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.
Rock Dat
The Prodigy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Niggas don't know what pain is man...
I got 200 needle pokes in my arm nigga...
Who be the source of this rap shit, us the bosses
PuertoRock style, 20 shanks talk shit
I rock bandanas like a gang member
But I'm an Infamous representative don't get it fucked up
Like I need more businesses for my dunns
Like I need more vehicles to make more runs
Send a rep to your doorstep hand on that arms
Sick a dog on your most valuable dun, it's war
You talk most, we splish splash the most, wet your clothes
It's fucked up, your uniform got all soaked
Pop niggas like a fish fry, take me for jokes
Silence that bitch, I put one in your throat
Don't provoke my niggas'll jump you might croak
And this little ass nigga, funny style nigga
You must got to much alcohol in your system
We bloody sport niggas that love to pick victim
Don't be a stat, you should stand back when my Infamous clique come
After I fucks I piss cum
I spit the illest shit you ever heard of
What's that outfit you rep, I never heard of
Smash y'all niggas like insects you bugged
the fuck out, like dust from Crazy Eddie
Spaghetti headed mobb niggas rhyme deadly
Rock Infamous sweatsuits and like my guns heavy
You ain't ready for a street life nigga baby
I'm too fowl, too grimey
Too much Q.B. is inside me please rewind me
I'm every blocks theme music, e'ry projects anthem
Every guns handle it's on and clap two
Yo...
[Chorus x 2]
They could never get enough of it
Yo that's that shit, I need that shit, to boost my adrenaline
Yo rock that shit, that real life shit
Makes niggas want to thug it
[Prodigy]
To top it off, I'm a pretty gangsta, fly thug
All of my dunns concieted; there ain't a chick more dime than me
I let a hoe know quickly sit bitch
Let me put you on the hottest shit be
I be the H.N.I.C of the whole shit
Never let a hoe get more than I want to give
She be lucky if she get a pull of the dope
Only if she givin head to the whole clique
Aiyyo, I'm just kiddin, but yo I'm not playin
My wolves walk around the whole club schemin
Searching for a cutie that like to drink semen
Bring her to the mini mansion, told me she want to be a bunny
Said she like the way I talk dirty
I told her she had potential talk to Chinkey
P the type of vulture to fly a girl wit me
Outta state send her back to you on some freak shit
How you stink, make you want to bust your gun
Mad 'cause you know a iller nigga fucking your hun
Handle it, what more can I say
Put her on a chain, my dunns too beautiful for her to stay away
[Chorus x 4]
The lyrics to The Prodigy's song Rock Dat are a testament to the group's hard-hitting, aggressive style. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the song, with the singer declaring that people don't know what real pain is. They proceed to paint a picture of gang life, with allusions to Puerto Rican culture and weaponry. The singer speaks about needing more guns and more money, as well as the desire for a larger gang presence. They reference wetting people with splashed water and popping people like a fish fry. The lyrics also allude to a sexual encounter, with lines about spitting cum and flying girls out of state.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "They could never get enough of it" to emphasize the addictiveness of the lifestyle being described. The lyrics are brash and uncompromising, describing a world where violence and sexual conquests are commonplace. The underlying message of the song is one of dominance and control, with the singer seeking to establish themselves as a leader within their community.
Overall, Rock Dat is a powerful song that paints a vivid picture of life in the streets. It's aggressive and unapologetic, highlighting the importance of toughness and dominance in the world it describes.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, what you doin right now?... Fuck Man...
Starting off with a casual conversation that turns into frustration about how ignorant people are about pain.
Niggas don't know what pain is man...
Expressing frustration about how much pain someone can go through and how people don't understand it.
I got 200 needle pokes in my arm nigga...
Describing the intense pain the singer has gone through by relating it to the number of times they've had needles pierce their arm.
Who be the source of this rap shit, us the bosses
Claiming ownership of the rap genre and stating that the singer and their group are the ones who started it all.
PuertoRock style, 20 shanks talk shit
Describing a unique style and the ability to handle any verbal confrontation with ease.
I rock bandanas like a gang member
Adopting the look of a gang member to project a tough image.
But I'm an Infamous representative don't get it fucked up
Clarifying that despite the tough appearance, the singer is part of a group and represents them.
I need more guns like I need more funds
Expressing the importance of having weapons and resources to succeed.
Like I need more businesses for my dunns
Comparing the need for expanding businesses to the need for weapons and resources.
Like I need more vehicles to make more runs
Relating the need for more vehicles to increase efficiency in operations.
Send a rep to your doorstep hand on that arms
Threatening violence and indicating a willingness to take action.
Sick a dog on your most valuable dun, it's war
Intensifying the threat and escalating the potential for violence.
You talk most, we splish splash the most, wet your clothes
Mocking others who talk a lot while claiming power and being able to make them wet their clothes in fear.
It's fucked up, your uniform got all soaked
Enjoying the discomfort and humiliation of others.
Pop niggas like a fish fry, take me for jokes
Threatening violence and challenging others to doubt the singer's capabilities.
Silence that bitch, I put one in your throat
Promising to silence anyone who crosses them by any means necessary.
Don't provoke my niggas'll jump you might croak
Warning against provoking the singer's group and threatening their potential for violence.
And this little ass nigga, funny style nigga
Disparaging another person's character and appearance.
You must got to much alcohol in your system
Dismissing someone who the singer considers inferior by blaming their behavior on alcohol.
We bloody sport niggas that love to pick victim
Admitting to a willingness to resort to violence and boastful about their ability to choose their victims.
Don't be a stat, you should stand back when my Infamous clique come
Warning others to avoid confrontation with the singer and their group.
After I fucks I piss cum
Boasting about their sexual exploits and lack of concern for the consequences.
I spit the illest shit you ever heard of
Claiming superiority and confidence in their lyrical abilities.
What's that outfit you rep, I never heard of
Dismissing someone's appearance and implying their ignorance.
Smash y'all niggas like insects you bugged
Claiming power over others and threatening violence.
the fuck out, like dust from Crazy Eddie
Using a simile to describe the level of supremacy and the ability to make others leave.
Spaghetti headed mobb niggas rhyme deadly
Mocking another group and claiming their superiority in lyrical ability.
Rock Infamous sweatsuits and like my guns heavy
Boasting about their fashion choices and weapons.
You ain't ready for a street life nigga baby
Warning others of the dangers of a street lifestyle and implying their own readiness and experience.
I'm too fowl, too grimey
Boasting about their association with negative traits and their toughness.
Too much Q.B. is inside me please rewind me
Boasting about their upbringing in Queensbridge and implying they are unstoppable.
I'm every blocks theme music, e'ry projects anthem
Claiming to be relatable and representative of the streets.
Every guns handle it's on and clap two
Claiming they are ready for any situation and willing to use their weapons.
They could never get enough of it
Stating that people enjoy the singer's music and persona.
Yo that's that shit, I need that shit, to boost my adrenaline
Describing the addictive nature of the singer's music and how it makes people feel.
Yo rock that shit, that real life shit
Encouraging others to embrace the tough persona and lifestyle portrayed in the music.
Makes niggas want to thug it
Stating that the singer's music inspires people to embrace a tough attitude and lifestyle.
To top it off, I'm a pretty gangsta, fly thug
Boasting about a unique combination of toughness and style.
All of my dunns concieted; there ain't a chick more dime than me
Claiming superiority over others in terms of looks and confidence.
I let a hoe know quickly sit bitch
Claiming to be in charge and not letting others disobey them.
Let me put you on the hottest shit be
Boasting about being knowledgeable and connected to the best things.
I be the H.N.I.C of the whole shit
Claiming the head position of their group and being in charge.
Never let a hoe get more than I want to give
Refusing to let others take advantage and maintaining control over a situation.
She be lucky if she get a pull of the dope
Implying that someone is lucky to even receive anything from the singer.
Only if she givin head to the whole clique
Stating a specific condition for someone to receive something from the singer and their group.
Aiyyo, I'm just kiddin, but yo I'm not playin
Backtracking from a previous statement but still implying the possibility of something serious.
My wolves walk around the whole club schemin
Describing the presence and actions of the singer's group.
Searching for a cutie that like to drink semen
Implying a preference for unusual sexual behavior and seeking someone who shares the same interest.
Bring her to the mini mansion, told me she want to be a bunny
Describing the place where a sexual encounter could happen and indicating the type of behavior they engage in.
Said she like the way I talk dirty
Implying a preference for explicit language during sex.
I told her she had potential talk to Chinkey
Passing off the responsibility for someone else to handle a situation or request.
P the type of vulture to fly a girl wit me
Boasting about being able to attract women and implying the use of manipulation or power to do so.
Outta state send her back to you on some freak shit
Describing a sexual encounter with someone who was from out of town.
How you stink, make you want to bust your gun
Disparaging someone's smell and threatening violence.
Mad 'cause you know a iller nigga fucking your hun
Taunting someone about their partner being sexually involved with the singer.
Handle it, what more can I say
Challenging someone to take action and implying superiority.
Put her on a chain, my dunns too beautiful for her to stay away
Boasting about the attractiveness of the singer's group and indicating control over a situation or person.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALBERT JOHNSON, R. HARRELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Hot ChocoBX
Pure classic 🔥I used to listen to this whole album on my train ride home from work. When Gunplay played, I knew my stop was approaching lol. R.I.P Prodigy 🙏🏽👑
James Bond
Rest Easy Prodigy.... One of my favorite rappers 🎤🎤🎤
moneynills...watchmyevolution
I will forever listen to mobb deep aka prodigy from when this 1st dropped in 2000 until now 2022 until forever RIP banana capital P Rest in eternal power and glory H.I.N.C
Ci Wani
2021 we still here celebrating this legend.
Mef Dinero
i listen to this shit every other day literally 💯❤️#ripbandanaP
King Black
I need dat shit simple like wise...rest 👑 ✌️👑
Frank Erdmann Erdmann
Classic P, no one did it like P did it, still on repeat
Witness East
Rest in peace...You will be missed forever.
Big Lou
R.I.P. DON P !!!
pretty gangsta ,fly thug.. that was my favorite verse!!! shit went sooo hard
MenaceFitness
I’m not gonna LIE, This song makes me/you wanna punch 🥊 people in the FACE just for breathing!! 💙💯 (R.I.P.) Prodigy .