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)
Keith N' Me
Kool Keith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby, can you feel my love?
I got my shorts on-
And I'm taking them off
Now when I saw your face I'm a believer
Hey what you got the keys to my Beamer
A keeper get the fever viva end receiver
Oochie Wally Wally leave it to my Beaver
If this rap game don't work out baby you cut for Chippendales
I got my nails done for this special day, Oil of Olay
Case of Criss in piss in the bidet I'm Miss rappin Jon Benet
Big hunk blowin spunk in the back of the top bunk
Slam dunk Daft Punk's voice box in the water kerplunk
Get krunk forget Clyde and Bonnie Ted Bundy and Peg Bundy Burt and Loni
Nancy and Ronnie Betty and Barney smokin mariwanni, I'm a little horny
On and on a common bond two vagabonds in Vuitton
Eatin Cinnebons at a mall on Mars where we belong
Arm in arm naked making spawn at the salad bar get salad tongs deliver our new baby born
Wait something's wrong, I gotta call my moms tell her Keith's on my song
Ultramagnetic you helped my headache like a music paramedic you mad athletic there I said it
I'm older now, Come 'n get it
We're like Doin it and Doin it well, So poetic
[Keith's rhyme]
You and me like ET and Drew Barrymore
Pick Reese's Pieces off your piece I want to marry more Keith
You'll be comin soon to a theater near me
Veni Vidi Veni Veni-I came I saw I came and I came again that's three
[Keith's rhyme]
I think about you and the things you say when you rhyme
Won't beat around the bush so you can beat around mine
I'm a Slinky, coil my butt back and forth down the stair I'm kinkier than pubic hair
The song "Keith N' Me" by Kool Keith is a playful and humorous ode to love and lust. The first verse sees Keith recounting his physical attraction to his lover, with lyrics about stripping down, getting intimate, and even comparing himself to a stripper at Chippendales. However, his lyrics about getting his nails done and using Oil of Olay reveal a more traditionally feminine side to himself, subverting gender norms and celebrating a more fluid approach to sexuality.
The second verse continues the playful tone, with Keith referencing the movie "ET" and Drew Barrymore to describe the closeness between him and his lover. He also shows appreciation for her rhyming skills and makes a sexual innuendo by mentioning a Slinky toy. The chorus ties the song together, with Keith comparing his relationship to classic hip hop tracks like "Doin' It" by LL Cool J.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, can you feel my love?
Keith is expressing his love to his partner and asking if they can feel the same way.
I got my shorts on-
Keith is getting ready for some physical intimacy with his partner by taking off his shorts.
And I'm taking them off
Keith is removing his shorts in anticipation of engaging in sexual activity with his partner.
Now when I saw your face I'm a believer
Keith expresses how he had an instant connection with his partner when he saw their face.
Hey what you got the keys to my Beamer
Keith is giving his partner permission to drive his car, a BMW.
A keeper get the fever viva end receiver
Keith refers to his partner as a keeper and reminisces about their passionate moments together.
Oochie Wally Wally leave it to my Beaver
Keith makes a sexual reference to leave it to his partner and he will be satisfied.
Take a big sip and inhale, you tip the scale
Keith is indicating that his partner likes to indulge in excess, particularly food and other substances.
If this rap game don't work out baby you cut for Chippendales
Keith is making a joke that his partner is built and attractive enough to work as a male stripper if the rap game does not work out.
I got my nails done for this special day, Oil of Olay
Keith has prepared for a special day by getting his nails done and using skincare products like Oil of Olay.
Case of Criss in piss in the bidet I'm Miss rappin Jon Benet
Keith makes a crude reference to having a case of Cristal and urinating in a bidet, while also making an odd comparison to child beauty pageant star Jon Benet Ramsey.
Big hunk blowin spunk in the back of the top bunk
Keith is implying a sexual encounter involving himself and a big guy in the back of a bunk bed.
Slam dunk Daft Punk's voice box in the water kerplunk
Keith is making a threat or boast about taking down the vocals of the electronic music duo Daft Punk.
Get krunk forget Clyde and Bonnie Ted Bundy and Peg Bundy Burt and Loni
Keith references various criminal duos and couples, suggesting that he and his partner are better than them and should party instead of committing crimes.
Nancy and Ronnie Betty and Barney smokin mariwanni, I'm a little horny
Keith is making references to famous couples and smoking marijuana, and also suggesting that he is feeling sexually aroused.
On and on a common bond two vagabonds in Vuitton
Keith and his partner have a strong connection that goes beyond material possessions, even if they enjoy luxury items like Louis Vuitton.
Eatin Cinnebons at a mall on Mars where we belong
Keith and his partner feel like they belong at a mall on Mars, eating cinnamon rolls together.
Arm in arm naked making spawn at the salad bar get salad tongs deliver our new baby born
Keith paints a bizarre image of himself and his partner being naked and starting a family at a salad bar.
Wait something's wrong, I gotta call my moms tell her Keith's on my song
Keith's partner suddenly realizes that Keith is on their song and they need to tell their mother.
Ultramagnetic you helped my headache like a music paramedic you mad athletic there I said it
Keith acknowledges the contributions of the rap group Ultramagnetic to his career and compares them to a medical paramedic, while also admiring their athletic ability.
I'm older now, Come 'n get it
Keith is older but still has the energy and enthusiasm to engage in sexual activity.
We're like Doin it and Doin it well, So poetic
Keith compares his and his partner's sexual chemistry to the classic LL Cool J song 'Doin' It' and recognizes the poetry in their connection.
You and me like ET and Drew Barrymore
Keith and his partner have a strong bond like the unlikely friendship between the characters of ET and Drew Barrymore in the movie.
Pick Reese's Pieces off your piece I want to marry more Keith
Keith playfully suggests picking food (Reese's Pieces) off his partner's body and wanting to spend more time with them (marry more Keith).
You'll be comin soon to a theater near me
Keith is excited about the prospect of his partner coming to watch him perform in a theater close by.
Veni Vidi Veni Veni-I came I saw I came and I came again that's three
Keith makes a crude joke about ejaculating multiple times (I came, I saw, I came again) and the number 'three'.
I think about you and the things you say when you rhyme
Keith admires his partner's rapping skills and thinking about them when they rhyme.
Won't beat around the bush so you can beat around mine
Keith is straightforward in his approach to sex and suggests that his partner can be more playful or coy.
I'm a Slinky, coil my butt back and forth down the stair I'm kinkier than pubic hair
Keith compares himself to a Slinky toy and suggests that he is very flexible, incorporating some sexual innuendo about pubic hair.
Lyrics © THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: CONCETTA LIRSCHNER, JOHN PARKER, KEITH THORNTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind