Aesop Rock is the best lyricist on the planet.

[@DojaTokah]

"Not ASAP Rocky" Words every Aesop fan can relate to

[@breaknrun4]

How many times have I had to say "Gah. No. Fuck. NOT A$AP Rocky." only to get a confused look like I just told them that the sky was green.

[@josh0g]

Especially frustrating since Aesop was using the name about a decade earlier than A$AP.

[@muhammad608]

Aesop rock sucks. His Voice is so annoying, has no personality. He's just a man reading a dictionary over boring beats.

[@TheN9nth]

y@@muhammad608 Thankfully Aesop does not stoop to the lowest common denominators such as yourself. Colourful language and eclectic subject matter are most assuredly his fundament yes, and both are definite catalysts for perplexion among the lyrically analphabetic. See what I did there? You will have your preferences of course in regard to voice and personality, but verbosity does not a bad artist make. It is fortunate though that your limitations have no bearing on the artform.

[@muhammad608]

@@TheN9nth Aesop would be a great science and literature professor. As a rapper he is terrible, basically he makes music for nerdy college kids who don't care about Hip Hop at all. His audience are just backpackers of Hip Hop. He is at the same level of NF, Tom MacDonald who whines all the time. Rap is supposed to be entertaining and competitive which Aesop lacks. Real rap is Jay Z, Nas, Redman, Drake etc. Aesop is just a college professor who bores students to death. And no Hip Hop enthusiast respects or acknowledges Aesop.

[@breaknrun4]

The line "Get out the car, Aes" is also literally him urging himself to physically get out of his car, as the next track is "Shrunk" where he walks into his therapist's office. So he was sitting in a parking spot delaying having to get out of the car and walk into the office.

[@thehongkongbong]

Some days I forget to not get stoned before my therapy, Doctor said it wasn't fatal, mostly just embarrassing

[@muhammad608]

Aesop rock sucks. His Voice is so annoying, has no personality. He's just a man reading a dictionary of boring beats.

[@thehongkongbong]

@@muhammad608 Thanks for your input

[@muhammad608]

@@thehongkongbong Are you a fanboy of Aesop's music?

[@thehongkongbong]

@@muhammad608 Where do you think we are?

[@zacharygross7574]

He's the greatest because of his phenomenal skill and deafening humility. Aesop Rock you are one of my heroes. Write til you die or just can't. I haven't heard one song where the plot is ego inflation. You're the van Gogh of poetry, bro, I've been writing forever and none are more clever or better.

[@grammarnationalistpartylol6301]

agreed, my guy

[@og_ice_freezer]

Well said, well said

[@andythedishwasher1117]

I was very happy to see this run across my feed. Dude is a serious hero of mine. Spirit World Field Guide is one of those masterpieces that will get more and more popular as people start to see deeper into their own minds, which appears to be a global trend initiated by an adaptation to information overload.

[@breteady2166]

Well said, it's nice to hear something positive from the information overload phenomenon we are going through now.

[@muhammad608]

Aesop rock sucks. His Voice is so annoying, has no personality. He's just a man reading a dictionary of boring beats.

[@andythedishwasher1117]

@@muhammad608 His vibe is detached to be sure, but I think you should look a little deeper into the lyrics before you write him off entirely. He's helped me grow as a writer in general just by studying his wordplay.

[@muhammad608]

@@andythedishwasher1117 I looked at his interviews, He's so dull with no charisma, his voice is so annoying, and he definitely makes music for Nerdy College kids. There's more to Hip Hop than cramming millions of words together in a single song, Aesop should quit rap and just be an English Professor.

[@alijawda2896]

Garbology is added to the list now.

[@defeatstatistics7413]

Aes convinced me that "39 thieves are quicker than 40 winks" is a legit saying lmao

[@jbelli211]

Aesop Rock will probably never become highly popular during his own lifetime but it’s so obvious to anyone who’s really listened to his work that he will transcend time and one hundred, one thousand years from now he will be talked about in the same way classical artists are talked about today; I’m not being hyperbolic either, he is literally a genius, his writing skills are on par or better than any classical writer you want to put forth

[@Novum_YT]

I don't think you are being hyperbolic and I genuinely agree with you. I think because it's so introspective, tackling the self rather than the world, that it'll just remain timeless too. Thanks so much for commenting dude!

[@slickfirmament5934]

long legged Larry's and cats in trees? plus the Big Bang theory? That shit is ridiculous! Still raps about space.... I like the songs with illogic, but dude has going in the opposite direction in creativity IMO

[@_Jake.From.Statefarm_]

@@slickfirmament5934 Nah, he just takes you along with him with what's on his mind... You failed to mention Spirt World Field Guide and Impossible Kid... and in context together.. Try and write something like his as you go though the problems in your life that isn't an auto biography, along with all the other aspects that are mixed within it.

[@Ty91681]

@@slickfirmament5934 lol huh?

[@onradioactivewaves]

I saw him on TIK tour and he killed it, made a point to personally perform to every single person (after first memorizing everyone face to do so).

[@tellikakneezusthethird4898]

Browsing youtube for videos praising Aesop Rock the day you upload this.

[@Novum_YT]

My man!

[@naterlandsw2963]

Bingo bango, been doing the same every couple months for the past 10years...but yours popped today, so thanks!

[@muhammad608]

Aesop rock sucks. His Voice is so annoying, has no personality. He's just a man reading a dictionary of boring beats.

[@muhammad608]

@UCgBxh1hJS0QDTX-hHq2PVwQ Jay Z, Nas, Redman, Biggie, Drake, Beastie Boys, Eminem >>> Aesop the boring BOT.

[@slickfirmament5934]

idle minded

[@fin0326]

Aes and DOOM are hands down the best lyricists imo. Rip DOOM

[@oj818]

My man left us on Halloween I'll miss him

[@planetdustbowl4825]

i'd add jam baxter and EL-P

[@BrotherAsher]

Agreed, these two are/were miles ahead of the competition

[@NotaRickRoll515]

Krino???

[@classcalamity669]

Don't forget about Busdriver. He's pretty Pog too

[@jaretbennett4926]

Gopher guts will forever be one of the most beautiful and cryptic songs i feel every single line of it

[@taddybear4244]

The fact that an american artist's lyrics still flow just as perfectly when read by someone from the UK without the beat is a sign that it's just straight up excellent poetry.

[@musaka2022]

Many don't know this but Rumplestiltskin likely spoke with an English accent in his formative years. It's just the pseudoephedrine he took to dry his boogers into a hardened paste form ripe for packaging caused his appetite to wane. Year after year he grew thinner. An emaciated Rumplestiltskin eventually became so weak that his vocal cords couldn't enunciate with the strength an English accent required, the best he could muster up was something akin to Gilbert Gottfried. A sad but cautionary tale.

[@dannydreadnought-xk4qx]

It's almost as if they speak the same language.

[@taddybear4244]

@@dannydreadnought-xk4qx 🤣

[@AntGSuxatYoutube]

The density of his lyrics is my favorite thing about Aesop. I could listen to the same song a thousand times and dissect a new meaning, or reference, or just general understanding out of the lyrics every single time. Every song is just that rich with content and it demands close, repeat listens

[@RemAtmos]

Well effing said. Packing so much in the most concise manner. Every line is written with close care and attention

[@oteimoto85]

I feel a certain quandary in listening to Aes' music. I so badly want him to be well. Be happy... content and relaxed. But were that the case, we'd likely be denied the most moving, thought provoking and magical lyricism ever witnessed. I think I would be satisfied with just listening to his back catalogue of genius if he suddenly became content and just faded into a happy, calm existence. Love that guy.

[@AlexReynard]

Wasn't it on Dorks that he addressed this? Worrying about walking that fine line between, 'If I get better, I'll be happier, but then I won't make the music people like.'

[@oteimoto85]

@@AlexReynard I wanted to go back and listen before I replied as I've not looked at it that way before. I guess that's the great thing about him, you can interpret it many ways. I do think that there's a lot of truth in what you say. Only Aes knows for sure though. He comes across as more irritated by the unimaginative fakery that people embellish themselves with in order to appear more than the sum of their parts when I listen to it. I'll never forget when I heard the verse about black mollies dressed as piranhas...not even compelling melodrama. I just looked at my friend, made a *HOLY SHIT!* face and muttered "Oooohhhhhhhhh!" Legend

[@Antz_411]

Love that you you dropped a mention to Saul Williams. They both great in their own right, but I think Aesop Rock is just a lyrical machine. He can't stop dropping endlessly mind-blowing works of art!

[@slipknot95maggot]

It's legit unreasonable what he's done in some of his songs And by some, I mean the only songs that I'm not counting are the songs I haven't been able to understand yet Literally who else on the entire planet would sit down to write "yo y'all some lame bitches" and come out the other side with "your petty soldiers stand fragile like Giacometti sculptures embedded in eremitic cultures, we's rocksteady vultures plus I's'a geys'a throwin a soul my wingspan stands flags in the snow of the poles" It's tricky when you'd rather rot into the soil as a nutrient than try to navigate this mortal coil in human skin; Dig? The nuances of putrefying jelly hit the levee when those feathers are a cancer in your bestie I'm just tryna be a silent oak tree for every child to carve his name across Today I pulled three green frogs out of leaf and bark where the grapevines climb a convenient barn, I told them "You will grow to be something tenacious and exalted; You are mighty, you are gracious, you are lauded." Then I let them go Tangentially related in the sense of one's environment informing what they're made of; There was a ghost who broke it all up into tiny numbers and dated vector graphics and New York Times puzzles, who struggled knowing love as more than boring data entry, more reported from an orbit all his own, to say it gently. I'm reporting from an orbit all my own, to say it gently. Catch a wave in the jalopy down to burn up on re-entry ; Man the laser, do you copy? Keep invaders on the business end. Autopilot zeroes in on zero wind for pissing in. Fixer-upper, she putt like a Plymouth Duster, from bucket to mothership, if you're up for a little sunburn That's not even me trying to post his most impressive bars. I just got distracted posting things I love and that I can't imagine much of anybody else writing HE HAS A BAR WHERE HE'S JUST SAYING I HIT THE GAS [ie in his car] BUT IT'S AES SO HE HAS TO SAY "Treat a pedal like an Earwig" - *AND IT SLAPS* Never met a button that you ain't push, or a sucka that you ain't mush DAWG, DOG AT THE DOOR, don't even get me started.................

[@varnull6120]

I love how this comment starts with a point but you can barely contain your praise and get sidetracked. I feel like Aes is an artist you can't be lukewarm about - once you know of him you either love him or you don't

[@irishfrog396]

"I throw dice and darts you dot your I's with hearts, I hold a fork and knife under the guise of art"

[@_Jake.From.Statefarm_]

@@varnull6120 I find that to be oddly not true. A lot of people get turned off at first because of level of writing and complexity. Some people don't like his voice, or style of music. I get that for sure but I think the majority is lost and doesn't get it.. When they do, that's when you're either all on board or you find yourself not attracted to it. Why? Got me.... He's such an anomaly within his writing style and sound.

[@crossbytedelafade6073]

Look, I've never had a dream in my life. Because a dream is what you want to do, but still haven't pursued. I knew what I wanted and did it till it was done. So i've been the dream I wanted to be since day one! -Aesop Rock "No Regrets" Goin off memory so...

[@kylehamilton1366]

Between no regrets and battery. Hard to choose my favorite from that album

[@kylehamilton1366]

Just so happy to see a community that respects. Nobody in my goddamn town knows who he is or is willing to try to understand

[@kylehamilton1366]

I have a tiny one that draws constantly. No regrets hits hard

[@crossbytedelafade6073]

@@kylehamilton1366 That's to bad. They're missing out on something that has the power to change their perception. The close minded miss out on the best things in life.

[@crossbytedelafade6073]

@@kylehamilton1366 Fan the flame of your little ones creative spark.

[@rotisserieprotocol3582]

As someone who loves to write poetry, nothing is more frustrating than listening to this man rap, because I know I will never be able to hold a candle to this man.

[@shotgunshelz7987]

Get out the Car and Cycles to Gehenna still regularly put me in tears, due to how much the lyrics and story being told resonate with me.

[@Novum_YT]

Same dude, the opening verse to Get Out the Car Aes just feels so personal and actively *about* the grief I've lived through. Such is the strength of the dude's writing: If I zoom on out, I can finally admit It's all been a blur since Mu got sick None of the subsequent years stood a chance Whether you his moms or his mans Whether you his pops or his girl, I was poison Heart full of canines, head full of voices Whole life trying to quiet 'em down Thanks so much for watching and commenting dude.

[@borgwardd24]

Keeping his Hyde "Jekyllized" would imply that the substances are keeping him sane, though. Because Hyde was the psychopath and Jekyll was the noble scientist. So he's keeping his crazy side in check.

[@LomusMcBardman]

I thought the same thing hearing that portion, I was like wait a second….

[@doroginn]

Hell yeah!! This is the video I was waiting for. Sad to be three years late. I would love to hear your take on Spirit World Field Guide. Actually, I would love to hear your take on all of his albums! You have such an insightful way of analyzing different aspects of varying materials, it really blows my mind! So happy to have found your videos, thank you for sharing your passion for art and analysis!

[@Halry1]

You made it! I remember you saying you would in the comment section of one of his songs, nice one!

[@LynnLeFey1]

I first came across Aesop Rock maybe two years ago now. Just utterly blew my mind, and hip-hop is not a genre I'm a big fan of. However, 'Get Out of the Car' was one of the most brutally honest sings I've ever heard, and made me NEED to hear more. And now I guess I'm a fan and slowly working through his stuff. Each song takes time to digest properly, which i think is what I like about him most.

[@rebelusmaximus]

My favourite bar is: whistle to work like a canary lung. As you know they are used in caves so it becomes lungs whistling from an occupational injury or illness but still marching on even if you struggle

[@RadicallyHonestAutist]

Also that the canary's job is to whistle, and when it stops it's dead.

[@club2772]

Listening to Aes albums on loop for the past few days has inspired me to start taking notes to more fully understand his lyrics. I’ve noticed more occult ideas since watching Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Watching this video and Black(ish)’s video about The Smartest People has definitely highlighted Aes’s focus on the human condition. I’ve also been thinking a lot about Rabies since there’s a lot of homeless in my city… I think overall a part of me wants to feel the unorthodox, hard-to-label, or spiritual aspects of life. I appreciate that he so anti-establishment and seeks his own answers. A part of me wants to start exploring my reality and seek answers in my own way. I’ve always been closely aligned to the scientific way of viewing life, very skeptical of anything of this sort but he’s definitely pulled me into his world.

[@RitaTelhada]

Hi! I'm a recent subscriber to your channel, found my way here through your video on Frankenstein and Adam Weishaupt. Cicking through I was hyped to find you had videos on A24 movies and absolutely loved your video on the Xenomorph / Eshuu connection. It blows my mind that you also have a video on my favorite undervalued lyricist. Thank you for all the great work here, man. I hope you're having a chill Sunday and that everything's alright with you. I'm off to find a 4 hour break to watch that Hereditary video.

[@joerostkowski7313]

Labor days is timeless and gets better every time I listen to it. Going on 24 years now for me

[@catalyst385]

Man, I love this. He is a genius, and I feel like the recognition will catch up eventually

[@DoubleADwarf]

I generally disliked rap music until I found Nine-to-Fiver's Anthem. Then I realized I'd just never heard any _good_ rap before.

[@crossbytedelafade6073]

That's cuz this is Hip Hop not Rap. If you like Aesop you should check out "Eyedea". He's dead now but he was brilliant. I'm an old school head and I couldn't stand rap either. Then I discovered Method Man's first album "Tikal" and I had the same epiphany as you did. Hip Hop is an amazing rabbit hole to explore. Alot of gems to be found in the underground.

[@eminemfan50098]

Oh jesus, I'm glad you like aesop rock but I can't stand that "oh I listen to GOOD rap" mindset. All raps good rap. It's just that some of its not for you. Saying you like GOOD rap is extremely disrespectful to the genre as a whole and implies only YOU know what makes good rap.

[@eminemfan50098]

@@crossbytedelafade6073 hip hop and rap are the same thing. Obviously.

[@eminemfan50098]

@@crossbytedelafade6073 yeah and in the mainstream too. Don't act like the underground is the only place where good hip hop lives.

[@crossbytedelafade6073]

@@eminemfan50098 In my humble opinion they're not the same thing at all. One is something someone does. The other is a way of life that's reflected in the music, art, and culture.

[@nomoregdm]

I went out of my way to sign in off some incognito browsing just to upvote and to say THANK YOU for making this video. I'm sure there many dusty corners of the interwebs that praise Aesop for this or that, but I haven't heard anyone quite make the point you (and I, in my spare time, generally yelling at disinterested strangers) that Aesop is a high-art genius. I've listened to his music faithfully for about a decade and a half and honestly every new song, ever worn out repeat: it always blows me away, refreshes me, and has saved my fucking sanity (and perhaps life) on more than a few occasions. I am not one for celeb worship or fanfare that our society so fetishizes, but I genuinely feel like I owe Aesop more than I can describe. Anyway, keep up the good work screaming into the cold, calculating YT void. Sub'd. P.S I agree with the dude who commented you should talk about SWFG. Maybe you already have, I haven't had enough time to browse. That album is of course such a departure from the stuff I love the most from him and yet 100 percent authentically him, in the way Aesop can do. Gates is a fuckin' jam.

[@Novum_YT]

Oh my god dude thanks so much for taking the time to write all this (and for signing in to the cold YT void :p) Honestly I know exactly what you mean, I don't go in for celeb idolotry but in Aesop's case it's like watching a Van Gogh go by essentially under appreciated. I don't feel like I did Aesop enough justice with this video honestly so it's likely that there will be another video coming and SWFG would definitely feature prominently in that. Thanks so much again for the kind words, and the sub dude, it really means a lot!

[@nomoregdm]

@@Novum_YT Oh of course :D Glad to support likeminded, fresh content!

[@hapexamendia]

I've loved Aesop Rock since I stumbled across a mix tape with his music when I was in college way back in 2005. None Shall Pass was my ringtone for years. Loved this video!

[@thatslavicdude]

I take it also as the plot of land being hip hop, the contraband being the message and power; without this outlet to express and vent, he would become his Hyde.

[@BruceNJeffAreMyFlies]

Keeping his Hyde Jekyllized is saying that the contraband HELPS his negative view, takes him out of view - not, as you say, being responsible for the negativity. His Hyde is the negativity, and the Jekyllisation is him being kept sane through the use of contraband.

[@masterkane5340]

Aes is the singular most unique and Lyrically genius writer to ever grace the human species. You're absolutely right.

[@Dr.WRATHBONE]

I've been saying that for years! Lots of people complain that he's hard to understand, to which I'll reply... get smarter amd he'll make more sense. Very glad to find others think his lyrics are genius level. Thanks for the video mister!

[@danfontaine8179]

Great vid. You seem to really understand the artist and have put quite some work into this video and you are a strong narrator. Subscribed.

[@Novum_YT]

Thanks so much dude, more stuff coming soon!

[@fishinapond943]

Honestly you can make a whole documentary on aesop rocks bars/storys he tells through his songs this is why he'll always well be in my top 5

[@jakeed5987]

I have been a fan since float. I think it’s underrated.. labor days is my favorite but I champion him every single time. He speaks to me like a dream. I love this man!

[@lastrempolarbears]

Loved the video!! You should do some analysis on "The Gates " of his latest album. The rhyming pattern on that first verse is brilliant. Cheers!

[@brodyd9800]

I was born in the same year as Aesop Rock and I have always been a long time man that supported gangsta rap, rap with sexy ass lyrics n deep beats. But when I heard Aesop Rock, that all changed. I'm old school so Em will always be a legend. Aesop Rock seems to be going thru the same shit as me and it makes it easier to relate to. Sobriety, mental health issues, anxiety around people. I got mad respect, Aesop Rock. Keep on keeping on.

[@cosmikronic9353]

For me, Garbology is Aes' best work yet. He's slowed down his delivery enough you can hear more of what he's saying, while he's focusing more on rich imagery, metaphors, unexpected rhymes, and layered pop culture references. He's playing with his own mythos and playing up this image of the hermetic 'weird guy' in the neighbourhood. I was never the biggest fan of his earlier work, and it's almost as if by trying not as hard to sound impressive, he's become all the more impressive in my eyes.

[@nzbg1132]

Very helpful video thanks. Aesop is the best modern writer and maybe of all time.

[@dillweeds]

I started listening to them when i was a teen like probably like 7 years ago and after loosing an extremely close friend 4 years ago get out the car has hit so much harder than it used to.

[@quixoticcoyoticcannibalystic]

I came to this channel from your conspiratorial channel and I 100% love that you made a video about him.

[@TotalKaosEntertainment]

This was awesome. I'd like to hear some more of your breakdowns, esp of Aesop's stuff, but other people as well. Following the vein of under recognized talent, Denzel Curry would be an interesting artist to break down because he definitely shows patterns of Aes type creativity and skill - albeit in a different fashion.

[@revenantgamer4514]

I agree. I love the first few lines of “Pyro” just makes my body happy

[@idekbruhstopaskingme]

Awesome video on Aesop, another rap lyricist that is also up there in the same class with him is Lupe Fiasco, perhaps you could do a video on him as well

[@MrFunsocks]

Lupe just did a 45 min chat about how good Aes is, a few days ago :D

[@ishaking6278]

​@@MrFunsocksLupe is a much better lyricist than Aesop. We saw it on Pumpkin Seeds.

[@erboch7124]

He will describe the most mundane activity with the most complex word choice and metaphors ever

[@DefeatedElite]

If I remember correctly his appearance on the Colbert Show was his second time on network television. He did an MTV Spot back in the day.

[@firecrakka]

First NETWORK appearance. 😉

[@true_plays_games]

Straight up boys glad you all have it straight at last ✌️

[@MilestheMechanic]

I'm so stoked I found this

[@braydenwilliams6293]

Just got into you from your Ari Aster movies explained videos, and you would have a video on my favorite musical artist of all time too. Wtf man get out of my head

[@Novum_YT]

Man this video is from so long ago, it isn’t great but I still stand by Aes being miles ahead of everyone else

[@braydenwilliams6293]

@Novum_YT hey I appreciate all content of any quality that's dedicated to the genius of Aesop Rock. He's too underappreciated! Would love to hear your brief thoughts on Mindful Solutionism if you have any that can be expressed briefly lol

[@greatesthits8293]

First video I saw was your Lighthouse video. I knew you had good taste when I saw the RTJ shots. This just solidifies it.

[@Novum_YT]

Aha, it seems as though you do too! Also it’s kickass to hear that you’re watching more than one, or rather going from one of my videos to the next. Feels very weird but I very much appreciate it! Cheers dude!

