As a member of Company Flow, he honed his production skills alongside DJ Mr. Len and Bigg Jus. His unique style helped Company Flow gain critical, then popular success, culminating in 1997 with Funcrusher Plus. Eventual differences between the group & label Rawkus, lead to El-P & Len leaving the label in 2000.
El-P then started his own record label, Definitive Jux. Of the many albums he has helped produce (most on Definitive Jux), the most influential and successful has been Cannibal Ox's album, The Cold Vein (2001). In 2002 he released his debut album, Fantastic Damage, which received critical acclaim. His follow-up, I'll Sleep When You're Dead, hit stores in March of 2007. It featured a wide range of artists, including The Mars Volta, Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, and Cat Power. El-P has also contributed productions and guest raps to albums by DJ Krush, Aesop Rock, Murs, Cage, Mr. Lif, Prefuse 73, Del the Funky Homosapien, Mike Ladd, The High and Mighty, Aceyalone, and Alec Empire on the first Handsome Boy Modeling School album.
Cannibal Ox member Vordul Mega can be heard on "Linda Tripp", El-P's rebuttal to Sole's "Dear Elpee". He was also selected to work on Rage Against the Machine frontman Zach de la Rocha's solo album.
In 2012, El-P released his 3rd solo album, Cancer 4 Cure, on Fat Possum Records. The album was released to general acclaim, aggregating a score of 84 out of 100 on Metacritic.
In 2013, Meline formed rap duo Run the Jewels, with Michael Render (aka Killer Mike).
Sites: Discogs, Wikipedia and SoundCloud.
Tuned Mass Damper
El-P Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
After an 8-ball cataract broken jazz bass frett
The same touch to the chest of a young musician
He wrote his own eulogy with cocaine hands
Heroin arms, Novocaine memories
Lost since dropped into room from pink mammaries
Off of the dome, shit I'm off of the phone
Off of the couch, off track
A flask in a fanny pack
A bastard on any track
(C'mon) Daddy needs a new Megatron
Cause the die cast was metal and blasted his left arm
You should've viewed how it affected John, cause
He erected bubble truths that burst loose from a glass bear hug
Cannonballing from mattresses for kitty litter fragments
Gleaming white under the black light
Well that's a random journal entry from scissor-hand nostalgia
Powers down to transfers
To some elected methodology of bare-knuckle compassion
A train wreck waiting to happen
Spelled out with refrigerator magnets
G-are-O-W-N-A-S-S-M-A-N, ducking his own death threats
And stay fresh (What?)
Microscopic Sally Struthers with a lobster bib,
Munching on white platelets
Epiphanies leap out and surprise
Off of a batch of dead friends, the hardest way to get zen
You motherfuckers don't have grit,
You're all teenage poetry, martyrs without causes
Alarmists and opinions (get taxed)
Motherfucker, did I sound abstract?
I hope it sounded more confusing than that
Cause my clarity was found under the arm
Of an economy sized mouse trap
I dedicate this to Matt Doo (thank you)
My name is El-P, I produce and I rap too
You're not promised tomorrow
You're not promised tomorrow
You're not promised tomorrow
You're not promised tomorrow
You're not promised tomorrow
You're not promised tomorrow
You're not promised tomorrow
You're not promised tomorrow
Yo, yo
I'm bottle rocket conflicted, all dirty with flame on wic nit
Lookin for a hero in stores, looking for heart of gold whores
I swear the lust monkey sweat soaks in my pores
And this is one step from a junky liver breaking in doors
They playing global thermal nucleus games
Lets rearrange the whole complaint
Who the fuck is down to steal me some paint?
We could get ancient with this shit
on some cavernous wall Description, I'm lit
Trying to draw this figure eight with a twig
As if the symmetry alone is a prescription to live
The rusty touch the rubble convert working plummeting MIG
Cause its a dogfight for the privilege of hope as a fix
And I'mma rally round the family till the quota conflicts
My generation is beautiful coma, REM hold the bliss
And the answer that just eluded you my friend don't exist
Unless we torch our own entrapments and exact our own scripts
Tuned mass damper baby, yeah that's the shit
The song "Tuned Mass Damper" by El-P is a powerful and introspective track about the struggles of addiction and the human condition. The lyrics are full of metaphors and imagery that paint a vivid picture of the artist's personal experiences and observations about the world around him. The opening lines of the song set the tone for the rest of the track, as El-P talks about taking a photograph while soaked through and under the influence of drugs. He then goes on to describe the impact of addiction on a young musician and the effect it had on their creativity, memory, and ultimately their life.
Throughout the song, El-P touches on themes of loss, self-destruction, and the search for meaning in a world that can be both beautiful and cruel. He speaks about struggling with his own addictive tendencies and the constant battle to stay sober and focused. The chorus of the song drives home the message that life is short and unpredictable, and that it is important to make the most of the time we have.
Overall, "Tuned Mass Damper" is a powerful and poignant song that speaks to the struggles that many people face in their daily lives. It is a reminder that we are all human and subject to the same frailties and imperfections, but that we can find strength and hope through our connections to one another and our willingness to face our problems head-on.
Line by Line Meaning
I took this photograph soaking wet
I captured this moment despite the unfavorable circumstances.
After an 8-ball cataract broken jazz bass frett
Following a night of drug use and playing music, my mind and body were exhausted.
The same touch to the chest of a young musician
The way drugs can alter and damage a young musician's heart is a tragic reality.
