Edan attended CU in late 2003-2005 majoring in production. The Rockville, Maryland native had already been experimenting with 4 and 8 track home recording using both live instruments (he is a drummer and bassist) and a truthfully Native Tongues inspired, sample based approach since 1986. He quickly advanced in skill throughout high school and college. Continuing on this path, Edan completed the officially unreleased album the end is forever on an 8-track digital cassette recorder in his dorm room while in his sophomore year. The only tracks to be released from this project appeared on his debut single in 1998. This sought after 12" contains the songs "The Es Have It featuring Eric Ferguson" and "Migraine," and was released by the now defunct Boston indie imprint Biscuithead Records. The single introduced Edan's slightly askew humor (sample lyric: The principal got nervous/When I ran into his office shirtless) and dusty production style to the world.
After leaving college in 2001, Edan began work on his official debut album, Primitive Plus eternity. The single for "godlove" which featured Boston MC Mr. Lif was released on Sun/Moon Records, after which Edan became the first artist signed to UK label Lewis-John Recordings, which released the single "Mic Manipulator." Around this time Edan began performing with several musicians from Berklee under the name Fiber. The band performed mainly in the Boston area, playing Edan's songs interspersed with long jazz improvisations during which he would scratch records and play with a delay pedal. The affiliation was short-lived, however, as Edan soon left to pursue solo ventures and Fiber began performing with MCs Bomshot and Professor Shuman. Primitive Plus was released in 2001 to critical acclaim. Edan handled all the production, rapping and turtablism on the album, with the exception of guest shots by Mr. Lif and Alaskan Fishermen member Father Time. In addition, production on one track, "Key-Bored," was done by Eli (aka Memory Man.) The experimental/throwback vibe of the album was also endowed with some of the '90s innovations in rhyming and scratching, which led to the album's title, explained on the title track as "primitive plus futuristic."
Edan then released a mixtape, Fast Rap. The seamless compilation of golden era burners by luminaries like Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap and lesser known mic rippers like Black, Rock & Ron was highly influential, sparking a renewed interest in "fast rap" and often influencing eBay auctions for the records used on the tape, much to the chagrin of hip-hop record collectors.
A non-LP track single, "Drop Some Smooth Lyrics," followed on Edan's own Humble Mag label, backed by the hilarious Kool Keith impression, "Ultra '88." In 2002 he released the wonderfully lo-fi Sprain Your Tape Deck EP, which featured some of the CD-only cuts from Primitive Plus and two new tracks. All of these songs had been recorded live in his home studio directly to an ordinary cassette deck after his 8-track finally broke. Deprived of the ability to overdub, all of the EP's scratching, mixing and effects were done live as Edan rapped to a sequencer and drum machine.
Edan then began producing other artists, providing remixes for Mr. Lif and Souls Of Mischief, and album cuts like Akrobatik's The Hand That Rocks The Cradle. Teaming up with fellow Boston MC/DJ/producer Insight in 2003, Edan began performing a much tighter live set. "Edan & Insight" (later billed as Duplex) often incorporate their DJ abilities into performances and display a level of showmanship that recalls the glory days of the Furious Five and the Cold Crush Brothers. Edan's "Johnny The Fox" routine involved rhyming with the mic in one hand while cutting up doubles of Thin Lizzy song's intro with the other, and can be seen performed in the independent film SBX.
Edan's first single from his follow up album was the aptly-titled "I See Colors," a psychedelic kaleidoscope of a light track featuring his own soaring Moog synth work over a loop which as he acknowledged in the lyric had been used before to great effect by Prince Paul. Edan deftly cuts between two versions of the sampled track in the song's chorus, heightening the dreamy quality. The lyrics concern psychedelic visions that can be attained without the use of drugs. The b-side, "The Science Of The Two," was the first recorded collaboration with Insight and featured some stunning production of its own. The single, released in early 2004, whetted fans appetites for what appeared to be a much more ambitious direction for his next album. Another mixtape, Sound Of The Funky Drummer, also appeared in 2004.
Beauty And The Beat, released in early 2005, is widely regarded as one of the best independent hip-hop albums of that year and was rated as such on many websites and in many publications. A psychedelic tour de force, the album finds Edan trying to "put Syd Barrett's face on Biz Markie's body" with "Kool G Rap's brain" and succeeding. The album features Mr. Lif, Insight, Percee-P and newcomer Dagha, and is again produced by Edan himself.
His most recent release, an audio-visual mega-mix, entitled ‘Echo Party Movie’, is an ambitious pastiche of dance, rapp, and punk that utilizes everything from turntables to tape echo, glockenspiel to guitar, and moog to kazoo. Once completed, the heady audio collage was then given to celluloid-splicer-extraordinaire, Tom Fitzgerald, who meticulously set the music to a wild array of found footage (sources ranging from Bollywood & martial arts films to subversive 60's animation, obscure new wave 8mm & vintage breakdance/graff footage).
