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.
Voodoo People
The Prodigy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The Voodoo, who do
What you don't dare do, people
Voodoo
The Voodoo, who do
The Voodoo, who do
What you don't dare do, people
The Voodoo
The Voodoo, who do
What you don't dare do, people
The Voodoo, who do
What you don't dare do, people
Magic people, magic people
Voodoo people, magic people
Magic people, magic people
Voodoo people, magic people
Magic people, magic people
Voodoo people, magic people
Magic people, magic people
Voodoo people, move it
The Prodigy's song Voodoo People is a high-energy electronic dance track that features a repetitive chorus consisting of the lyrics "Voodoo people, magic people." While the song does not have a narrative or storyline, the lyrics are still meaningful and powerful. The phrase "Voodoo people" may conjure up images of mystical practitioners of African, Caribbean, or Louisiana voodoo, but in this context, the phrase is used as a symbol for people who are unafraid to take risks, who live outside of societal norms, and who defy conventions. The song encourages listeners to embrace their inner "Voodoo people" and live their lives to the fullest, despite the risks.
The term "Voodoo people" represents those who dare to be different, to take risks, and to challenge the status quo. In this context, the song is a celebration of individuality and freedom. The repetition of the phrase "Voodoo people" is deliberately hypnotic, drawing the listener into a trance-like state that is perfect for dancing. The song's energy and message have made it a favorite with fans of electronic dance music, and The Prodigy themselves have become one of the most influential electronic acts in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Magic people, Voodoo people
People with extraordinary and mystical abilities, including those who practice Voodoo
The Voodoo, who do
What you don't dare do, people
Voodoo practitioners are able to accomplish things that others cannot, sometimes through the use of supernatural means
Voodoo
A reference to Voodoo, a religious and spiritual practice that originated in Haiti
The Voodoo
A reference to Voodoo practitioners in general
Magic people, magic people
Voodoo people, magic people
Both those with mystical abilities and those who practice Voodoo are considered 'magic people'
Voodoo people, move it
A call to action, encouraging Voodoo practitioners to take action and use their abilities
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, Cloud9
Written by: Gylan Kain, Liam Howlett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@alenaxp
RIP Keith 😥
@ianlaing4935
Such a shame Keith is gone The prodigy are timeless one of my favourite bands along with chemical brothers
@LokiAvivson
He, David Bowie and Michael Jackson were part of my childhood along with Freddie Mercury who is also dead
@imadrumma6813
Omg i love your vids
@LokiAvivson
@Ellis dunford thank you
@imadrumma6813
I also love all of your budgies
@kellygrimison2314
My dad used to blast this in his Audi whilst driving fast used to love it when he picked me up from school 😂 miss you dad ❤
@gbartosz9826
Audi „Vorsprung durch Technik” 😉
@keeledover4218
sounds like the coolest dad ever
sorry for your loss
my dad was a nasa space shuttle launch controller into ac/dc
miss him very much too
@jeromelambe2449
Cool dad.