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, โSmack My Bitch Upโ, 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.
Rebel Radio
The Prodigy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I love rebel radio
I love rebel radio
I love rebel radio
I love rebel radio (Yeah!)
I love rebel radio
I love rebel radio
I love rebel radio [x3]
Let it go, rebel radio
That's the rebel radio sound
That's the rebel, that's the rebel
That's the rebel radio sound
The radio plays the sound in your ear
A calling to all, the message is clear
The Prodigyโs song Rebel Radio is an ode to the power of radio and its ability to deliver an alternative message that goes against the mainstream. The lyrics repeat the phrase โI love Rebel Radioโ as a chant, stressing the importance of the station as an alternative voice that offers a different perspective. The repetition of the phrase is reminiscent of a protest chant or a rally cry, further emphasizing the songโs rebellious message.
The phrase โLet it goโ at the end of the lyrics may also signify a call to action for listeners to let go of their inhibitions and join the rebellion. The song speaks to the importance of alternative perspectives, particularly in the face of a media that can be dominated by corporate interests. The line โthatโs the rebel radio soundโ further emphasizes the unique and alternative nature of the station and its message.
The song itself is fast-paced with a heavy bass, synthesizers, and drums that communicate the urgency and energy of a rebellion. The lyrics themselves suggest a call to action for individuals to join in the rebellion or create their own, emphasizing the power of collective action and alternative perspectives.
Line by Line Meaning
I love rebel radio
I have a deep affection for the music and message broadcasted on rebel radio
I love rebel radio (Yeah!)
I enthusiastically enjoy listening to rebel radio
I love rebel radio (I love)
I really love listening to rebel radio
Let it go, rebel radio
Allow yourself to be fully immersed in the rebellious spirit of rebel radio
That's the rebel radio sound
The unique and distinct sound of music played on rebel radio
The radio plays the sound in your ear
The music on the radio is transmitted to your eardrums through sound waves
A calling to all, the message is clear
The music and message of rebel radio is a call and reminder to all to embrace their rebellious spirit and fight against conformity
Contributed by Caden E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@RajPatildrvv
"Rebel Radio"
I love rebel radio
I love rebel radio
I love rebel radio
I love rebel radio
I love rebel radio (Yeah!)
I love rebel radio
I love rebel radio
I love rebel radio (I love)
I love rebel radio [x3]
Let it go, rebel radio
That's the rebel radio sound
That's the rebel, that's the rebel
That's the rebel radio sound
The radio plays the sound in your ear
A calling to all, the message is clear
@anatoliyanatoliy2299
ะญัะพ ะพะณะพะฝั ะฒ ัะธััะพะผ ะฒะธะดะต! ะะธั, ัั ะฒัะตะณะดะฐ ะฑัะดะตัั ะถะธะฒ. ะะธะบะพะณะดะฐ ะฝะต ะทะฐะฑัะดะตะผ!
@TheMajin7
This isn't even my favourite song from the album, but still good.
I love The Prodigy so much for those completely random yet powerful moments like 0:06 and of course for melodic moments like 0:56 ... and for the energy, personality, and attitude of all their music. Liam is genius! :)
In a time in which music is becoming trully mediocre this album is a blessing, almost the only music to still truly motivate me.
@Kap3z1
TheMajin7 Yeah, that pitched scream at 0:06 always gets me pumped up.
@mattytorques
I just wish Keith and Maxim wouldn't sing/talk over. It cheapens it. Not enough decent effects on their voices like there used to be in FOTL.
@SpydrXIII
i think you'd like soundcloud.
@Noise_404_
@Kap3z1 ัั.,......ัั
@deegreeeen8612
@Mattytorques They are actually the FABRIC of the Prodigy, the raw unfettered sound of their voices denotes integrity and non-pretence; it's a genuine experience.
The instrumentals created by the 'Prodigy' himself are amazing but Keith and Max get up and DEMAND you get involved.
'Charly Says' was my introduction to the Prodigy in the early 90's when we had proper parties. ๐๐๐
@kratosofspartareal
Pure Prodigy Sound. Raw power!
@ailinatik7635
Their songs are AMAZING to work out with. I used do my cardio listening to The Prodigy and that was the time that I got my abs
@StefSis
This is one of the best tunes on the album.
Love it!!