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.
Ibiza
The Prodigy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ibiza
Ibiza (Ibiza)
Times four off the rock
Ibiza (Ibiza)
Ibiza
Ibiza (Ibiza)
Benedict, can I get a smash sex course
Six pack slash drum edge
No tone, they're faceless, the mix on sticks
Ibiza's rotten encrusted rocks
Transmit, transmit (transmit)
What's he fuckin' doing?
What's he fuckin' doing? (Laugh!)
What's he fuckin' doing?
What's he fuckin' doing?
Ibiza (Ibiza)
Ibiza
Ibiza (Ibiza)
Times four off the rock
Ibiza (Ibiza)
Ibiza
Ibiza (Ibiza)
Plug it in, pre-mixed, all bought it
It's all about the gear
Bleached-hair wanking mates just flown in on the lear
Private-jet, personal flyer
All done it, all fucking dire
Straights eight quid a packet?
Fuck that, I'm on the bacci mate (transmit)
What's he fuckin' doing?
What's he fuckin' doing? (Laugh!)
What's he fuckin' doing?
What's he fuckin' doing?
Ibiza (Ibiza)
Ibiza
Ibiza (Ibiza)
Times four off the rock
Ibiza (Ibiza)
Ibiza
Ibiza (Ibiza)
(Eject the alarms off)
Cause the music, you're so darn dull
(Eject the alarms off)
Cause the music, all darn dull
Stare
(Eject the alarms off)
Cause the music, you're so darn dull
(Eject the alarms off)
Cause the music, all darn dull
What's he fuckin' doing?
The Prodigy’s Ibiza is an ode to the titular location, a party island off the coast of Spain. The song captures the chaotic, frenzied energy of a night out in Ibiza. The repeated chant of “Ibiza” throughout the song serves almost like a mantra, the type of chant you would do to hype yourself up before a night out. The song is not so much a celebration of the island’s excess as it is an indictment of the self-indulgence and materialism that characterizes its nightlife. The song’s lyrics criticize the superficiality of its patrons, who are more concerned with their gear and acquiring sexual conquests than they are the music or anything else. The song is a biting critique of the excess and superficiality of the club culture that has come to define this part of the world.
The lyrics are intentionally cryptic and disjointed. They don’t make immediate sense, but their purpose is to evoke the energy and chaos of a club. The use of repetition and fragmentation calls to mind the hectic and disorienting environment of a packed nightclub. The beat is propulsive and forceful, mirroring the frenetic energy of a party. It’s interesting that the song follows a structure where it starts with a calm and serene buildup, but the energy picks up, and the lyrics become increasingly frenzied and unhinged.
Line by Line Meaning
Ibiza (Ibiza)
The place is Ibiza, and we're excited to be here!
Ibiza
Again, we can't believe we made it to Ibiza!
Ibiza (Ibiza)
Once more for good measure, we're in Ibiza!
Times four off the rock
Something exciting has happened four times, and now we're in Ibiza to celebrate and have a good time.
Benedict, can I get a smash sex course
Asking someone named Benedict if they can provide a great time, romantically or sexually.
Six pack slash drum edge
Having a good time with friends, drinking beer and enjoying the music.
No tone, they're faceless, the mix on sticks
The music is what's important here; the DJs are just faces behind the music they're providing.
Ibiza's rotten encrusted rocks
The place may not be perfect, but we're still having a great time regardless.
Transmit, transmit (transmit)
Referring to the music, it's being transmitted and shared with everyone present.
What's he fuckin' doing?
A playful observation or question about someone's behavior or actions in the moment.
Plug it in, pre-mixed, all bought it
The music is just something to be enjoyed, with no need to worry about how it's made.
It's all about the gear
The gear and equipment used to make the music is the real star of the show.
Bleached-hair wanking mates just flown in on the lear
Friends who are here to party, with fancy transportation and perhaps overly-styled hair.
Private-jet, personal flyer
More emphasis on the luxury and extravagance of these friends.
All done it, all fucking dire
Perhaps an observation that everyone there has already had their own wild experiences, but they're all boring in comparison to the present moment.
Straights eight quid a packet?
Questioning the high price of cigarettes when there are more enjoyable things to spend money on in Ibiza.
Fuck that, I'm on the bacci mate (transmit)
Choosing the less expensive option, probably rolling your own tobacco, but still enjoying the music and party atmosphere.
(Eject the alarms off)
Turning off any distractions, like alarms, to fully immerse yourself in the music and partying.
Cause the music, you're so darn dull
The music must be really boring if you have alarms going off or other distractions taking you away from it.
Stare
A command to focus solely on the music and nothing else.
Contributed by Mia T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Motion2082
R.I.P Keith, you're a bloody legend who won't be forgotten!
@shamrockshoredublin179
Fecking right
@public.public
replaced already
@sujpotluri3136
Right! Keith Flint for life! Legends NEVER DIE!
@John-X
Keith never really sang, it was like this unique yelling, and it worked because his voice was so cool.
It's kinda like how Marilyn Manson doesn't really sing conventionally.
@richardchidwick5110
Still listening to Prodigy every day! Sad moment indeed...
@janrally8474
The Prodigy with Sleaford Mods! Match made in heaven! So so so so good!
@rjy8960
Sture Elvis Have a listen to Leningrad and the Tiger Lillies too :) peace!
@mosesGcracker
Fucking right mate.
@coeniegin1720
Made in heaven. Exactly! 😍😇