An original member of New York's new-school pioneers the Ultramagnetic MC's… Read Full Bio ↴An original member of New York's new-school pioneers the Ultramagnetic MC's, "Kool" Keith Thornton is best known as a solo rapper. His signature style is stream-of-consciousness lyrical flow and complex vocals, two skills that earn him a perennial nod from the underground hip-hop community. The average Kool Keith album is peppered with bizarre, disjointed, even delusional or disassociated themes, concepts, and references. Nearly all of his albums incorporate a satirical dislike for more commercialized strains of hip-hop, as well as major record labels.

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)

Keep It Real...Represent '96
Kool Keith Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yeah, rappers, spread your cheeks
Pull your panties down, take your wig off
Let me see your bald head, that's right
I got you on Kodak, your pictures are goin' out to
Black Tail, you're gonna be a star, yeah

I heard you quit rap, your wife went back to porno flicks
You turned drag queen, a call girl doin' tricks

Nighttime prostitute kid, I'ma take your loot
I heard you queer now like Boy George blowin' flutes

With high heels, you stole your mom's birth control pills
You on some new stuff, I heard about that sex change
You got a vagina, your grandmother think it's strange
New eyeliner, you was flirtin' with a gay designer

Your girl felt mines, and pulled off her Calvin Klein's
I saw Tampax, gonorrhea red stop signs
I looked at her and said, "Mmm, put your panties back on"
Then jerked off to Foxy Brown, when her verse was on

I wanna stand back and bust nuts at your butts
Your girl is cocked up, with lollipops, doggie style
I feel I'm dealin' with plastic, watch these fake smiles
Yeah, meet my left and my right

Keep it real, represent what? My nuts
Keep it real, represent what? My nuts

I got utensils, back up kid, yo guard your rectum
I'm crazy out here, mental man, don't respect him
You now in pain, your mom just had the abortion
Big head Boo, I put some roaches on your whole crew

Have you scared with crack pipes? Your family throwin' doodoo
Wear out your welcome, your little girl sex desires
Have you handicapped, some friends of mine blow your tires
Like Alfred Hitchcock, the ghost stands on your block

With nine mil's for drug addicts, I keep triggers cocked
You on some methane, my witchcraft is on your brain
Blow out your headpiece, and break out quick on the plane
Seal up your coffins, and celebrate with champagne

Get my drink, Absolut, cranberry juice
Paranoid by rug spots, you see the purple moose
You smokin' sherm or what? I paralyze that butt
Lick my d-head, you girls still pee in the bed
Yo take that wig off, yo punk let me see that, Caesar

Keep it real, represent what? My nuts
Keep it real, represent what? My nuts
Keep it real, represent what? My nuts

I gets more wreck, than [Incomprehensible] kids in baby's Pampers
Your wife is banned for leavin' bras in my hampers
That heffer's ugly, plastic why you still bug me
I'm on Melrose, Nicole's takin' sun strolls

Black girls with weaves, white girls with flat butts
With the name H O M O spelled in your name
You was a woman one time, man I know your game
With panties stuck up, sweat leakin' in your crotch

Collard greens you wet pig, you can't eat that much
I shut you down, your whole face two o'clock
Have your girl on sunset, in Denny's suckin' cock?
With white pumps up, blonde wigs rottin in the trunks

That homeless monkey, Barbie doll crystal junkie
I'm no joke and have respect for your kinfolks
Tie your tubes back, my scope is on your ass crack
You got paid for doodoo, that package rap was wack
Yeah yeah, you know what? Yeah

Keep it real, represent what? My nuts
Keep it real, represent what? My nuts
Keep it real, represent what? My nuts
Keep it real, represent what? My nuts

That's right, nine, six and seven
(Reverand Tom)
Representin' the scrotum
(Octagon)
All the hairs under the testicles
(The SharkMan)
Lick
(Kool Keith)
Yeah, don't buy 'The Basement Tapes'
Sheisty things going on, somebody's on the pipes

Labels foldin', goin' down in ninety six
Nobody play the records, city's out, no Tuff, Tuff, pity

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Kool Keith's "Keep It Real...Represent '96" are complex and take on a satirical tone, poking fun at the hypermasculinity in the rap industry. The song is a string of insults aimed at other rappers who Kool Keith perceives as not being authentic and whose success he attributes to being fake. He critiques their physical appearance, sexuality, and artistic decisions, challenging them to "keep it real" and represent their "nuts" (i.e., their authenticity) instead of putting on a façade. The lyrics are provocative, taking on taboo subjects such as sex work, queer sexuality, and drug use.

One interesting fact about the song is that it was released in 1996, a time when hip-hop was flying high in the mainstream. However, the song didn't receive much attention when it first came out, likely due to its controversial lyrics. Later on, it became somewhat of an underground classic, with many rappers citing it as an influence.

Another interesting fact is that Kool Keith recorded the song under his Dr. Octagon persona. Dr. Octagon is a character created by Kool Keith who is a time-traveling gynecologist and rapper. His music often features surrealistic lyrics and sci-fi themes.

The song features a sample from the 1968 film "Night of the Living Dead," specifically the line "They're coming to get you, Barbara!" This line appears multiple times throughout the song.

The track also samples the famous gunshot sound effect from the theme song of the TV show "Bonanza."

The song's title is a reference to the idea of "keeping it real," which was a common phrase in hip-hop during the 90s. The term is often used to refer to the importance of staying true to oneself and one's roots.

The song's lyrics have been interpreted in various ways, with some critics arguing that they are problematic due to their homophobic and transphobic content. Others see the song as a critique of toxic masculinity and hip-hop's often narrow definition of masculinity.

Kool Keith has been known for his provocative and controversial lyrics throughout his career. His music often challenges social norms and taboos, including those around sex, gender, and race.

The chords for "Keep it Real...Represent '96" are not readily available as the track features a sample-based beat. However, the song's instrumentation features a prominent bassline and drum track with samples layered on top. The production style is characteristic of early underground hip-hop.

Line by Line Meaning

Yeah, rappers, spread your cheeks
Kool Keith is challenging other rappers to show their true selves, to expose their vulnerabilities.

Pull your panties down, take your wig off
Kool Keith wants other rappers to strip away their masks and show their true identities.

Let me see your bald head, that's right
Kool Keith wants other rappers to be authentic and show their true selves.

I got you on Kodak, your pictures are goin' out to Black Tail, you're gonna be a star, yeah
Kool Keith is mocking other rappers, saying he has dirt on them and will expose them to the world.

I heard you quit rap, your wife went back to porno flicks
Kool Keith is taunting another rapper, saying that they are no longer relevant, and their wife has gone back to making porn.

You turned drag queen, a call girl doin' tricks
Kool Keith is accusing another rapper of cross-dressing and prostitution.

Nighttime prostitute kid, I'ma take your loot
Kool Keith is threatening to take money from another rapper who engages in prostitution.

I heard you queer now like Boy George blowin' flutes
Kool Keith is accusing another rapper of being gay and engaging in sexual acts.

With high heels, you stole your mom's birth control pills
Kool Keith is mocking another rapper, saying they wear high heels and stole their mom's birth control pills to use for themselves.

You on some new stuff, I heard about that sex change
Kool Keith is accusing another rapper of having undergone a sex change operation.

You got a vagina, your grandmother think it's strange
Kool Keith is mocking another rapper, saying they now have a vagina and their grandmother finds it strange.

New eyeliner, you was flirtin' with a gay designer
Kool Keith is accusing another rapper of wearing eyeliner and flirting with a gay fashion designer.

Your girl felt mines, and pulled off her Calvin Klein's
Kool Keith is boasting that another rapper's girlfriend was attracted to him and removed her underwear.

I saw Tampax, gonorrhea red stop signs
Kool Keith is accusing another rapper's girlfriend of having a sexually transmitted infection.

I looked at her and said, "Mmm, put your panties back on"
Kool Keith is implying that he rejected the advances of another rapper's girlfriend.

Then jerked off to Foxy Brown, when her verse was on
Kool Keith is expressing his attraction to Foxy Brown.

I wanna stand back and bust nuts at your butts
Kool Keith is making a sexually explicit and aggressive statement.

Your girl is cocked up, with lollipops, doggie style
Kool Keith is suggesting that another rapper's girlfriend is performing sexual acts and using drugs while doing so.

I feel I'm dealin' with plastic, watch these fake smiles
Kool Keith is accusing other rappers of being inauthentic and fake.

Yeah, meet my left and my right
Kool Keith is boasting about his fighting skills and wanting to engage in a physical altercation.

Keep it real, represent what? My nuts
Kool Keith is repeating a crude phrase to assert his masculinity.

I got utensils, back up kid, yo guard your rectum
Kool Keith is threatening violence and suggesting that others be cautious around him.

I'm crazy out here, mental man, don't respect him
Kool Keith is asserting himself as a dangerous and unpredictable person.

You now in pain, your mom just had the abortion
Kool Keith is making a callous and insensitive statement about someone's mother having an abortion.

Big head Boo, I put some roaches on your whole crew
Kool Keith is asserting his power and threatening to harm others by infesting them with bugs.

Have you scared with crack pipes? Your family throwin' doodoo
Kool Keith is threatening and insulting another person, suggesting that they are addicted to drugs and their family is dysfunctional.

Wear out your welcome, your little girl sex desires
Kool Keith is suggesting that another person is unwelcome and unwanted, and that they have inappropriate desires towards children.

Have you handicapped, some friends of mine blow your tires
Kool Keith is threatening to harm another person and their friends by disabling their vehicle.

Like Alfred Hitchcock, the ghost stands on your block
Kool Keith is using a reference to a famous filmmaker to describe himself as a spooky and threatening presence.

With nine mil's for drug addicts, I keep triggers cocked
Kool Keith is asserting that he is armed and prepared to use violence against drug users.

You on some methane, my witchcraft is on your brain
Kool Keith is suggesting that another person is high on drugs and that he has a mystical power over them.

Blow out your headpiece, and break out quick on the plane
Kool Keith is threatening to harm another person and suggesting that they flee the situation.

Seal up your coffins, and celebrate with champagne
Kool Keith is making a macabre and violent statement, telling others to prepare for their own deaths.

Get my drink, Absolut, cranberry juice
Kool Keith is ordering a specific alcoholic drink.

Paranoid by rug spots, you see the purple moose
Kool Keith is suggesting that someone is paranoid and hallucinating.

You smokin' sherm or what? I paralyze that butt
Kool Keith is asking if someone is using a specific drug, and threatening to harm their backside.

Lick my d-head, you girls still pee in the bed
Kool Keith is making a vulgar and misogynistic statement.

Yo take that wig off, yo punk let me see that, Caesar
Kool Keith is taunting someone for wearing a wig and suggesting that they shave their head instead.

That's right, nine, six and seven
Kool Keith is referencing the year 1996.

(Reverand Tom)
This line seems to be a non sequitur and has no clear meaning.

(Octagon)
This line is a reference to Kool Keith's previous music project, Dr. Octagon.

All the hairs under the testicles
This line is a vulgar statement referring to the hair in the genital region.

(The SharkMan)
This line is unclear and could be interpreted in a number of ways.

Yeah, don't buy 'The Basement Tapes'
Kool Keith is possibly discouraging listeners from purchasing someone else's music.

Sheisty things going on, somebody's on the pipes
Kool Keith is suggesting that something shady or illegal is happening, possibly involving drug use.

Labels foldin', goin' down in ninety six
Kool Keith is commenting on the state of the music industry, suggesting that record labels are struggling and going out of business.

Nobody play the records, city's out, no Tuff, Tuff, pity
Kool Keith is saying that his music is not getting played on the radio and that he feels no sympathy for the situation.

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS