Talk:Aesop Rock

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Untitled[edit]

The quote used in the Aesop Rock article from the song "Oxygen" is written: "I'm an honesty columnist, fathering doom documents". At the risk of admitting certain obsessive qualities, the verse on the album uses the word 'sovereignty' in place of the word 'honesty'.

Generally, the lyrics found online can be *very* inaccurate. Aesop Rock's latest release "Fast Cars,Danger, Fire, and Knives" comes with a booklet of lyrics from the first 5 albums... it's a great read, while you've got the songs playing.

Ethnicity?[edit]

Aesop Rock isn't jewish, he's a non-practicing catholic.

Listen to his personal narrative in the song "Holy Smoke" on Fast Cars, Danger, Fire and Knives.

It's also further confirmed in a few interviews. http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=5773

" What is the idea behind the track, “Holy Smokes”? Is that song autobiographical?

Yeah there’s totally an idea behind it. It’s basically like this. I grew up in a family that was really catholic and their parents were REALLY catholic (laughing) you know what I mean. My mom and father grew up in Shithole, Pennsylvania, in a town where there was nothing but a church. So for my mom it was like every day involved church… So in 2005 religion is so complicated, and not as basic as it was back then. Recently there were a string of Catholic priests molesting kids. So I’m like, all right, how I am suppose to be attracted to this. It was a big let down for my mom, because religion is a major part of her life and has helped her through a lot of hard times. And for me growing up in a different era, it’s not like that. Organized religion is not as simple as it was. It’s not like “come home from school, and go to church because that’s were the town meets”. There’s so much fucked up shit, that it just makes it extremely hard to devote yourself to religion. And so, for me, I didn’t find the same sense of communitywith the church growing up in New York, because there was somuch for me to get into. I was trying to run around with my friends.So the song is like a social commentary on two generations of my family. And summed up kinda like this “ Organized religion in 2005, for anyone who is between the ages of a baby to thirty years old, is just not going to be the same as it was for their parents generation.” That being said I still have morals, and I’m still a good person. If there’s a hell I don’t feel like I’m going there because I have done some stupid shit, or because I got arrested for graffiti, or because I smoke weed. "


On this page, Aesop Rock is catagorized under "white rappers." However, I've heard conflicting information regarding his ethnic background. Can someone give a definitive answer on this subject?

He's white. I think he's from Northport, Ny but I know for a fact he's white. //user:DJRaveN4x

He's definitely white. Seen him live ;x (which was DOPE). Subversive 09:14, 4 January 2006 (UTC)[reply]


I thought this was supposed to be some sort of encyclopedia? *White* is NEITHER an ethnicity NOR a race. 64.131.238.113

That's somewhat a matter of opinion. Different researchers and scientists have (often very subtly) differing viewpoints. Blanket statements like the above, however, are pretty much equivalent to useless. tomasz. 18:58, 12 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Removed category "Jewish rappers." for fucks sake, just because his last name is "babbitz" doesn't mean he's Jewish. I know ian well, and besides that as a source there's additionally his songs where he often mentions growing up Christian. Fucking jews. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.225.223.152 (talk • contribs)

  • if you knew him as well as you claim, you'd probably know his surname is Bavitz and not Babbitz. i'm just sayin'. tomasz. 18:58, 12 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Tony Hawk[edit]

No mention of Aesop's appearances in the Tony Hawk series of videogames? I would really like to know who did the remix of "No Jumper Cables" used in THUG2. //user:DJRaveN4x

Neutrality and "Avant-Garde"[edit]

While I agree that the article might not be neutral, I don't see why "avant-garde" was removed from the first line of the intro. The majority of Aesop Rock's work, especially early on, was experimental. SyntaxPC 15:06, 26 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]

His experiments aren't avante garde; de la soul was writing stream of conciousness songs several years ago.--Urthogie 15:08, 26 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Stream of conciousness lyrics is not the only factor to consider when using the term avant garde. Aesop Rock as a unique and original flow, are you going to say that someone else has that? If not, then I would say avant-garde is an acceptable description of Aesop Rock. Seg 19:49, 27 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Having a unique flow does not make you avante garde, just as playing a guitar in your own way doesn't make you the cutting edge of Rock music. And even if it did, I would contest the statement that his flow is especially unique.--Urthogie 21:10, 27 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
A unique and original flow? I'm sorry, I didn't realize that everyone else in rap except for Aesop Rock is totally imitating each other. It just so happens that Aesop Rock rips off early Kool Keith, Das EFX, and if you were to compare him to his contemporaries, his "originality" is completely nonexistent. --Mod 04:39, 28 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Avantgarde is a relative concept and a loaded word. While I personally would probably consider Aesop avantgarde hip hop, and really don't see how anyone couldn't, it is nothing but problematic and POV to use it in the way it was being used. --Jamieli 21:37, 27 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Alright, you've all convinced me that the term should not be there. Thanks for your thoughts! SyntaxPC 23:18, 27 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Since it seems that we've decided that "avante garde" is not to be used, I'm removing the neutrality issue.--66.229.183.101 05:49, 28 February 2006

The definition of avante-garde is artistically new, experimental, or unconventional and Aesop Rock's style and lyrical content can be described as unconventional and experimental; therefore, his music can be described as avante garde even if, as some of you have said, his style is not artistically new.

I think as with most such things, we should defer to published sources. If a large number of reviewers call him "avant-garde hip hop", we should mention that; if not, we shouldn't. --Delirium 22:29, 29 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

article still NPOV[edit]

I'm not gonna put the npov tag back, but lemme just say this is on my to do list. Anyone else agree that the article seems a bit biased towards him?--Urthogie 08:20, 28 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I agree, but I don't think the bias is incredibly blatant. I think all that is needed are the removal of a few choice words, like "unmistakable," and "critically acclaimed" (unless these can be cited). I also think the third paragraph of the Music section (with all of the lyrics) might need to be re-written. SyntaxPC 14:00, 28 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Agreed, the NPOV isn't blatant, just subtle.--Urthogie 15:35, 28 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]

tony hawks underground 2 aesop rock[edit]

someone asked about the no jumper cables remix that featured on tony hawks underground 2, well dj pawl did the remix.

Smoking[edit]

I've removed the paragraph concerning his smoking 80 cigarettes a day, and him saying that smoking will "make your voice dope" after reading this interview.

http://www.fecalface.com/SF/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=213

As it now seems that this was something that was quite temporary, and it does not seem relevant, to include the information, that he is an ex smoker, who once made a rye joke.

Aesop's Book?[edit]

New to all of this, but I remember seeing The Next Best Thing on Amazon, and found the idea of Aesop writing a book fascinating, as he admits to not being much of a reader. Anyone read it by chance?

It's a collaboration with San Fran comic artist Jeremy Fish, who as far as i recall did the drawings and writing and whatnot (and apparently has no Wiki entry), while Aes did a two-track seven-inch ("The Next Best Thing" b/w "Fishtales") that came as part of the package with the book. W guice 14:43, 24 November 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Vandalism[edit]

Some idiot wrote that aesop rock was a proud member of the texas kkk on his page. Thankfully somebody changed it quickly.

Discography[edit]

Is it really necessary to mention all the compilations/guest appearances Aesop Rock has appeared on? I'm fine with the idea of only a partial list, but it would be problematic if not impossible to limit the entries or choose which ones qualify as most important. The link to discogs.com has a complete listing of every little appearance Aesop Rock has appeared on (as far as I know), so I think that should be sufficient, and in lieu of that I think we should take out the "Guest Appearances" and "Compilations" sections altogether. It's unnecessary to the article and is just gonna be problematic down the line (it's been edited and reverted a number of times already). Thoughts?
Drewcifer3000 08:13, 2 March 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Duplication[edit]

Hey, I just noticed the Sage Francis and Aesop Rock have the exact same intro (as of 4/12/07) to their articles...

Sage: "Sage Francis's style blends a varying tone and delivery with subject matter that focuses on intricate sequences of widely varying imagery, metaphors, the occasional pun, absurdism, and pop culture references, while including the occasional touchstones of traditional hip hop storytelling and self-promotion."

Aesop: "Aesop's style blends a varying tone and delivery with lyrics that contain intricate sequences of widely varying imagery, metaphors, puns, absurdism, and pop culture references, while including the occasional touchstones of traditional hip hop storytelling and self-promotion."

Somebody might want to change this...

Artist Picture[edit]

Is there any free domain picture better than the one currently up as of 27/5/07?, cause to be honest it looks pretty bad... - this has been done, thanks to whoever did it

No problem. Drewcifer3000 02:20, 10 June 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Someone replaced the photo with another photo, which I don't think is as high of quality. I switched it back, but made a Commons Page for Aesop Rock. Feel free to complain here if you disagree. Drewcifer (talk) 06:03, 9 March 2008 (UTC)[reply]
The new photo will be taken into Commons eventually. I personally don't know how to do that. Turns out there were a bunch of other Aesop Rock images at Commons. Drewcifer (talk) 06:10, 9 March 2008 (UTC)[reply]

alternate versions of bazooka tooth[edit]

would it be worth mentioning that Mercwaters and Magowl have both made original beats to bazooka tooth with aesop? Not to mention the Bug Bites and Crunk Mix version...Wiegrajo 11:26, 4 July 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Maybe on the Bazooka Tooth page, but only if you have a reliable source for your information. Drewcifer3000 23:22, 4 July 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Lyrics section[edit]

I plan to edit this, it basically says Aesop streams almost meanignless shit together, you guys just ain't listening, heck, half the lyrics sites are inaccurate. Ive been able to figure out the meanings of lots of aesop songs, its not that hard, also, if you think my opinion is the reason for my edit you are dead wrong. From the horse's mouth, form an article somebody linked to in the external links section published in the magazine Guernica:

Guernica: But why is there such a divide between the people who hear your material? How is that some say what you’ve been able to do is genius while others think your wordplay is completely random and nonsensical. Why is your style met with such mixed reactions?

Aesop Rock: It’s probably because it’s not the most accessible music in the world. It may pose a slight challenge to the listener beyond your average pop song. I'm no genius by a long shot, but these songs are not nonsensical, that's pretty preposterous. I'd have to be a genius to pull this many nonsensical records over people's eyes. It's not exactly fast food but when people pretend I'm just spewing non-sequiturs and gibberish I can’t help but think they simply haven’t listened and are regurgitating some rumor they’ve heard about me. Even if it's not laid out in perfect sentences—is any rap?—you’d have to be an idiot to not at least grasp a few things from these songs. Or have had no interest in pulling anything from them in the first place.

No jumper cables[edit]

I noticed there's a bit about Labor being on the THPS4 soundtrack. The DJ paWL remixed No jumper cables appears on THUG2's soundtrack, but i'm not sure if it's worth noting since it's a remix. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4MmyrfjV4s there's a link to the song, it's just the beat and intro that are changed. If anyone thinks it's worth noting i'll stick it in. I just had a look, and it's credited as a DJ paWL remix. EDIT: Seems it's been mentioned a bit further up the talk page, but no discussion on it.-Evaristé93 (talk) 11:35, 8 September 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Right, no reply, been like a week, so i've stuck it in there. If you disagree, put your feelings on here. -Evaristé93 (talk) 15:35, 14 September 2010 (UTC)[reply]

His phone number...?[edit]

Err..I'm fairly certain that it's probably incorrect and probably shouldn't be there anyway? 68.99.190.28 (talk) 04:09, 26 October 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Edits on 09/15[edit]

I saw a couple of missing citations, added a link, and cleaned up a sentence. However, I am completely new to Wikipedia, so if I erred in some way in my edits please let me know. --MatRockswell (talk) 02:58, 16 September 2011 (UTC)[reply]

COLLEGE[edit]

