accompany me
In rotations of the tables to label the opposition
As I choose, refusing to evolve with the cold
Rapidly dissolved my involvement in a solvent of soul and roll back
Brain trip the Beta weights, trap for the slaughter
Like livestock infected with anthrax
On my call a pack or clan snaps, collapsed was the mandatory maze
Where the bluest ribbons yield the glory days
Desire on the opposite circuit and glorious days
Is glorious hazes of gray spun through my array of operation
Slave to idiot box revalations
And wrapped tightly in a practice with my colleagues and slackers
20,000 league nappers and the swelling increases
Once the mortar hit the pestle your whole vessel fell to pieces
And I laughed, I laughed for me and my starving art family
I laughed tangibly, your failures ampin me to vamp fresh
My mic stabs white flags and drags trembling,
Devil skin-wearers through the terrors of compliance
Once the day turns night, senoritas suck the woody like termites
And wonder how they got labeled dick-hungry damsels in distress
The all new and improved poetically portable Aesop Rock
Available in stores with my, highly suggested parental discretion
99 brilliant new dimensions, bust it

Butcher Bear

2021 and still as good as the first day I heard this as a child!

CockyR4

Aesop Rock was crazy with the words and imagination. But Percee killed those multis and interns.

Mogifire

Percee dropped it real nice and smooth, big props this is a dope track

Thomas Moore

Percee kills the speed but aes' style is SOOO FARR above par its insane...I dont know 20 rappers alive that could decode what hes sayin the first time through let alone reading it....

Marco A

One of the best hip hop tunes ever made

steffe689

People say aesop rock is underrated? he got alot of views on none shall pass... Percee P is the most gifted of them all.. true legend !! love them both but Percee P blow my mind.

khalfan junim

I'm confused.

steffe689

@khalfan junim me too. Might have been high or drunk 9 years ago... I do love Percee p tho

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