Enthralled by everything El-P

“Did I sound abstract? I hope it sounded more confusing than that,” rapper and producer El-P said in “Tuned Mass Damper,” a song off his 2002 album “Fantastic Damage.” For the better part of the last 20 years, El-P has been a leading figure in the underground hip-hop scene and a part of some modern day classics in the genre.

Last year, I was exposed to El-P for the first time in his third solo studio album, “Cancer 4 Cure,” and I’ve been hooked ever since. I have to hear every production, every lyric; I have to own every album, every piece of memorabilia.

The album that caught the ears of listeners in the hip-hop community was Company Flow’s “Funcrusher Plus” (Company Flow was El-P’s hip-hop group at the time). The 1997 album was the birth of El-P’s career, as his unique production style was universally praised.

As El-P’s career was in its infancy, I was in mine. Clearly, I was not aware of it at the time, but in hindsight, my life has more or less matched up with El-P’s career.

In 2001, he produced another masterpiece, Cannibal Ox’s “The Cold Vein.” El-P’s career was only 4-years-old and was now coming into its own.

His production style is unique, even for underground hip-hop. He is able to seamlessly meld electronic and industrial sounds while infusing futuristic elements into each beat.

As El-P matured and grew, I made the shift from infancy to childhood. Just as he gained steam as a producer and was looking to make his own solo album, I was a preschooler looking forward to elementary school.

After gaining popularity and hype through his production expertise, El-P finally put out his first solo album, “Fantastic Damage,” in 2002.

The album was successful, and El-P proved he was able to rap, not only produce. After a small period of inactivity, El-P released his second solo album, “I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead,” in 2007. While the album was critically praised as well, I had not yet heard of El-P or heard any of his work.

Then, last year, El-P made a huge splash releasing his third solo album, “Cancer 4 Cure,” dedicated to the late-Camu Tao, a fellow rapper who died of lung cancer. He was also the producer for Killer Mike’s album

“R.A.P. Music,” which drew much critical acclaim. Looking around on the Internet for some new music, I happened upon this album and was drawn to its lyrics and production.

This was the start of my El-P collection. His music grabbed me in a way no other artist had. I was drawn by his complex beats and detailed production and was kept interested by his rapping ability. His lyricism caught my ear and never let go.

In his song “Drones Over Brooklyn,” he writes, “I can see them in my eyes when they're closed. I can feel them at night

I can feel them plot a course through the sky, I believe in their flight. Drones over Brooklyn,” which reveals his paranoia and fear of a totalitarian government in America.

I became obsessed and wanted to own everything El-P. I started listening to him intently, writing down some of his lyrics, attempting to decipher some of the more obscure concepts. I bought “Funcrusher Plus,” “The Cold Vein” and each of his solo projects, some on vinyl.

During the summer after junior year, I probably listened to an El-P album every day. Whether he was producing or rapping, I loved all of it. 

While El-P got his name out through his works as a producer, his ability to spit bars shouldn’t be denied. El-P has many complex lyrics, and he consistently is able to utilize internal rhyme schemes within his lines that make his words liquid.

He once said, “I know I haven't been walking a humble path. I know I cursed at your name and then laughed. And though I found it inane to bend calf. The servitude of groveling framed as pained task.” These lines off of his song “Flyentology” not only flow smoothly, they tell the story of a man trying to find God during a plane crash.

The more and more I become familiar with El-P’s songs, the more connected I feel with El-P as a person. Not only does he pour out his emotions and views in each song, but he is also always precise and calculating in every word he chooses. Some of his songs have concepts and messages much like morals at the end of fairy tales. Sometimes simple nuances in word choice reflect something uniquely El-P.

El-P was a high school dropout who only made a name for himself through his persistence and passion. He truly worked his way up from the bottom, and I admire him for that.

El-P epitomizes the cliche of a “self-made man” and gives me the determination to achieve my goals if I have the proper work ethic and passion El-P has regarding hip-hop beats and production. 

I would love the opportunity to one day meet my idol if only to ask about his inspirations. El-P has been a consistent role model for me due to his individualism and drive.