wordplay: Shauna Hannon

Aesop Rock is one of the heroes of the underground hip-hop scene. By steering clear of the formulaic music of mainstream radio, Aesop’s songs are chock full of mind-bending wordplay and thought-provoking themes over a stylishly-produced dreamscape of musical elements.

Born in Long Island, New York, Aesop (aka Ian Bavitz) came out with two self-produced records “Music For Earthworms” (1997) and the “Appleseed EP” (1999). After releasing his first major album “Float” under the music label Mush (2000), Aesop moved to the Manhattan-based label Definitive Jux (or Def Jux); his albums released by Def Jux (2001’s Labor Days and 2004’s Fast Cars, Danger, Fire And Knives) have been praised by music critics revolutionizing forces in the hip-hop scene in terms of influential lyrical content and solidly-produced sounds.

Such is the case with Aesop’s most recent album “None Shall Pass”; he touches on a wide variety of issues that range from personal growth to events that affect all ages and all walks of life. The title track (“None Shall Pass”) is a bouncy, sample-induced track with quick-witted lyrical flow, Aesop’s deep set voice portending impending doom to those who cast a blind eye. “39 Thieves” has a hazy Kasbah, mushroom-trip interspersed with fairy tale imagery.

“The Harbor Is Yours” is another fable about a tale on the high seas, and “Fumes” tells a more realistic story of the dissolution of relationships due to drug use.
 Imaginative rhymes with a colorful, gritty soundscape that makes you think-Aesop rock can spin a yarn better than the Aesop of your childhood.

myspace.com/AesopRockWins