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.
Works Every Time
El-P Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't you know this a rotten time to not not be me
I've been waiting for an hour now, what the fuck is up?
I've got memories to lose man. I am in a rush
Don't make me suffer this dimension straight.
When we can bend face. Let space pixelate
60 dollars for a new born you.
Pay no attention to these savages.
Pay no attention to the man behind the glassy smirk
I tried the old way, that advice you gave to me was dirt
25 and I can buy my way of planet Nerf
Where the softest hearts are tossed around on astro turf
Charlie Brown is a dope boy trumpets fade
And its ridiculous to say oblivion's insane
And its insanity to think I'd recognize my name
I no longer speak the language, I have chosen change
Its like a fresh start to a new world (And I'd do anything, anything anything)
To go home
It's like a fresh start to a new world
And I already want to go home
Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue
If I exist right now I damn sure can't provide you proof
Definitions of existence in this state of loose
You've done enough, relax, i'll finish tightening up this noose
You had the fucking nerve to outstretch calm point in me
But can't you tell by how I'm sweating I am finally free
You were right about me, all along, whoop-de-doo
I have disappeared and so have you
Its like a fresh start to a new world (And I'd do anything, anything anything)
To go home
It's like a fresh start to a new world
And I already want to go home
In El-P's song Works Every Time, the lyrics depict the anxiousness and impatience of the singer, who has been waiting for someone all week but they are not there yet. He has been waiting for an hour but there is still no sign of that person, and he feels like he is running out of time. He pleads not to make him suffer in this dimension but rather go to a different dimension where space pixelates and he can forget all his memories. He also mentions that he can buy his way to a different planet called Nerf, where people's emotions are tossed around like astro turf, indicating a feeling of detachment from reality. But perhaps the most interesting aspect of the song is its multiple references to pop culture, from the Charlie Brown reference to the Airplane! movie quote "Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue," which adds a sense of humor to the song that might help alleviate some of the anxiety felt by the singer.
The second part of the lyrics depicts a shift in perspective, as if the singer is speaking to someone who is not there anymore, or is speaking to himself. There is a sense of nihilism, as the singer doubts his own existence and the concept of proof. He also acknowledges that the person he was waiting for might have been right about him all along, and that he has disappeared, along with that person. The chorus repeats the line "It's like a fresh start to a new world/And I already want to go home," which might indicate that the anxiety and impatience felt by the singer is just a reflection of a deeper longing for change, renewal and belonging.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been waiting for you all week.
I am eagerly anticipating your arrival.
Don't you know this a rotten time to not not be me
It's a bad time for you to not be in my shoes.
I've been waiting for an hour now, what the fuck is up?
Why are you making me wait so long?
I've got memories to lose man. I am in a rush
I have things to do and I don't want to waste any more time.
Don't make me suffer this dimension straight.
I don't want to live in this world as it is.
When we can bend face. Let space pixelate
We have the ability to change our reality and make it better.
60 dollars for a new born you.
People are willing to pay a lot for new life.
Pay no attention to these savages.
Ignore those who are ignorant and uncivilized.
They don't own truth
They don't have a monopoly on what is true.
Pay no attention to the man behind the glassy smirk
Don't be fooled by someone who seems insincere.
I tried the old way, that advice you gave to me was dirt
I attempted a traditional approach, but it didn't work.
25 and I can buy my way of planet Nerf
I have enough money to escape to a new world.
Where the softest hearts are tossed around on astro turf
Even the most sensitive people can be hurt in an artificial environment.
Charlie Brown is a dope boy trumpets fade
Even beloved childhood icons can be corrupted.
And its ridiculous to say oblivion's insane
It's absurd to consider nothingness to be crazy.
And its insanity to think I'd recognize my name
It's nonsensical to expect me to remember who I am.
I no longer speak the language, I have chosen change
I have left my old ways behind and embraced something new.
Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue
I made a mistake by quitting my bad habits at the wrong time.
If I exist right now I damn sure can't provide you proof
I can't prove my existence at this moment.
Definitions of existence in this state of loose
The nature of reality is uncertain in this unstructured state.
You've done enough, relax, i'll finish tightening up this noose
You can stop trying so hard, I'll take care of the rest.
You had the fucking nerve to outstretch calm point in me
You had the audacity to suggest that I stay calm.
But can't you tell by how I'm sweating I am finally free
My sweating indicates that I am no longer restrained.
You were right about me, all along, whoop-de-doo
I admit that you were correct about me, big deal.
I have disappeared and so have you
I have ceased to exist, just like you.
Lyrics Β© CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: JAIME MELINE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
DRHELI
Classic El P style, and some of his best poetry, Bravo
Punch Aim
This guy needs more clout one of the best rappers and producers of all time
Havid Darding
It's like a fresh start on a new world. What a feeling that phrase evokes! Ahhh. or is it AHHHHHHH!!!!!?
cristina havenhill
Yep....
Saudi Tate
Sippin on coffee listening to this a.m. get me litπ€£π€£πππΎππΎβ
Jenn Park
It's the latter but it's accompanied by a sense of relief I won't quite understand without an in depth conversation
Hunne2303
the latter. :)
childishStarnino
best rapper of all time
Ze Liteulbasteurde
Awesome! Big up from France!
Bobbo Wabbo
Talent