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Biography
Born Ian Matthias Bavitz in Northport, Long Island, Aesop Rock was being taken into the heart of New York City by his family by the time he was nine years old. Because of that he was exposed to hip-hop culture just as it was coming of age, fitting, since he was as well at the time. This had a profound effect on him, and very soon afterwards he became an avid fan of the acts that influence him to this day like Public Enemy, Boogie Down Productions, KMD, and Run DMC. Inspired, Bavitz began rapping in the early 90’s, combining his early musical experience playing piano and bass with his newfound love of hip-hop, and soon afterwards bought his own sampler.
Bavitz was in college when he made his first attempts at creating hip-hop, By 1997 he’d made his first full-length record “Music For Earthworms”, and became something of a pioneer by being one of the first independent artists to use a grassroots, internet following to find success. He created his own website, and sold over 300 copies of “Music For Earthworms” through that and MP3.com, a web portal popular around that time. The success he found with his website led him to release his first E.P “Appleseed” in 1999, which was rapturously received by the underground hip-hop community and led to interest from several record labels.
In the same year that “Appleseed” was released, Bavitz signed to the indie label Mush Records and in 2000, his label debut “Float” was released. The critical acclaim that “Float” saw got Bavitz signed to Definitive Jux to release his third album “Labor Days”, and for the first time in his career his critical acclaim started to match his commercial success. “Labor Days” was the first release of his to chart on the Billboard charts, hitting number 15 on the Independent album charts. Ever since then Bavitz has continued to be one of the most critically acclaimed rappers around, with a devoted fanbase to match. He’s a true artist and as he edges toward his second decade in hip-hop, he still comes highly recommended.
Live reviews
Let me just preface this review by saying that it will be lengthy, but justifiably so. I have been to an avid hip hop junkie for the last 20 years and counting. I have been to countless hip hop shows with friends and even gone to shows by myself when I couldn't organize a proper field mob of people that I was content with to commit to making the trek to sometimes obscure, out of the way venues. Before this concert the most prolific show I had been to was a Zion I concert at the Observatory in Orange County, California. Their set was so good and so lengthy that I began to question if the subwoofer at the concert venue would cause my permanent hearing loss after the show ended. Fast forward to May 12th, 2016 at the Novo in Los Angeles. Tickets went on sale I believe on March 25th, 2016. So just a few hours after the tickets went on sale I immediately jumped at the opportunity when I saw Aesop Rock was coming to the west coast, and even better to LA. After tickets went on sale and I bought my tickets I thought about the show every day. As concert day approached I knew that I was in for something out of the ordinary. I went to the Yardhouse to pre-game it and met some fellow Aesop Rock fans beforehand. I unfortunately missed Busdriver, but saw Rob Sonic, Homeboy Sandman, DJ Zone, and the man, the myth, the legend, Aesop Rock. The Impossible Kid probably reeled off 15-20 songs without missing a beat once. He did songs off his new album, old albums, and songs off of the Hail Mary Mallon album with Rob Sonic. Words don't really do this show enough justice, it was unreal. Every lyric by Aes was on point, Rob Sonic was dope, DJ Zone threw down scratches that were just ill, and the opening acts were also enjoyable. My friends and I worked our way up front literally feet away from Aesop Rock thanks to the chill security staff. Everything about this night was perfect. I joked with my friends that I wish I could freeze time. In my head I am still at this concert. Truly this was the best night of my life, not even overstating it. If you have a chance to go see Aesop Rock on the Impossible Kid tour, Go! You will never forget it.
BlairAudient
Last year, New York data scientist Matt Daniels quite evidently had far too much time on his hands. He decided to conduct a study of hip hop; taking a plethora of successful rappers, he studied their first 35,000 lyrics for the number of unique words used; the idea being that the more unique words, the larger the rapper’s vocabulary, so by the end of the study, we would know definitively who had the biggest vocabulary in hip hop. The winner? Aesop Rock, by a comfortable distance from his nearest challenger, GZA. The New Yorker - real name Ian Bavitz - has often been maligned for his lyrical style, which has had a Marmite effect on listeners; his detractors claim it is overly wordy and, as a result, clumsy. His fans don’t care, though, and they continue to bring a visceral energy to his live shows, which typically see him backed by a skilled turntablist dropping beats; on some of his recent U.S. shows, too, he was joined by Washington D.C. rapper Rob Sonic. As prodigious as his North American schedules tend to be, he hasn’t made it over to the UK since playing a string of shows back in 2008; as he continues to work on a follow-up to 2012’s Skelethon, we can only hope he makes it across the pond once it’s dropped.
Joeg_67
Aesop Rock was spitting fire as he burst through his catalog of songs with this tight efficiency. Rob Sonic helped out provide vocal ease, and even had a few raps to sing to the crowd. There dj, DJ Abilities was an excellent turntablist. The El Rey Theater has moved up the spot as my favorite venue in Los Angeles after how up close and personal i was to the stage. All in all fantastic show
turkybaken
Aesop is one of my favorite artists. But due to the nature of his wordy lyrics I was somewhat worried it wouldn't sound that great live. But nah man it was great. Such a talented artist. His voice is so powerful and captivating. Definitely top 3 concerts I've been too. All under the rhymesayers label too.
randy-weis
This was one of the best shows I've been to at 930 club. Aesop Rob and abilities played a hell of a show, it was worth every cent! Thought maybe abilities would mix in some old eyedea tracks but maybe next time. All those guys though I would highly recommend checking out, hands down talent!
illstillsmile66
This guy was amazing! He came out and gave the people in the front high fives! He was very interactive with the crowd and so was Rob Sonic. Homeboy Sandman did an awesome job too. I would definitely redo this night if I could. Awesome show! Rhymesayers for life!
alexis-thomas-4
Aesop Rock is awesome. The Pearl Street sound was not. Music was too loud. Couldn't hear most of Aesop's lyrics. DJ Ability is talented, but I could do without the nasty solo he killed the crowd with. Sorry Aesop, it's not you. It's me. I'm a bitch. xo
kellyaf30
Aesop Rock's music and performances are incredible. I've followed him since Daylight (2002) and have watched him get better and better, lyrics get more and more incredible and the shows have more energy than ever.
Aesop is king!
michael-ross-22
Saw him at the Novo with Busdriver. The set was great, the energy was good, the crowd was fun: I had a great time! There were no complaints but that the beer was expensive (Which isn't really a complaint, more an observation)
WorldYPK
