FIRESTARTER - How The Prodigy Won Over the Metalheads | New British Canon

[@TrashTheory]

Trash Theory playlists - Spotify: tinyurl.com/yxp32pjf Deezer: tinyurl.com/y2mdp8h2 Also if you want to help out, here's my patreon link: patreon.com/trashtheory

[@Jsarson1976]

Trash Theory You should do all of there songs and albums as this is a great video.

[@colinmackenzie6277]

I got to see the Prodigy between Music for the Jilted Generation and Fat of the land at Big DayOut in Auckland, New Zealand. BLOODY AWESOME! They got 15,000 people up and ROCKING for the whole set! Great STAGE PERFORMANCE! Miss Sir Keef, godblessyamate!

[@cyberhawk80]

i liked the prodigy.. but winning over metal heads.. goes 3 steps too far,. .

[@bluemoon539]

The rattling noise makes this video unwatchable mate.

[@mr_crabs1]

It seems like you dont know who they even are. Liam is the tall black man, it seems like you think he is the white guy who I dont know the name of either

[@JohnKuhles1966]

What some people don’t know is that Keith was a truly nice, gentle and polite human being. His stage persona was unique because he channeled his aggression and passion and let all out on stage. He is one of the true greats RIP

[@Burn0u7]

Friend of mine was setting the stage for big festival prodigy played on. He picked up cables and stuff at the morning when Keith saw him and bring him a beer because he looked exhausted. They had a chat and later friends saw him and Keith chatting and was wtf. He said Keith is the most humble man one can imagine and nothing to do with the stage persona.

[@CarlRencer]

great stage presence, but channeling aggression and passion on stage is not unique.

[@JohnKuhles1966]

@@CarlRencer unique to how he generally is ... read again

[@minidec4657]

Apart from the fact he liked fox hunting. Doesn't make him particularly nice in many folks eyes

[@randolphpinkle4482]

"If I was to punch you in the face" doesn't sound like a truly nice, gentle, and polite person. Using violent analogies for stage performance says something about the man.

[@chilli-soup]

The best bits of almost being 50... Being a kid in the 70s,being a teen in the 80s and finding HipHop,the early mid 90s rave scene mid late 90s house nightclubs. The worst bits? Being almost 50 i guess.

[@leahevehumphries]

So lucky, I was born in 2000 and missed all of it 😭

[@chemicalBR0]

lol I feel ya (50 this year) I've seen The Prodigy 9 times live and I'll always have fond memories of those nights

[@shintenkai1648]

And now it's auto tune or go home

[@jamesgirard1090]

I’ll be 50 in June I can relate that 90s rave scene was fucking off the hook though wasn’t it

[@thegremlin3194]

Yes me too I was a DJ that played them . Hated by the old folk and venue owners but loved by the youth Now we live in isolated existence I miss those days of mad raves and discos

[@terrymadeley]

12:14 found that quite moving, about Flint finding his voice. "Flint singing about his role in The Prodigy: to get audiences pumped. He is there to ignite the crowd, to put a fire under their collective arses. He is their adrenalizer, the caffeinator. He is - The Firestarter." RIP

[@ophelias4172]

It kind of broke my heart when Keith died. He was such a presence in my teenage years and there will never be anyone else like him.

[@DaddyLaser]

me too. have you noticed the world has gone to absolute shite since he died? :(

[@gunnarelisigurjonsson2587]

Forever loved, forever missed and forever remembered. 😍 Got to see them twice in Iceland. And still remember the smell and energy

[@stormysmurf]

Life is creepily fleeting enough, you can choose to be thrilled for any time you got to spend in the presence of amazing entities - my bro - RIP at 22 ! still haven't met no one like you bro !

[@ophelias4172]

@@DaddyLaser I know this is late but I'm gonna comment anyway and say yes. Yes I have noticed that world has gone to shit since he died. We're missing his energy and positive vibes.

[@24Wynn]

@Graxxor Anandro Vidhelssen , Totally true!!! Gasp!

[@donk1822]

I now own the house the guys were renting when Charley's Cat was released. Our, now very elderly neighbours remember Keith with great fondness as he was very kind to them when Rachel was ill, she was quite upset when she heard about his death.

[@kostaftp]

wow

[@Jorg-ug3ie]

That's so wonderful! You could hear all these lovely stories after Keith's sad passing, about how kind he really was to all kinds of people. And supercool that you own that particular house: meantime it became iconic! All the best to you and your neighbours

[@hawkfumodee5364]

@@Jorg-ug3ie Thanks Jorg. He came into the motorcycle shop I worked at in Braintree one afternoon driving a brand new TVR Speed 6. I was admiring it with him when he asked me if I would like to have a drive. I declined out of fear of scuffing a wheel or something so he took me round the bypass. He wasn't trying to impress me with his success, he was simply offering me the chance to share his joy, fond memory. I am also Donk btw :).

[@patmaloney5735]

Thats cool AF

[@TerminusEst1982]

No one cares. You're a kook.

[@Glaamdring]

_The Fat of the Land_ is just one of those things that's totally perfect. It's genius on so many levels-musically but it's also just a perfect distillation of a particular time, lifestyle, emotional state, and overall vibe. It's a timeless classic that's irrevocably linked to such a specific era. It's a paradox.

[@morsteen]

It really is. The only dance music I ever enjoyed. Because it's not just dance I guess lol. It really is heavy, and uses great fucking samples. And the composing is top notch. They really did create a masterpiece.

[@vampmode9132]

Climbatiiiiizeee

[@khululyp]

@@morsteen I dig some Faithless and Daft Punk at times as well.

[@morsteen]

@@khululyp I can enjoy some of that if I happen to hear it. I think this prodigy album was perfect timing for a lot of us,..so ill actually seek it out to play it from time to time. Whereas with other stuff, it will only be heard if I happen to come across it. I do also enjoy the long synthwave compilations I find on KZbin. Love that 80s outrun vibe.

[@twilitezn]

Agreed…I’m a hip hop head…and I picked up TFOTL on a whim…and instantly LOVED IT…”Firestarter”, “Breathe”, and my favourite, “Smack My Bitch Up”….I blasted that album for 2 years straight!

[@shr00mhead]

When I was a kid and I heard Prodigy, I thought it was metal. It got me into metal. Prodigy got me into metal.

[@peterbelanger4094]

LOL! that's sad.

[@adamgoodword7888]

When I was a kid I heard Prodigy and I thought Rave!! Prodigy got me into Breakbeat Techno.

[@espenfarstad1697]

@@peterbelanger4094 Why is it sad? Fuck him for enjoying something you don't, eh?

[@grubbybum3614]

@@peterbelanger4094 shut up

[@grubbybum3614]

@@peterbelanger4094 the riff in Voodoo people is one of the best guitar riffs ever

[@ThompterSHunson]

The fact they couldn't even afford color film made one of the most memorable & iconic music videos of all time. Life, man... A weird shit! #RIP Keith ❤

[@Music-tg5is]

It wouldn't have been nearly as effective in colour as evidenced in this video. The monochrome look gave it a different vibe.

[@jerryh6284]

I love your NamE. Hunter would be proud! ✌️

[@ThreadBomb]

I'm not sure this story is true. By the 90s, black-and-white film was rarely used, so would have been more expensive.

[@vinniedixon1140]

It was done in black white due to the budget. It was fisrt shot in colour but they didn't have enough money left to shoot it in colour again so they did it in black and white. True fact.

[@iaincowell9747]

@@vinniedixon1140 Why would they shoot the video again? Sounds made up to me.

[@nybsfp7486]

As a Metalhead I can honestly say Fat of the Land is one of my favorite albums of all time.

[@MeBallerman]

That makes us 2 - in the least. It's - BAM

[@MeBallerman]

@@scladoffle2472 That was a strange rant.

[@nybsfp7486]

@@scladoffle2472 awwww….did someone skip their coffee this morning? Imagine being an adult that is having SUCH! a TOUGH DAY! that they are triggered by a really old comment on a video that is exactly about said comment and about something so silly as defining the main genre of music one likes. Shucks…

[@nybsfp7486]

@@scladoffle2472 I concur- you big mad

[@themudpit621]

@@nybsfp7486 'societal boxes' lol then calls you 'nerd'. I'm guessing 15.

[@matthewbittenbender9191]

Firestarter might’ve been the song that put them on the international map, but Breathe was what made them legendary.

[@amojak]

Diesel power was damn good too

[@PieterPatrick]

"Out of space" did put them on the international map. The song that did the best in our country was "No good". I think "Firestarter" made them legendary.

[@PieterPatrick]

@Pol Fartin potatoes. :-)

[@espenfarstad1697]

Breathe played live, the bass so powerful it'd make you want to puke your guts out...

[@grubbybum3614]

Voodoo people, amirite?

[@sonnysumo8172]

I guess I gotta add “go to a 90’s prodigy concert” on my things to do with a time machine list. Seriously, they look like they put on wild shows.

[@TooBigBirdy]

Their live @ Phoenix 1996 is possibly the best live performance i've ever seen recorded.

[@markusdaxamouli5196]

They did mate...they did.

[@SarahCarrico]

Hahaha glad I'm not the only one with a list like that.

[@OpreRoma]

My parents were ravers and saw them live... I'm jealous

[@misterthegeoff9767]

I got to see them play Brixton Academy in 2005. Absolutely insane gig, the bass was so powerful it punched the air out of my lungs. Was awesome seeing a bunch of ravers and metallers together in one place just having a blast as well.

[@thefangirlingpuellamagi3345]

Amazing how The Prodigy managed to be appreciated by many different 90’s music scenes

[@jackalope2302]

RIP Keith "the Beast" Flint. When I saw Firestarter, I thought Keith and Maxim were the scariest looking guys not in metal.

[@greysky1252]

What's crazy is, they started off lookin so baby-faced.

[@jackalope2302]

@@greysky1252 Ikr?

[@nakenmil]

I just commented abut how Keith scared the shit out of a six year old me sitting in front of the TV seeing Firestarter. Especially since I came from a religious home.

[@simakautas]

Yea😃😃😃 same here😃😃😃

[@grubbybum3614]

Wtf. Why did I never hear he died? Shiit

[@Ammeo]

As a metalhead, The Prodigy is one of my favorite bands of all time.

[@mv3592]

Prodigy plus metal

[@Designificance]

check out 'Zardonic'. Thank me later

[@JLchevz]

fuck yeah, it has the right spirit

[@peterbelanger4094]

Yeah, they were ok for a couple albums, but went totally soft and dance-ey after fat of the land. Notice, this video didn't even mention anything after that album.

[@hellobooom]

@@rosaceusborgogne5517 what a worthless comment.

[@hinkhall5291]

IMO the intro to _Smack My Bitch Up_ is so heavy, raw and powerful. As powerful as _Welcome to the Jungle_ or _Straight Outta Compton_ . That’s how you start an album.

[@Patrick_Bateman92]

I remember as a kid thinking this guy was some demon who lived in the underground, broadcasting a message to the world that he starts fires.

[@BrodyLuv2]

Bless ya'

[@SKa-tt9nm]

That’s bad ass

[@williammitchell5201]

that's the coolest image

[@starsnstrife]

we had this channel called ARTE here. they aired smack my bitch up when i was like 8 years old or so. i remember telling my parents at the time that i really liked that music. haha!

[@simakautas]

😂😂😂😂

[@tim66612343]

Music for a jilted generation is one of the greatest albums of all time.

[@petejay75]

To this day, it is still the best album to listen to from start to finish. It is an all time classic!

[@nebularain3338]

Go on any comment section about any album and you'll see someone saying the same thing. It's ok to just say you like something without resorting to extremes like "greatest", although it's one of my personal favourites.

[@BarryRijkse]

Aye! My unbeaten fav album

[@larrym2434]

@@nebularain3338 awkward silence ensues ...

[@MusicFromTheOm]

Fack ye!

[@broon-550]

The Fat Of The Land is a timeless album. The first album I ever fell in love with as a youngster and itll forever have a special place in my heart. R.I.P Keith, a true idol!

