dälek's music is dark, noisy and atmospheric, equally inspired by industrial music like Einstürzende Neubauten, the layered noise of My Bloody Valentine and the dense sound collages of Public Enemy. Their sound is often constructed through sampling and a musical base atypical of most hip-hop, making it difficult for people to classify their sound. They have been described as trip hop, glitch-hop, and metal-shoegaze-hip-hop, as well as criticized for their broad range of sound.
MC dälek described the group's music to the Chicago Sun-Times:
“It's purely hiphop, in the purest sense. If you listen to what hiphop has historically been, it was all about digging in different crates and finding different sounds, and finding different influences to create. If Afrika Bambaataa wasn't influenced by Kraftwerk, we wouldn't have 'Planet Rock'. So, in that sense, what we do is strictly hiphop.”
“If there is a difference, it's that the palette of sounds we work with is more varied than what has been called hiphop in the last 10 years. Somehow, as hiphop grew, it's been put into this box. I think it's funny when people are like "That's not hiphop. It's this and this and this." You can try to rationalize it as whatever you want to rationalize it as."
Studio albums:
• Negro Necro Nekros (1998)
• From Filthy Tongue of Gods and Griots (2002)
• Absence (2004)
• Abandoned Language (2007)
• Gutter Tactics (2009)
• Untitled (2010)
• Asphalt for Eden (2016)
• Endangered Philosophies (2017)
• Precipice (2022)
Collaborations, EPs and compilations:
• Megaton / Classic Homicide (2000) Split collaboration with Techno Animal.
• Ruin It (2002) In collaboration with Kid 606.
• Dälek vs. Velma (2002) Split collaboration with Velma.
• Derbe Respect, Alder (2004) In collaboration with Faust.
• Streets All Amped (2006)
• My Education vs. Dälek (2007) In collaboration with My Education.
• Deadverse Massive Vol. 1 (2007) Rarities 1999-2006.
• Griots and Gods - Les Eurockeennes Festival Belfort (2010) Live collaboration with The Young Gods.
Bricks Crumble
Dälek Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Spit vernacular tactical acts attain status.
Spectacular terrain ingrained in deep patterns.
(A) possible protest viewed as progress
With miniature steps one tends to digress.
Devised verbs to act basic balance
Beneath Bricks lies meaning unchallenged.
Average actors equate to non-factors.
Enamored by text
Tempt to forge my words straight molten
Only be perceived by the chosen.
Same tree still grows in Brooklyn
Misery mistooken
maintained pain constant
Themes central in booking.
Mental erodes like canyon rock
Thoughts sediment.
All actions evolve past sentiment.
chorus:
Militant speech type Amiri Baraka
Await actions from hands that ain't proper
Words strengthen emotions they foster
Bricks crumble under feet of this author.
Militant speech type Amiri Baraka
Await actions from hands that ain't proper
Words strengthen emotions they foster
Bricks crumble under feet of this author.
2.
Simplified existence exposed core elements.
To breath through concrete still seems irrelevant
irrational acts accentuates our arrogance.
Assassins arrows aimed at the affluent.
Tongue stuck to pavement, we hold no influence.
Maintain that statements were lost with our innocence.
Inexact science defined by own sense.
Design our demise in past tense.
Tumultuous results raise brow of doubters
Debated innate abilities amongst oceans of cowards.
Conceived concept convinced the lucid
The value of our voice seen in movements
melancholic lyrics became the mundane in this maze.
Awake my cohorts with verbal tirade.
chorus:
Militant speech type Amiri Baraka
Await actions from hands that ain't proper
Words strengthen emotions they foster
Bricks crumble under feet of this author.
Militant speech type Amiri Baraka
Await actions from hands that ain't proper
Words strengthen emotions they foster
Bricks crumble under feet of this author.
Militant speech type Amiri Baraka
Await actions from hands that ain't proper
Words strengthen emotions they foster
Bricks crumble under feet of this author.
Militant speech type Amiri Baraka
Await actions from hands that ain't proper
Words strengthen emotions they foster
Bricks crumble under feet of this author.
The lyrics of dälek's song Bricks Crumble convey a powerful message about the importance of language as a tool for empowerment and activism. The opening lines talk about the tactical use of words, and the deeply ingrained patterns of language that shape our understanding of the world. The lyrics suggest that true progress can only be achieved through protest, but that the process is slow and prone to digression.
The second verse continues the theme of language as a means of resistance, suggesting that our actions are limited by our ability to express ourselves effectively. The lines about the tongue stuck to pavement and the lack of influence that we hold are particularly powerful, conveying a sense of frustration and helplessness in the face of systemic oppression.
Overall, the message of the song seems to be that words are powerful, but that they are only the first step towards meaningful change. The title and chorus of the song refer to the idea that the structures of power and oppression that surround us are not indestructible, but that they can be torn down through the collective effort of those who are willing to speak out.
Line by Line Meaning
Spit vernacular tactical acts attain status.
Using precise language and strategic actions to achieve recognition.
Spectacular terrain ingrained in deep patterns.
A stunning environment with complex structures that are deeply embedded.
(A) possible protest viewed as progress
Even a potential demonstration can be seen as a step forward.
With miniature steps one tends to digress.
Small movements can stray off course easily.
Devised verbs to act basic balance
Creating precise words to maintain equilibrium.
Beneath Bricks lies meaning unchallenged.
Significance exists beneath the surface level.
Average actors equate to non-factors.
Mediocre performers have no impact.
Your formulaic prose disastrous
Predictable writing leads to failure.
Enamored by text
Fascination with the written word.
Tempt to forge my words straight molten
The desire to create language that is fluid and powerful.
Only be perceived by the chosen.
Only those who understand can truly appreciate it.
Same tree still grows in Brooklyn
Some things never change, even in a constantly evolving place like Brooklyn.
Misery mistooken
Sorrow misunderstood or misinterpreted.
maintained pain constant
Enduring suffering consistently.
Themes central in booking.
Common motifs in literature and music.
Mental erodes like canyon rock
The mind breaks down like the erosion of a canyon.
Thoughts sediment.
Ideas accumulate like sediment at the bottom of a river.
All actions evolve past sentiment.
Actions change over time and emotion is not a constant factor.
Simplified existence exposed core elements.
Life boiled down to its most essential components.
To breath through concrete still seems irrelevant
Surviving in an artificial, constructed environment feels futile.
irrational acts accentuates our arrogance.
Irrational behavior highlights our hubris.
Assassins arrows aimed at the affluent.
Violent attacks directed at the wealthy and powerful.
Tongue stuck to pavement, we hold no influence.
Stuck in place, we have no power to effect change.
Maintain that statements were lost with our innocence.
The purity of our statements is lost as we grow older and more jaded.
Inexact science defined by own sense.
An imprecise art defined by individual perspective.
Design our demise in past tense.
Planning our own downfall with the benefit of hindsight.
Tumultuous results raise brow of doubters
Controversial outcomes make skeptics question.
Debated innate abilities amongst oceans of cowards.
Discussions about our natural capabilities amidst a sea of fearful people.
Conceived concept convinced the lucid
A well-formed idea convinced those who are sane.
The value of our voice seen in movements
The significance of our words realized through action.
melancholic lyrics became the mundane in this maze.
Sad songs became ordinary in this complicated world.
Awake my cohorts with verbal tirade.
Rallying people with an impassioned speech.
Militant speech type Amiri Baraka
Using forceful language like activist Amiri Baraka.
Await actions from hands that ain't proper
Anticipating change from those who aren't capable.
Words strengthen emotions they foster
Language has the power to amplify feelings.
Bricks crumble under feet of this author.
Even the most solid structures can be broken down by a powerful voice.
Contributed by Elijah J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.