Although he was an alum, he is not on the board of trustees at BU. I cannot find any other evidence besides the rather scrappy looking article that is used as the citation of this last sentence in the college section. Is there any dispute to this before I change it? Thanks. Ahart576 (talk) 01:30, 16 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Filmography[edit]

Aesop Rock had roles in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4, Tony Hawk's Underground 2, The Warriors, Tony Hawk's American Wasteland, and Fight Night Round 4. These are all video game titles and the only credits he has to them is that songs of his were featured in the gameplay. Because they are not films or television appearences, I do not think they should be put in the filmography section, but added to a "Video game appearences" section. Filmography should be for documentaries, movies, and television shows. Thanks, TomUSA 23:47, 21 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Yup, I came here to say the same thing. How does a filmography include video games? --WikiTryHardDieHard (talk) 18:30, 5 May 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Rolling Stone Top 100 Artists of the Decade[edit]

The citation isn't Rolling Stone and I can't find the actual list. Can anyone else find it or should I just delete the line in question. False Prophet (talk) 00:32, 31 May 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Random text generation?[edit]

Why does this page appear in the category "Random text generation"?! There is no word in the text that justifies this. This is confusing. --Erel Segal (talk) 06:13, 23 October 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Probably just some vandalism about what some people think about his lyrics... I'm removing it. Xerxes1337 (talk) 21:11, 7 May 2014 (UTC)[reply]

External links modified[edit]

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Psychedelic drugs advocate[edit]

Hey folks,

I was just wondering what Aesop Rock does in the category "Psychedelic drug advocates." I can't seem to find anything that connects him to psychedelics, and most definitely not as an advocate. Greetings, MrNiggle (talk) 19:20, 3 August 2017 (UTC)[reply]

I don't know if he belongs and I don't have sources immediately on hand, but he has publicly discussed psychedelic drug use a lot, both in his music and in interviews, etc. "The Greatest Pac-Man Victory In History" being a notable example. JesseRafe (talk) 00:05, 4 August 2017 (UTC)[reply]

External links modified[edit]

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Hip Hop recording artist[edit]

I just wanted to know why it says "hip hop recording artist" and not rapper, an editor reported me for vandalism because I changed it to rapper and said that it meant he's a rapper and producer. It is a very well known fact that he is a rapper and it is says in the article "and producer" So my question is why not call him a rapper, It's essentially synonymous and doesn't hinder or de-specify, in fact it's more specific. So why?PoofooP (talk) 02:21, 29 November 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Please diversify the causes you feel the need to spend this much energy on. He is a rapper, yes. We don't need to cite that. He is also a producer, thus two types of recording artist, why you would you change it to one? "Recording artist" covers both, ergo, it stays. The more general the term the better for the opening lines of an article. Detailed specifics about his rapping are, later, all over the page. JesseRafe (talk) 02:29, 29 November 2017 (UTC)[reply]

My point is that a producer is not a recording artist, it does not cover both types, also the same thing can be said about you, you have repeatedly reported me because I changed it to rapper which is objectively a more specific term as like I've told you specifically before, A producer is not a recording artist, a producer oversees recording and makes a beat but never records anything ergo changing it to one is not only more specific but also more accurate, it also says "and producer" in the first line, if your logic holds up it should just say recording artist. also the reason I feel I have to talk about this is that wikipedia is supposed to be specific, calling him a rapper and producer is more specific, it's a simple edit that is simply better for the page, and I probably would've moved on if this wasn't an issue, I honestly don't understand your logic, your need to correct me with flawed logic, and your warnings that don't actually tell me what I'm doing is wrong PoofooP (talk) 04:19, 29 November 2017 (UTC) Yiu should also see the message I left in your talk page earlier, that explains more PoofooP (talk) 04:31, 29 November 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Semi-protected edit request on 19 January 2019[edit]

Add the album "Malibu Ken" with electronic artist Tobacco to his list of collaborations Source: https://rhymesayers.com/artists/aesop-rock-tobacco-are-malibu-ken

Change "He is a member of the groups The Weathermen, Hail Mary Mallon (with Rob Sonic & DJ Big Wiz), The Uncluded (with Kimya Dawson)[6] and Two of Every Animal (with Cage)." to "He is a member of the groups The Weathermen, Hail Mary Mallon (with Rob Sonic & DJ Big Wiz), The Uncluded (with Kimya Dawson)[6], Malibu Ken (with Tobacco) and Two of Every Animal (with Cage)." Zkyle1337 (talk) 21:20, 19 January 2019 (UTC)[reply]

 Done Thank you. JesseRafe (talk) 21:28, 22 January 2019 (UTC)[reply]

Please stop putting "Organs ft. Kimya Dawson" In the song sampler[edit]

That's not a well listened to Aesop Rock song at all and I can tell you as a 15 year Aesop Rock fan that I do not like it and Kimya Dawson obviously regrets even making music with Aesop Rock in the first place. Seems like the wrong decision to keep allowing people to judge Aesop based upon a song that both of the artists who were involved in it have distanced themselves from. Kimya Dawson stated a couple of years ago that "Aesop Rock is not my friend." Totally wrong to then put that person on his Wikipedia page when that song and their collaboration were clearly an expiriment in a new style that obviously did not work out well for either artist, despite what reviews at the time might have said.

I recommend putting Daylight from the Labor Days album as a sampler instead, as it is much more well known and well-liked. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Emandudeguyperson (talk • contribs) 19:32, 18 December 2019 (UTC)[reply]

Semi-protected edit request on 30 March 2021 citation needed[edit]

The "lyrics" section first sentence is: "Bavitz's lyrics are generally seen as being both complex and abstract while others dismiss them as verbose." A citation is needed to clarify who the "others" are in "...others dismiss them as verbose." Drchaos31415 (talk) 05:30, 30 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]

I've added a {{cn}} template to the statement, feel free to re-open this request if you have a suggestion for how it should be fixed. ‑‑Volteer1 (talk) 07:21, 30 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Semi-protected edit request on 23 September 2021[edit]

The album "Appleseed" is missing from The Aesop Rock page. Released 1999. 2601:283:8000:9560:D1F2:39AD:BC91:6D6D (talk) 19:50, 23 September 2021 (UTC)[reply]

 Not done: Only studio albums go there. - FlightTime (open channel) 19:54, 23 September 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Semi-protected edit request on 1 February 2023[edit]

The article states: "His seventh record, Skelethon, was released on July 10, 2012. His seventh release, The Impossible Kid, came out on April 29, 2016." Obviously, it must be "His sixth record, Skelethon, was released on July 10, 2012. His seventh release" etc. 2A02:1811:C1E:7B00:7545:5A31:857A:99D1 (talk) 16:41, 1 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Done. --Mvqr (talk) 17:13, 1 February 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Semi-protected edit request on 27 September 2023[edit]

"His eighth and most recent album, Spirit World Field Guide, came out in November 2020." changed to ---> "His eighth album, Spirit World Field Guide, came out in November 2020, with his ninth and most recent album, Garbology, released on November 21, 2021" Nitaverna (talk) 18:57, 27 September 2023 (UTC)[reply]

 Partly done: I only changed the date of Garbology to November 2021 to maintain the same structure as the other albums listed in the paragraph. -- Pinchme123 (talk) 01:04, 6 October 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Semi-protected edit request on 24 December 2023[edit]

Please change "In October 2023, he released two singles that are expected to appear on Integrated Tech Solutions; "By the River" on October 5[40] and "Infinity Fill Goose Down" on October 26." to "In October 2023, he released two singles that appear on Integrated Tech Solutions; "By the River" on October 5[40] and "Infinity Fill Goose Down" on October 26."

The album is now out and has both tracks on it. 69.5.115.151 (talk) 02:40, 24 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]

 Not done: please provide reliable sources that support the change you want to be made. Deltaspace42 (talk • contribs) 12:19, 26 December 2023 (UTC)[reply]
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