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Aesop Rock "Labor Days" 20 Year Anniversary
It's been 20 years since Aesop Rock released Labor Days. To celebrate two decades, Labor Days 20th Anniversary Edition 2xLP has been pressed on metallic copper vinyl. Labor Days was Aesop Rock's fourth release and his third full-length studio album. The project was originally released in 2001 as his first album on Definitive Jux. The album includes popular songs "Daylight" and "9-5ers Anthem", and guest features from Illogic and C-Rayz Walz, as well as production from Aesop Rock, Blockhead, and Omega One.
"Labor Days is 20. Here are some thoughts -
After Float - I continued working the reg day job, which at the time was packaging/handling/installing photos at the Howard Greenberg Gallery in Manhattan. Tony and I just kept on working as usual.
Kathryn Frazier (Biz3) had been a huge help to me early in regards to learning about industry crap, labels, publicity, and how it all worked. She was also helping El-P get some eyes and ears on his new label Definitive Jux, and nudged him to listen to Float. I had met El a couple times around when Float came out - but started coming by the crib more when Can Ox was staying there.
We had talked about Jux and I was lucky enough that there was interest in my stuff, which really was all I could have ever dreamt of. I remember one time I was headed over there specifically for the reason of playing him some new stuff - (Labor Days material), which was different than me just coming by to kick it with everyone. I only remember this because in my head I was like “Yea, I’ll hit him with Boombox first!” - which is funny because when I listen to that song now i’m just like - what the fuck is wrong with me? I think I had Boombox, Lucy, Daylight, Maintenance, and a few others. Somehow it all worked out.
Tony and I finished up recording on the Roland Vs-880, same one I used for Appleseed and Float. I got my homie Cryptic One to help mix and clean up some of the stuff as best we could - given my amateurish recording style. Owen Brozman (DJ Omega One) did the cover.
One day Jux called and basically said “quit your day job - you are a musician now - go on tour.” I was freaked out - but said fuckit. I gave myself 1 year - if I failed, I’d go get another job. I quit my job in around Aug/September 2001. My first big tour was set to leave about a week later. A day or two before leaving I had so much anxiety I ended up backing out of the whole thing at the last minute. Because of that, I ended up being in downtown manhattan for 9/11, when I was supposed to be who knows where.
Anyway - Tony always had the crazy ear for samples and melodies, and he helped me become a better producer. I’m lucky to have jumped into all this with him.
Also shoutout to Tony Hawk, because I still have people that approach me who hear “Labor” on that game."
-Aesop Rock
