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.
Stagnant Waters
Dälek Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Corner blocks unlocked
Mysteries they not
Men and women shed tears when our peoples get shot
Multiply fears turns person to flock
Gospel don't read to let no man walk
Water stays wet and less we forget
Inept failures of corrupt government
Whole communities not fed
Declared Marshal Law instead
Derailed all progress
Inaction of congress costs lives
Tide rise
Tore through Leadbelly's levy
A saturated heart stays heavy
Can't help but wonder if my masses stand ready
Revolutions cost lives
But an idle mind's deadly.
chorus:
Barefoot exodus
Where's that plateau?
Thrown to wolves by our own
Can't trust a single soul
Should have known
Carcass lays prone in stagnant waters
Epitaphs have no authors
Patient paupers
My nation of martyrs
Turned mourners
We all lead to slaughter
Last breath on street (corner)
2.
Surmise ill situations devised to kill neighbors
Separated families back when they enslaved us
Made refugees of taxpayers
Truth's layered
Lies burn like paper
our soul's bare
Yo i need my peoples
(We right here!)
Got to fight tanks with fists son
(We don't care!)
chorus:
Barefoot exodus
Where's that plateau?
Thrown to wolves by our own
Can't trust a single soul
Should have known
Carcass lays prone in stagnant waters
Epitaphs have no authors
Patient paupers
My nation of martyrs
Turned mourners
We all lead to slaughter
Last breath on street corner
3.
Coroners crept in same corridors
Fear of death left once you slept with the poor
Mathematics once taught to men by the Moors
Lost to Spanish eyes viewing Mayans as whores
Corps of Engineers slice throat of 9 wards
Suggest you hold breath for 9 more
Divine swords chop neck of the wicked
Wounds self inflicted
Felt the Earth's plates shifting
Cracks in foundations of system
Watch the sunrise from a distance
Defines what we missing.
In "Stagnant Waters," dälek addresses the misery and hopelessness pervading oppressed communities. He begins by pointing out the inherent contradictions in society, such as the fact that the government claims to uphold citizens' rights but fails to do so, leading to widespread fear and disillusionment. The water motif represents both the persistence of societal problems and the weight that these problems have on people's hearts. The line "declared Marshal Law instead" recalls times when authorities have used force to maintain control rather than addressing underlying problems.
The chorus speaks to the loss of faith and trust within oppressed communities. The phrase "Barefoot exodus" evokes forced migration and displacement, while "thrown to wolves by our own" suggests betrayal by people who should be allies. The carcass lying in the stagnant waters symbolizes the death and decay that have become commonplace in these communities. The line "we all lead to slaughter" speaks to the sense of helplessness and inevitability that pervades the lives of those in oppressed communities.
In the second verse, dälek delves into historical and present-day injustices that have led to the current state of things. He references the enslavement of Black people and the displacement of Native people, as well as the ongoing exploitation of taxpayers. The line "corps of engineers slice throat of 9 wards" may refer to the intentional flooding of African American neighborhoods in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina, which disproportionately affected people who were already marginalized. By referring to "divine swords" that "chop neck of the wicked," dälek suggests that revolution is necessary to bring about change. However, he also recognizes that such change will come at a cost.
Overall, "Stagnant Waters" stands as a critique of a society that exploits and oppresses marginalized communities, and a call to action to stand in solidarity and fight for change.
Line by Line Meaning
Corner blocks unlocked
The barriers are removed and the truth is exposed.
Mysteries they not
Secrets are revealed and truth is unveiled.
Men and women shed tears when our peoples get shot
Communities mourn loss and grieve for those killed unjustly by police brutality.
Multiply fears turns person to flock
Fear causes people to come together as a group for safety and comfort.
Gospel don't read to let no man walk
The Bible is supposed to teach love and compassion, but it is not being followed in reality.
Water stays wet and less we forget
The truth remains the same and cannot be denied or erased.
Inept failures of corrupt government
Government officials are incompetent and corrupt, causing harm instead of helping the people.
Child wonders where and why her mother went
Children are left confused and traumatized by the absence of their parents, who may be incarcerated or killed.
Whole communities not fed
Entire neighborhoods are suffering from poverty and hunger due to lack of resources and systemic failures.
Declared Marshal Law instead
Martial law is declared to control and oppress communities instead of providing aid and support.
Derailed all progress
Progress and growth are halted and prevented by oppressive systems and government failures.
Inaction of congress costs lives
The lack of action and reform from those in power results in unnecessary loss of life.
Tide rise
Tensions and emotions escalate within communities due to injustices and systemic failures.
Tore through Leadbelly's levy
The levees in New Orleans were breached during Hurricane Katrina, causing immense damage and suffering.
A saturated heart stays heavy
Emotional and mental burden weighs heavily on individuals and communities affected by tragedies.
Can't help but wonder if my masses stand ready
The artist questions if their community is truly prepared and capable to fight against oppressive systems and injustices.
Revolutions cost lives
Protests and revolutions must be fought in order to create change, but they often come at great cost.
But an idle mind's deadly
Remaining passive and inactive in the face of injustice is also harmful and dangerous.
Barefoot exodus
Communities are forced to flee their homes and leave behind everything they know.
Where's that plateau?
There is no safe or stable ground to stand on during times of crisis and oppression.
Thrown to wolves by our own
Communities are betrayed and harmed by those in positions of power and authority within their own circles.
Can't trust a single soul
The betrayal and violence from those around them has left communities with a deep mistrust and suspicion of others.
Should have known
The truth of the situation was always there, but it was ignored or denied by those in power.
Carcass lays prone in stagnant waters
Victims of police brutality and systemic violence are left dead and forgotten, like rotting animal carcasses in stagnant water.
Epitaphs have no authors
The names and stories of those killed and forgotten are erased and ignored by those in power.
Patient paupers
Poor and marginalized communities are forced to wait and suffer in silence for aid and change that never comes.
My nation of martyrs
The singer's community has suffered countless losses and tragedies due to systemic oppression and violence.
Turned mourners
The community is constantly in a state of mourning and grieving for those lost to violence and tragedy.
We all lead to slaughter
The systems in place lead to the oppression and harm of vulnerable communities.
Last breath on street (corner)
The lives of those killed are often taken in public spaces and neighborhoods, leaving the community to bear witness to the tragedy.
Surmise ill situations devised to kill neighbors
The singer believes that oppressive systems are designed to harm and even kill certain groups of people.
Separated families back when they enslaved us
The atrocities of slavery and forced separation have long-lasting effects on families and communities even today.
Made refugees of taxpayers
Communities are forced to flee their homes and become displaced due to poverty, violence, and systemic failures.
Truth's layered
The truth of the situation is often complex and multifaceted, with hidden layers beneath the surface.
Lies burn like paper
False narratives and lies quickly spread and cause harm, as well as being easily debunked and dispelled.
Our soul's bare
The community is raw and exposed, with nothing left to lose or hide.
Yo i need my peoples
The singer recognizes the importance of community and support in times of crisis and hardship.
(We right here!)
The community responds with a show of unity and strength, standing together in solidarity.
Got to fight tanks with fists son
The community must navigate and resist against oppressive systems with limited resources and power.
(We don't care!)
The community is undeterred and unafraid of the power and violence of those in authority.
Coroners crept in same corridors
The same systems and institutions that cause harm are also responsible for trying to cover it up and erase evidence.
Fear of death left once you slept with the poor
The constant fear of death and violence is normal for those living in poverty and marginalized communities, and even death loses its impact over time.
Mathematics once taught to men by the Moors
The singer is referring to the contributions of Islamic scholars in the advancement of mathematics, which has been erased or ignored in Western education.
Lost to Spanish eyes viewing Mayans as whores
The achievements and contributions of Latinx communities are dismissed and ignored, while their cultures and people are sexualized and demonized.
Corps of Engineers slice throat of 9 wards
The government and institutions meant to protect communities instead harm and even destroy them, like when 9 wards in New Orleans were damaged by the army corps' levee system.
Suggest you hold breath for 9 more
The artist predicts that future harm and devastation is coming and warns others to prepare or brace themselves.
Divine swords chop neck of the wicked
Justice and retribution will come to the oppressors and those who cause harm to others.
Wounds self inflicted
The systems and structures of society harm and destroy those within it, like a self-inflicted wound that never heals.
Felt the Earth's plates shifting
The singer feels the impact and upheaval of the world around them, as well as the shifting tides of societal change.
Cracks in foundations of system
The systems and structures of society are broken and unstable, with deep-rooted flaws that cannot be easily repaired.
Watch the sunrise from a distance
The singer is distanced from the beauty and hope of new beginnings, unable to personally experience it due to their heavy burdens and the state of the world.
Defines what we missing.
The beauty and hope of new beginnings is both a reminder of what has been lost due to oppression and violence, as well as a beacon to guide the way forward.
Contributed by Avery V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
jakerock
This song is mindblowing. I get close to tears everytime.
Wicked Ras
Dalek. A journey. Glide with it. Much love.