Aesop Rock - Labor Days

Def Jux

Released on El-P's legendary underground label 'Definitive Jux', Labor Days is hip-hop's most articulated mans third studio album. Primarily produced by long time production partner Blockhead it is usually looked upon as Aesop Rock's magnum opus. It stands alone in its grandeur and offering of something left-leaning and obscure. If you feel alienated at any stage, this is a customary reaction to Aesop Rock.

Aesop Rock is known for his verbiage. A grandiose proportion of the English language has passed through Aesop's lips over the years. Labor Days is a prime example of how rappity rap can be done well - it's all in the style and this includes production. Many think that having the ability to rap is enough to be a good rapper - these rules also seemingly apply to singers and their ability to sing well. Just being able to do said act doesn't make you good at it. In theory it makes sense but when applied across the board there are too many variables for straight up ability to cover. It's a fine balance between style, substance and the medium through which it's projected. Aesop stands in a league of his own when it comes to this style of verbose rap. You could say it's alchemy at its finest.

As stated above, the strength in this approach to rap is heavily reliant on style with the production being just as important as the MC. The production cannot be understated as it sets the tone for which Aesop takes to, like fish to water. 9 of the 14 tracks are handled by Blockhead, a major collaborator with Aesop and forger of his sonic universe. The two merge together as the best MC and producer pairings do - Slug and Ant, Premo and Guru, Pete Rock & CL Smooth for example. One is enhanced by the other and are the missing pieces to their respected puzzles.

"All I ever wanted was to pick apart the day, put the pieces back together my way"

September 18th, 2001.