Aesop Rock Keeps it Clever with “Roadwork Rappin’” and a Dose of Deadpan Detail

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Aesop Rock ’s lyrical dexterity has never been in question, but just when you think he’s exhausted every corner of offbeat subject matter, he pivots — this time to traffic cones, safety vests, and jackhammers. “Roadwork Rappin’,” his latest single and video, proves once again that even the most mundane imagery can be transformed into a playground of poetic density. Framed as a humorous ode to construction work, the track takes a slice-of-life approach that’s both tongue-in-cheek and rich in rhyme, tapping into Aesop’s knack for turning the ordinary into something oddly spectacular.

Wordplay in a Hard Hat

What sets “Roadwork Rappin’” apart isn’t the theme — which could’ve easily veered into novelty — but the precision with which Aesop attacks it. He doesn’t merel