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)
Dr Octagon 2
Kool Keith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey, Dr. Octagon
You know how it is
When you're in the bathtub
I'm there, to give you the Oil of Olay
To rub it all over your head
Dr. Octagon, proctologyst, lyrical scientist
Women know my twist
There's no one on the invitation guest list
Organic kilometer, you feel the temperature
Playing with the advisor
I take the advice, opposite Mr. Nice
Bone you twice we hear it
The funkology astrology
Lookin out the space window with the Bryants
I wear the Kobes
Not takin the space route, duplicate me
Like Moby, you don't know me
[Chorus: singing]
Dr. Octagon
Dr. Octo
Dr. Octagon
[Kool Keith]
Operation X-Factor with the Wolverine
Walkin down Broadway with the X-Men
Women close your eyes
You see the green "Lost in Space" ship, count to 10
The first android landed from the Mercury
Nobody on Earth shock me
Your Earth music don't hurt me
We park the bus
... and grab the bags
Robot, me
Comin down the street
Dr. Smith and Will Robinson and Dawn
A baby chimpanzee with fur coat
Speed's older brother Racer X
Drinkin Dom P in the passenger seat
[Chorus]
[Kool Keith]
With chemicals all over my pants
The discotheque won't let me in the dance
Original gas, computer built into my shoes
Reject the circumstance
A flying elephant with metal wings
Pulling up in Domino's
Me and Batman and the Rhino just left Spider-Man
Smokin PCP in McDonalds
With 2 Asian models, Aunt Bee, Barney Fife
Just a new distribution deal, with Jive
I got a new job workin in a band
With Elmer Fudd drivin a van
For the Channel 5 news, rouse
[Chorus] w/ variations and ad libs to end
The lyrics of Kool Keith's Dr Octagon 2 are a combination of absurdity and humor, making it difficult to determine a clear meaning. The verses portray Dr. Octagon as a proctologist and a lyrical scientist. The introduction sees Kool Keith as a helper, providing Oil of Olay while Dr. Octagon is in the bathtub. Dr. Octagon's allure to women when releasing hits is amplified, and he does not need an invitation to shows. He is described as an "organic kilometer" with energy so high that one can feel it. Playing with an advisor, he takes the advice that is opposite to that of Mr. Nice. The song then moves on to include references to superhero comic books, sci-fi references, and other entities from pop culture. The chorus "Dr. Octagon, Dr. Octo, Dr. Octagon" sees Dr. Octagon's name repeated three times.
The lyrics are filled with absurd and hilarious references, making the meaning difficult to decipher. According to Kool Keith, Dr Octagon is an alter ego who is a doctor on a mission to cure people from negative energy as a result of stress in their daily lives. Nevertheless, the lyrics of Dr Octagon 2 seem to lack a clear connection, making it challenging to determine the actual meaning. Nonetheless, the song is a classic underground hip hop tune, and Kool Keith's tongue-twisting lyrics and effortless flow have been praised for years.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, Dr. Octagon
Greeting to Dr. Octagon
You know how it is
Addressing Dr. Octagon's familiarity with a certain situation
When you're in the bathtub
Referencing a specific moment or context
I'm there, to give you the Oil of Olay
Assisting Dr. Octagon in some way
To rub it all over your head
Clarifying the nature of the assistance
Dr. Octagon, proctologyst, lyrical scientist
Introducing Dr. Octagon and listing his professions
Women know my twist
Highlighting Dr. Octagon's appeal to women
When I release the hits
Explaining the cause of Dr. Octagon's popularity
There's no one on the invitation guest list
Emphasizing the exclusivity of Dr. Octagon's events
Organic kilometer, you feel the temperature
Using a metaphor to describe a certain experience or feeling
Playing with the advisor
Engaging in some sort of activity or conversation
I take the advice, opposite Mr. Nice
Indicating a tendency to act or think contrary to conventional wisdom
Bone you twice we hear it
Making a sexual innuendo or proposition
The funkology astrology
Combining two distinct concepts for artistic effect
Lookin out the space window with the Bryants
Describing a specific activity or perspective
I wear the Kobes
Making a fashion statement or mentioning a personal preference
Not takin the space route, duplicate me
Declaring a choice or preference for a certain approach or strategy
Like Moby, you don't know me
Making a comparison or a reference to an artist in contrast to the singer
Operation X-Factor with the Wolverine
Describing a mission or adventure
Walkin down Broadway with the X-Men
Portraying a scene or an activity
Women close your eyes
Addressing women in a particular way
You see the green "Lost in Space" ship, count to 10
Presenting an image or a scenario
The first android landed from the Mercury
Describing a historical or fictional event
Nobody on Earth shock me
Claiming immunity to a certain effect or reaction
Your Earth music don't hurt me
Expressing a preference or superiority over a certain genre of music
We park the bus
Narrating a small detail or decision
... and grab the bags
Continuing the narration of a minor action
Robot, me
Claiming or embracing a certain identity or persona
Comin down the street
Describing a scene or an activity
Dr. Smith and Will Robinson and Dawn
Making a pop culture reference or a mention of fictional characters
A baby chimpanzee with fur coat
Painting a whimsical or surreal picture
Speed's older brother Racer X
Making a reference to a fictional character or a pop culture icon
Drinkin Dom P in the passenger seat
Portraying a scene or an activity
With chemicals all over my pants
Describing a particular situation or condition
The discotheque won't let me in the dance
Recounting a failed attempt or an adverse event
Original gas, computer built into my shoes
Making a claim or a statement about a unique feature or ability
Reject the circumstance
Advocating a certain attitude or perspective
A flying elephant with metal wings
Presenting a fantastical or absurd image
Pulling up in Domino's
Describing a scene or an activity
Me and Batman and the Rhino just left Spider-Man
Making a pop culture reference or describing a past event
Smokin PCP in McDonalds
Portraying a scene or an activity
With 2 Asian models, Aunt Bee, Barney Fife
Naming a group of people or characters
Just a new distribution deal, with Jive
Discussing a business or financial matter
I got a new job workin in a band
Announcing a new opportunity or career change
With Elmer Fudd drivin a van
Describing a potential or fictional scenario
For the Channel 5 news, rouse
Describing a job or task
Chorus: Dr. Octagon, Dr. Octo, Dr. Octagon
Repeating the title of the song
[Chorus] w/ variations and ad libs to end
Repeating the chorus with additional elements until the end of the song
Contributed by Ruby F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@DrChainsawHandz
Simon 0:00
The Countdown 2:47
R.I.P. Dr. Octagon 6:16
I'm Creepin' 9:40
I Followed You 13:18
Run For Your Life feat. Fat hed 16:32
Step-N-Fetchers 20:24
The God of Rap 23:23
How Sexy feat. Denis Deft 27:26
That Girl is a Monster 30:57
Do Not Disturb 34:09
Take That Ride 37:48
Mopped Up 40:50
Always Talkin' Out Your Ass 44:02
Surgery feat. Motion Man 47:56
@DrChainsawHandz
Simon 0:00
The Countdown 2:47
R.I.P. Dr. Octagon 6:16
I'm Creepin' 9:40
I Followed You 13:18
Run For Your Life feat. Fat hed 16:32
Step-N-Fetchers 20:24
The God of Rap 23:23
How Sexy feat. Denis Deft 27:26
That Girl is a Monster 30:57
Do Not Disturb 34:09
Take That Ride 37:48
Mopped Up 40:50
Always Talkin' Out Your Ass 44:02
Surgery feat. Motion Man 47:56
@RobWilliamsInternetEdition
Saw Kool Keith at Joe's Pub in Manhattan tonight. Amazing show. 52 years old and dude is still crushing it. I'm going back through is catalog now and LOVING IT. A true original and unique rapper and person.
@mattthompson1876
Rob W. didn't know he was that old!
@zosia5897
Was anyone dancing?
@maxichamberlain1021
Wow! Didn’t know one of my favorite MC’s was going on 60 and still killing wack ass wannabe rappers! Black Elvis lives..
@countrabricksbuildcraze8916
First come served is probly my favourite album 😊..yo.
@countrabricksbuildcraze8916
@@maxichamberlain1021yes. Well how old is Dr Dre and snoop Keith ever a little older or younger
@denniscollins2480
Whoever created kool Keith beats is insane 💀☠🔥💯that's why kool Keith is the best underground rapper of all time nuff said 💯
@countrabricksbuildcraze8916
Dope beats dope beats .so Manny dope beat s Manny rappers got dope beats .with out dope beats. The rap is just not the same .you can rap over a instrumental. Or dope beat box is got no beat ..beat the beats. Dope beats ..are you lisaning .who whant dope beats 😊
@TheCodedtestament
Kool Keith is one of the best Mcs ever and pretty much every track is a winner.