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.
Their Law
The Prodigy Lyrics
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I'm the law and you can't beat the law (Note)
I'm the law and you can't beat the law
I'm the law and you can't beat the law
Fuck 'em and their law
Crack down at sundown
Fuck 'em and their law
The lyrics of The Prodigy's song "Their Law" deal with a rebellious attitude towards authority and a disregard for the legal system. When the singer says "What we're dealing with here is a total lack of respect for the law," he is suggesting that there is a general feeling of noncompliance and disobedience towards the established laws and regulations. The repeated phrase "I'm the law and you can't beat the law" conveys a sense of power and control, as if the singer is taking the law into his own hands and rejecting any attempts by authorities to enforce it. The use of profanity in the line "Fuck 'em and their law" further emphasizes this rebellious attitude, as the singer is rejecting not only the law itself but also those who uphold it.
The lyrics also contain a reference to a "crack down at sundown," which could be interpreted as a violent confrontation between the authorities and those who oppose them. This line suggests that the singer is willing to engage in a physical confrontation with law enforcement if necessary. Overall, the lyrics of "Their Law" reflect a sense of frustration and anger towards the legal system, as well as a desire for individual autonomy and freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
What we're dealing with here is a total lack of respect for the law
The current situation is that people don't have any regard for the law
I'm the law and you can't beat the law (Note)
The singer is saying that they are the law, and that the law cannot be defeated
I'm the law and you can't beat the law
Reiterating that the singer is the law and it is unbeatable
I'm the law and you can't beat the law
Continuing to emphasize that the law is unbeatable, and the artist represents that law
Fuck 'em and their law
The artist is expressing their disdain for the law and disregarding it entirely
Crack down at sundown
There will be strict enforcement of the law come nightfall
Fuck 'em and their law
Again, expressing disregard for the law and disapproval of its authority
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LIAM HOWLETT, GRAHAM CHARLES CRABB, ADAM MULE, JOHN TOWNSEND, CLINTON DARRYL MANSELL, KERRY HAMMOND, RICHARD MARSH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Александр Байков
The best band in the world, forever! 🤘🏼😃
Estiven Uryu
Ever
david dibrov
Beatles
Ylian Mema
Yeah
Ylian Mema
Yeh
Vladislavs Kovins
I used to live in Scotland 🏴 and one day I got tickets to Prodigy concert in Glasgow.
That was most insane two hours in my life everybody was going mental…
Best memories in my life..
Keith Flint was amazing R.I.P you did changed me…
Павел Д
Да, той энергетики больше нет и той Москвы нет, таких концертов больше нет да и страны наверно тоже.
Салутан
слава богу что это время закончилось
made in CCCP
@Alex Xxx крики и вопли а дальше ык мык пык, них не понятно🤦♂️🤣
Alex Xxx
@made in CCCP крики и вопли под боевую музыку мого кто может дать. Просто мало кто хочет быть клоунами