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, βSmack My Bitch Upβ, 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.
new yitty
The Prodigy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Prodigy:]
Yeah, look here man
Every time the ball drop on New Years Eve
We toast to more money, we smoke to more cheese
Burn this one for beating my case
Then pop me another bottle and keep celebrating
So I keep me a banger, catch a stunt if you want
Be like Super Dave, you fucked up
Flat out on the concrete they peeled you up like the cartoons
But this ain't fake, nah this is gon' hurt
And you gon' feel pain
I'm the results of slavery and poverty
You had the drugs and guns to equal to P
Watch how every time the drama pop off I'm on top
The niggas try that with' me and get shot
Ayo my donuts, dunn I got dumb out money
Wild paper, you niggas better run now from me
[Chorus x2: Prodigy]
New Yitty, my hand's never gritty
I'll send the young boy to destroy every living
Think outside, do inside the place
I'll just do it my self, can never be too safe out here in
[Prodigy:]
Yeah, yeah, every time I'm around my G
You know P drop that fire, ah I drop heat
Too hot to handle; too cold to hold
This two-hundred thousand on my wrist bone
This is .22 long right by the hipbone
And I got the bullets with the x's and o's
On the tips I'll shoot you in the lips
Speaking on my name just so you could get a spin
(KILLA!) Couple spins, this nigga is wack
You's a ugly dipshit, the black Craig Mack
I'm a handsome shooter, I'll simple clutch the ruger
And blow your bummer clout rot face to Bermuda
I'm a mobster, with' the two B's front to O
You pull my foul, all you gon' see is gold
And platinum music, homey go make a hit
With 15 minutes of fame consider it a gift
[Chorus x2: Prodigy]
The Prodigy's song "New Yitty" is a track that showcases Prodigy's lyrical prowess and his fearless attitude towards life. The song starts with Prodigy reflecting on New Year's Eve celebrations, where people typically toast to more money and smoke to more cheese, before proceeding to share his darker thoughts about watching his back for anyone trying to front. Prodigy unapologetically declares himself as the result of slavery and poverty, acknowledging the role that drugs and guns have played in his life. He then warns his enemies with his signature bravado that he'll be on top every time the drama pops off. Prodigy professes his love for money (dumb out money, wild paper) and asserts his power by threatening anyone who dares to speak his name negatively.
The chorus of "New Yitty" is catchy and repeats twice throughout the song, with Prodigy declaring his greatness and reminding everyone of his power. He warns anyone who tries to cross him that he'll send young boys to destroy them.
The song's title "New Yitty" is a play on words, reflecting the slang term "Yitty" which means someone who is always hustling or on the move. "New" refers to New York City, where Prodigy lived and drew inspiration from. The song itself is a celebration of the inner city mentality, where survival of the fittest is the norm, and one has to be fearless to make it.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, look here man
Attention, listen up
Every time the ball drop on New Years Eve
On New Year's Eve, we traditionally celebrate wealth and prosperity
We toast to more money, we smoke to more cheese
We celebrate by toasting to our financial success and smoking marijuana
Burn this one for beating my case
I'm celebrating my legal victory
Then pop me another bottle and keep celebrating
I'll continue to drink and enjoy the festivities
When I'm always waiting for niggas to front
I'm always prepared for someone to challenge me
So I keep me a banger, catch a stunt if you want
I carry a gun and will retaliate if provoked
Be like Super Dave, you fucked up
You made a mistake like Super Dave, the stuntman known for his failed stunts
Flat out on the concrete they peeled you up like the cartoons
The consequences of your mistake will be severe, like a cartoon character getting flattened
But this ain't fake, nah this is gon' hurt
This isn't a cartoon, the consequences will be real and painful
And you gon' feel pain
You will experience physical pain as a result of your mistake
I'm the results of slavery and poverty
My struggles are a direct result of historical injustices such as slavery and economic poverty
You had the drugs and guns to equal to P
My adversaries may have had access to drugs and guns like me
Watch how every time the drama pop off I'm on top
I dominate in any situation that involves conflict
The niggas try that with' me and get shot
Anyone who tries to challenge me in any way will be met with gunfire
Ayo my donuts, dunn I got dumb out money
I have a lot of money
Wild paper, you niggas better run now from me
My wealth and power make me a dangerous individual
New Yitty, my hand's never gritty
In New York City, I am always clean and well-groomed
I'll send the young boy to destroy every living
I'll send my young assistant to harm anyone who crosses me
Think outside, do inside the place
I always think ahead and plan strategically
I'll just do it my self, can never be too safe out here in
I prefer to do things on my own to ensure my safety
every time I'm around my G
Whenever I'm with my friends
You know P drop that fire, ah I drop heat
I am known for my fiery, intense persona
Too hot to handle; too cold to hold
I am simultaneously powerful and unpredictable
This two-hundred thousand on my wrist bone
I am wearing an expensive watch worth $200,000
And I got the bullets with the x's and o's
I have special bullets with a marking on them
On the tips I'll shoot you in the lips
I will shoot you in the mouth
Speaking on my name just so you could get a spin
You are mentioning me just to get attention
(KILLA!) Couple spins, this nigga is wack
You're not worth my time or energy
You's a ugly dipshit, the black Craig Mack
You are unattractive and unremarkable, like the rapper Craig Mack
I'm a handsome shooter, I'll simple clutch the ruger
I am a good-looking and skilled shooter who holds a gun confidently
And blow your bummer clout rot face to Bermuda
I will shoot you in the face and you will disappear (like Bermuda Triangle)
I'm a mobster, with' the two B's front to O
I am a gangster from Brooklyn (with the initials 'B.B.')
You pull my foul, all you gon' see is gold
If you make me mad, you will regret it
And platinum music, homey go make a hit
I am successful in the music industry and suggest others do the same
With 15 minutes of fame consider it a gift
If you become famous for a short period of time, be grateful for the opportunity
Contributed by Allison R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Trent Yates
P was born to rap. He had the rhymes, the flow, the voice and the dope albums. Iβm glad we had a MC like prodigy in hip hop.
Gen C. Hall
You're right!!! I've been a fan since the infamous days, p bodied the lyrics.π―
Global Majority1
βπΎπ₯π₯π₯FACTS , RIP KING ππ―πͺπΎ
Michael Parker
P literally had a tailored made voice for murder tracks.. mobb deep best street rap group ever! Long live p
4saxon7
Top 10 MC of all time for me
Jeff Zaborowski
@4saxon7 my top dog. Got the longevity and catalog. I kno im the only one that reall8 feel that way. And i am good with that.
4saxon7
@Jeff Zaborowski same here bro Iβm pretty sure most people who really into they really hip hop know that from 95/2001 No one could fuck with him
Marc Lo
Absolutely not. Prodigy is my grand champ as well. And ICe-T has him at the top too. You ainβt alone homie
SYNTAX ERROR
"Im the result of slavery and poverty, mad drugs and guns are equal to P"
One of the illest lines ever