Thornton's early career and lyrics with the Ultramagnetic MC's often referenced his time as a patient of Bellevue, a psychiatric hospital, where he was treated for depression. With Ultramagnetic MC's, his abstract style developed, maturing in songs like Poppa Large. He was probably the first rapper to create an alter ego, and then create an alter ego for that alter ego (Kool Keith v. Moe Luv). After the Ultramagnetic MC's broke up, he expanded his resume, experimenting with new styles, including his self-described pornocore, known for pornographic imagery and brutal, abstract lyrics. Sex Style released in 1997, was the showcase for this genre.
Teaming up with Dan the Automator Nakamura under the name Dr. Octagon, Thornton again reinvented his image, recording the self-titled Dr. Octagon album (later reissued under the title Dr. Octagonecologyst) which was released by the English trip hop label Mo Wax. The album received critical acclaim, though mainly from sources outside the mainstream hip-hop community. The critical success of the album helped to open the accessibility of the underground hip hop scene to an appreciative audience. For Dan the Automator, this album laid the foundation for a burgeoning career and accolades as a producer; for Thornton, the success of Dr. Octagonecologyst seemed to put him in danger of being typecast as a "space and Mars" rapper, or an industry tool, which he throughout his career has looked down upon.
His style as a whole is characterized by non sequiturs and bizarre commentary, particularly anal, fecal and genital references. For example, "Chief administrator suck my oil," "Dr. Ludicrous I turn into an octopus," "All this jealousy shit is mayonnaise and celery shit," "Two drinks minimum, don't worry, we're maximum," etc. An instrumental version of the album, Instrumentalyst, showcased the production, became a rising success with most of the credit given to Dan the Automator and other collaborators, even though Thornton is credited on the LP with some production duties.
List of projects, groups and alter-egos:
- Ultramagnetic MC's
- Dr. Octagon
- Dr. Dooom
- Sinister 6000 (Dan the Automator)
- Black Elvis
- Masters of Illusion
- Analog Brothers
- Mr. Nogatco
- Project Polaroid
- Tashan Dorset
- Sex Style
- Ultra
- The Cenobites
- Sergei Khmelev
(this list is incomplete)
All The Time
Kool Keith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah! Straight from New York City
It's all the way live youknowhatI'msayin?
And I gotta tell you like this
And I'ma let you have it
Super status structure lyrically the baddest
No time to perpetrate on front street I rock the fattest
Ultimate ego your rap style sounds feeble
Bionic black man crowd packed with tons of people
No one the equal, should grab the mic, stop my sequel
Purchase your ticket, I been here since Wilson Pickett
Shut off your rap dream, career's over, that's on high beam
You on the trampoline learnin, you still concernin
I burn your index, spray your raps like they insects
I want that action
Chorus: cool Keith (repeat 2X)
I do this all the time
(Every night and every day, we make moves so don't you hate)
I do this all the time
(Every night and every day, cool Keith does his thing his way)
[Kool Keith]
Movin steady through yo' zip code, arrangements, your lip fold
y'all Billboard hype companies line that y'all ship go
Got your mom believin the label clown pick your room up
y'all stuck in contracts in pop's house, clean your room up
I pull your charter from the blind side, to the start up
There'll be no star, pull them stickers off your rented car
Your man is playin also, a fake mafioso
His rap is so-so, I'm warmed up like chocolate cocoa
Who you know go? Get that kid, off your promo
I move like Marko, New York City think I'm Cuomo
You sayin, "Oh no, Keith is droppin big solo"
I hang on Grand Street, with shoppin bags down on SoHo
Chorus
[Kool Keith]
Catch you out there, with mic stands, cords in yo' hand
Youse a first year rookie, duplicatin Method Man
I test yo' skills, fanbase that only go to Peteskil
Servin headwork, new MC's, watch your neck jerk
I'm such an expert, I pull you quick, stop your concert
I drop my interludes sharp now, words and inserts
Back your face up, while sound man, turn the bass up
You wearin makeup, your skirt is short, sippin a quart
You think you're hardcore? You're opposite, rappin softcore
Kickin metaphor with zeroes, I give you a score
Monster amateur, I move up kid, then I damage ya
Check one two
Chorus
(Every night and every day, we make moves so don't you hate)
(Every night and every day, cool Keith does his thing his way)
(Every night and every day, we make moves so don't you hate)
(Every night and every day, cool Keith does his thing his way)
(Every night and every day, we make moves so don't you hate)
(Every night and every day, cool Keith does his thing his way)
In "All the Time" by Kool Keith, the artist asserts his dominance and confidence in his abilities as a rapper. He claims to be the "baddest" lyrically and boasts about his status as a pioneer. He also criticizes other rappers and labels, claiming that they are "feeble" and only succeed due to hype and contracts. Keith warns his competitors that he will stop their concerts and damage their careers, emphasizing his expertise and skill as an MC.
The chorus repeats the phrase "I do this all the time," emphasizing Keith's constant dedication and success in the rap game. He declares that he makes moves every night and every day and reminds listeners that he does things his own way.
The song overall serves as a display of Keith's confidence and assertiveness in his abilities and position within the rap industry, as well as a criticism of those who he believes only succeed through hype and inauthenticity.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah! Straight from New York City
I am from New York and this is where I do my thing
It's all the way live youknowhatI'msayin?
I am always living my life to the fullest
And I gotta tell you like this
Let me be clear
Like Shan said I pioneered this
I am the creator of this musical style, just like Shan said
And I'ma let you have it
And now I'm going to show you what I've got
Super status structure lyrically the baddest
I am the best rapper out there and my skills are unmatched
No time to perpetrate on front street I rock the fattest
I don't waste time pretending to be someone I'm not because I am the best
Ultimate ego your rap style sounds feeble
Your rap style is weak compared to mine and my ego reflects that
Bionic black man crowd packed with tons of people
I am a powerful and popular performer, loved by many
No one the equal, should grab the mic, stop my sequel
No one can compete with me and if they try, they will fail
Purchase your ticket, I been here since Wilson Pickett
If you want to see a true performer, buy a ticket to my show - I've been around since the greats like Wilson Pickett
Shut off your rap dream, career's over, that's on high beam
If you think you can be a rapper and compete with me, think again - your dreams are over before they started
You on the trampoline learnin, you still concernin
You are still learning how to be a rapper, while I am already a master
I burn your index, spray your raps like they insects
I am so good that I can destroy your raps just like I would kill insects
I want that action
I am ready to compete with anyone who thinks they have what it takes to be the best
Chorus: cool Keith (repeat 2X)
I do this all the time and I do it my way
Movin steady through yo' zip code, arrangements, your lip fold
I am always on the move, visiting different areas and making arrangements to perform
y'all Billboard hype companies line that y'all ship go
The music industry is full of hype and propaganda
Got your mom believin the label clown pick your room up
Labels try to control every aspect of your life, even telling you to clean your room
y'all stuck in contracts in pop's house, clean your room up
Young artists are often trapped in bad contracts and are told what to do by their parents
I pull your charter from the blind side, to the start up
I will pull the rug out from under you and expose your true intentions
There'll be no star, pull them stickers off your rented car
You are not a star, even if you try to make it seem that way by putting stickers on your rented car
Your man is playin also, a fake mafioso
Your friend is also fake, pretending to be a tough guy
His rap is so-so, I'm warmed up like chocolate cocoa
Your friend's rapping skills are mediocre, while I am always on top of my game
Who you know go? Get that kid, off your promo
I challenge anyone who thinks they can take me down to step up and try, but they will not succeed
I move like Marko, New York City think I'm Cuomo
I move around quickly and efficiently, just like Marko, and people in New York City see me as a leader, like Cuomo
You sayin, 'Oh no, Keith is droppin big solo'
People are intimidated by my skills and know that when I drop a solo track, it will be amazing
I hang on Grand Street, with shoppin bags down on SoHo
I am a part of the New York City culture, walking around with shopping bags in the fashionable district of SoHo
Catch you out there, with mic stands, cords in yo' hand
I see other rappers performing, but they are not as good as me
Youse a first year rookie, duplicatin Method Man
You are a new and inexperienced rapper trying to imitate Method Man
I test yo' skills, fanbase that only go to Peteskil
I will test your skills and prove that you do not have a true fan base
Servin headwork, new MC's, watch your neck jerk
I am so good that I can make other rappers' necks jerk with admiration
I'm such an expert, I pull you quick, stop your concert
I am such an expert that I can stop your concert in its tracks if I do not like what I am hearing
I drop my interludes sharp now, words and inserts
My music is full of clever interludes, sharp lyrics, and interesting inserts
Back your face up, while sound man, turn the bass up
My music is so good that it will literally make people's faces back up and the sound man will turn the bass up
You wearin makeup, your skirt is short, sippin a quart
You are more focused on your appearance and drinking than your music
You think you're hardcore? You're opposite, rappin softcore
You think you are tough and hardcore, but really, your music is soft and weak
Kickin metaphor with zeroes, I give you a score
Your metaphors are terrible and I will give them a score of zero
Monster amateur, I move up kid, then I damage ya
You are an amateur, while I am a monster in the rap game, ready to move up and take you down
Check one two
I am ready to perform and make sure the sound is perfect
(Every night and every day, we make moves so don't you hate)
I am always making moves, so you should not be jealous or envious
(Every night and every day, cool Keith does his thing his way)
I am always doing things my way and it clearly works for me
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Carl Thompson, Faith Evans, Keith Thornton, Sean Combs
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind