In 2008 Sadistik made his name with the provocatively fearless debut album "The Balancing Act." This record has been heralded by many critics as "hip hop's answer for winter albums" (SputnikMusic.com) for its fearlessly emotional potency because "after you are done listening to [it] you feel as though you have the world's strongest drug in your veins." When this sound was combined with the collaborations with Rhymesayers recording artist Mac Lethal and Vast Aire from Cannibal Ox fame, it becomes clear why so many have considered this to be an underground classic. Following the release of "The Balancing Act" was the release of the music video for the single titled "Searching for Some Beautiful" which was accepted by MTVu and well-received by fans and new listeners alike.
Following the success of "The Balancing Act" was 2010's operatic opus "The Art of Dying" with Chicago-bred producer Kid Called Computer. Again displaying his relentless knack to stray from rap music's norms, Sadistik and Kid Called Computer opted to create a conceptually unique album more akin to progressive rock than what is accepted as hip-hop with "beautifully married gloomy progressions with [...] gorgeous chaos in the music" (RapReviews.com). Whether it be the grandiose live rock crescendo of "Save Yourself" or the nearly 8 minute epic tale of school violence in "Bed of Flowers," Sadistik showed that he was not aiming to meet expectations but to shatter them into as many pieces as possible with a sound that "goes inside of you and eats it's way out from the inside [...] by being beautiful and painful at the same time" (GutsandGrog.com).
Sadistik's efforts are not limited to recordings, however, as he can be found performing his intimate yet intensely energetic shows around his home of Seattle and around various cities in the United States as well as internationally. In 2011 alone, Sadistik has independently toured in nearly every region of The United States as well as nine countries in Europe including: Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, France, and Austria. Sadistik has also shared the stage with hip hop icons such as: Tech N9ne, Slaughterhouse, Bone Thugs N Harmony, D12, Cage, Eyedea & Abilities, The Grouch, Zion I, etc.
Currently, Sadistik is preparing his official follow up to "The Balancing Act" titled "Flowers for My Father" that will be released on Fake Four Records, as well as finishing a collaborative album with Emancipator and penning his first poetry book.
For all booking and press inquiries please contact: Sadistikpro@gmail.com.
Dawn of the Dead
Sadistik Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is magic, its tragic, its passion, its me
This is classic romance and its madness, its peace
This is masochists, catholics, addicts and activists
Blackness and sadness that pacifists see
This is close to me, focusing, ghosts that sing (Axioms!)
Rosary, broken wings holding me (Back-a-wards!)
Followed the path to to to find find find this
Tensions will build, walls will collapse
Lessons instilled when I saw through the cracks
Cracked smiles repaired, we just crawl in our tracks
Cause we live just to die, we evolve to adapt
To the fast food and the tattoos
Its like I just can't see past the bad news
And I can't bruise, like a statue
But I'm fallin' apart from the shrap-nel
This is casualties, atrophy, mastering (axioms!)
Gravity, gradually, askin' me (back-a-wards!)
Progress make can you when reverse in be why?
Feel I how just thats cuz reverse in words speak I
Any and every engaging discussion
Of lovin's engraving a memory in me
Memories in me engraving the lovin'
Of every and any engaging discussion
High high high mid mid mid low low low (Next!)
Why try my wish if this goal I holds (Dead!)
Sooner or later I'll drown in regret
When I'm swimming in circles and holding my breath
In these lyrics, Sadistik seems to be exploring the contradictions that make up his life and identity. He describes himself as a combination of magic, tragedy, passion, madness, peace, masochism, Catholicism, addiction and activism - elements that seem at odds with each other. The blackness and sadness that pacifists see is also present in him, suggesting a complexity and depth that is not easily understood. He speaks of ghosts that sing and broken wings that hold him back, indicating that he is haunted by his past and unable to move forward. He has perhaps followed a path that has led him to this point, but in doing so has incurred a certain amount of wrath or punishment.
Sadistik also reflects on the ways in which we are all living in a world that is constantly changing and transforming. He speaks of tensions that build and walls that collapse, of cracks that appear in seemingly stable systems. Despite this, people still try to repair their cracked smiles and crawl forward on their chosen path. He seems to suggest that the fast food and tattoos of modern life are distractions that prevent us from seeing past the bad news and truly engaging with each other. He may feel like a statue, unable to move or change, but recognizes that he is falling apart from the inside out. In the end, Sadistik fears that he will drown in regret - unable to stop swimming in circles and holding his breath.
Line by Line Meaning
This is magic, its tragic, its passion, its me
Sadistik is describing his music as a combination of magic, tragedy, passion, and himself.
This is classic romance and its madness, its peace
Sadistik's music embodies the contradictory emotions of classic romance and madness, yet brings a sense of peace.
This is masochists, catholics, addicts and activists
Sadistik's music speaks to a variety of audiences, including masochists, Catholics, addicts, and activists.
Blackness and sadness that pacifists see
Even pacifists, who typically strive for peace, recognize the darkness and sadness in Sadistik's music.
This is close to me, focusing, ghosts that sing (Axioms!)
Sadistik feels personally connected to his music, which allows him to focus his thoughts and hear the singing of his inner ghosts.
Rosary, broken wings holding me (Back-a-wards!)
Despite the weight of his past mistakes, symbolized by the broken wings, Sadistik finds solace in the religious symbol of the rosary.
Followed the path to to to find find find this
Sadistik has endured a difficult journey to find his true passion in music.
And I swallowed the wrath to un-ite my intents-tents-tents
Sadistik has overcome his own internal conflicts and struggled to unite his intentions.
Tensions will build, walls will collapse
As he pursues his passion, Sadistik knows he will encounter obstacles and barriers, both external and internal.
Lessons instilled when I saw through the cracks
Despite the difficulties, Sadistik learns valuable lessons from his experiences.
Cracked smiles repaired, we just crawl in our tracks
Even though we may repair our false smiles, we often continue on the same destructive path.
Cause we live just to die, we evolve to adapt
Sadistik believes that life often seems cyclical, and we are constantly evolving to adapt and survive.
To the fast food and the tattoos
Sadistik criticizes the shallow, consumerist culture of fast food and superficial tattoos.
Its like I just can't see past the bad news
Sadistik is frustrated with the constant stream of negativity in the news and struggles to find hope in the world.
And I can't bruise, like a statue
Sadistik feels numb and unemotional, like an unfeeling statue.
But I'm fallin' apart from the shrap-nel
Despite his emotional detachment, Sadistik is struggling under the impact of life's fragments and shrapnel.
This is casualties, atrophy, mastering (axioms!)
Sadistik sees the effects of war and death, and recognizes the decay and disintegration that results.
Gravity, gradually, askin' me (back-a-wards!)
Sadistik feels the pull of gravity, both physical and emotional, and is slowly being pulled backwards.
Progress make can you when reverse in be why?
Sadistik questions the idea of progress and wonders if perhaps going backwards is the answer.
Feel I how just thats cuz reverse in words speak I
Sadistik is playing with language, expressing how he feels by reversing the order of his words.
Any and every engaging discussion
Sadistik values any constructive conversation that challenges him intellectually and emotionally.
Of lovin's engraving a memory in me
Sadistik remembers the profound impact of love and how it has shaped his life and music.
Memories in me engraving the lovin'
Sadistik understands that his memories of love are what continue to shape him.
High high high mid mid mid low low low (Next!)
Sadistik is experimenting with different vocal tones, varying between high and low.
Why try my wish if this goal I holds (Dead!)
Sadistik wonders why he should bother wishing for something when he knows he already has a clear goal in mind.
Sooner or later I'll drown in regret
Sadistik recognizes the possibility that he may someday regret the choices he made in pursuit of his passion.
When I'm swimming in circles and holding my breath
Sadistik feels as though he is struggling and going nowhere, while feeling suffocated and unable to breathe.
Contributed by Sarah M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.