The Prodigy first emerged in the underground rave scene in the early 1990s and achieved popularity and worldwide recognition with UK number one singles such as "Firestarter" and "Breathe", both singles coming from their UK and US chart topping album The Fat of the Land (1997). A third single from the album, “Smack My Bitch Up”, was also successful. They earned titles like "the premiere dance act for the alternative masses" and "the Godfathers of Rave", and remain one of the most successful electronic acts of all time. They have sold an estimated 25 million records worldwide, and won numerous music awards during their career, including two Brit Awards for Best British Dance Act, three MTV Video Music Awards, two Kerrang! Awards, five MTV Europe Music Awards, and received two Grammy Award nominations.
The Prodigy were founded in Braintree, Essex, in 1990 by keyboardist and songwriter Liam Howlett. He had taken piano lessons in his youth and gained the ability to play difficult passages in just a few run-throughs. After he decided to pursue a music career, Howlett met dancer and vocalist Keith Flint in mid-1989 at a rave at which Howlett was DJing. After Flint requested Howlett make a mix tape for him, Howlett obliged, returning a cassette several days later with a collection of his own songs on the other side. Howlett had scratched the word "Prodigy" onto the cassette, the same name as the Moog Prodigy analogue synthesiser, and Howlett's moniker. The tape was well-received by Flint and keyboardist Leeroy Thornhill who developed new dance sequences to the music and suggested to Howlett they begin a group together. They were soon joined by MC and vocalist Maxim, then known as Maxim Reality, and female dancer and vocalist Sharky, a friend of Flint's. Together they became the first line-up of the Prodigy.
On 4 March 2019, Keith Flint was found dead at his home in Essex, just weeks after playing six live dates in Australia and New Zealand. On 5 March, the band announced on Twitter that "all forthcoming concerts in 2019 would be canceled, effective immediately".
Following Flint's death, fans began using the Twitter hashtag "Firestarter4Number1" on various social media platforms to get "Firestarter" to top the British singles charts again. This was done out of respect for Keith Flint and to raise awareness of suicide among men.
On 20 August 2019, one day before his 48th birthday, Liam Howlett posted on the band's official Instagram page, saying he is "back in the studio making noise [...] brand new Prodigy tunes are gonna roll", referring to his intention to keep on releasing music under the Prodigy moniker.
Along with the Chemical Brothers and Fatboy Slim, the Prodigy have been credited as pioneers of the big beat genre, which achieved mainstream popularity in the 1990s. The Prodigy, however, is not considered entirely representative of the genre as their production "often reflected the more intelligent edge of trip-hop, and rarely broke into the mindless arena of true big beat" according to AllMusic. The Prodigy are also considered alternative dance, techno, electronica, breakbeat hardcore, and rave.
Liam Howlett cited early electro as a big influence, mentioning tunes like "Clear" by American music group Cybotron and "Al Naafiysh" by Hashim. Liam Howlett also cited The Bomb Squad, Public Enemy, and Rage Against the Machine as influences.
First Warning
The Prodigy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Attack
Blaggers - Get it on
Renegade - Get it on
Attack
I'm not a punk
I'm just a cunt- Get it on
You talkin to me
I'm probably drunk - Get it on
I'm not a punk
I'm just a cunt- Get it on
You talkin to me
I'm probably drunk - Get it on
Warning I'm gunning 4
Warning Got it Now
Warning I'm gunning 4
Warning Got it Now
Got it Now
Warning
La, la la
Bitches - Get it on
Hustlers - Get it on
Attack
I'm not a punk - Get it on
I'm just a cunt - Get it on
You talkin to me - Get it on
I'm probably drunk - Get it on
Attack
The lyrics of The Prodigy's song "First Warning" can be seen as a call to action for those who wish to take control of their lives and fight back against societal norms. The opening lines of the song, "Hustlers-get it on/Attack/Blaggers-get it on/Renegade-get it on/Attack," set the tone for the urgent tone of the song.
The lyrics "I'm not a punk, I'm just a cunt/You talkin' to me, I'm probably drunk" suggest a rebellious, devil-may-care attitude towards authority and societal expectations. The singer of the song is an outcast from mainstream society who has embraced their own identity, regardless of how others perceive them.
The repeated lines of "warning, I'm gunning for it/ Warning, got it now" suggest a sense of urgency, as if the singer is ready to fight back against the oppressive forces that have kept them down. The song ends with a chant of "bitches-get it on/hustlers-get it on," suggesting that the singer is not alone in their struggle, and that others are ready to join the fight.
Overall, "First Warning" can be seen as an anthem for those who refuse to conform to societal norms and instead choose to live life on their own terms. The lyrics encourage listeners to embrace their own identities and join in the fight against oppression and conformity.
Line by Line Meaning
Hustlers - Get it on
Encouraging those who hustle to get active and move forward.
Attack
Invitation to take action.
Blaggers - Get it on
Urging blaggers or tricksters to step up and get things done.
Renegade - Get it on
Provoking renegades or rebels to take action and push boundaries.
I'm not a punk
Clarifying that despite any assumptions, the artist is not weak or easily intimidated.
I'm just a cunt- Get it on
Asserting that the singer is unapologetic about being blunt and straightforward.
You talkin to me
Defiant response to perceived confrontation or challenge.
I'm probably drunk - Get it on
Admitting to being under the influence of alcohol and potentially more reckless as a result.
Warning I'm gunning 4
Announcing that the artist has a specific target or goal in mind and is actively pursuing it.
Warning Got it Now
Asserting that the artist has achieved their desired outcome or objective.
Got it Now
Reiterating that the singer has successfully accomplished their goal.
Warning
Signaling that something significant is about to happen or that there is a potential threat or danger.
La, la la
Nonverbal vocalization that can serve as a transition or filler between sections of the song.
Bitches - Get it on
Addressing women in a derogatory manner, encouraging them to take action.
Contributed by Andrew N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@theshield2004
RIP Keith. You were one of the greats and your music will live on forever...
@dotslashdotslahsdotslash
I'm pretty sure it's Liam who's responsible for this track. I will always love Keith but let's be fair and give the credit where it's due.
@jimlunn
@@dotslashdotslahsdotslash True but let's not gatekeep a pure and loving comment hey. Let it be like the Beatles said
@af1762
I cant believe its been 3 years...
@OmegaRedFan
@@af1762 for real I still can't believe he died. I was following their social media all through my college years.
@OmegaRedFan
@@jimlunn go gatekeep yourself lol
@yoshi314
this basically is an essence of what i love about prodigy. i wish they made more aggressive tracks like this one.
@omegabms
R.I.P Keith
@HyNiJo
After listening to this, i dicided to be an UFO pilot..
@deadmausish
HyNiJo best comment here IMHO