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.

Yawning Zeitgeist Intro
Busdriver Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hello, I'm conducting a survey, and I have some questions to ask you, first off

Do you have a fear of a black tangent?
Were you born in the year of the rat?
Do you cheer and clap,
When weird rap bands commence?
I can tell by your answer you'll probably frolic with me in the foot hills
And that you want your tofu patty cooked, not grilled

But it doesn't matter, you've been enticed
And drawn in with my hook and reel

Oprah nods by novels
As you can see it sells very ("promenably") in Denver Colorodo

LOL Laugh out loud
You've never known hell so well
Until you've identified with a black crowd
It's a fear of a black tangent idiot
A public enemy spoof
Now some of your friends will reboot
The computer and do a google search
And be discouraged when they find out that the truth will hurt
When they see that I am not their zeitgiest
Nor am I christ-like
Nor do I dislike whites

I just want a better chance
Cause most likely I'll sell more records in France

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of Busdriver's song Yawning Zeitgeist Intro serve as a playful and intriguing introduction to the unconventional and challenging content and themes that are explored throughout the track. The artist starts by asking the listener about their fears and preferences, making reference to the concept of a black tangent, which suggests a deviation from the expected or accepted norm. He then inquires about their Chinese zodiac and musical tastes, before playfully suggesting that he knows enough about them to predict their response to his music.

From there, Busdriver launches into a scathing critique of mainstream culture and the entertainment industry, touching on themes of race, class, and identity. He mocks Oprah and the bookstore culture that surrounds her, using the invented word "promenably" to satirize the superficial trends and fads that are celebrated there. He also comments on the experience of being a black artist in a predominantly white industry, acknowledging the ways in which his music may be seen as threatening or subversive by some.

Overall, Yawning Zeitgeist Intro represents a bold and confident statement from an artist who is unafraid to provoke and challenge his listeners. Through its eclectic blend of styles, sharp humor, and incisive social commentary, the song embodies the spirit of musical innovation and experimentation that Busdriver has become known for.

Line by Line Meaning

Hello, I'm conducting a survey, and I have some questions to ask you, first off
I am initiating a conversation with you, and I would like to know more about you through a few questions.

Do you have a fear of a black tangent?
Are you intimidated by the deviation from the norm and the unfamiliarity of black culture?

Were you born in the year of the rat?
Did you come into existence in the Chinese astrology year of the rat?

Do you cheer and clap, When weird rap bands commence?
Do you support and find joy in the performance of unconventional, alternative rap groups?

I can tell by your answer you'll probably frolic with me in the foot hills And that you want your tofu patty cooked, not grilled But it doesn't matter, you've been enticed And drawn in with my hook and reel
I can predict that you might enjoy spending time with me in a natural, wild setting and prefer your food prepared a certain way. Regardless, you have been captivated and drawn in by my charisma and influence.

Oprah nods by novels As you can see it sells very ("promenably") in Denver Colorodo
Popular television personality Oprah Winfrey features books on her show, indicating their high fame and desirability, as evident in Denver, Colorado.

LOL Laugh out loud You've never known hell so well Until you've identified with a black crowd
The acronym indicating laughter often used on the internet belies the intrinsic emotional pain that comes with struggling to understand the plight of black Americans.

It's a fear of a black tangent idiot A public enemy spoof Now some of your friends will reboot The computer and do a google search And be discouraged when they find out that the truth will hurt
Examining the fear of exposure to different cultures and races, mocking public enemy with exaggerated fears, this may lead inexperienced individuals to a path towards critical self-realization at the expense of old values.

When they see that I am not their zeitgiest Nor am I christ-like Nor do I dislike whites I just want a better chance Cause most likely I'll sell more records in France
Contrary to popular belief and stereotypes about the black community, I am not the embodiment of societal norms nor am I portraying myself as an idealized religious figure. My tastes and motivations are not contingent on any ill-will towards white individuals, but rather a desire for more opportunities and success.

Contributed by Caden K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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