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)
Fly Ass Nigger
Kool Keith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dark voice, space choice
T-Mobile text vexed and you think you're in a competitive mode
Who's the wussy they can't be fly droppin a verse with a dirty pussy
Diaper show off your designer chains fuckin up my cypher
Retarded ass rap slash diva
Run around with a fucked up weave attachment hoe handcuffer
I don't know why that stupid nigga like ya
Step back you fuckin werewolf out of London, before I bite you
BBQ rib hounder fuck it you splash out that quarter pounder
The official rappin music co-founder since Ralph Hooper
And his pops ran the Apollo with the United Negro Fund
The richest nigga in the world, y'all can't fuck with the franchise
Imagine your local bullshit burger spot goin against Ronald McDonald
Italy can't stop the three billion servings
I'ma make Brandy hoes move they porkchops
[Chorus: unknown guest rapper]
Be a fly ass niggaz
And runnin around the city lookin at you bitch-ass niggaz
Tryin to play high post, wit'cha little kitty-ass withers
Knahmsayin? ... Fly ass NIGGA~!
[Kool Keith:]
Broke niggaz worryin about how fast you can rap
Spit at quick speed with techniques that's sharp
Complex comprehension I'd rather see some tits
Turn your computers off and get off that gay shit
MySpace, Clayface claymation nigga
E-mail message abusers shit fag energy users
Livin in a fucked up town so boring drink fo' kegs
Before you talk about me with them ugly bitches teasin you in Hooters
Y'all get the critic booters, website looters
You fuckin raccooners, you can't stop the bass boomers
[unknown guest rapper:]
It be the motherfuckin Commi$$ion to all you whack-ass rap niggaz
Out here sellin that fake-ass rap music to you little fuckin kiddies
What the fuck is goin out here with that rap shit?
Y'all need to get smacked, knahmsayin????
Runnin around, with the big Commi$$ioner, ain't playin no games
Stomp all y'all out, in this rap game
Fly ass niggaz!
Kool Keith's song "Fly Ass Nigger" is a gritty and confrontational commentary on the state of modern hip-hop culture. The lyrics are a blend of biting criticism and boastful self-promotion, with Kool Keith calling out the perceived flaws of other rappers while celebrating his own skills and accomplishments. The first verse takes aim at rappers who rely on flashy accessories and clothing to make themselves look good, calling them out for being wusses who can't compete without their designer chains and expensive gear. He also takes a shot at rappers who try too hard to be divas and make a spectacle of themselves, dismissing them as retarded.
The second verse continues in this vein, with Kool Keith attacking the limitations of rap music itself. He suggests that too many rappers focus on technical skill and speed rather than content and substance, urging listeners to turn off their computers and get back to real life. He also derides the online culture of message boards and social media, calling out e-mail message abusers and fag energy users. Throughout the song, Kool Keith asserts his own dominance in the rap world, highlighting his status as a co-founder of the "official rappin music" and bragging about his associations with legendary figures like Ralph Hooper and the Apollo theatre.
Line by Line Meaning
Dark voice, space choice
My voice is deep and commanding which sets me apart, and I have a lot of creative freedom in my music.
T-Mobile text vexed and you think you're in a competitive mode
You're trying to compete with me through text messages, using your T-Mobile phone, but it's not working.
Who's the wussy they can't be fly droppin a verse with a dirty pussy
You're not cool enough to rap with me, especially since you have a reputation for being promiscuous.
Diaper show off your designer chains fuckin up my cypher
You're showing off your flashy jewelry but it's distracting from the freestyle battle we're having.
Retarded ass rap slash diva
Your rap style is unimpressive and you're acting like a prima donna.
Run around with a fucked up weave attachment hoe handcuffer
You're running around with a bad weave and you're the kind of girl who needs to be restrained.
I don't know why that stupid nigga like ya
I don't understand why that guy is interested in you, since you're not that great.
Step back you fuckin werewolf out of London, before I bite you
You look like a scary werewolf from London, and I'm warning you to stay away from me.
BBQ rib hounder fuck it you splash out that quarter pounder
You're always eating BBQ ribs, but you should try something new, like a Quarter Pounder.
The official rappin music co-founder since Ralph Hooper
I'm one of the key co-founders of rap music, alongside Ralph Hooper.
And his pops ran the Apollo with the United Negro Fund
Ralph Hooper's dad ran the famous Apollo Theater in Harlem, and also worked with the United Negro Fund, which is a big deal.
The richest nigga in the world, y'all can't fuck with the franchise
I'm the richest guy around and nobody can touch my brand.
Imagine your local bullshit burger spot goin against Ronald McDonald
It's like your local burger joint trying to compete with McDonald's, it's not going to work.
Italy can't stop the three billion servings
Italy can't keep up with the three billion servings of fast food I'm serving up.
I'ma make Brandy hoes move they porkchops
I'm going to make all the ladies dance with excitement.
Broke niggaz worryin about how fast you can rap
Guys who are broke are obsessed with rapping as quickly as possible.
Spit at quick speed with techniques that's sharp
I can rap very quickly and my technique is impressive.
Complex comprehension I'd rather see some tits
I'm into complicated concepts, but I'd rather look at some attractive women.
Turn your computers off and get off that gay shit
Stop wasting so much time on your computer, especially with things that are unimportant and not masculine.
MySpace, Clayface claymation nigga
You're still on MySpace, which is outdated, and you look like a character from a Claymation movie.
E-mail message abusers shit fag energy users
Guys who send excessive emails are losers and not masculine enough for me.
Livin in a fucked up town so boring drink fo' kegs
Living in a boring town sucks, but you can always drink to make it better.
Before you talk about me with them ugly bitches teasin you in Hooters
Don't listen to those unattractive women who are trying to distract you from my greatness at Hooters.
Y'all get the critic booters, website looters
You guys are just critics who can't create anything, so you resort to stealing content from websites.
You fuckin raccooners, you can't stop the bass boomers
You're like raccoons trying to steal food, but you can't stop the heavy bass music that I create.
Be a fly ass niggaz
I want everyone to be cool like me.
And runnin around the city lookin at you bitch-ass niggaz
I'm running around town checking out all of the losers who aren't as cool as me.
Tryin to play high post, wit'cha little kitty-ass withers
You're trying to act cool and haughty, but it's not working because you're weak and feeble.
It be the motherfuckin Commi$$ion to all you whack-ass rap niggaz
The Commission is here to take down all of the wack rappers.
Out here sellin that fake-ass rap music to you little fuckin kiddies
You're making fake rap music and trying to sell it to young kids, which is wrong.
What the fuck is goin out here with that rap shit?
The rap game has gotten really messed up lately.
Y'all need to get smacked, knahmsayin????
You guys need to learn a lesson, you know what I mean?
Runnin around, with the big Commi$$ioner, ain't playin no games
I'm running around with the Commissioner, and we're serious about taking down all of the fake rappers.
Stomp all y'all out, in this rap game
We're going to stomp out all of the competition in the rap game.
Fly ass niggaz!
Be cool like us!
Contributed by Jack V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.