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)
Bow to the Masta
Kool Keith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm in here, I'm a let you know (I started rappin')
I can tell you can't rap, look at your engineer:
A Japanese guy with glasses on with straight leg jeans and a beer
Got you on Hit Factory with four groupies with acne
Thinking you recording a masterpiece, chewing peanuts in your session
I'm a learn you a lesson: all y'all can't write
Now that 3,000 people lost their jobs, I'm a see how your record do
But you're stuttering out your boo boo, can't give a decent interview
I was always wondering about you
Your whole group evolving different images around me
Acting like they don't copy me when they see me
You've spent your whole life listening to "Critical Beatdown"
You's a secret fan; every time I create an A.K.A. character
Most of you groups out there are so wack, looking at my shoes in my videos
The back of my album cover, and stealing my marketing plan
Like you inventing something new to the company
and in reality you're clones of me
(Y'all can't wait for my album to come out to steal something new)
You should bow to the master!
(Worship me, worship me, worship me, worship me) [Repeat: x4]
I pity the untalented, half of why'all creativity is to steal duplicate
The clothes I wear, call your promotional staff to get you out
Quick in the magazines to perpetrate me on your Ampex reels
On tour most MC's draw sketches of me and watch what I'm wearing
I found out why rappers look at me jealous and keep staring
Comparing me to themselves from a distance when I walk offstage
Your record label, your group, and your fanbase giving me a standing ovation
In the Chicago Bull warmup suit and a bald head like Michael Jordan
Six-time championship of the league, four million groups in the industry
Rakim and Canibus is the only ones rapping pro speed
I average 52 rappers per game, I put you to shame
Now you gonna sit in your used Expedition and act like you don't know my name
I don't have to battle anybody nor freestyle
Half of your flows are written by rookies working Montreal Expos
I don't care if you act wild, bring your raps to the studio
I'm a get in your booty, yo
I'm a set up a bag of dust on the console
So you can do this, light up, and smoke, yo, cause I'm no joke yo
I might ride on the cycle level 3, vomit when you go in the booth
Your product manager is going to say, "Yo who is he?"
(Yo who is that, man?)
You should bow to the master!
(Worship me, worship me, worship me, worship me) (Repeat 2x)
I don't play with skinny legs and the water head
Time after time you don't know what I'm thinking when I come
Into your studio professional with a white man driving a Continental Lincoln
Groupies look at me, y'all don't pay me no mind
I'm about to tear a new ass in this kid, he'd better not let me rhyme
Yeah, take a break, order some blunts
I'm about to get up all in your fronts
With your body shaped like Mitch Green and Tony Tubbs, you don't want this
Go in the corner with your stomach hanging, gold teeth looking sneaky
I'm a let you know how be, G
No matter how much your styles change you can't see me
Believe that, light up your ass souped up
Stand behind your backup, with your acne-faced girlfriend
You're gonna get a lot of feedback
Test the best, you're gonna have water on your kneecap
You should bow to the master!
(Worship me, worship me, worship me, worship me) (Repeat 2x)
Yeah, I'm sorry Blaze Magazine, I'm first
The other 49 rappers are behind me, what?!
The lyrics to Kool Keith's song Bow to the Masta suggest that the rapper is at the top of his game and all other rappers and their groups are simply trying to copy his style and gimmicks. He notes that many of these groups lack the ability to write their own music and must rely on their team to do it for them. Kool Keith also mentions that he has noticed that many rappers seem to be jealous of him and try to imitate him in various ways, from sketching his outfits to stealing his marketing plans. The rapper asserts that he is superior to all these copycats and commands them to bow down and worship him.
The lyrics in Bow to the Masta showcase Kool Keith's arrogance and artistic confidence. He is speaking from a position of power and is content to ridicule his copycats while asserting his superiority over them. Keith's repeated command to "bow to the master" is a display of his ego and self-assuredness. Although the lyrics are boastful, they also suggest that Keith is trying to elevate the rap genre by creating a space for originality and creativity.
Line by Line Meaning
I can tell you can't rap, look at your engineer:
A Japanese guy with glasses on with straight leg jeans and a beer
Your engineer's physical appearance indicates that he isn't accustomed to working with real talent (me).
Thinking you recording a masterpiece, chewing peanuts in your session
You may believe that you're making good music, but you're actually not contributing anything worthwhile.
But you're stuttering out your boo boo, can't give a decent interview
You lack the skills to even give a basic interview, which shows just how inferior you are to me.
Your whole group evolving different images around me
Acting like they don't copy me when they see me
Most of your creativity stems from copying and imitating me, although you pretend like that's not the case.
Most of you groups out there are so wack, looking at my shoes in my videos
The back of my album cover, and stealing my marketing plan
Like you inventing something new to the company
and in reality you're clones of me
Your groups are terrible, yet you still imitate everything about me, from my footwear to my marketing plan. You try to act like you're bringing something new to the market, but you're really just copying me.
Six-time championship of the league, four million groups in the industry
Rakim and Canibus is the only ones rapping pro speed
I average 52 rappers per game, I put you to shame
Compared to the numerous groups in the industry, only Rakim and Canibus can match my level of skill. I can crush 52 rappers per game, which shows just how superior I am to you.
Half of your flows are written by rookies working Montreal Expos
You're not even writing your own raps, instead relying on inexperienced people to do it for you.
Time after time you don't know what I'm thinking when I come
Into your studio professional with a white man driving a Continental Lincoln
You don't understand my thought process when I come to the studio, appearing with my professional team and upscale car.
Y'all don't pay me no mind
I'm about to tear a new ass in this kid, he'd better not let me rhyme
You don't acknowledge my greatness, but you should be careful not to let me embarrass you with my superior rapping skills.
With your body shaped like Mitch Green and Tony Tubbs, you don't want this
Your physical appearance suggests that you aren't up for the challenge of facing me in a rap battle.
You're gonna get a lot of feedback
Test the best, you're gonna have water on your kneecap
You'll receive a lot of criticism and negative reactions if you try to come after me. You'll be left in a vulnerable position.
Yeah, I'm sorry Blaze Magazine, I'm first
The other 49 rappers are behind me, what?!
I'm unequivocally the best, and all other rappers are trailing behind me. Get used to it.
You should bow to the master!
(Worship me, worship me, worship me, worship me) [Repeat: x4]
You should acknowledge my greatness and bow down to me in reverence.
Lyrics © THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: KEITH THORNTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind