Talk:Aesop Rock
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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.
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[edit] Ethnicity?
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)
I thought this was supposed to be some sort of encyclopedia? *White* is NEITHER an ethnicity NOR a race. 64.131.238.113
[edit] Tony Hawk
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
[edit] Neutrality and "Avant-Garde"
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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- Alright, you've all convinced me that the term should not be there. Thanks for your thoughts! SyntaxPC 23:18, 27 February 2006 (UTC)
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)
[edit] article still NPOV
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)
- 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)
- Agreed, the NPOV isn't blatant, just subtle.--Urthogie 15:35, 28 February 2006 (UTC)
[edit] tony hawks underground 2 aesop rock
someone asked about the no jumper cables remix that featured on tony hawks underground 2, well dj pawl did the remix.
[edit] Smoking
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.
[edit] Aesop's Book?
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)
[edit] Vandalism
Some idiot wrote that aesop rock was a proud member of the texas kkk on his page. Thankfully somebody changed it quickly.
[edit] Discography
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)
[edit] Duplication
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...
[edit] Artist Picture
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)
[edit] alternate versions of bazooka tooth
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)
- Maybe on the Bazooka Tooth page, but only if you have a reliable source for your information. Drewcifer3000 23:22, 4 July 2007 (UTC)
