Possessing a hyper-literate, intellectual style of rapping augmented with d… Read Full Bio ↴Possessing a hyper-literate, intellectual style of rapping augmented with dizzying elocution that would tongue-tie even the fiercest auctioneer, Busdriver is eclectic and eccentric enough to cite vocalese jazz singer Jon Hendricks as a primary influence. Born Regan Farquhar, the Los Angeles MC was introduced to hip-hop culture early – his father wrote the screenplay to one of the earliest films focusing on hip-hop, Krush Groove. He began rapping at age nine, releasing his first record at age 13 with his group, 4/29, named after the 1992 L.A. riots. By the mid-'90s, Busdriver was a regular at the Project Blowed open mic, where he would meet future collaborators and underground luminaries like Aceyalone, Abstract Rude, and Freestyle Fellowship. And shortly after, the vinyl did flow.

Busdriver guested on upward of 20 singles, and by 2001 he could no longer be contained by guest spots, releasing his first full-length, Memoirs of the Elephant Man (1999). There were just as many detractors as supporters for his singular style, which was so densely packed it made his chosen name seem a reference for multiple-personality disorder, and the lo-fi production also left more listeners scratching heads than nodding them.

His next album, This Machine Kills Fashion Tips (2002), continued in a similar manner before being trumped by better production and more focused rhymes on Temporary Forever the same year. Joined by another West Coast avant-garde MC, Radioinactive, and the breezy, fractured pop of electronic producer Daedelus, Busdriver released yet another odd puzzle piece in 2003, The Weather. Fear of a Black Tangent followed on Mush in 2005. After moving to Anti-/Epitaph, the rapper issued RoadKillOvercoat, which featured production from Nobody and Boom Bip. His second Anti- release, Jhelli Beam, appeared in 2009. In 2010 he put out a full-length mixtape of unreleased gems and illegal remixes called Computer Cooties. It was released as a free album. 2010 saw Bus toiling over a new album that will shock fans and confuse the unconverted into unwilling servitude. It is called Beaus$Eros and was released on February 21, 2012 on Fake Four. Beaus$Eros forgoes the lightening-speed rhyming that defined his style in favor of a diverse, off-kilter brand of pop and post-hip-hop.

New Aquarium
Busdriver Lyrics

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"A lot o' people don't realize what's really going on. They view life as a bunch o' unconnected incidents 'n things. They don't realize that there's this, like, lattice o' coincidence that lays on top o' everything. (You got it) You know the way everybody is into weirdness right now? Books in all the supermarkets about the Bermuda Triangle, UFO's, how the Mayans invented television, that kind of thing?"
"I dont read them books."
"I think a lot about these kind of stuff. I do my best thinking on the bus. That's how come I don't drive see."
"You dont even know how to drive." (You got it)
"I dont want know how i dont wanna learn, see. The more you drive, the less intelligent you are."

Overall Meaning

These lyrics from Busdriver's song New Aquarium shed light on the ideas of interconnectedness, coincidence, and weirdness that are prevalent in our society. The singer suggests that many people fail to recognize the connectedness of events and instead view life as a random collection of incidents. However, the singer understands that there is a "lattice" of coincidence that overlays everything, which implies that events are not random but interconnected. The singer then refers to the widespread interest in the paranormal and unexplainable phenomena in society, such as the Bermuda Triangle and UFOs. The singer himself is not interested in reading about these topics but instead thinks about them frequently.

The mention of the bus in the lyrics is significant as it represents a space of contemplation and deep thinking for the singer. They highlight that they do not drive and have no desire to learn as they believe that driving can make people less intelligent. In a society that values speed and efficiency, this notion is a deviation from the norm. The singer values taking the time to think and observe, rather than constantly moving forward.

Overall, the lyrics explore themes of interconnectedness, coincidence, and the value of slowing down and thinking. The use of the bus as a symbol of this slower, introspective lifestyle is a unique and thought-provoking perspective.

Line by Line Meaning

A lot o' people don't realize what's really going on. They view life as a bunch o' unconnected incidents 'n things. They don't realize that there's this, like, lattice o' coincidence that lays on top o' everything.
Many people fail to understand the underlying order in life and see everything as random and disconnected. They don't acknowledge the interconnectedness of events and the principle of coincidence that governs everything.

(You got it) You know the way everybody is into weirdness right now? Books in all the supermarkets about the Bermuda Triangle, UFO's, how the Mayans invented television, that kind of thing?
You know how everyone is obsessed with the paranormal and supernatural these days? You can find books on topics like the Bermuda Triangle, UFO sightings, and strange theories like the Mayans inventing television in every supermarket.

"I dont read them books."
Personally, I don't indulge in reading those kinds of books.

"I think a lot about these kind of stuff. I do my best thinking on the bus. That's how come I don't drive see."
However, I do spend a lot of time thinking about these topics. In fact, I find that I do my best thinking while riding the bus. That's why I prefer not to drive myself around.

"You dont even know how to drive." (You got it)
"You don't even know how to drive." (You got that right.)

"I dont want know how i dont wanna learn, see. The more you drive, the less intelligent you are."
"I have no interest in learning to drive, you see. I believe that the act of driving can dull one's intelligence over time."

Contributed by Colton G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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