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.
Who Medgar Evers Was...
Dälek Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Emmit Till and Malcolm, both spilt the same blood
Bobby Seale know the reasons why there ain't love
Dr Newton died by the very same gun
Martin Luther tried, we still in same slum
More than 40 years, lower class stays numb
Guess we better off if we all play dumb
Silver Spoons only on tube where we from
Ain't rude just consumed with how they business done
Only solace lie in the language of drums
The Boom-Bap sparks revolutions
The Boom-Bap sparks revolutions
Only solace lie in the language of drums
Ain't rude just consumed with how they business done
Silver spoons only on tube where we from
Problem is I'm born with intelligent tongue
Guess we better off if we all play dumb
More than 40 years, lower class stay numb
Martin Luther tried, we still in same slum
Dr Newton died by the very same gun
Bobby Seale know the reasons why there ain't love
Emmit Till and Malcolm, both spilt the same blood
Tell the truth, you never knew who Medgar Evers was
Can't forget how they fought or the struggle
Remove one block, watch us all tumble
One thing they taught, we got to stay humble
Shades of Melanin like pieces to the puzzle
Can't forget how they fought or the struggle
Remove one block, watch us all tumble
One thing they taught, we got to stay humble
Shades of Melanin like pieces to the puzzle
Can't forget how they fought or the struggle
Remove one block, watch us all tumble
One thing they taught, we got to stay humble
Shades of Melanin like pieces to the puzzle
Can't forget how they fought or the struggle
Remove one block, watch us all tumble
One thing they taught, we got to stay humble
Shades of Melanin like pieces to the puzzle
Tell the truth, you never knew who Medgar Evers was
Emmit Till and Malcolm, both spilt the same blood
Bobby Seale know the reasons why there ain't love
Dr Newton died by the very same gun
Martin Luther tried, we still in same slum
More than 40 years, lower class stays numb
Guess we better off if we all play dumb
Problem is I'm born with intelligent tongue
Silver Spoons only on tube where we from
Ain't rude just consumed with how they business done
Only solace lie in the language of drums
The Boom-Bap sparks revolutions
The Boom-Bap sparks revolutions
Only solace lie in the language of drums
Ain't rude just consumed with how they business done
Silver spoons only on tube where we from
Problem is I'm born with intelligent tongue
Guess we better off if we all play dumb
More than 40 years, lower class stay numb
Martin Luther tried, we still in same slum
Dr Newton died by the very same gun
Bobby Seale know the reasons why there ain't love
Emmit Till and Malcolm, both spilt the same blood
Tell the truth, you never knew who Medgar Evers was
The lyrics in Dälek's song "Who Medgar Evers Was" discuss the continued struggle for equality and justice in America. The song links together a number of civil rights figures and their legacies, lamenting the fact that the same injustices and struggles continue to this day. The lyrics begin by calling out the audience for not knowing who Medgar Evers was, and go on to mention other important figures from the Civil Rights Movement like Emmit Till, Malcolm X, and Bobby Seale.
Despite the efforts of Martin Luther King Jr. and others, the lower classes still face significant challenges and obstacles. The singer acknowledges their own intelligence and desire for knowledge, but notes that it might sometimes be easier to "play dumb" than to confront the harsh realities of the world around them. The song also references the power of music to bring people together and inspire social change, calling the "Boom-Bap" beats of hip-hop a force for revolution.
Ultimately, the song argues that we cannot forget the lessons and sacrifices of those who came before us. The final lines capture the central message of the song, reminding listeners that the struggle for equality is ongoing, with "shades of melanin like pieces to the puzzle."
Line by Line Meaning
Tell the truth, you never knew who Medgar Evers was
Many people are unaware of the significant civil rights leader, Medgar Evers.
Emmit Till and Malcolm, both spilt the same blood
The violent deaths of African American teenagers Emmett Till and Malcolm X served as reminders of the continued struggle for civil rights.
Bobby Seale know the reasons why there ain't love
Activist Bobby Seale understands the underlying reasons behind the lack of love and equality in society.
Dr Newton died by the very same gun
Civil rights leader Dr. Huey Newton was killed using the same violent means that oppressed African Americans for generations.
Martin Luther tried, we still in same slum
Despite the efforts of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders, many African Americans are still trapped in poverty and discrimination.
More than 40 years, lower class stays numb
For over four decades, lower class African Americans have remained apathetic to their situation due to lack of opportunities and vocal leadership.
Guess we better off if we all play dumb
By ignoring the systemic barriers and injustices, some believe that it is easier to survive in society.
Problem is I'm born with intelligent tongue
The artist recognizes that he is gifted with knowledge and the ability to use his voice for change.
Silver Spoons only on tube where we from
Exposure to wealth and privilege is only seen on television and media and is not a reality for many African Americans.
Ain't rude just consumed with how they business done
The artist is not being impolite but is instead focused on learning how those in power operate.
Only solace lie in the language of drums
For many African Americans, music serves as a means of escape and consolation from the struggles of daily life.
The Boom-Bap sparks revolutions
This style of music has the power to inspire change and resistance against the status quo.
Can't forget how they fought or the struggle
It is important to remember the sacrifices and hard-fought battles of past civil rights leaders.
Remove one block, watch us all tumble
The struggle for equality is fragile, and one setback or obstacle can send progress back significantly.
One thing they taught, we got to stay humble
Civil rights leaders emphasized the importance of humility in the struggle for equality and fairness.
Shades of Melanin like pieces to the puzzle
The diversity within the African American community is a strength and a crucial part of the larger historical narrative.
Contributed by Tyler K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.