[@liquididentity101]

Fat of the Land is a lifelong classic for me. The album is an experience with nothing feeling like filler. The music still sounds energetic, relevant, and unique to this day.

[@xenos_n.]

I adore the album to this day, you're right about no filler and it's still one of the single most energizing albums I've ever heard. One of the best albums ever made for sure.

[@henning14]

Sure. I bought it pretty late years ago but the singles and videos stay in my mind from my youth....

[@24Wynn]

Fat of the Land is one of my moved loved CD. I miss Keith Flints energy. Damn! Why did he have to suicide out of this life? Did he not know that his presence in videos helped many of us who also suffered from depression? I know. He had his reasons so I will not judge. What an incredible man.

[@scramblesthedeathdealer]

The Prodigy opened up the world of electronic music to me. I was into punk, metal and rock, but they changed everything. Favorite band, period.

[@37Kilo2]

Same. The Hackers soundtrack was the most influential CD I ever purchased. I was into punk and metal, but after listening to Voodoo People on repeat for hours on end, I was hooked on The Prodigy. Still my favorite groups of all time.

[@danjames4086]

When you remember exactly where you were when you first heard a song...that song is special. I was a metal fan, but hearing the opening notes of Firestarter on the radio, I delayed going home and drove around until it had finished. It still gives me tingles every time I hear it.

[@JulitoAgapito]

I remember clearly the day I listened smack my bitch up for the first time.. my life changed forever

[@anamorel2634]

You're so right. I remember vividly the day I listened to "the omen" for the first time. Amazing band, amazing music 🖤

[@nicholasromig5506]

one of the most punk rock electronica songs ever written. that whole album is totally insane and perfect. great video, as always.

[@juliejay5436]

Agree

[@nicholasromig5506]

@Wikkitt Klown sure.

[@kght222]

yeah, punk isn't written. and how much punk rock electronica is there really?

[@nicholasromig5506]

@@kght222 lots. synthpunk, digital hardcore, industrial...

[@notimportant3686]

@Wikkitt Klown you lack taste

[@DerpyDo]

I remember getting The Fat of The Land for Christmas in 97. ( My parents were pretty cool)

[@burnscash8443]

I remember a record shop 3 miles away opened at midnight for the release of fat of the land and me and my best mate riding over and buying the album, then listened while smoking bongs lol

[@winterlynn9012]

I also got The fat of the land for Christmas 97:) Funnily enough both my older brothers and I bought it for one another(unbeknownst to eachother) so xmas morning it was amusing when we all opened our gifts and had 3 copies of fat of the land. I think that was one of the few albums that we all agreed was amazing which said a lot considering my siblings and i had completely different tastes in music as kids.

[@legionIAMBELIAL]

Same here, with a pair of jncos

[@MetFreak42]

I picked up mine in 98 from my local mom&pop shop after seeing Firestarter on Mtv. I still have that same CD in my collection. The whole record was fantastic, and I still have about 7 of the tracks on regular rotation in my All Time playlist.

[@psyfication]

It was one of the first cd i bought :) I remember how cool i felt when walking home that day, haha! good times

[@bryanstellfox8521]

I've seriously watched this video 5 times...never did I think a documentary format video about music would be so rewatchable. Honestly, this is some of your best work. Don't know how you don't have 5 million subscribers.

[@Overton_Windows]

“This is outrageous! This is contagious!” (I’m almost definitely a musical genius)

[@Overton_Windows]

Peep Show baby: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJbbmHWtbM6Ud5o

[@asherpopemusic]

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO FUTILE

[@lifemusic1980]

Fucking Peep Show! Lol

[@zacguevara6555]

Jeffs doing a joke

[@RUFU58]

OBEY MY COMMANDS ORLAX! 😆

[@dickvandyke1209]

Same thing with Cypress Hill. Metalheads love the ‘hill.

[@lacowie]

and beastie boys

[@OsellaSquadraCorse]

True enough, but Cypress Hill and Beastie Boys started out with Rock/Metal in their music anyway. Beastie Boys were initially a Punk band, before they 'went rap' and Cypress Hill mixed in metal on their albums back in the mid-90's.

[@roymorrishx]

Too right we do. Checkmate Fool!

[@darrenwilson99]

@@OsellaSquadraCorse Cypress Hill definitely didn't start out with metal influences. There is no sign of metal in Black Sunday yet tracks from that album were played all the time in metal clubs here in the UK.

[@pappo666]

@@lacowie Not all of them my wife is a metalhead (well so am i) but she HATE Beastie boys anything with rap is a huge no no for her i love them tho but mostly Paul revere i love the simplicity of it and that slow beating bass track is just ooof and Brass Monkey

[@DanMorelle]

This is a comprehensive and accurate piece of music journalism. I lived through the 90s music scene in Great Britain and you hit all the important context and musical touch points. Bravo.

[@memyopinionsche6610]

And being an old school METAL and punk fan. Bands like PRODIGY CRYSTAL METHOD AND CHEMICAL BROTHERS. hit that sweet spot. As well being an old school hip hop rap fan. RUN DMC LL COOL J PUBLIC ENEMY fan. Yeah makes want to break stuff and get angry.

[@itsbam2376]

Growing up with punk and metal I found the dance scene in 89/90. Approaching 50 I still love all these genres, and if Grandma would have the kids for I think I lose it for a weekend in a field again!

[@memyopinionsche6610]

I know right! That's what I was saying. Late 90's techno with industrial Hit that sweet spot that METAL and PUNK that paved the way for. And it makes sense musically.

[@itsbam2376]

@@memyopinionsche6610 DIY, lets have it!, Fuck 'em and Their Law summed it up.

[@EricEustace]

Hell yeah, had each and every one of those cd's. They still get me amped up decades later

[@TheLargino]

Current list on phone to listen to whilst at work; all albums for each artist. AC/DC Air Arch Enemy Au Pair Body Count Cypress Hill Danzig Die Antwoord Dizzee Rascal Faithless Funkdoobiest Goldie Lookin Chain Hilltop Hoods Judas Priest Jurassic 5 KMFDM Korn Lupe Fiasco Marilyn Manson Megadeth Motorhead NWA Public Enemy RATM Rammstein Run DMC Sex Pistols Slayer Sonic Animation The Prodigy

[@xouat]

“Jilted” was an absolute masterpiece

[@DanielMores]

"claustrophobic sting" was one of my secret favorites. It was something I'd listen to when falling asleep and the changes in beats were impressive to me. It dawned on my that you can make music without actually having a "singer". kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZCppWuvYrmApZo

[@xouat]

@@DanielMores Deepest of deep cuts. One of the best tracks they ever did.

[@outsidethebox4949]

@@DanielMores my favorite.

[@zyxlv]

“Jilted” still an absolute masterpiece

[@themanfromvolantis]

I actually play "Experience" the most, followed by "Jilted". I didn't like Firestarter. Breathe on the other hand was awesome.

[@jamhot5098]

I was a rock head throughout the 80s. I then got into clubbing and the E induced loved up 90s dance scene. Then Prodigy arrived creating a dark subgenre all their own. Totally unique. Simplistic repeating lyric bites over manic industrial beats and samples. That Knebworth concert will live with me forever. Thank you for the energy Keith.

[@nobbytart27]

I'm from the punk generation and there are not many bands i've bothered my arse to see more than once, Prodigy are an exception, absolutely awesome, mesmerising, the best live act i have ever seen, just gratefull to have seen them in their pomp. Why Keith ? Just why mate ? Guess you had your reasons.

[@Lalaland.001]

Same thing here m8. Best live shows I have ever seen, hands down. Whenever I randomly get to listen to their stuff these days, I'm just very conflicted. I avoid listening to their stuff just altogether, I'm that conflicted by it. I mean no disrespect to the band whatsoever. It just hits to close for comfort.

[@darkond3523]

Punk was never my thing, most lives were junkies and drunks screamingshit on out of tuned guitars without any actual musical input. On the other hand the Prodigy's electronic punk actually contained takings of different musical genre elements and blending into an pleasant entity and it even had a message in it and actual story. The music speaks thousands of worlds especially their live setup was amazing, Lima said he makes music for live performances and when you hear all the frequencies it shows he is a pure genius. Listening their stuff on a room setup doesn't represents this well only their live shows. The engeneering is pure genious.

[@orangewarm1]

Why Keith? Its rock and roll. Actually lived long for a rock and roller.

[@professional7603]

Mate, dont say why and dont even question it. Keith himself said it many times in the interviews that he was NOT saving up for anything. He said he was simply cashing in whatever money he was making. He explained he would pull the plug one day as he mentioned he knew no one would look after him when he s very old. So his thing was like why not pulling the plug now instead of melting bit by bit and become desperate.... everybody is like " oh.. mental illness...etc " No mate no, his was a well thought decision that he carried through. Im not happy either that he s gone but he got what he wanted. So, dont ask why, just let him rest in peace!

[@swankm9821]

Pro fessional relax bro, you don’t know either.

[@syruskaluhi7293]

R.I.P KEITH THANX FOR THE VOCALS TO ONE OF PRODIGY'S MOST ICONIC SONGS KEEP ROCKIN FOR THE GODS.

[@ne2952]

Prodigy made a huge impact on me in the 90s! Till believe to this day they’re the most badass group ever. They’re songs are still dope as hell 🔥

[@ghostinplainsight4803]

The prodigy were so far ahead of their time. I remember loving them in the 90's as a kid then rediscovering them in the early 2000's when hard trance was massive and it still stood on it's own against anything that was coming out at the time.

[@grubbybum3614]

Same, 90's kid as well. It's hard to explain how big they were. Before them, dance music was dance music, and rock was rock. Prodigy "jitlted" my imagination.

[@wibblywobblyidiotvision]

There was another thing about the "Firestarter" video, which you haven't touched on. Singing about arson in a disused tube station, post 1987's King's Cross tube station fire, was about as well received as could be expected. Imagine doing a cover of Alice Cooper's "School's Out", with a video set in an obvious high school, whilst wearing a trenchcoat and brandishing an AR15. Heluva song. RIP, Keef.

[@anonb4632]

I was around at the time of both of these and never linked the two.

[@manictiger]

Someone needs to make a bad455 track called "biohazard". Make it a hard industrial rock song with apocalyptic themes. Have the lead in a hazmat suit with a rifle strapped on his back, shooting up quarantined extras.

[@j800r_aswell]

After a decade you would think people would have moved on from that. It would only have been distasteful if it came out recently after, but we're talking 1987 and 1996.

[@Kyrelel]

@Mor MacFey You're missing the point, by a long, long way. The AK-47 and M16/AR-15 are iconic weapons which have an impact on people's psyche merely by being displayed. It would take a heartless, sociopathic-minded (not dissimilar to a school-shooter's) to sit down and point out that a specific weapon was never actually used in a certain instance. You outed yourself, mate. I wouldn't be at all surprised if you actually owned an AR/AK.

[@ChucksSEADnDEAD]

@Mor MacFey the point wasn't using the specific guns at Columbine, but using the AR-15 because of its media presence.

[@ricequin]

I saw them at the Barrowland in Glasgow in October of 1996 and it was the best atmosphere at a gig I’ve ever experienced. Myself and all the metal heads had a pit going up the front while the clubbed types who usually hassled us on Saturday nights were also having a great time just behind us. There was no tension or animosity between the groups because everyone was having such a great time.

[@PotatoMASHjack]

well made! And Liam is a hundred procent right. The Prodigy is the most unique and important bands ever. Also he should be revierd as one of the best producers in music.

[@trixtrix467]

Pol Fartin Who cares*

[@sovex9331]

I was never a fan of electronic music but these guys took everything to the next level... the mixing and the production was levels above anything at that time.

[@TranzparentMethods]

Yes, this is very true. I was coming of age when the "Firestarter" video/single came out here in the U.S., I was 14, turning 15 in a few months. I was really into Marilyn Manson, White Zombie and Korn in '96. Seeing the "Firestarter" video on MTV was a revelation to me. It was heavy, weird and very interesting. That was THE video of late 1996 and all of my friends in high school really dug it as well. Weird thing is, even the more popular people that were into, god knows what at the time, were even in to it. It really crossed boundaries. Which, at the time, was very different culturally.

[@kostaftp]

Amazing the variety we had back in the days. I was too into Marilyn Manson, Korn, Metallica, Limp Bizkit, Nirvana, Oasis, RATM, Blur.... Try to find out today 15 or 20 great bands... is impossible

[@Watcher4111]

Yeah I was teen in 1996. I was listening like U2, Depeche mode and then I heard Firestarter. It was something new

[@Nicole73672]

Hi

[@gonzalochavez7990]

I was very into MTV Latin America on those days (from not a native English speaker country) and I remember listening to exactly the same bands described here adding other ones like Beck, Kula Shaker, Jamiroquai, Alanis, Garbage... when I heard for the first time Firestarter and I was shocked not only by "discovering" this new strange (for me) but awesome music but also for the video.

[@osgeld]

very similar story here

[@stevemisog]

Liam Howlett is nothing short of a musical genius.

[@TheDJPCol]

This. One of the most underrated producers of all time imho

[@zackschilling4376]

Ill never forget seeing "Smack My Bitch Up" come on MTV one night right before they went to the infomercials around 3am, it blew my young mind.

[@joeseymour4073]

@Zack Schilling haha yeah. 👍 The first time I saw the video - and uncensored at that - was what I believe was its debut on MTV's "120 Minutes" when Matt Pinfield hosted, and it was the final video of that episode right before 2 am EST. Before they showed it he gave a warning about its content. And I'll never forget Matt's face after the video played, before he said good night. He looked like he had just witnessed a murder. LOL 😂 Great times back then.

[@Greeny1308]

"Looked like he had just witnessed a murder" - hahahahaha that's funny as fuck

[@pawelkapica5363]

When I heard Breath for the first time I was just blown away. I couldn't get enough of that track. I only knew one guy who had it on tape, so I would stalk him every break at school to listen to it over and over again. I think the love for the breaks from Prodigy then developed into my love of Drum and Bass

[@leser1music]

When I was a kid in the 90s, I was a massive techno head and wouldn't listen to anything with a guitar. The Prodigy changed that for me and now I mainly listen to metal. So you could say The Prodigy turned me into a metal head

[@TheSaintedOne]

Imagine watching this video to the end as a fan of The Prodigy to find out that Keith died. What a gut punch. Very thoughtful piece. Subbed.

[@ewan80]

A "prodigy fan" that didn't know Keith died last year?

[@TheSaintedOne]

@@ewan80 Your reading and comprehension is on point!

[@monehget]

Magnificent you two.

[@ianthomas4285]

I am floored didnt know just found out!! been a fan 4 ever,Recently got kicked out of london drugs for havin smack my bitch up cranked on my headphones,guess the old bitty in line didnt have the same taste in music.LOL Rave on Kieth where ever you get too!!

[@dominicfastbender4029]

If you ever saw them live, it was a privilege. If you did, you know what I am talking about. That goosebumps, heart pumping adrenaline feeling of the first few bars and then the boys bringing it on. One of the most amazing things I have ever seen. Sincerity won it over.

[@lanelesic]

EXIT 2007. 105 minutes of explosive energy in the fortress

[@acspainting8966]

i saw them in 98 at reading with my wife and although we are probably classed as hardcore fans we didn't see them again until 2017 and finally 2018.. They banged it just as hard the last time as when we saw them the first.. like you say a privilege and an amazing show ..

[@greatgrump]

They played at the first festival I ever went to. Been nearly 10 years since that, still to this day is one of the craziest performances I've witnessed. You don't watch The Prodigy, it happens to you.

[@johnmg88]

Took me 27 years from first hearing them (and initially writing them off as a dodgy techno act, oops) to finally see them live on their final tour. What an experience. Can't believe I'll never see it again :(

[@kurofox1247]

I was born in 2002 and was fortunate enough, that my parents would listen to pridigy when I was a kid. I am even more happy, that I was lucky to attend the prodigy concert a couple of years before Flint has passed...They are partially responsible for my music taste.They always will have a special place in my heart. .

[@kohhna]

Liam is right, they ought to be revered like The Specials and The Sex Pistols and far far over Oasis (who marked a regression in guitar based live music).

[@Desphexian]

They are. Who ever hears the word Firestarter, thinks of The Prodigy, not the shitty movie.

[@orangewarm1]

They will be. Oasis were always over rated.

[@iqi616]

Oa-who?

[@standard4379]

you don't have to knock other artists down. just enjoy the music

[@kohhna]

@@standard4379 I knock down Oasis 24/7 mate. The 90s were a genuinely exciting time when unprecedented ready access to media and technology was shifting and warping the cultural landscape daily, meanwhile Oasis were doing stuff that sounded like music from 30 years ago, literally jacking Beatles riffs. They were a reactionary and regressive tendency in their day, bigged up by a music media establishment that had come up under the type of music they were copying. Fuck 'em.

[@rob_jewitt]

Love this series, but as someone in my teens in the early 1990s I can safely say dance and rock may have been different but fans were crossing genres all the time! I was a hip hop indie rock dance music obsessive. Most of my friends were too. I read reviews of Black Dog and Leftfield in NME and Melody Maker. In the pre-internet days, we took what we could! Mix tapes were melanges

[@Udontkno7]

And I guess Blur was also pop-rock, along with Oasis and Weezer. I'd even say Soundgarden was a little pop-py too.

[@georgedepalma429]

Early 90's music was a dope time to be a teenager. One of my boys he was from England, smoking out one day he put on a song called I Don't Know by Big Audio Dynamite, that shit blew me away. We listened to that whole album, it was rock, hip-hop, dance, I didn't know wtf I was listening to but I loved it.

[@AK-74K]

I was in Australia during that time and over there Prodigy for sure were the first electronica band to cross over to metalheads

[@erikhermansen3431]

Did Industrial just get erased from history? The person that made this video is a poser...

[@jnnx]

Erik Hermansen He writes about the band’s from the POV of the pr and the the press at the time, but if you were around BEFORE the electronica boom and were HARDCORE then you knew the score...Labels like Wax Trax! And bands like Front 242, Nitzer Ebb, and NiN (not to mention Skinny Puppy and Ministry) had done a lot of the legwork merging rock and dance, but SOMEONE had to prepackage it for the mall kids...

[@phantom213]

The Firestarter is one of the greatest songs ever. As a lifetime metalhead I still have goosebumps when I am listening to it: insanity, raw unhinged energy, despair and immense power. Keith had such a charisma and unique presence. What an icon. Rest in peace.

[@mrrodriguezHLP]

Great video as always. Can't hear the opening of any The Prodigy song without my hear rate increasing to over 100, like a Red Bull IV.

[@CountOrlok22]

I loved this, but I was surprised that late '80s and early '90s EBM and industrial acts like Ministry, KMFDM, Front 242, and My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult weren't mentioned for the use of blending synth-pop, dance music, punk, hip-hop, and metal. Was this because industrial wasn't as big in the UK or because those bands just didn't influence The Prodigy?

[@brianspenst1374]

Not to mention The KLF (JAMS, Space). They had hit singles that blended EDM with rock.

[@suzyqualcast6269]

CountOrlok22 : Ministry, - chain saw mangling making a sweet sound never quite heard before, crikey, s'been a while since this head has even thought of em. Ta for the pinch !

[@igorbojceski5262]

Killing Joke?

[@null-sweat]

This! The video just ignored their existence...

[@ChildrenOfRadiation]

Also, grebo.

[@moozicforLIFE]

The album Experience is absolutely fantastic. So interesting to see the effect they had on the breakbeat scene, which is surging in popularity again

[@RutgerS.]

Best Prodigy album if you ask me!

[@JohnLGalt_1]

As one of the many, many people who've followed Liam and The Prodigy for a very long time, I love how you opened my eyes to things that even I didn't know about them. Thank you for doing this!

[@philipejeuceoututkache]

Damn, almost 2 years already that Keith is gone. RIP man, you were one of the best electro musician for the last decades.

[@abrahamdraper1911]

It's still raw 😢

[@TallicaMan1986]

I don't know man. Rock always had a dance element to it. It's just dudes forgot how to move, but the ladies though.

[@damonddukes8266]

Love the carcass profile pic!

[@thedudemeisteragain]

Never understood musical purists, Charley great song, there were some great experimental songs during that period before it became mainstream

[@HaveYouTriedGuillotines]

Yeah, I can't get it either. Especially as I toy around with making that kind of music and something I've discovered is that the old rave chord sounds actually mix really well with a much harder sound.

[@impalaSS65]

I do, it's a good starting point to learn one thing proper at a time. Focus learning the rules before you start breaking them. If you don't know the work of those before you, you will have to work unecessarily hard to create something new yourself. You might think you are all that in your bedroom, but when you get out there what you been doing on you own has been done many times over. But being purist as a religion, is stupid in the view of long term progress. If you are limited, like most of us are, then perhaps purism is a functional way sticking to what you know and be as good as you can in that little niche. Those saying they hate music they actually enjoy aren't purists in my view, they are showing insecurity. I've done for sure. Prodigy was the first non rock band I "came out" digging (except for James Brown who is in a class of his own). And sure enough, it as "Firestarter" that got me hooked.

[@Omrie69]

I hear ya, Trip to Trumpton is probably one of the best Rave tracks ever lol.

[@DjNikGnashers]

@@Omrie69 Have a word with yourself pal. Charly was typical of the cheesey 92 stuff, Trip to Trumpton too, they were fun for about 5 plays, but throw-away after. I still DJ and would never play such cheese now, there are so many brilliant oldskool tunes that stand the test of time, and don't sound dated today.

[@valerkand9270]

Musical purism is for those who lack creativity and artistic identity, by adhering to dogmas they distract from their own inadequacy

[@mimmikibilly]

I'd like to contribute to the wholesomeness of the comment section by sharing how I got into listening to Prodigy in the first place. I used to buy summer music compilation CDs (I'm Italian btw) when I was like 8 to 12 years old. One summer I got a CD which featured Firestarter amongst the tracks and I kept on playing it in my CD player at almost full volume. A few years after I discovered them again through a few classmates and I listened to many other songs. Every song I hear from them is good for me, no matter what video I will pick, I know that I will like it. I'm happy and proud to be a part of their fanbase. It's really sad that Keith passed away, but he definitely left his mark in the lives of many of us for the better.

[@annmarieknapp2480]

Firestarter is such a special song!!! Was cool as hell and fresh. We'd dance like maniacs to music. You couldn't sit still with all those cool riffs and that frenetic energy swirling around. Moshing to Prodigy was what that time was all about

[@cyberprompt]

Never understood the snobbery of neither rock nor techno.. who the f cares? I've always been attracted to fusion of my favorite genres: rock, rap, techno of all kinds. Prodigy was one of those perfect outlets.

[@JohnGalt916]

The snobbery was to gatekeep the culture. You see it a lot in hip hop... well you use to now everyone is drinking medicine to get high and mumbling

[@canyouwhenyourdrunk]

Music is a little more open now but I remember in the 90's everyone was segregated into what music they like and what they dressed like.

[@xxczerxx]

We need another Prodigy to get anger and energy back into music. I can't imagine what it must have been like listening to Firestarter on the radio, even today it sounds more terrifying than any metal out there, there's a real sense of menace to it.

[@ghfjfghjasdfasdf]

Agreed

[@vinniedixon1140]

You won't get another Prodigy because the corporate bigwigs of the record industry don't want that type of thing anymore as they just want commercial crap. The Prodigy did things their way because they didn't play the corporate game as Liam once said and I quote " I write albums when I am good and ready, not for the sake of it". Hence why there was a 7 year gap between The Fat of the Land and Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned. There will only be one Prodigy anything else will be a cheap imitation

[@ecscottindiana]

Nova Twins

[@darrenjames9891]

It was one of them great moments as a teenager.bk then the top 40 charts was full of them fucking manufactured boy groups like take that.middle class ponces like simon cowell and Pete waterman kept up a constant conveyer belt of bland pretty boys . Me and my mates had almost given up with new music then all of a sudden after take that we got a barrage of brilliant fucking insanity which was firestarter..wow still makes my hair stand on wnd when hearing it. Prodigy had been around long before firestarter .getting there start in the rave scene.to this day music for the jilted generation is one of my all time favorite albums aling with the fat of the land which has firestarter and another classic smack my bitch up Rip Keith you shaped my teenage years .

[@proximityeffect1603]

Why do we need another Prodigy when it’s been reported Liam is making the next Prodigy album? Their sill going

[@thomasbirchall9047]

Can I just say, I've just discovered this channel and it's by far the best on KZbin. These videos are exactly the sort of stuff the lads and I talk about on a daily basis. Keep up the good work 💪🏼

[@r.l.5812]

Makes me nostalgic for late 90s/early 2000s days.

[@brandonpage7087]

Same here!!!

[@danielbyrne5402]

makes me remember the days i tested drugs with friends over by the canal while graffittiing under the canal bridge, man (i say "remember"....)

[@huxleypig69]

I was there at Glasto '95, best gig I ever did see. I watched Weezer, Offspring, Belly, Elastica all on the same stage and hung about for Prodigy instead of going to watch Oasis. Best decision I ever made, probably. Especially as we all got in for £5 each :-) Fucking bargain!

[@colinmackay1516]

I was there too but I paid a lot more than 5 quid.

[@huxleypig69]

@@colinmackay1516 did you have a proper ticket? We went down on a wing and a prayer. We spent the Thursday night traipsing through farmers fields lugging huge bags of crap with us. Got chased and fucking shot at, at one point. Finally made it to a quiet gate at about 3am,got greeted by a shady guy who had a bunch of resident's passes. He had been getting £5 all day long, taking people in and having the passes back to repeat the trick. I bet he made a fortune. The people on the gate didn't give a shit, he probably slipped them a sweetener. Back then once you were in, you were in, no inner arena. Great weekend!

[@colinmackay1516]

huxleypig69 it was 95 for the ticket and christ knows how much I paid for the coach from Edinburgh + enough gear to keep me wasted for 5 days. Well worth every penny. I was working full time and living with my folks. Money to burn.

[@mac10watp31]

One of the best gigs every was keith coming out in a hamster ball at T in the park and running over the crowed that was an experience good times Scottish show's are second too nun 🎉🎉🎉🎉😃

[@KeithWilliams-er6ss]

So fucking jealous of you right now.. Lol

[@bkingofbeers]

I got into The Prodigy in 95 with Poison, Their Law and Voodoo People. Was all rock /metal i listened to back then but they quickly became one of my favourites. When i first heard Firestarter i couldn't believe how awesome it was. I've seen them around 5 times live and every gig was unreal. One of my all time favourite bands . RIP KEEF.

[@Leigh_Loves_Noise]

This was an amazing video! You did The Prodigy an absolute first class service with it. I'm a MASSIVE Prodigy fan and have been since "...Jilted Generation" and it's awesome to hear about their inspirations and who, in turn, they went on to inspire. I did a squeal when I heard Pitchshifter, Suicidal Tendencies, Biohazard and Sepultura mentioned as well... awesome! Loved it. R.I.P. Keith Flint 😢

[@Kenny-Leigh]

Love that they said “it’s too scary for 7pm”, I’m in South Africa, I first heard this track at around 4 in the afternoon on the kids segment of the national channel. Sooo

[@thaabietmajiet2937]

which one? tv1? tv2? CCV? hahahaha

[@Kenny-Leigh]

@@thaabietmajiet2937 SABC 2, Lol before dragonball z

[@drunkenprayer8390]

The Prodigy really did bring together a lot of different types of music fans from ravers, punks, metal heads to even a lot of pop/chart music fans. Saw them live several times and they were always amazing. R.I.P Keith, one of a kind.

[@satchpersaud8762]

Being 39 and married to a 28 yr old I had to explain to her how dope this song was, I'm a metal head but loved jungle as well

[@gritcheetham4308]

Divorce soon

[@DavidDavid-kl4ru]

Show off

[@Cr1me-wavE]

As a 24 year old, I've known about this band since I was in elementary school. She has no excuse!

[@D0M0C0RE]

@0000 im 15 and i listen to the prodigy occasionally, nirvana, jimi hendrix, age shouldnt be a problem

[@deco2gogo]

I'm 49 and my boyfriend is 40, so I know how differently we experienced the 90's - he was still pretty much a kid. I went out with Alex Paterson from The Orb a few times, and I remember him being a bit snobby about The Prodigy, just as they mentioned. I think it was right after Firestarter had come out, and The Prodigy had just blown up, so many of the "purist" ambient bands were a little put off. Funny how back then the very worst insult you could call a band was "poser".

[@jimsy5530]

That's how to sample... not just rip whole sections of tracks and talk over them. So good.

[@juststeve5542]

Kanye West has entered the chat.

[@KostasSiderisBarista]

Liam, the GOAT of sampling. No debate

[@johnwheelbarrow7625]

7:51 - Didn’t sample ‘Very Ape’ by Nirvana, they recorded a loop themselves inspired by Nirvana

[@audiebavington8789]

You beat me to it. Thumbs up!

[@cozyflashback9210]

Fascinating (to me) that weenie beenie was the inspiration for firestarter. I always loved both songs but never made the connection.

[@whatdothlife4660]

@@cozyflashback9210 yeah both are on absolutely worn out CD's that I own.

[@milhouse777]

Yes, it's sounds simillar cause was the same guitar riff, but replayed not sampled

[@Fireglo]

They still sampled it. It's Kurt's riff.

[@jonmichael3280]

I was a hip hop head at 9 and I heard "Breathe" and couldn't resist it! I heard "Firestarter" later because obviously I was new to the genre. But hearing The Prodigy changed my whole view of music.

[@orangewarm1]

Diesel Power.

[@jonmichael3280]

@@orangewarm1 Who doesn't love Kool Keith lol

[@notimportant3686]

@@orangewarm1 the only bad track on an otherwise PERFECT album

[@TheDavo10001]

When I saw Prodigy at the Big Day Out on a stinking hot day in Melbourne in 1997, they were far and away the best act of the day, blowing headliners Soundgarden and The Offspring out of the water. Those beats just worked so well in a festival atmosphere. It didn't matter they were playing in bright daylight, the energy of the band was so big.

[@obmotum]

The Prodigy, still getting goose bumps listening to their music. I love them.

[@DanielMores]

+1 on the goosebumps!

[@FallenOne3]

The fact that i'm never going to see them live with Keith makes me so sad. R.i.p.

[@leewalker101172]

RIP Keith, I met him briefly backstage at a festival in the late nineties. In contrast to his firestarter image he was gentle, lovely, kind and self effacing. He will be missed.

[@8-BitHeart79]

RIP KEITH FLINT. I will always remember the first time i saw Firestarter on Mtv I was like WTF?!?! 2 years later I was trying to figure out how to produce my own music. The Prodigy, NIN, Skinny Puppy these were my heroes. Thanks for the memories!

[@theboglimking2603]

I remember coming across their videos on MTV back in the day. They used to play good shit on that channel.

[@wutangpaul]

RIP Keith :( Still can't believe you're not with us.

[@jonesy2111]

I remember when I first saw the 'Firestarter' video it definitely blew me away and i was very impressed with Flints image and vocals. I remember buying the cd and became a fan quickly. RIP Mr Flint - the man had the right moniker as well because he was a brilliant and bright spark

[@latinaloca1981]

I remember the first time I heard Firestarter, when I was 15 years old on much music new year's count down to the most popular songs of that year. I've never had a skies open up and angels sing moment, except it wasn't angels it was Flinty! Such a good video, found out a lot I didn't know about the band and I consider myself a die hard fan. 👍🏽

[@Maynard0504]

the guy's last name is Flint and he called himself firestarter. love it.

[@Effusus]

Their first album is still one of the best things to ever grace the music scene

[@speedfreakpsycho]

Seeing fat of the land cover brings tears to my eyes. So much nostalgia.

[@jasonbintz6681]

I was working on my Associates Degree in IT when a friend from the UK told me Flint passed. I immediately pulled up "The Fat of The Land" and cranked it up. Listened to the entire album the rest of the day. You will be forever missed Keith and the influence and joy we had from hearing you will forever be missed.

[@zapagog]

Keith Flint, you absolute unit. Thanks for everything and for making The Prodigy sound absolutly AWESOME!

[@rainbowvision9524]

I was lucky to see them twice, once in Italy - Milano and second time in Slovenia - Ljubljana, it was powerful, I even got Keith in my face at some point (he jumped off the stage). Such a shame he left... R.I.P.

[@tig_229]

Keith is an icon. He just so happened to know my dad really well through his bike racing endeavours - he’d often say he’s ’the biggest fake’ meaning that his personality on stage never reflected his real life personality - I had the pleasure of meeting him on a few occasions and this is so so true, so much time for me, a 12,13 year old lad at the time. five years on, he’s sorrowfully missed x

[@haxio17]

Not the Generation then ?

[@tig_229]

@@haxio17 wdym

[@BoRerunn]

They were huge in MX in the 90's they influenced DJ's and all underground events RIP 🙏

[@krisswatt]

Mate, this was superb. One of your best yet. Keep up the good work!

[@rovingenglishman]

It’s “Orbital”. Not to be confused with The Orb. I found Pop Will Eat Itself a more interesting crossover act at the time. They really played around with mixing hip hop, metal and electronic instruments and sampling, with a socio-political edge, and are cited here as an influence. I saw The Prodigy as more of a punk/ dance combo.

[@lfcbpro]

Yeah, I was thinking that Who are The Orbital? :PPPP

[@edmontontech2008]

Funny how you didn’t mention that the name “Firestar” was the name of one of the synth presets used for the track.

[@lavaita9709]

Is that the Deadmau5 thing? I don't know where he got that from, but the Korg Prophecy doesn't have a preset called Firestar - the one The Prodigy used on Firestarter was called "Space Adventure"

[@1rhpsfan]

The Fat Of The Land Trilogy Part 1 "Firestarter" Part 2 "Breathe" Part 3 "Smack My Bitch Up"

[@jons9239]

Yup this is it!!!!

[@geminilew]

The Prodigy will always be the biggest influence for the music I make. They went their own way, did what they wanted to do and released some of the hardest tracks of the 90's. Thanks to my dad for raising me on good music lol. I've encountered snobby electronic producers and if you just stick to your gut and make what you wanna make, you will be a lot better off in no time, I promise. RIP Flint

[@AllIsWellaus]

I've seen Prodigy in concert '96. Great band. Great era. Illegal raves. Living in Britain during that time was on whole, a great time to be young.

[@MikkaShrednik]

That shout "F them and their law" followed by driving metal riff told me they were onto something. That something holds up to this day, as I still have and play "Fat of The land" on my iPod

[@steveparkes]

Members of Pop Will Eat Itself provided the guitar on that track who started mixing greboish punk with hip hop and samples in 87 ish in their second set of eps.

[@Sarah.Riedel]

That line in particular reminds me of "fuck you I won't do what you tell me" from RATM's "Killing In The Name Of"

[@wusaint]

Man what a time it was to be alive. I'd like to think I'm a better person for having experienced this time period in music and The Prodigy ❤

[@hellgal88]

When I first saw the song Breathe featured on MTV I was amazed... They all looked so creepy and fckin awesome.. Instant love!

[@aussiejubes]

This was great. Everyday at the gym I listen to The Prodigy. Nothing pumps me up & keeps me going like them. I have never been able to get enough. I saw them at the 1997 Big Day Out in Australia & they definitely owned the day in a superb lineup.

[@Caesar_Online]

I've always wondered how they created their music, that's my favourite track of theirs! RIP Keith Flint

[@boombaby1769]

I already was a big fan at the time, I heard that they announced a new single and was really looking forward to another "Poison" or "No Good". What then came really floored me. This was a whole new level. Absolute masterpiece.