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)
Baby Baby
Kool Keith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can you feel it?
Built to last, I'ma reduce competition
Stretched like a G-string stay in that ass
Eliminate your words you think are tough
By movin herbs, you think you're rough
Spice Girl figures, you're hype man sucks, y'all powderpuff
Everything your producer make is cuddly and fluffy
Soft as Kleenex tissue
You with the coalition pushin the vinyl
Funny style, movin the feminine issue
Attack you mentally, you know I would get you
Gorilla shots, you figure out what animal bit you
Tractor trailer from the side hit you
Tryin to figure what animal hit you
Tryin to figure out..
You tryin to play me like I'm from Montreal, Calgary
You never noticed G
how the thirty-eight weighs a lot of pounds and what it be
If you knew, you wouldn't be standin in front of me
100% of you is imitation, take off that baseball cap
In Jersey ask your mother, youse a wannabe
A 46 dollar, 3 color face watch
Yellow band, don't step to me, I know your estimate B
Don't question me
You met the rude awakening, find the best of me
I don't care about your favorite rapper they're less than me
Urinate on your V.I.P. area
where girls roam, piss on your dome
Bodyguard, face the C-I-P area
You know what's coming nigga..
I knew I had to make a record soon
Destroy your whole mechanism
Compilate on your Meoshe jeans, in fake records soon
You blew up alright, youse a blip
Up in the air homo, your crew is a helium balloon
You guys with thug mentality
wearin them tight ass black thongs with black Sassoons
Smooth on your anus
Your girl defecate my diamonds out with brooms, and mushrooms
You cats face the public here, you know the rules
From MC Hammer down to Lil' Romeo
Out of 2 million rappers you pick a name and lose
I penetrate news, my Tomahawk missles piss on Cruise
You know me baby, can you tell I'm bad?
You know lady, hey heyy heyy hey heyy hey hey hey
The song "Baby Baby" by Kool Keith is an aggressive and confrontational track aimed at other rappers whom Kool Keith perceives to be fake and not true to the essence of hip hop. The lyrics are filled with insults and challenges to these rappers, with Kool Keith claiming to be superior to them in every way.
The opening lines of "Baby bab-ayyy, you feel it la-dayy / Can you feel it?" are a sarcastic taunt to the other rappers, daring them to try and match his intensity and authenticity. He accuses these rappers of "movin herbs, you think you're rough / Spice Girl figures, you're hype man sucks, y'all powderpuff," using a variety of insults to insult their masculinity and prowess as rappers. Kool Keith asserts that he is "built to last" and will "reduce competition," positioning himself as the rightful heir to the hip hop throne.
Later in the song, Kool Keith continues to call out the other rappers for their perceived deficiencies. He accuses them of being unoriginal and uninspired, with "everything your producer make is cuddly and fluffy / Soft as Kleenex tissue." He also takes aim at their fashion sense, pointing out that they are wearing "tight ass black thongs with black Sassoons" and implying that they are more concerned with their appearance than their art.
Overall, "Baby Baby" is a bold and brash song that serves as a stark reminder of the intense competition and one-upmanship that is central to hip hop culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby bab-ayyy, you feel it la-dayy
Can you feel the energy between us?
Built to last, I'ma reduce competition
I'm a force to be reckoned with, and I'll make sure my competition knows it.
Stretched like a G-string stay in that ass
I'm flexible and adaptable, and I'll stay in control no matter how challenging the situation is.
Eliminate your words you think are tough
I'll shut down anyone who tries to take me on with their words.
By movin herbs, you think you're rough
I'll take down anyone who thinks they're tough by using my connections in the underground drug world.
Spice Girl figures, you're hype man sucks, y'all powderpuff
Your entourage is weak and unimpressive, especially your hype man.
Stop thumpin stuffin
Stop bragging and trying to prove yourself.
Everything your producer make is cuddly and fluffy, Soft as Kleenex tissue
Your beats are soft and weak like a tissue, and your producer is coddling you.
You with the coalition pushin the vinyl, Funny style, movin the feminine issue
You're part of a group that's trying to make a statement about women in hip hop, but you're doing it in a lame and uncool way.
Attack you mentally, you know I would get you
I'll tear you down mentally and emotionally if you try to come at me.
Gorilla shots, you figure out what animal bit you, Tractor trailer from the side hit you, Tryin to figure what animal hit you
I'll hit you so hard, it'll feel like a gorilla or a tractor trailer hit you.
You tryin to play me like I'm from Montreal, Calgary
You're trying to manipulate me with your words, but it's not going to work.
You never noticed G, how the thirty-eight weighs a lot of pounds and what it be, If you knew, you wouldn't be standin in front of me
If you knew the power and weight of my gun, you wouldn't be standing in front of me trying to start something.
100% of you is imitation, take off that baseball cap, In Jersey ask your mother, youse a wannabe
You're a fake and a copycat, and if you go to New Jersey and ask your mother, she'll tell you the same thing.
A 46 dollar, 3 color face watch, Yellow band, don't step to me, I know your estimate B
You're wearing an expensive watch, but it doesn't impress me. I know what you're worth, and it's not much.
Don't question me, You met the rude awakening, find the best of me
Don't doubt my abilities, because when you come up against me, you'll see the best of what I can do.
I don't care about your favorite rapper they're less than me
Your favorite rapper isn't a competition for me. They're not on my level.
Urinate on your V.I.P. area, where girls roam, piss on your dome, Bodyguard, face the C-I-P area
I'll disrespect you and your entourage by peeing on your VIP area and your bodyguard's head, and I won't hesitate to cause chaos in your C-I-P (Club In Peace) area.
I knew I had to make a record soon, Destroy your whole mechanism, Compilate on your Meoshe jeans, in fake records soon
I knew I had to come out with a new album to show you who's boss and ruin your career. I'll even make fake records with my name on it and spread them around.
You blew up alright, youse a blip, Up in the air homo, your crew is a helium balloon
You may have had some success, but it's temporary. You and your crew are just a bunch of hot air.
You guys with thug mentality, wearin them tight ass black thongs with black Sassoons
You're trying to act tough, but it's not working. In fact, it's pretty ridiculous, especially with those tight black thongs you're wearing (which are probably Sassoon brand).
Smooth on your anus, Your girl defecate my diamonds out with brooms, and mushrooms
I'll penetrate you and your girlfriend, and she'll poop out my diamonds because they're worth more than anything in your life. And don't even get me started on the mushrooms.
You cats face the public here, you know the rules, From MC Hammer down to Lil' Romeo, Out of 2 million rappers you pick a name and lose
You're in the public eye now, and that means you have to follow the rules. And even though there are millions of rappers, you didn't stand a chance when you went up against me.
I penetrate news, my Tomahawk missles piss on Cruise
I make headlines and shock the world with my abilities. Even actors like Tom Cruise can't escape the wrath of my Tomahawk missiles.
You know me baby, can you tell I'm bad?, You know lady, hey heyy heyy hey heyy hey hey hey
You know I'm a tough and cool guy, and I don't need to prove it. Hey, hey, hey!
Contributed by Ava F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Wali Ellah
The Lyrical Legend! He got influenced by Earth.
JUDAH!
Thanks for this. I just needed this upload in order to hear this song sped up. Its way better sped up a bit.