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.
The Narcotic Suite: Skylined
The Prodigy Lyrics
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As this is an instrumental track, it doesn't have any specific lyrics to interpret. Instead, it relies on the music itself to convey a certain mood or feeling. The Narcotic Suite: Skylined is actually made up of three separate tracks - "Claustrophobic Sting," "From Out of Space," and "The Narcotic Suite," each with its own unique sound and atmosphere.
"Claustrophobic Sting" is a tense and claustrophobic track, with a sense of urgency and anxiety conveyed through its pounding drums and distorted synth sounds. It feels like being trapped in a small, confined space, with no way out.
"From Out of Space" has a much more ethereal and atmospheric feel, as if floating through an endless, starry expanse. The track features shimmering textures, dreamy pads, and pulsating beats, evoking a sense of otherworldly wonder and awe.
Finally, "The Narcotic Suite" brings the album to a haunting, ominous close. The track is built around a slow, dragging beat, with eerie soundscapes and distorted vocal samples creating a deeply unsettling atmosphere. The overall effect is like sinking deeper and deeper into a dark, twisted dreamworld.
Overall, The Narcotic Suite: Skylined is a powerful and evocative instrumental suite that showcases The Prodigy's incredible range and creativity.
Contributed by Peyton O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@merin600
сколько лет прошло, а этой музыкой невозможно насытиться...
@dannyf8198
Howlett was a genius. 24 years old and would still kick ass today. Way ahead of its time.
@boma23
'does'
@prodigyneverdie
Sigue siendo un genio
@oldomurchu4462
@@prodigyneverdie2.38 ❤❤❤
@mrfr0g
22 years later sill having the same fresh sound
@maciej.ratajczak
Absolutely mind-blowing
@mrphobian9706
+Maciej Ratajczak and this even after more than 20 years ... thx Liam & co that I can mention: as an almost 40-ier now, I'm still feeling honoured of being fully part of this magical period <3 <3 <3
@baaaaaf
Liam was a fucking genius...
@sailsSK8
just perfect