Aesop Rock Float: 20 Years Later and Texts with Blockhead
Legendary wordsmith and mic controller Aesop Rock took to Instagram recently to promote the 20 year anniversary of his second studio album Float. He is re-releasing the album in multi-color vinyl. In doing so, he posted an insightful text exchange between himself and producer/friend Blockhead.
The texts reflect on the aging, content, and creative process for the album. It provides a rare glimpse into the psyche of artists who are committed to continually evolving, improving. Not shy of self-criticism and deprecation over cringe-worthy moments. Ace starts by asking Blockhead, “were we wack?”.
How Old is Aesop Rock now?
Aesop Rock (born June 5, 1976) is an American hip hop recording artist who right now (July 2020) is 45 years old.
Aesop Rock – The Largest Vocabulary in Hip Hop
According to a study by data scientist Matt Daniels, Aesop Rock has the largest vocabulary in hip-hop. Daniels examined 85 rappers’ first 35,000 lyrics using Rap Genius for unique words in order to level the playing field for old and new artists.
Aesop Rock Albums
Aesop Rock has released 7 studio albums according to my thorough Wiki fact check. He is widely recognized as an underground hip-hop trailblazer and master lyricist. Now he scores films and continues to release music for his rabid fan base to consume.
The float was released in September of 2000. With it, Aesop was introduced to a wider audience and as a lyricist who was not afraid to push the anthrax-filled envelopes. He followed up Float with the classic Labor Days on El-P’s #independentAF label Definitive Jux (Def Jux at the time).
Even as fans placed him on the Technics 1200 pedestal, the story of the artist was more complex. I remember standing in awe as he flawlessly executed songs at The Living Room in Providence, Rhode Island. It’s hard to imagine that Aesop Rock might say something like the Bazooka Era Ace Rock “kills me still”. Whaaat? I love that shit.
Aesop Rock’s New Album
Recently, Aesop Rock released his eighth albums in Y2020. The Impossible Kid, his seventh release, was released on April 29, 2016. In November 2020, Spirit World Field Guide will be his eighth album.
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Spirit World Field Guide
So You Really Want to be a Rapper?
As fans, we sometimes don’t give enough recognition to the painful creative process that artists go through. It’s a labor of love and joy, but also one of doubt and growth. At the time it’s always easy to think music is dope as it ever will be. However, some songs (and articles) age better than others.
Take a read of the text exchange between Aesop Rock and Blockhead discussing their collaboration on Float. It’s a transparent glimpse into the mind of an artist and the push and pulls that is creativity. It’s ok aspiring rappers, you’re not as dope as you think.
Artists talking all that game on social media take heed (click right for the full conversation):
Hope you enjoyed this brief take on Aesop Rock’s Float and text exchange with Blockhead. Check out some of our other content, such as top 10 inspirational hip hop songs and the HBCU alumni starting five, as we disrupt all the phony bull shit on the internet. Keep it authentic and keep it Loud.
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