Edan's previous effort, “Beauty And The Beat”, drew worldwide acclaim, most notably for its graceful marriage of hip-hop and rock-based psychedelia. Despite being off the beaten track musically, Edan tastefully/cautiously blends these influences into something new, with an emphasis on skills and originality. Keeping In line with said emphasis, the man is a world class deejay and emcee, taking it back to basics yet pushing forward at the same time… On stage, his repertoire includes cutting/looping up records such as Thin Lizzy’s ‘Johnny the Fox’ with one hand while holding the mic with the other and spitting his verse over it in good time, not to mention simultaneously stepping on a delay pedal for the sake of added texture…
Beauty
Edan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The facts you listen
I blast through rhythms like hash through your system
True in love and wisdom
Well off and witty
Using God's sleeve to wipe the hell off the city
See my elegance, dining on the Periodic Tablecloth of Elements
The universe designs my intelligence
Run swift through a handstand on pyramid tips
The sun splits the waterfront causing prismatic effects
Butterflies come alive to have sex
Birds fly out of a top hat slow
To join the brilliance of wilderness and soar through the Congo
Speed the convo through colors and shapes
My word choice is turquoise I love to create
My art hurdles over the clouds of dark purple
Red mixes yellow and blue in sharp circles
Paint splashes over your conscious like canvas
Colors jump out of the body to form branches
Psychedelic images flash like avalanches
Illustrate skill with the quill to build stanzas
I use pens like hallucinogens
So who can pretend, my music ain't a beautiful thing
A suitable king
Deserving of the jewels and the rings
That only flatter my appearance like the tulips in spring
I'm cool with the gods, I could never use the facade
Of a musician that celebrate hate and abuse women
The beautician is back, Humble Magnificent wizard of rap
Throwing tuxedos on the wax
The numbers they fall off the clock midnight
At the museum an apple is stolen out of a still life
You see 'em, stand by the mirror with no reflection
A point five appears on your shirt for half stepping
Scientists explain that they no longer know things
A dog takes a shit on the floor and grows wings
Planets of the solar system now trade places
Statues and national fame become faceless
Great lakes evaporate and leave no traces
The man with the mustache reveals the three aces
Briefcases open to expose sheet music
The thief hears the piece performed and weeps to it
Master violinist plays the solo one handed
The notes on the page become ants that run frantic
Slowly the symphony dissolves into noise
The Baron with the glass eye sweats and loses poise
A scene is made, the chase brigade is summoned
The man in the mask walks fast and starts running
An officer fires a pistol in black apparel
But instead of lead, red rose grows from out the barrel
The criminal escapes through a disappearing door marked beauty
Exiting the world forevermore
In the song "Beauty" by Edan, the rapper uses intricate and imaginative language to articulate his vision of beauty through metaphors of colors, shapes, and art. He positions himself as a rap beautician, who, with his intelligence and wisdom, can wipe off the hell from the city using God's sleeve. Edan's rap style is smooth and rhythmic, as he seamlessly switches between topics while keeping the theme of beauty intact.
Edan's use of metaphors to describe beauty is fascinating. He uses the Periodic Tablecloth of Elements as a dining table for his elegance, and the universe designs his intelligence. He illustrates his art with a quill that builds stanzas, and his paint splashes over your conscious like canvas. Edan's words create vivid images that evoke strong emotions in the listener.
The song's last verse is a surrealistic masterpiece where Edan creates a world where anything is possible. He uses vivid descriptions to take the listener on a journey where planets trade places, great lakes evaporate, and statues and fame become faceless. The criminal who walks through the disappearing door marked beauty symbolizes the beauty and magic that exists in this surrealistic world.
The song "Beauty" by Edan is a thought-provoking and imaginative exploration of the concept of beauty. It takes the listener on a journey through various metaphors and surrealistic worlds, creating a sense of wonder and amazement.
Line by Line Meaning
Well it's the rap beautician
I am a skilled rapper, like a beautician who enhances beauty through my music.
The facts you listen
I am telling you the truth, please pay attention.
I blast through rhythms like hash through your system
My music is powerful and hits you hard, like a drug coursing through your veins.
True in love and wisdom
I am authentic and genuine, with the capacity for both love and wisdom.
Well off and witty
I am wealthy and clever.
Using God's sleeve to wipe the hell off the city
I am trying to cleanse the world of negativity and darkness with God's help.
See my elegance, dining on the Periodic Tablecloth of Elements
I am well-educated and sophisticated, enjoying my company at a table decorated with the periodic table of elements.
The universe designs my intelligence
My intelligence and creativity are divinely inspired by the universe.
Drop science down a bottomless pit
I am constantly pushing the boundaries of science and knowledge.
Run swift through a handstand on pyramid tips
I am agile and nimble, able to perform amazing athletic feats.
The sun splits the waterfront causing prismatic effects
The sunlight creates a beautiful and colorful display on the waterfront.
Butterflies come alive to have sex
Nature is full of life and vitality, even in the act of butterfly reproduction.
Birds fly out of a top hat slow
The magic of life is mysterious and wondrous, like birds emerging slowly out of a magician's top hat.
To join the brilliance of wilderness and soar through the Congo
The beauty of nature is exhilarating and liberating, allowing birds to soar through wilderness regions like the Congo.
Speed the convo through colors and shapes
I move the conversation forward by describing the world using vivid colors and shapes.
My word choice is turquoise I love to create
I am inspired by the color turquoise and enjoy using language to create beautiful and meaningful expressions.
My art hurdles over the clouds of dark purple
My creativity transcends negative thoughts and emotions like dark clouds.
Red mixes yellow and blue in sharp circles
Colors can mix and blend together in amazing ways, like red, yellow, and blue creating sharp circular patterns.
Paint splashes over your conscious like canvas
My music has a powerful impact on your consciousness, like paint splattered on a canvas.
Colors jump out of the body to form branches
The human body can be a source of creative inspiration, like colors jumping out of the body to form organic, branching patterns.
Psychedelic images flash like avalanches
My music can create intense and surreal psychological experiences, like images flashing rapidly as in an avalanche.
Illustrate skill with the quill to build stanzas
I use my writing skills with a pen to create beautifully crafted verses.
I use pens like hallucinogens
Writing can be a powerful and transformative experience, like taking hallucinogenic drugs.
So who can pretend, my music ain't a beautiful thing
It is impossible to deny that my music is a truly beautiful creation.
A suitable king
I am a worthy and capable leader.
Deserving of the jewels and the rings
I am deserving of wealth, power, and recognition.
That only flatter my appearance like the tulips in spring
Like tulips in spring, the jewels and rings are superficial adornments that only enhance my appearance.
I'm cool with the gods, I could never use the facade
I am comfortable with my spiritual beliefs and cannot pretend to be someone I'm not.
Of a musician that celebrate hate and abuse women
I refuse to condone or promote the celebration of hate or the abuse of women in my music.
The beautician is back, Humble Magnificent wizard of rap
I am a proud and humble artist with magical creative powers.
Throwing tuxedos on the wax
My music is refined and elegant, like a tuxedo on a dancer.
The numbers they fall off the clock midnight
At midnight, time seems to lose its grip and order.
At the museum an apple is stolen out of a still life
Even in art, there is sometimes chaos and theft.
You see 'em, stand by the mirror with no reflection
Sometimes you can see things that are not real, like a reflectionless figure standing by a mirror.
A point five appears on your shirt for half stepping
Punishment can be swift and harsh for those who only give half effort.
Scientists explain that they no longer know things
Even the experts cannot always explain the mysteries of the universe.
A dog takes a shit on the floor and grows wings
The bizarre and unexpected can happen for no apparent reason.
Planets of the solar system now trade places
Even the order of the universe can be disrupted and upended.
Statues and national fame become faceless
Even great monuments and symbols can lose their power and meaning.
Great lakes evaporate and leave no traces
Even natural wonders can disappear and leave no evidence.
The man with the mustache reveals the three aces
Secrets and mysteries can be revealed unexpectedly.
Briefcases open to expose sheet music
Everyday objects can reveal hidden beauty and creativity.
The thief hears the piece performed and weeps to it
Even a hardened criminal can be moved to emotion by beauty and art.
Master violinist plays the solo one handed
True mastery of a skill can be awe-inspiring, like playing a solo on a violin with one hand.
The notes on the page become ants that run frantic
Creative ideas can take on a life of their own, like notes on a page transforming into a swarm of ants.
Slowly the symphony dissolves into noise
Even the most beautiful things can eventually fall apart.
The Baron with the glass eye sweats and loses poise
Even powerful figures can lose their composure and be vulnerable.
A scene is made, the chase brigade is summoned
Drama and excitement can bubble up suddenly and create chaos.
The man in the mask walks fast and starts running
The unknown and mysterious can be frightening and intense.
An officer fires a pistol in black apparel
Authority figures can be violent and dangerous.
But instead of lead, red rose grows from out the barrel
Even violent situations can be transformed into moments of beauty and compassion.
The criminal escapes through a disappearing door marked beauty
Even those who seem to break the rules can be inspired by beauty and goodness.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@popeye4392
This track is unreal,I can listen to this a thousand times in a row.The beat is is so haunting,melodic,and soulful at the same time.Anybody who says this album is wack needs to get their heads checked.
@Ele.thchzzzn
One of the best songs in hip hop history.
@Whatsinmypocket
Finally, I found this track again. The only lyric I remember from a decade ago is, "a dog takes a shit on the floor and grows wings"
@C0MFYSLIDES
Edan was ahead of his time on this track. Listening to it makes me reflect on my trips
@danialbrown4417
I am an Edan fan
@danestanton5565
The Little Boy Blues - Dream Weaver is the sample
@rufusaurus7
this beat is ridiculous omg!!!
@a.l.zacharia2834
edan has one of the best voices in rap seriously he could spit anything and it'd be heat
@gregc7699
Yea he could even spit "a dog takes a shit on the floor and grows wings" and it sounds dope 😂
@AG-uj1cp
That beat drop at 2:50 is fucking unreal!