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)
I Do What I Want
Kool Keith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Classic!) Yeah, this what I like to do on my off time
(Kool Keith~!) A lot of people, they get too complex
(Too complex) I just like to do somethin real smooth
(Real smooth) with my offtime (with my offtime)
I got like ohh, 800 tracks (800 tracks) of my own (of my own)
Forget the laws of music, I can do this
You're mad because I'm the smoothest
Read you the corny quotes on the internet
"Why you don't do a character project?"
Vintage Kool Keith, this is what I love doin
Go 'head break your neck, pay you to break a sweat
I just started this song, I ain't even finished yet
J.D. mix my vocals, we didn't get to complain a set
Down to the square, what'chu gonna do
When your corny laptop and computer, ain't there?
[Chorus: Keith singing]
Yeahhh, I do what I want to, the way I want to
When I want to, I do what I want
I do what I want to, the way I want to
When I want to, when I want
[Kool Keith:]
Deep in your heart pop fans, I hate collaborating
The lost people analysts relax
Kool Keith, did bionic music before I rapped on jazz and fusion
And all that electronic music before
Never satisfied, jackasses you want more
You talk about clickin your mouses in your borin houses
Put your money where your mouth is
Macintosh gossip don't pay my bills
Come out your cheap-ass pockets when I lay my skills
CD duplicators, underground masturbators
New fans activate, piss on the hatersssssss
[Chorus]
[Kool Keith:]
Stuck on Octagon~! Oct' is gone~! You get it?
I'm with a girl and cock is on
Go study your lab mice, get out the dark
And turn your boy talk the boys lights on
I love the mall with pretty chicks with spankin new sky blue Nikes on
Shopping bags with jeans, you guys avoid, you need to watch porn
I'm outside, indoor producers online
Never been in the streets, you barely go anywhere
Website cafe, I'm goin the other way
[Chorus]
In the song "I Do What I Want" by Kool Keith, he expresses his desire to make music according to his own rules and preferences rather than conforming to industry standards. As someone with a vast collection of over 800 of his own tracks, Kool Keith believes that he doesn't need to follow any laws of music or rely on collaborating with others to make quality music. Instead, he takes pride in doing things his way, even if it means going against the grain of what critics or fans expect from him.
Kool Keith seems to take issue with those who are overly critical of his work or expect him to conform to certain standards. He mentions how some people suggest he do a "character project" instead of making the music he loves, which implies that he is not appreciated for his true creative talents. He also takes a jab at those who spend their time clicking their mouses in their boring houses, suggesting that they need to put their money where their mouth is and pay for quality music instead of just talking about it.
Overall, this song is a defiant statement of independence by Kool Keith, who refuses to be restricted by the music industry or the expectations of his fans. He does what he wants, the way he wants to, and without apology.
Line by Line Meaning
(Classic!) Yeah, this what I like to do on my off time
I typically enjoy spending my free time this way
(Kool Keith~!) A lot of people, they get too complex
Many individuals overcomplicate things unnecessarily
(Too complex) I just like to do somethin real smooth
I prefer to keep things simple and easygoing
(Real smooth) with my offtime (with my offtime)
This is how I enjoy spending my leisure time
I got like ohh, 800 tracks (800 tracks) of my own (of my own)
I have a large collection of tracks that I have personally created
Forget the laws of music, I can do this
I am not bound by conventional musical standards and rules
Critics look for the hard work, been done all that weird stuff
Critics are primarily interested in more challenging work, which I have already done
You're mad because I'm the smoothest
You are angry because I am exceptionally talented
Read you the corny quotes on the internet
I can recite trite and cliché statements found online
"Why you don't do a character project?"
Some individuals recommend that I work on a project involving a fictional character
Vintage Kool Keith, this is what I love doin
I enjoy making music that is emblematic of my earlier style and sound
Go 'head break your neck, pay you to break a sweat
I challenge you to get excited and energized by my music
I just started this song, I ain't even finished yet
I have not yet completed this particular composition
J.D. mix my vocals, we didn't get to complain a set
J.D. is mixing my vocals, and we have not had a complaint from them
Down to the square, what'chu gonna do
Amidst the rough city square, what will you do?
When your corny laptop and computer, ain't there?
What will you do when left without your basic and mediocre computer technology?
Yeahhh, I do what I want to, the way I want to
I have the freedom to make my own choices
When I want to, I do what I want
I do things at my own pace
I do what I want to, the way I want to
I am not limited by others' expectations or rules
When I want to, when I want
I act according to my personal desires and preferences
Deep in your heart pop fans, I hate collaborating
In my heart of hearts, I dislike collaborating with popular music fans
The lost people analysts relax
Stop worrying about people who seem lost and confused
Kool Keith, did bionic music before I rapped on jazz and fusion
I created innovative and futuristic music before experimenting with jazz and fusion genres
And all that electronic music before
I also explored the realm of electronic music previously
Never satisfied, jackasses you want more
You are never content, despite receiving more than enough
You talk about clickin your mouses in your borin houses
All you do is click your mouse from the tediousness of your home
Put your money where your mouth is
Back up your opinions with financial support
Macintosh gossip don't pay my bills
Idle gossip about Macintosh computers does not generate income for me
Come out your cheap-ass pockets when I lay my skills
Give me your money once you witness and appreciate my talent and abilities
CD duplicators, underground masturbators
Individuals who duplicate CDs for a living, yet remain underground and isolated
New fans activate, piss on the hatersssssss
New fans become enthusiastic, while haters remain cynical and negative
Stuck on Octagon~! Oct' is gone~! You get it?
Why are you so fixated on the Octagon? It is no longer relevant
I'm with a girl and cock is on
I am with a woman and feeling confident
Go study your lab mice, get out the dark
Stop spending so much time in dark and artificial settings -- go outside and experience life
And turn your boy talk the boys lights on
Stop gossiping like a child and start being more mature
I love the mall with pretty chicks with spankin new sky blue Nikes on
I enjoy going to the mall and admiring attractive women wearing new Nike shoes
Shopping bags with jeans, you guys avoid, you need to watch porn
You guys should not be avoiding women who carry shopping bags and wear jeans -- maybe you need to watch porn to relax
I'm outside, indoor producers online
I prefer the outdoors to being indoors like online music producers
Never been in the streets, you barely go anywhere
You have not experienced the real world, and tend to stay in one place
Website cafe, I'm goin the other way
I'm indifferent to website cafes -- I prefer to go in a different direction
Contributed by Austin R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
bellydanza85
This is one of my favourite albums of all time!! I cherish my copy.
Vincenzo vaultz
bellydanza85 without a doubt. Same here
DeathDrums
One of the most underrated rappers? Kool Keith is the best rapper alive. Lord Finesse and Scaramanga are right behind him.
tofu916
@MFG841 Its a DIRECT sample from Sade - "Keep Looking". Look it up here on youtube. This song is from "the personal album" which is full of R&B samples.
Adam Hashian
genius
[hyaku]2 (stream archive+other)
nice 32kbps quality mate
micafonist
oh you do what you want to, when you want to huh?
DeathDrums
everyone shut up and appreciate how lucky we are to be able to listen to kool keith
micafonist
hey do you want the album?
Liquid Wordz aka. Flow
@iBust Fatrap Kool Keith - The personal Album (2004)