He began his career DJing at MJQ, a small night club in Atlanta, and then began working in commercial studios but soon branched out into his own music. Herren's first major release was under the "Delarosa and Asora" moniker in 1997 with "Sleep Method Suite", with his latest work currently being the Prefuse 73 full-length album, "The Only She Chapters".
In 2000, Herren released a CD/LP on Hefty/Warp titled "Folk Songs For Trains, Trees, And Honey". This was followed by a 2001 exclusive limited pressing (700 copies) of "Immediate Action #1 LP" on Hefty.
Herren first released music under the "Prefuse 73" moniker with 2001's commercially and critically successful "Vocal Studies & Uprock Narratives". In 2002 the 4-track EP "The 92 Vs. 02 Collection" was released, but this merely bridged the gap between his debut and the 2003 release - another full-length album, "One Word Extinguisher". A collection of outtakes, "Extinguished" was released after "One Word Extinguisher" showing off some of the production that was omitted from the initial full-length. Some argue that it is an improvement on the original release. 2005 saw the release of "Surrounded By Silence", Herren's third album as "Prefuse 73". The album features more collaborations with a variety of musicians, including many rappers, both underground and mainstream. An out-takes album based upon "Surrounded By Silence" is expected to be released in the future. 2007 has brought 2 more releases under "Prefuse 73", one being a full length album, and the other a 4 track EP. "Preparations" and "The Class Of 73 Bells" are the titles respectively, and both were released under Warp Records.
Herren is particularly known for his unique take on the glitch style, which has attracted both a rock and hip-hop audience. He is frequently criticised by MC's for over-editing or abbreviating their additions, often to the point of incoherence.
Along with partners Peter Rentz, Carolina Chaves, Ben Loiz, Carlos Niño, and Paz Ochs, Herren has started the Eastern Development Music label. Which is descibed by Herren as,"less concerned with being on some next shit, blowing the fuck up, or changing the face of anything. We're more concerned with bringing you music we think you'll feel and understand in the same way we do."
The Class Of 73 Bells
Prefuse 73 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am neither walker or sleeper
I am neither sister, brother, son or daughter
So holding in my chest is my heart, ain?t your home or quarter
I am under no disguise
I am under no disguise
I am under no disguise
I am under no disguise
I am under no disguise
I am under no disguise
I am under no disguise
I am under no disguise
I am under no disguise
I am under no disguise
I am under no disguise
I am under no disguise
I am under no disguise
I am under no disguise
I am under no disguise
I am neither breather or speaker
I am neither walker or sleeper
I am neither sister, brother, son or daughter
So holding in my chest is my heart, ain?t your home or quarter
In this song, Prefuse 73 (Scott Herren) presents a character who does not wish to conform to any societal norms or labels. The opening lines "I am neither breather or speaker / I am neither walker or sleeper" serve as an introduction to the character's refusal to acknowledge any identity that is imposed upon them through predetermined roles or expectations.
The repetition of the lines "I am under no disguise" emphasizes the character's belief that they are not hiding anything or pretending to be something they are not. This can also be seen as a rejection of the masks that people put on in order to fit in with societal norms.
The character's declaration that they are "neither sister, brother, son or daughter" further demonstrates their desire to resist categorization by familial roles. The line "So holding in my chest is my heart, ain?t your home or quarter" could be interpreted as the character holding onto their own individuality and not allowing themselves to be defined by others.
Overall, "The Class Of 73 Bells" encourages listeners to embrace their own identities and reject any societal norms or expectations that do not align with who they truly are.
Line by Line Meaning
I am neither breather or speaker
I don't identify as someone who solely breathes or speaks - I am more than just my physical actions.
I am neither walker or sleeper
I don't define myself by whether I am walking or sleeping - I am not limited to those activities.
I am neither sister, brother, son or daughter
I am not defined by my familial relationships - those labels do not fully encompass who I am.
So holding in my chest is my heart, ain?t your home or quarter
My heart, which represents my true self, cannot be confined or owned by anyone else.
I am under no disguise
I am completely authentic and not hiding any aspect of myself.
I am under no disguise
I am completely authentic and not hiding any aspect of myself.
I am under no disguise
I am completely authentic and not hiding any aspect of myself.
I am under no disguise
I am completely authentic and not hiding any aspect of myself.
I am under no disguise
I am completely authentic and not hiding any aspect of myself.
I am neither breather or speaker
I don't identify as someone who solely breathes or speaks - I am more than just my physical actions.
I am neither walker or sleeper
I don't define myself by whether I am walking or sleeping - I am not limited to those activities.
I am neither sister, brother, son or daughter
I am not defined by my familial relationships - those labels do not fully encompass who I am.
So holding in my chest is my heart, ain?t your home or quarter
My heart, which represents my true self, cannot be confined or owned by anyone else.
Contributed by Sadie R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Cdubzhappy
when i was weakest this grounded me and gave me sense. i applaud prefuse and it's decadent collaboration with the school.
@ghostofhallownest5300
I heard this I believe in the mid 2000’s as a teen fast-forward to now I’m still listening in my 30’s 😂. Time moves, feels like it was yesterday. Lost so many and i would go back to his and Flylo work. Amazing.
@am7cxr
So few people here in the u.s know about prefuse. I love it. theres a reason why this guy won artist of the decade.
@giddeo
At first I didn't get it. Bought the album Now I listen to it and I'm like wow, sort of wish more artists were this happy to break away from the norm
@simnikiwehlatshaneni6765
Many many years and hundreds of guesses later, i found this song after hearing it on a radio mix
@superads91
One of the best comments I've ever read on Youtube. Only few have the balls, the brains, and most importantly, the heart, to be under no disguise.
@TheJonRom
Those vocals are hypnotic
@kaizenwraith
Prefuse is King. 👑✨
@annablumes
love it. love it, gorgeous. it haunted me, if been singing it to everybody. as i heared it in the radio and couldn´t remember the name. peace now :
@davidvillalobos4486
I am neither breather or speaker
I am neither walker or sleeper
I am neither sister brother son or daughter
Solely in my chest is my heart a drum of water...