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.
O
The Prodigy Lyrics
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Producing movies Spike Lee
Kicking game Bruce Lee
I'm that dude need to beat
Shoot your shot you gon miss
Run this lane but don't flee
Devil animal I'm beast
Deny the sin and get clean
Smooth flow this fleece
Got right from the east
How could they be the best
Show no love now get left
This a quest for the King
Not to be the King Macbeth
Get put online aint a big check
This the big heff
Killing records since before death of my flesh
Before my family left the jects
Since before the homies met me
Before the hood and the strip
It's just now speaking life to resurrect
Now yall talking about sets
Hitting my line yes
Waiting on me waitress
Try a little than flex
I remember them texts
I recall them jokes
Yall thought I was deaf
I was thinking wait a sec
Respond now they get dead
So called to God got blessed
In a M O D E
They threaten me I say please
Know how it go G
Claim I'm fronting huh
Sound like insecurities
Don't get personal with me
I cant get to know you
If you don't wanna know me
Pray to God J C
Never twist it serve Him
Judge the creation how you want
Don't forget I'm a human being
Tired of the complaining
"You should do this you should do that"
Tried getting closer to you
You just say move back
But if I'm wrong try to use that
Modern day Pharisees
Actually don't even think of the casualties
It's about self-righteousness
So forgive me if
I don't like that flip
We all sinners not just me
Shh
All I hear is hypocrite
In a M O D E
Believe in who I don't see
You believe in what you predict
That aint God when you spit
Aint God wit gossip
Aint God when you hear this
And feel no conviction
To be honest though
It aint God when I speak
And offend multiple times
Anytime I'm on the beat
Nah that's just me
Oh and your guilty conscience
Give it up or just leave
I don't hold my tongue I release
In a M O D E
Producing movies Spike Lee
Kicking game Bruce Lee
I'm that dude need to beat
Shoot your shot you gon miss
Run this lane but don't flee
Devil animal I'm beast
Deny the sin and get clean
He gon dip but I'm flee
He gon dip but I'm flee
He gon dip but I'm flee
Deny the sin and get clean
He gon dip but I'm flee
He gon dip but I'm flee
He gon dip but I'm flee
You don't know how many times
How many times I had to stop the beat
Cuz I kept dying while making this track
But yo it comes from a good place
But yall be getting me tight
Love you though
God bless
The lyrics to The Prodigy's song "O in a M O D E" reflect the artist's confidence and self-assuredness in his abilities. He compares himself to influential figures such as Spike Lee and Bruce Lee, emphasizing that he is the one to beat. He declares that anyone who tries to challenge him will fail, as he dominates his lane without fear. The lyrics also touch on themes of redemption and personal growth, urging listeners to deny sin and strive for cleanliness.
Line by Line Meaning
In a M O D E
Entering a focused and determined mindset
Producing movies Spike Lee
Creating impactful and influential work like Spike Lee
Kicking game Bruce Lee
Bringing skill and expertise like Bruce Lee
I'm that dude need to beat
I am the one to surpass and overcome
Shoot your shot you gon miss
Your attempts will fall short and fail
Run this lane but don't flee
Taking control of my path without running away
Devil animal I'm beast
I am a powerful force, even in the face of evil
Deny the sin and get clean
Rejecting wrongdoing and seeking purity
He gon dip but I'm flee
Others may retreat, but I will keep going
Smooth flow this fleece
My flow is effortless and polished
Got right from the east
Gained wisdom and inspiration from the East
How could they be the best
Questioning others' claims of being superior
Show no love now get left
If you don't show respect, you'll be left behind
This a quest for the King
A pursuit of greatness and excellence
Not to be the King Macbeth
Not driven by a destructive desire for power like Macbeth
Get put online aint a big check
Being recognized online doesn't guarantee success
This the big heff
This is the significant achievement
Killing records since before death of my flesh
Creating impactful music even before my physical existence
Before my family left the jects
Before my family moved away from the projects
Since before the homies met me
Known by my friends since before they even knew me
Before the hood and the strip
Before the neighborhood and its struggles
It's just now speaking life to resurrect
Now using music to bring positivity and revival
Now yall talking about sets
Now people are discussing my accomplishments
Hitting my line yes
Receiving messages and calls from admirers
Waiting on me waitress
Anticipating my arrival and attention
Try a little than flex
Put in effort before boasting and showing off
I remember them texts
Recalling past messages and conversations
I recall them jokes
Remembering the humorous moments shared
Yall thought I was deaf
You assumed I couldn't hear or understand
I was thinking wait a sec
I paused to consider and reflect
Respond now they get dead
If you engage, you will face the consequences
So called to God got blessed
Calling on God and receiving blessings
They threaten me I say please
In the face of threats, I remain calm and polite
Know how it go G
Understanding the ways of the streets
Claim I'm fronting huh
Accusing me of pretending or being dishonest
Sound like insecurities
Suggesting that these accusations stem from personal insecurities
Don't get personal with me
Avoid crossing boundaries and making things personal
I cant get to know you
I cannot establish a deep connection with you
If you don't wanna know me
Unless you are willing to truly understand me
Pray to God J C
Seeking guidance and protection from God and Jesus Christ
Never twist it serve Him
Remaining faithful to God's teachings and not distorting them
Judge the creation how you want
It is not for us to judge others as we wish
Don't forget I'm a human being
Remembering that I am flawed and vulnerable just like anyone else
Tired of the complaining
Fed up with constant complaints
"You should do this you should do that"
Receiving unsolicited advice and demands
Tried getting closer to you
Making efforts to strengthen the relationship
You just say move back
You push me away and ask for distance
But if I'm wrong try to use that
Instead of rejecting my ideas, consider their value
Modern day Pharisees
Referring to hypocritical religious figures
Actually don't even think of the casualties
They don't care about the harm they cause
It's about self-righteousness
Their focus is on appearing morally superior
So forgive me if
Pardon me if
I don't like that flip
I'm not fond of that attitude
We all sinners not just me
We are all flawed individuals, not just me
Shh
Silence, quiet
All I hear is hypocrite
All I perceive is people being inconsistent
Believe in who I don't see
Having faith in an unseen higher power
You believe in what you predict
You have faith in your own predictions and assumptions
That aint God when you spit
Your words and actions do not reflect godliness
Aint God wit gossip
Spreading gossip is not godly behavior
Aint God when you hear this
Listening to this song does not make you closer to God
And feel no conviction
Without being moved or remorseful
To be honest though
In all honesty
It aint God when I speak
My words do not represent God
And offend multiple times
Causing offense repeatedly
Anytime I'm on the beat
Whenever I'm rapping on a track
Nah that's just me
That's just my personal flaws and choices
Oh and your guilty conscience
Also, your own guilty feelings
Give it up or just leave
Release your guilt or walk away from this situation
I don't hold my tongue I release
I don't suppress my thoughts and opinions, I express them
Love you though
Despite it all, I still care for you
God bless
May God's blessings be upon you
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Yoneiby Rosario Jr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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themanmaschine
This is one of my favourite Prodigy tracks, the style of this is completely different from 90's Prodigy, which shows how far they've come!
dont care
The most inovative and ahead of its time band...they were like that back in 91, and they are now 20yrs later....im out of this scene, but everytime i hear their new stuff it makes my soul full of energy....
Paulo
This song is just, great !! I listen The Prodigy since i was 4 years old, and i can be sure that this song is one of the best songs they ever made.
dubliftment
This is wicked!!! Great comeback for Prodigy :)
Josemar Oliveira
grande ,, excelente som e ritmo,, parabens
Brannigans Brushes
FREAKING AWSOME SONG! one of their absolute best. the only song u can do everything and be happy ^^
Kat. H
SICK! This tune is the shit! Loving the new album! I've been listening to it straight for 4 hours!... That's how much I love it! x
slimbuddhapi94
i hear prodigy since i was 1 year old and now i am 16 and i still HEAR THEM I LOVE THEMM!!! LOVE FROM GREECE!!!!
Daniel Golynskiy
Some people dont know music until it slaps them in the face. This song is amazing! Awesome beat.