[@joshlegare]

What a great and insightful dive into truly one of the best lyricist.

[@Bedhead13]

Ah, an objective fact, I'll watch that.

[@mydogsnameislucy768]

As a lifelong Hip-Hop head, he is quite easily the goat. My personal favorite is Sean Price. I love K-Rino as a head from Houston, Kool Keith is insane. G Rap and Rakim laid out the blueprint, MF DOOM is probably number 2 but Aesop takes the cake easily for me.

[@ishaking6278]

K-Rino is a sucka.

[@dumplingduppy1502]

I recognise his genius and i wish i listened to him earlier in my life

[@MarcAlcatraz]

i could listen to you dissect Aes bars for hours

[@QBisNomba]

Always been my favorite. I’m thinking of making a fan boy page lol

[@JDHDseries]

"And adopt dogs just to tell 'em they're not in Kansas" another great example of intertextuality

[@KayKozza]

I feel like Aesop rock fans act like those teachers in language arts “the door is red” “THIS IS A STRONG MESSAGE”

[@_Jake.From.Statefarm_]

protip: Don't call out people and use school references like they are funny. Most of us are adults who have to make our own dinner, have a 401k, and don't even remember our first break up. No adult will ever take you serious. Well, they probably weren't going to in the first place but that is besides the point.

[@enterthebannedlands7681]

I’m pretty sure it was a joke

[@KayKozza]

@@_Jake.From.Statefarm_ with the way you went in for a simple opinion I can pretty much guarantee you remember your first break up and it hurt you drastically. And I’ll continue to use school references because it also seems like you got picked last for dodgeball and are carrying the hurt 🤣 calm down ginger snap

[@totallyrealcia]

Sometimes it do have a strong message

[@Vendeteran]

The Impossible Kid is possibly the best piece of modern literature across the board. A̶l̶s̶o̶ ̶d̶i̶g̶g̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶f̶u̶r̶t̶h̶e̶r̶ ̶i̶n̶t̶o̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶m̶e̶a̶n̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶b̶e̶h̶i̶n̶d̶ ̶i̶t̶s̶ ̶n̶a̶m̶e̶,̶ ̶i̶t̶'̶s̶ ̶a̶ ̶r̶e̶f̶e̶r̶e̶n̶c̶e̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶p̶e̶r̶s̶o̶n̶a̶l̶ ̶g̶o̶-̶t̶o̶ ̶s̶k̶a̶t̶e̶b̶o̶a̶r̶d̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶t̶r̶i̶c̶k̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶"̶i̶m̶p̶o̶s̶s̶i̶b̶l̶e̶.̶"̶ ̶I̶t̶'̶s̶ ̶a̶ ̶h̶a̶r̶d̶ ̶o̶n̶e̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶m̶a̶s̶t̶e̶r̶ ̶l̶e̶t̶ ̶a̶l̶o̶n̶e̶ ̶l̶e̶a̶r̶n̶ ̶b̶u̶t̶ ̶i̶t̶ ̶a̶l̶s̶o̶ ̶j̶u̶s̶t̶ ̶g̶o̶e̶s̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶s̶h̶o̶w̶ ̶t̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶A̶e̶s̶ ̶h̶o̶l̶d̶s̶ ̶a̶u̶t̶h̶e̶n̶t̶i̶c̶i̶t̶y̶ ̶a̶s̶ ̶a̶ ̶v̶i̶r̶t̶u̶e̶.̶ ̶H̶e̶ ̶d̶o̶e̶s̶n̶'̶t̶ ̶f̶a̶b̶r̶i̶c̶a̶t̶e̶ ̶a̶n̶y̶t̶h̶i̶n̶g̶,̶ ̶h̶e̶'̶s̶ ̶b̶r̶u̶t̶a̶l̶l̶y̶ ̶h̶o̶n̶e̶s̶t̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶e̶x̶p̶r̶e̶s̶s̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶p̶e̶r̶s̶o̶n̶a̶l̶ ̶a̶r̶t̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶t̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶i̶s̶ ̶a̶t̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶h̶i̶g̶h̶e̶s̶t̶ ̶l̶e̶v̶e̶l̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶p̶o̶e̶t̶r̶y̶ ̶f̶l̶o̶w̶e̶d̶ ̶o̶v̶e̶r̶ ̶u̶n̶i̶q̶u̶e̶ ̶r̶o̶c̶k̶-̶i̶n̶f̶l̶u̶e̶n̶c̶e̶d̶ ̶h̶i̶p̶-̶h̶o̶p̶ ̶i̶n̶s̶t̶r̶u̶m̶e̶n̶t̶a̶l̶s̶.̶ ̶H̶e̶ ̶s̶i̶m̶p̶l̶y̶ ̶j̶u̶s̶t̶ ̶i̶s̶,̶ ̶A̶e̶s̶o̶p̶ ̶R̶o̶c̶k̶.̶ ̶A̶b̶s̶o̶l̶u̶t̶e̶l̶y̶ ̶o̶n̶e̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶G̶O̶A̶T̶s̶,̶ ̶D̶O̶O̶M̶ ̶(̶R̶I̶P̶)̶ ̶t̶o̶o̶.̶ ̶I̶t̶'̶s̶ ̶d̶i̶f̶f̶i̶c̶u̶l̶t̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶e̶x̶h̶a̶u̶s̶t̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶c̶o̶n̶v̶e̶y̶ ̶t̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶p̶e̶r̶s̶o̶n̶ ̶b̶u̶t̶ ̶I̶'̶m̶ ̶g̶o̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶s̶e̶n̶d̶ ̶p̶e̶o̶p̶l̶e̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶t̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶v̶i̶d̶e̶o̶ ̶f̶r̶o̶m̶ ̶n̶o̶w̶ ̶o̶n̶. If you know you know.

[@Novum_YT]

Dude yes

[@zend8062]

Went to two shows on this tour run where he had Homeboy Sandman with a set from “Lice”😎😳🤯 was amazing 🔥🔥🔥

[@stephensemp8634]

You got my favorite 2 artists off the bat : Saul and Aesop!!

[@reznetherrelm395]

He's my favorite Emcee on planet earth he's also the most misunderstood leaving most reviewers baffled 😯

[@ipso_facto]

Best that ever did it! In my humble opinion... He pushes the very limits of lyricism, while adhearing to the core values of the culture. Forever Favorite! "I didn't fuck up, It was a choice." - Robin Williams (Good Will Hunting)

[@G.A.Ullrich_1Q84]

2 of the best leading the pack. Aesop and Driver. ❤️

[@teux01]

Aesop qualifies for the saying "He's not your favorite rapper, but he's your favorite rapper's favorite."

[@mkc5230]

Thank you for making this video

[@carpo719]

Thanks for the share. Subbed. Enjoy the presentation

[@Novum_YT]

Cheers dude!

[@carpo719]

@@Novum_YT Hard to define Aesop. He's a genius by default due to the perception of the meaning behind his lyrics

[@Novum_YT]

@@carpo719 absolutely agreed my man

[@gcurbanadventures]

Agreed 100%. Like ever.

[@medium.kahuna]

I would love to hear your opinion on his new album

[@steverice7546]

Excellently said. I’m subscribing.

[@ArtMorera]

This was fantastic journalism

[@davethescrub858]

Loved the analysis. Great video, great research, great work!

[@Novum_YT]

Thanks so much Dave!

[@davethescrub858]

@@Novum_YT My pleasure! Keep up the great work man

[@cristinahavenhill7466]

My sentiment exactly

[@joshelderkin9592]

Bro blood sandwich fucked me up

[@adambent9574]

AES is the king. I get the feeling that most people can’t even follow his shit. A true artist

[@thelegendofner0]

Yo bro, what's the background music? Really digging it. Somehow reminds me of Hotline Miami. And thx for this review, I discovered Aesop thru you!

[@JasonWalkerforreal]

Aesop is one of the best no doubt. I grew up in the 90's, and I got to say, the one rapper that really opened me up to lyricism was non other than Redcloud. Lyrics like, "Syllable assembly, empty lily pad soliloquys" and many many more opened the door for lyrical fulfillment, which led me to revisit Aesop, who is hit and miss for me, but that's just one man's opinion.

[@Novum_YT]

Omw to check out redcloud thankyou sir!

[@JasonWalkerforreal]

while you're checkin' out redcloud, look into other syntax artists.. especially sackcloth... i grew up on them!

[@michiganmade297]

"Snatch your food off your plate, snatch a GOAT off the bridge"....

[@TheMadsC]

I know this video is "old", and also focus mainly (if not only) on Aes's writing. Which is good, because he's amazing with his pen-game. But I just wanted to add, that he is just as talented when it comes to producing beats. Almost all his songs have the perfect music, to match his words. As a hiphop producer (and rapper) myself, I highly appreciate how his beats sound, especially on his newest record (ITS). Just felt it was important for me to put this into a comment, because Aes is probably one of my all time favorite rapper/writers/producers of all time.

[@andersonbroberg3531]

I believe the first line is about an apartment or plot of land where authorities are not present that he can engage in his drug use without bother until his ‘Hyde is jekyllized”

[@Astroboy131]

Saul Williams huh? I love his verse on Release with Blackalicious! R.I.P Gift of Gab!

[@alpaykasal2902]

Thank you for this analysis... comes across very personal and academic. I can speak from a place of fandom about Aes all day / all night... and so, this video really resonated with me. I'm glad you called out Ruby '81 too. Aesop Rock will never be famous, he'll be recognized as transcendent and having stepped atop and over the art form far in the future, I expect.

[@venture3800]

Maybe not the best flow artist of all time but as far as pure beat poetry goes, sop's the king

[@Novum_YT]

Agreed, thanks for listening and happy new year!

[@eminemfan50098]

I think he's got the best flow personally

[@Morjensful]

Well. Yes and no. It's just different from what people are used to. The word placement shenanigans from the New York indie scene at the end of the nineties still shows. It was just a different way of doing things.

[@traceyhopkins3698]

I really hope you read this but I'm curious about your take on Cambatta as a lyricist. He has a pretty dense catalog. We have LSD, N*GGERLA Tesla, camballah, yahawashi, kovid 24 , grand number theorem , the Womb among others. I definitely have Aesop Rock in my top 3 lyricist I've ever heard with Cam being number 1 in my humble opinion. If you have any feedback as to why Aesop would still reign as number 1 (hard to argue) in comparison to Cambatta I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance!

[@woodyfpv5331]

The "little plot of land" is inside probably inside his head.

[@oj818]

Man I am just sad that I have never heard about him . But I want to be enlightened with more of his music please help.

[@caseysylvester4119]

First off, thanks for making this. I couldn't agree more with everything you said. I find it interesting that you chose to dissect those lines in particular. There's something about the cadence in the way he says those lines that always stuck out to me. He continues to impress and get better. This is what bothers me about atmosphere. After when life gives you lemons came out, everything has been mediocre at best. You figure artists would push each other to get better. Anyway you should do a video on his new album!

[@foodrhymesandlife]

Great video and analysis, however I think you got the Jekyll and Hyde reference backwards... he's saying that the weed keeps him from going to the dark place, keeps him somewhat even... not the other way around... Hyde being the evil actor .. at least that's how I interpreted it.

[@Novum_YT]

Yeah that's right, perhaps I misspoke in the video? That's certainly my primary understanding of it too.

[@babyninjajesus2669]

aesop rock is going to be studied long after hes gone.

[@lfenney5028]

Thumbnail speaks the truth!

[@dadaluma13]

He is honestly the hip-hop Bob Dylan, except without the acclaim. Hopefully people will someday get it.

[@averagemfdoomenjoyer4961]

Yes maybe the best alive but counting in general its got to be MF DOOM Rest in peace to the best Mc with no chain you ever heard

[@sirsmooth6835]

Thank You

[@JohnDoe-qh5xg]

Aesop raps how I think it's soothing

[@somnitek]

Among the best, at the very east, to be sure. I miss him as part of The Weathermen too. That was some of the best rappers around right there, all as one. All good things seem eager to come to an end though. I mean I get it. No Camu, no Weathermen, for sure. I know I'm very far from alone on missing both. Damn, good things always eager to end/fall apart. The universe always eager to snatch away the people we value the most from us. Maybe it's better not to think about that last part too much, I'm not sure at the moment.

[@not2mportant.797]

We still got Digable Planets, RTJ, Hieroglyphics, Pharcyde, Camp Lo, Cannibal Ox, P. U. T. S, GRISELDA, Freddie and Madlib, Lootpack.

[@slickfirmament5934]

the seal of Saturn weathermen

[@theconstipated]

Well timed video.

[@Novum_YT]

How so?

[@theconstipated]

@@Novum_YT Check rhymesayers twitter/instagram new aesop rock teasers

[@Novum_YT]

@@theconstipated Good shout, cheers dude!

[@Culturedbum1985]

I am not mad at this, Aesop is a god amongst mere men

[@jrock5150]

You should analyse some of his earlier work. Impossible kid, is actually more understandable than say bazooka tooth

[@kamikazeclaymore]

Always wished he replaced DoseOne in Deep Puddle. He is king of high art lyricism IMO. It was ‘01? and I was on OutKast, Nas, and DMX before I stumbled across Slug, Sage, Sole and others. I didn’t know there was hiphop and wordplay like that. Then I heard “Shovel” and Aesop Rock was a level above anybody and that’s big talk. Early Sage and Sole both know their way around wordplay, structure, and delivery better than most. Been indie hiphop since.

[@joerostkowski7313]

You left out el p and cannibal ox, molemen typical cats , ra , eyedea, juice

[@curtismaloney792]

Ace doom and Earl. Don't worry tho kids, I'm next.