Their commercially successful sophomore album E&A (released 2004) became a staple of the Twin Cities hip hop community, although following hectic touring the release of Eyedea & Abilities next album By The Throat would take several years, with Eyedea and DJ Abilities touring separately.
After a productive hiatus they returned with the critically acclaimed By The Throat (released 2009). Sonically divergent from their earlier work, By The Throat would showcase the their individual development along with the talents of Jeremy Ylvisaker, J.T. Bates & Graham O'Brien.
Eyedea (Born Micheal Larsen on November 9, 1981 – October 16, 2010) who also performed under the name Oliver Hart became widely known because of his battle and freestyle skills. The Many Faces of Oliver Hart prominently features the obliterating lyrical speed of a young Carnage the Executioner aka Terrell Woods along with Slug (of Atmosphere). Eyedea was best known for his victory at the Blaze Battle, which was aired on HBO, showing some of the best underground battlers in action. Eyedea largely toured with Slug aka Sean Daley during his early career, and would continue to collaborate with his mentor.
Numerous posthumous releases regularly appear since his passing, including Face Candy Waste-Age Teen Land and Eyenine Afraid to Dream on Crushkill Recordings, along with dedications from Kristoff Krane aka Christoffer Keller, Sadistik aka Cody Foster, No Bird Sing, Sage Francis, Brother Ali, Carnage XXXL, Murs among others. His mother Kathy Averill maintains an official dedication site www.micheallarsen.com.
DJ Abilities aka Maxx Keltgen is known for winning three DMC awards and for his work on his mixtapes and 1200 Hobos. He continues to tour, and is currently signed to Rhymesayers Entertainment.
Sky Diver
Eyedea & Abilities Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Doctored wound. Perfect numb. Thirteen billion years in the making. Black hole at the center of our galaxy. We're still suffering. We′re still aching. The sanctuary is closed for repairs. I use god's guide to pet a maniac the nice way. Bad habits make for good memories. I'm good at being at the wrong time in the right place. Crust and clots at the corners of her mouth. Eyes white like yours, but completely different somehow. I caught her post dose, looking like a ghost. Cheeks rosed from the flush of fluid so familiar to us now. Legs folded, the predators pray. There′s no messiah that wasn′t a slave to it's brain. If I could do with nails, what you do with words, there′d be one more crucifixion, one less open door. Use my fist. But I won't knock. Break it open. Itch me sober. Trust me. We′ll get out of this alive. Now take my hand, it's almost over. I apologize for lying about smiling. I′m a frightened little cat that learned to act like a lion. While leviathans beach in the grip of their patience, I'm driving the cheap pirate ship to the pavement. By the grace of the breeze, I never scraped a knee that didn't help me see nothing′s really what it seems. Let it steep, ′till it screams, "Finally free!" Then, you better leave. I'm aiming right for the head of the king.
The lyrics to Eyedea & Abilities's song Sky Diver are complex and full of layered meanings. The song appears to be about the struggles of life, the search for identity, and the toll that addiction and bad decisions can take on a person. The opening lines are particularly striking, as the singer seems to be offering up their own pain and suffering to the listener, almost as if they are saying, "Here, take my pain, use it for something good." The image of cuddling newfound freedom while still being awake is interesting and suggests that even when we think we are free, we are still trapped in some way.
The lyrics also touch on themes of betrayal and disillusionment, particularly in the lines "Once hero, now dead" and "The messenger deserved to die for his lies." These lines suggest that the singer has been let down by someone they once trusted, and that they may be grappling with feelings of anger and resentment as a result. There is also a sense of self-doubt and confusion in the lyrics, particularly in the lines, "With only the distant past as a reference, I fail to feel any connection to the bones under my skin" and "I'm a frightened little cat that learned to act like a lion." These lines suggest that the singer is struggling to find their place in the world and to understand who they really are.
Overall, the lyrics to Sky Diver are intricate and reflective, touching on a range of difficult and complex emotions. The song appears to be a meditation on the human experience, with all its highs and lows, and a poignant reminder that even in our darkest moments, we are not alone.
Line by Line Meaning
Use your fist. Please don′t knock. My loose teeth are yours to take.
I am vulnerable and willing to let you hurt me. Please do not hold back.
Cuddling our new found freedom in keeping our eyes open without being awake.
We are enjoying the feeling of being awake and aware, but without the constraints of reality.
Kiss my ear. The faint still taunts. Children rejoice, 'Once hero, now dead.'
Despite our intimate moment, there is still a sense of sadness and loss that haunts us. The memories of a once revered hero now gone.
One last time. I'm really hurting. Just a little taste to take off the edge.
I am in pain and seeking relief, even if only temporary.
I rummage through old love letters and photographs in a desperate reach for a clue into who I am.
I am trying to understand my past and find meaning in my identity through past relationships.
With only the distant past as a reference, I fail to feel any connection to the bones under my skin.
Despite my search for answers in the past, I still feel disconnected from myself and my body in the present.
You can cry, but you′re still getting sterilized. You can show the sun how to come if you know the sky. He'll let you make a mess if you keep him high.
Even if you feel emotional pain, you are still being controlled and manipulated. If you have enough knowledge and power, you can influence even the seemingly unchangeable elements of the world around you. You can make a mess as long as you remain on top.
It was a good shoot. The messenger deserved to die for his lies.
Someone has been killed, and the artist believes it was justified because the victim was a liar.
Make it hurt. Scare me straight. Cursed is he who can't burn by fire.
The artist seeks pain and fear as a way to be corrected or rehabilitated. They believe that those who cannot withstand difficulty are cursed.
We′re all falling. Show me feeling. I′m your designated diver.
Everyone is struggling and descending, but the artist is strong and willing to take on the task of helping others through their emotional pain.
I can see the cuts on your mind. Your mother made yours. Mine made mine, I know you'd rather be sad then stupid.
The singer recognizes the emotional pain of others and relates to it. They also believe that it is better to be intelligent but sad, than ignorant but content.
Genius by day, Junkie by night. By the grace of breeze, I never scraped a knee that didn′t help me see bleeding isnt what it seems.
The artist has two sides to them, one intelligent and productive, and the other addicted and self-destructive. The difficulties they've encountered have taught them important lessons about the nature of pain and suffering.
Let it steam. Let it steep, 'till it screams, 'Finally free!' Then, you better leave. I bet that she′s gonna kill the king.
The singer advocates for allowing emotions to boil over and reach a point of release, even if it's intense. But once the release is achieved, it's time to move on. The line about killing the king suggests a rebellion against those in power.
Doctored wound. Perfect numb. Thirteen billion years in the making. Black hole at the center of our galaxy. We're still suffering. We′re still aching.
Despite the vast and ancient universe, we as humans still experience intense pain and suffering.
The sanctuary is closed for repairs. I use god's guide to pet a maniac the nice way. Bad habits make for good memories. I'm good at being at the wrong time in the right place.
The singer feels that their source of comfort and safety is unavailable at the moment. They use religion to manage difficult people in their life. They believe that negative experiences can be remembered positively. They are often in situations where they do not belong.
Crust and clots at the corners of her mouth. Eyes white like yours, but completely different somehow. I caught her post dose, looking like a ghost. Cheeks rosed from the flush of fluid so familiar to us now.
The artist describes a person who seems unwell, with telltale signs of drug use. Despite the similarity in their physical appearance, there is a stark contrast in who they are as people.
Legs folded, the predators pray. There′s no messiah that wasn′t a slave to it's brain.
The artist imagines predators as being in a prayer-like position, and comments that even those considered saviors or leaders are still confined by the limits of their own minds and thinking.
If I could do with nails, what you do with words, there′d be one more crucifixion, one less open door. Use my fist. But I won't knock. Break it open. Itch me sober. Trust me. We′ll get out of this alive. Now take my hand, it's almost over.
The singer longs to have the power to communicate as effectively as another person, but recognizes their own limitations. They still seek a way to break through and overcome their pain, but request the help and trust of others to get there. They believe that they will ultimately be okay.
I apologize for lying about smiling. I′m a frightened little cat that learned to act like a lion. While leviathans beach in the grip of their patience, I'm driving the cheap pirate ship to the pavement.
The singer feels guilty for pretending to be happy when they are not. They describe themselves as a small and scared creature that has learned to appear fierce and strong. They see others waiting patiently for something to happen, while they recklessly pursue their own path.
By the grace of the breeze, I never scraped a knee that didn't help me see nothing′s really what it seems. Let it steep, ′till it screams, 'Finally free!' Then, you better leave.
The artist credits their ability to learn and grow from their physical injuries as a product of good luck. They encourage others to let their emotions reach a climax before moving on, and warn that they won't stick around once that happens.
I'm aiming right for the head of the king.
The artist is targeting the one in power, and seeking to overthrow them.
Writer(s): Eyedea & Abilities
Contributed by Jason K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.