i spell it with the 'a' i stole from aesop rock.

Who is Ian Bavitz? Ian is the mastermind Jewish New Yorker with an alter ego that altogether destroys any preconceived notions you had about hip-hop and what a great M.C. should sound like. If you heard Jewish N.Y. rapper and said Matisyahu, you'd - at that point - be correct, but if that's still your guess after a complimentary statement of any kind, you're sadly disillusioned. I'll say very little more about the unspeakable inferiority of Matisyahu when compared to almost any artist, let alone when compared to Aesop Rock. If you disagree, then... well, JLom or JBright, you need to have a heart to heart with me.
At the close of a recent Aesop Rock track, he repeatedly admits, "I'm not an asshole, I'm just a little confused." How many times have I said that a lyric should also be the title of this blog? Aesop started recording his cigarette-fueled voice around 1997, when he independently released the Appleseed EP followed by Music For Earthworms. It was impossible he go unnoticed for long. Intelligent hip-hop and electronic based greatness label Mush released Aesop Rock's debut to the world, Float in 2000. Aesop worked with - and continues to work with - Blockhead for production of his mesmerizing next-level songs. DefJux picked AR up for the release of Labor Days, which is still considered some of his greatest work, an album of discussion of American labor and "slave wages." The sister EP Daylight followed, putting a whole new spin on Labor Days best song and single.
Another full-length followed, and most recently an EP last Winter which was packed with seven insane tracks and a gorgeous 88 page booklet containing lyrics for every Aesop Rock song from Float to present. It's a must-have for anyone interested in retaining any of the mind-shattering lyrics Aesop spits onto each and every production he releases.
The production which generally comes courtesy of the fantastic Blockhead, El-P, or AR himself is top-notch and some of the best in indie-hop (if you will). If that weren't enough, the lyrics and ability to both weave intricate stories (see "No Regrets") and confide feelings on religion, politics, and society are, again, of the highest quality, which makes for music that is equally good when being blasted with the bass cranked, or being absorbed completely through headphones. In short, Aesop Rock is one of the best in hip-hop. Period.
I was unable to find material from Appleseed as it is (along with Music For Earthworms) virtually impossible to find. If you can point me in the right direction, please do so.



Aesop Rock's "Abandon All Hope"
from Music For Earthworms

Aesop Rock's "Big Bang"
from Float

Aesop Rock's "No Regrets"
from Labor Days

Aesop Rock's "Daylight"
& "Night Light"
from Daylight

Aesop Rock's "Cook It Up"
& "Babies With Guns"
from Bazooka Tooth

Aesop Rock's "Holy Smokes"
from Fast Cars, Danger, Fire and Knives