He wrote his own eulogy with cocaine hands
The drugs he used and the lifestyle he lived sealed his fate, and he essentially wrote his own tragic ending.
Heroin arms, Novocaine memories
His addiction numbed him physically and mentally, creating hazy memories and a sense of detachment.
Lost since dropped into room from pink mammaries
He is completely disconnected from reality, like a baby dropped into a pink room.
Off of the dome, shit I'm off of the phone
I'm improvising and creating without external influences or distractions.
Off of the couch, off track
I'm free of the constraints of routine and expectations.
Out at OTB with a stub and a heart murmur
I'm at the off-track betting with little money and a health issue, taking risks without care for the consequences.
A flask in a fanny pack
I'm carrying alcohol with me everywhere I go, using it to cope with life.
A bastard on any track
I'm versatile and unpredictable, able to adapt to any situation or challenge.
(C'mon) Daddy needs a new Megatron
I need something big and powerful to combat the obstacles I'm facing.
Cause the die cast was metal and blasted his left arm
A physical object caused serious harm to someone, highlighting the danger of material items.
You should've viewed how it affected John, cause
Someone was deeply impacted by the incident and others should acknowledge and understand the seriousness of it.
He erected bubble truths that burst loose from a glass bear hug
He created a false sense of reality that eventually came crashing down, like a glass being squeezed too tightly.
Cannonballing from mattresses for kitty litter fragments
People are willing to go to extremes for small and insignificant rewards.
Gleaming white under the black light
Something appears pure and innocent on the surface, but has a darker side.
Well that's a random journal entry from scissor-hand nostalgia
This memory is from long ago and has been distorted by time and other experiences.
Powers down to transfers
The transfer of power can lead to new perspectives and opportunities.
To some elected methodology of bare-knuckle compassion
Compassion can be tough and difficult, but necessary for creating positive change.
A train wreck waiting to happen
A situation is doomed to fail and cause destruction.
Spelled out with refrigerator magnets
The warning signs were clear and obvious, easy to piece together like a word on a fridge.
G-are-O-W-N-A-S-S-M-A-N, ducking his own death threats
Someone is avoiding their problems and ignoring the danger they are in.
And stay fresh (What?)
Keep things new and exciting, even when facing challenges.
Microscopic Sally Struthers with a lobster bib, Munching on white platelets
A strange and unsettling image of someone consuming something harmful and unnatural.
Epiphanies leap out and surprise
Sudden realizations and insights can change everything.
Off of a batch of dead friends, the hardest way to get zen
Tragedy and loss can teach tough lessons and lead to self-discovery.
You motherfuckers don't have grit, You're all teenage poetry, martyrs without causes
Others lack the strength and resilience to handle adversity and create meaningful change.
Alarmists and opinions (get taxed)
People who spread fear and negativity should be held accountable for their actions.
Motherfucker, did I sound abstract?
I might be hard to understand or interpret, but that's just part of my style and message.
I hope it sounded more confusing than that
My goal is to challenge and provoke thought, not to be too straightforward or simplistic.
Cause my clarity was found under the arm Of an economy sized mouse trap
My understanding came from a strange and unexpected source, and I have embraced it.
I dedicate this to Matt Doo (thank you)
I want to honor and thank someone who has influenced or supported me.
My name is El-P, I produce and I rap too
Introducing myself as a producer and rapper, emphasizing my love for music.
You're not promised tomorrow
Life is unpredictable and we cannot take it for granted.
Yo, yo
A common phrase used to capture attention or start a rap verse.
I'm bottle rocket conflicted, all dirty with flame on wic nit
Feeling restless and explosive, but also worn down and unstable.
Lookin for a hero in stores, looking for heart of gold whores
Searching for something good and honest in a world filled with corruption and exploitation.
I swear the lust monkey sweat soaks in my pores
The desire for pleasure and gratification is consuming and overwhelming for me.
And this is one step from a junky liver breaking in doors
My addiction and reckless behavior are leading me down a dangerous path.
They playing global thermal nucleus games
People in power are manipulating and controlling others for their own benefit.
Lets rearrange the whole complaint
We need to change the whole system and start fresh instead of just complaining about issues.
Who the fuck is down to steal me some paint?
Will anyone join me in rebelling against the norm and taking bold action?
We could get ancient with this shit on some cavernous wall Description, I'm lit
We can create something powerful and lasting, like ancient cave paintings, and I'm excited about it.
Trying to draw this figure eight with a twig
Even simple actions can have meaning and significance, as long as they are done intentionally.
As if the symmetry alone is a prescription to live
The order and balance of the figure eight represents a way of life that offers stability and meaning.
The rusty touch the rubble convert working plummeting MIG
Things that seem useless and broken can still have value and potential if given the right touch and perspective.
Cause its a dogfight for the privilege of hope as a fix
Hope is something we must fight for and earn, and it can offer a sense of healing and purpose.
And I'mma rally round the family till the quota conflicts
I will support those I care about until it becomes inconvenient or challenging.
My generation is beautiful coma, REM hold the bliss
My generation is stuck in a dreamlike state, with moments of bliss that are fleeting and unreliable.
And the answer that just eluded you my friend don't exist
The solution to problems or life's biggest questions may not exist, and we have to come to terms with that.
Unless we torch our own entrapments and exact our own scripts
We have to free ourselves from the expectations and limitations that hold us back and create our own paths.
Tuned mass damper baby, yeah that's the shit
The idea of a tuned mass damper, a device that reduces the effects of vibrations and movements, represents a way to find stability and control in a tumultuous world.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind