ARTCROW

Crow sent me the beat pretty immediately after the challenge was announced and I immediately starting writing. But since the challenge called for a metaphorical approach it actually made it a little harder for me to write for some reason (OCD). I wasn't 'feeling' the song yet. After several more days of trying I took a break. Started back attempting a different verse on another song but then I wasn't 'feeling' that one. When I write I like to write to the beat. It informs the bars I create, lines I end or start on, on and usually the theme. Using found sounds to shape the challenge was a really fun task. it gave me a lot to work with lyrically when I was able to lock-in and thanks to a random sounds we created something special!

90+% of the song material was recorded as a quick foley walk around my house with my phone. The next day I picked up a portable fan and recorded it to cover my bases and do a little more than re-pitching samples and using clips as wavetables or percussion layers. The sound of the motor shifting speeds and turning off ended up being the main sound across the piece. The bass, the mid-range synth pads and that kind of steel drum 'strumming' are all variations of that one sound. The strum comes from the re-pitched fan not being warped in time so the resonance kicks in and has a secondary effect that really drove the key and tone of the track. The only pre-existing sounds are the shaker, some kick and clap elements, and the "Ohhh Yeaaaa" sample is from Battery 4.

Have you killed your ego yet?
have you grabbed it by the throat?
have you slaughtered it?
have you seen your reflection 
move beyond view
murder your self worth
learn the real curse
is to kill what's inside you

on a lighter note
i got this idea
that i could break the sequence
you can do it too
all you gotta do is
put your head inside the oven
and preheat it til the beat switch
pull it out
pop it in a bell jar

and when I pop out
with the scythe 
and the cloak
and the death note
know to me
your ego is worth reaping

KILL YOUR EGO x4

I didn't lobby for my right to exist
but I might preach about it
sneaking up to my pulpit
I pull the bleachers out 
perform for your lineage
and even now
I jester at the thought
of your ego looking to take the scenic route
off spring
Midsomer
I'm making this a ritual 
I've been lost in the concepts of plans
since my spiritual
awakening 
this deconstructions
for the Tekkening
King of Iron Fists
with a wedding ring


Interstellar mosh pit
asteroids all around me
I'm feeling toxic
but you don't get the point
is to drill away your toxinx
you try to play games with me
but I'm not Johnny Moxon
even though I spit varsity
and part of me
is bluer than the sky 
above pardoning
the hardening
of my heart
was built on prophecy
and obviously
you can try to get like me
but you might never wanna think like me
you're too afraid to


KILL YOUR EGOx3


kill the facade
that you built up
turn it on its face
get Freudian with the nip tuck
it's all about the human race 
why do you have your eyes shut?
it's clockwork
get the specula
watch the spectacle
til your mind hurts
indoctrinate
your people
did you know
her and him and I are all equal?
you and me
are phantom seams

menacing
how the mincing of words
is inherently evil

kill your ego

kill your ego


kill your ego