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.
Ruff in the Jungle Bizness
The Prodigy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the jungle, in the jungle, in the jungle, ininin the jungle
Ruff in the jungle, in the jungle, in the jungle, ininin the jungle
In the jungle, in the jungle, in the jungle, ininin the jungle...
Ruff, ruff, ruff
Ruff in the jungle, in the jungle, inninni the jungle
Ruff in the jungle, in the jungle, inninni the jungle
Ruff in the jungle. Now fear this bold bad boy
Now fear this bold bad boy
Ruff, ruff, ruff
Feel the jungle vibe baby
Feel the jungle vibe baby
Feel the jungle vibe baby
Feel the jungle vibe baby
Feel the jungle vibe baby
Ruff in the jungle, inninni the jungle
Feel the jungle vibe baby
Ruff in the jungle, inninni the jungle
Feel the jungle vibe baby
Ruff in the jungle, inninni the jungle
Feel the jungle vibe baby
Ruff in the jungle, inninni the jungle
Ruff, Feel the jungle vibe baby
Now fear this bold bad boy
Ruff, ruff, ruff
Feel the
Feel the
Feel the
Feel the jungle vibe baby
Ruff in the jungle, inninni the jungle
The lyrics of "Ruff in the Jungle Bizness" by The Prodigy are repetitive and straightforward, with the phrase "Ruff in the jungle" repeated multiple times throughout the song. However, the lyrics serve as a way to convey the jungle-like vibe of the song, with the repetitive and aggressive use of the word "ruff" adding to the overall primal feel of the piece. The lyrics encourage the listener to "feel the jungle vibe baby," emphasizing the raw and wild nature of the music.
Overall, the lyrics of the song serve as a way to transport the listener into a different world, one that is untamed, free, and unrestricted by societal norms. The Prodigy's use of synths, drum machines, and samplers in addition to the rough lyrics come together to create a truly unique and thrilling listening experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Ruff in the jungle, in the jungle, in the jungle, ininin the jungle
The roughness and danger of the jungle is emphasized through repetition.
In the jungle, in the jungle, in the jungle, ininin the jungle
The jungle is emphasized as the location for the roughness and danger.
Ruff in the jungle, in the jungle, in the jungle, ininin the jungle
The roughness and danger of the jungle is emphasized once again.
In the jungle, in the jungle, in the jungle, ininin the jungle...
Continuation of emphasizing the jungle as the central theme.
Ruff, ruff, ruff
Animalistic sounds that create an aggressive and exciting mood.
Ruff in the jungle, in the jungle, inninni the jungle
The roughness and danger of the jungle is repeated using a shortened version of the word.
Now fear this bold bad boy
The artist is warning others to be aware of their presence and power in the jungle.
Feel the jungle vibe baby
The listener is encouraged to immerse themselves in the atmosphere and energy of the jungle.
Ruff in the jungle, inninni the jungle
Repetition of the main theme, with a shorter version of 'in the jungle'.
Ruff, ruff, ruff
The animalistic sounds continue, instilling excitement and aggression.
Now fear this bold bad boy
The warning to be aware of the artist's presence and power is repeated.
Feel the jungle vibe baby
The encouragement to immerse oneself in the atmosphere of the jungle is repeated.
Ruff in the jungle, inninni the jungle
Repetition of the main theme yet again, with a shortened version.
Ruff, Feel the jungle vibe baby
The animalistic sounds are combined with the encouragement to immerse oneself in the jungle atmosphere.
Feel the
Repetition of the encouragement to immerse oneself in the jungle atmosphere.
Feel the
Continuation of the repetition of the encouragement to immerse oneself in the jungle atmosphere.
Feel the
Repetition yet again.
Feel the jungle vibe baby
Final repetition of the encouragement to immerse oneself in the jungle atmosphere.
Ruff in the jungle, inninni the jungle
Final repetition of the main theme.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: LIAM HOWLETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind