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
daylight
Aesop Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I did not invent the wheel I was the crooked spoke adjacent
While the triple sixers lassos keep angels roped in the basement
I walk the block with a halo and a stick poking your patience
Ya'll catch a 30 second flash visual
Dirty cooperative Neptune blue head hurt splits
Ridiculous fathom the splicing of first generation
fuck up or trickle down anti hero smack (Cracking!)
Took an early retirement pick a dream
American nightmare hogging the screen
I'll hold the door open so you can stumble in
and you would stop following me around the jungle gym
Now it's an honor and I spell it with the 'H' I stole from heritage
Marry crutch stolen wretched refuge refuse my teaming resonance
I promise temperance storm breed with a leaning conscious
In a credence relax responsive with my sports outsource the wattage
And I'm sleeping now (Wow!) And the settlers laugh
You won't be laughing when your covered wagons crash
You won't be laughing when the buses drag your brother's flags into rags
You won't be laughing when your front lawn is spangled with epitaphs
You won't be laughing
And I hang my boots to rest when I'm impressed
So I triple knot them then I forgot them
This origami dream is beautiful
but man those wings will never leave the ground
Without a feather and a lottery ticket, now settle down
All I ever wanted was to pick apart the day,
put the pieces back together my way
All I ever wanted was to pick apart the day,
put the pieces back together my way
All I ever wanted was to pick apart the day,
put the pieces back together my way
All I ever wanted was to pick apart the day,
put the pieces back together my way
Slacker bounded imitated tabloid headlined with the post
Shimmy cross the centerfold, and a dead time in ghosts
Giving crumbs for the better souls with seven deadly sins
To hear the plane to crystal conscious
To results a low life counting on one hand what he's accomplished
Ok, lift me to activism chain activate street sweep
Plug in deteriorating zenith pen dragging
I hack swords wars for the morbid spreading of mad men
Now he's got soul
Sitting there licking log cabin in Charlie Chaplin waddle
I could zig zag and zig 'em again for the bad dreams
Sparking my brick wall windows another thicket storm
And if one night in Gotham without the wretched
Houston we have a problem
Dispatch a task of infested patch of city goblins
Who split how many freaks with box cuts of a high road bellow
Heads ripped! Watch red bricks turn yellow
Sort of similar to most backbones at camp Icarus
Raw feelings start congregating at pamper for bickering
Life's not a bitch life is a beautiful woman
Your only call her a bitch because she won't let you get that pussy
Maybe she didn't feel y'all shared any similar interests
Or maybe you're just an asshole who couldn't sweet talk the princess
Kiss the speaker wire or either pass it for some pagan thresh hold
Stomach full of halo kibbles
Wings span cast black of porn visuals hear the duck hunt ticker tape
Vision and pick apart the pixels
I got a friend of polar nature and it's all peace
When I seek similar stars but can't sit at the same feast
Metal Captain!
This cat is asking if I've seen his little lost passion
I told him: "Yeah, but only when I pedaled past him"
All I ever wanted was to pick apart the day,
put the pieces back together my way
All I ever wanted was to pick apart the day,
put the pieces back together my way
All I ever wanted was to pick apart the day,
put the pieces back together my way
All I ever wanted was to pick apart the day,
put the pieces back together my way
The lyrics of Aesop Rock's "Daylight" may seem cryptic and abstract at first, but they are densely packed with metaphors, cultural references, and social commentary. The song is essentially a stream-of-consciousness narrative that touches upon a wide range of topics, from personal struggles and creative aspirations to political disillusionment and cultural alienation.
One interpretation of the lyrics is that they reflect on the alienating effects of modern society and the artist's struggle to find meaning and purpose in a chaotic and unjust world. The opening lines, "Put one up shackle me, not clean logic procreation / I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent," suggest a sense of confinement and limitation imposed by social norms and conventions. The imagery of "angels roped in the basement" and "American nightmare hogging the screen" evokes a sense of oppression and manipulation.
The chorus, "All I ever wanted was to pick apart the day, put the pieces back together my way," expresses the artist's desire for self-expression and creativity, which are often stifled by social expectations and conventions. The verses that follow touch upon various themes, such as the distortions of mass media and consumer culture, the hypocrisy of political elites, and the search for authenticity and connection.
Overall, "Daylight" is a complex and thought-provoking song that invites multiple interpretations and layers of meaning. It showcases Aesop Rock's unique style of hip-hop storytelling, which combines intricate wordplay, dense lyricism, and social consciousness.
Line by Line Meaning
Yoput one up shackle me, not clean logic procreation
I feel trapped and constrained by society's rigid expectations of logical, planned procreation.
I did not invent the wheel I was the crooked spoke adjacent
I didn't make the rules, I'm just a minor part of a larger system that isn't perfect.
While the triple sixers lassos keep angels roped in the basement
There are powerful systems in place that limit the potential of good people, keeping them trapped and unable to escape.
I walk the block with a halo and a stick poking your patience
I'm watching and exposing the flaws of those who think they're better than others, even if I have to be irritating to make them see it.
Ya'll catch a 30 second flash visual
Society only pays attention to things that are flashy and superficial, not taking the time to truly understand what's going on beneath the surface.
Dirty cooperative Neptune blue head hurt splits
The image society portrays is fake and harmful, causing real pain and damage to those who believe it.
Ridiculous fathom the splicing of first generation
The way society creates and divides generations is arbitrary and often nonsensical.
fuck up or trickle down anti hero smack (Cracking!)
The idea of 'trickle down economics' is flawed and leads to a lot of suffering, and it's up to antiheroes to fight back against it.
I paste the game to zero all completion green (Splash!)
I am working to destroy the corrupt systems and ideas that lead to people being limited in their potential.
Took an early retirement pick a dream
I'm done playing along with society's expectations, and I'm going to pursue my own dreams and goals instead.
American nightmare hogging the screen
The American dream is tarnished and fake, more focused on appearances than substance, and it's taking all the attention and resources from the things that matter.
I'll hold the door open so you can stumble in
I'll be here to help those who need it, even if they don't know where they're going or what they're doing.
and you would stop following me around the jungle gym
Stop blindly following the rules and expectations of others without questioning them or thinking for yourself.
Now it's an honor and I spell it with the 'H' I stole from heritage
I'm reclaiming the honor and pride that has been taken away from my heritage and using it to empower myself and others.
Marry crutch stolen wretched refuge refuse my teaming resonance
I refuse to let those who are suffering and marginalized be silenced or ignored.
I promise temperance storm breed with a leaning conscious
I'm committed to fighting back against the harmful ideas and systems that oppress people, and doing so with moral strength and consciousness.
In a credence relax responsive with my sports outsource the wattage
I don't need to be loud or aggressive to make a difference, I can make changes through subtle but effective means.
And I'm sleeping now (Wow!) And the settlers laugh
Those in power are often blind to the suffering and harm they cause, while the oppressed are the ones who suffer the most.
You won't be laughing when your covered wagons crash
Those who support harmful systems and ideas will regret it when the inevitable consequences catch up to them.
You won't be laughing when the buses drag your brother's flags into rags
Even those who feel safe and secure under the status quo will find themselves in danger when they're forced to confront the reality of their actions.
You won't be laughing when your front lawn is spangled with epitaphs
The harm that has been caused by oppressive systems and ideologies will be impossible to ignore or deny when it's right on your doorstep.
Slacker bounded imitated tabloid headlined with the post
The media presents fake and contrived narratives, often focused on gossip and superficialities rather than real issues.
Shimmy cross the centerfold, and a dead time in ghosts
We're so focused on the fake and the superficial that we can't even see the real, important things that are right in front of us.
Giving crumbs for the better souls with seven deadly sins
The systems in place often keep good, deserving people from succeeding while promoting those who are selfish and harmful.
To hear the plane to crystal conscious
We need to listen to the voices and experiences of those who are marginalized and oppressed in order to truly understand what's going on in the world.
To results a low life counting on one hand what he's accomplished
Even those who society views as 'low' or 'unaccomplished' have value and worth, and their experiences are important to consider.
Ok, lift me to activism chain activate street sweep
I'm ready to take action and work to change the harmful systems and ideologies that are hurting people.
Plug in deteriorating zenith pen dragging
Even though it's hard and frustrating, I have to keep writing and fighting back against the things that I know are wrong.
I hack swords wars for the morbid spreading of mad men
I'm fighting back against the harmful and dangerous ideas that are promoted by those who are in power and benefit from the status quo.
Now he's got soul
Even those who society views as 'corrupt' or 'unworthy' have the potential for good and can change for the better.
Sitting there licking log cabin in Charlie Chaplin waddle
Some people are so wrapped up in their own delusions and lies that they can't see the harm they're causing or the reality of the world around them.
I could zig zag and zig 'em again for the bad dreams
I'm willing to keep fighting back and pushing against the harmful systems and ideas that are hurting people, even if it's hard or frustrating.
Sparking my brick wall windows another thicket storm
I'm constantly pushing back against the oppressive systems and ideologies that are trying to keep me down.
And if one night in Gotham without the wretched
If we could live in a world without those who are causing harm and perpetuating oppressive ideas and systems, we could truly make a difference.
Houston we have a problem
The problems we're facing are huge and difficult to solve, but that doesn't mean we should stop trying.
Dispatch a task of infested patch of city goblins
We need to actively fight back against those who promote harmful and oppressive systems and ideas.
Who split how many freaks with box cuts of a high road bellow
Those who hold power often use it to label and harm those who are different, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and ideas.
Heads ripped! Watch red bricks turn yellow
The harm caused by these systems and ideas can be incredibly destructive and damaging.
Sort of similar to most backbones at camp Icarus
Many people are too afraid or unwilling to stand up to the oppressive systems and ideologies that are hurting people.
Raw feelings start congregating at pamper for bickering
It's important to share our emotions and experiences with others in order to find common ground and work towards solutions.
Life's not a bitch life is a beautiful woman
Life is full of beauty and wonder, and it's up to us to find the beauty in the world even when it seems impossible.
Your only call her a bitch because she won't let you get that pussy
People often lash out at and label women who don't conform to their expectations or desires, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and ideas.
Maybe she didn't feel y'all shared any similar interests
Just because people are different doesn't mean they can't coexist and find common ground.
Or maybe you're just an asshole who couldn't sweet talk the princess
The way we treat and interact with others is important, and it can have a profound impact on our relationships and the world around us.
Kiss the speaker wire or either pass it for some pagan thresh hold
Sometimes we need to let go of our preconceptions and biases and really listen to what others have to say in order to find common ground and work towards change.
Stomach full of halo kibbles
We need to nourish ourselves with positivity and hope in order to keep fighting for change in a world that can be dark and oppressive.
Wings span cast black of porn visuals hear the duck hunt ticker tape
We're bombarded with harmful and damaging messages and images from the media and society, which perpetuate harmful ideas and stereotypes.
Vision and pick apart the pixels
It's up to us to really look at the world and the messages we're receiving and pick them apart to truly understand what's going on and make a difference.
I got a friend of polar nature and it's all peace
Even people who are different or have different perspectives can coexist peacefully and work towards common goals.
When I seek similar stars but can't sit at the same feast
Even when we have the same aspirations and goals, we might not always agree on the best way to achieve them.
Metal Captain!
Sometimes we need to be bold and assertive in order to make our voices heard and work towards change.
This cat is asking if I've seen his little lost passion
We all have moments where we feel lost or uncertain, and we need to support each other and help each other find our way.
I told him: "Yeah, but only when I pedaled past him"
Sometimes we need to move forward and leave the things that are holding us back in the past in order to truly find our purpose and passion.
All I ever wanted was to pick apart the day,
put the pieces back together my way
Throughout this song, Aesop is expressing his desire to see the world in a different way and make a difference, even if it means going against the status quo and doing things his own way.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MICHAEL DOWDLE, MICHAEL J DOWDLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind