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)
Lost in Space
Kool Keith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Them lock out, studios, need to block out
Here's my number call me direct, get no feedback
No interviews, channel four, see me on the news
Erase your message walk streets with my cellular phone
Address you wonder, don't try to catch me home alone
Up seven o'clock, while you trying to find me on my block
I'm at the airport, you think I'm strange, boardin' the plane
Hotel Onion drinkin' brew watchin' Sesame Street
You thought you saw me with a wig on, at 7/11
Disguised like Shakespeare with blue chrome behind your ear
My George Washington robe, I still travel the globe
On Pan-Am air flights, I roll in cities after midnight
Stand in your lobby unsuspected, you get neglected
Traffic was hectic
Order room service, transfer quick to Holiday Inn
Check out time nine o'clock, coat on, I'm on again
You comin' so wack you sound like the Bulworth soundtrack
I'm in the mall steady shoppin' while you tryin' to call
It's on my answering machine, to speak to me as a dream
Pacific Bell know him, the phone is off, and I'm well known
1-800 number, castle code see to summer
Extreme complicated businessman, can't be reached
No type of headquarters, deserted land, by the waters
Target my focus on, internal thinkin' by myself
You catch the treatments hiatus like Sam on the shelf
Move out your zip code with you-Haul, watch you fall
Obtain five boxes callin' Mayflower, every hour
You scratch your brain askin' neighbors what, now you wonder
While you search lookin' deep in your Rolodex, I flex, I tell the truth
When I'm serious you think I'm mysterious, drop rap in minutes
Become your problem like Dennis the Menace
Hold up your meetings papi, let's ? to the paparazzi
Unseen heard of your magazine got the nerve of a two-year old crayon writing
Talkin' to y'all I'm decidin'
Communication leads one step to aggravation
I got my ears closed, back to bookin' my own shoes
Level seven eight nine - second dimension
The lyrics to Kool Keith's song "Lost In Space" speaks about Keith's solo career, his avoidance of managers, interviews, and seeking solitude while being pursued by those he'd rather avoid. The first stanza explains that Keith avoids managers and studios and opts for people to contact him directly. He also states that he avoids interviews and can be seen on Channel 4 news instead. He goes on to explain how he avoids confrontations and leaves his house with his cellular phone to avoid being caught by someone waiting for him. He is always on the move, from boarding planes to relaxing in hotels where he orders room service, and enjoys a brew while watching Sesame Street on TV.
In the second part of the song, he mentions that his phone is often off, and his business operations are hard to track. He also explains that he moves around a lot, sometimes with U-Haul trucks, and often changes his address. In the end, he speaks about his focus on self-thought while avoiding aggravation.
Overall, the song speaks to Keith's preference for solitude while highlighting the challenges of being in the public eye. He also emphasizes the importance of self-care and mental health while navigating a demanding industry.
Line by Line Meaning
Blast full at ten, Keith still solo with no manager
I am doing well in the music industry without any assistance or management.
Them lock out, studios, need to block out
Some people are trying to prevent me from entering the recording studio, so I need to take measures to block them out.
Here's my number call me direct, get no feedback
You can call me directly, but don't expect a response from me.
No interviews, channel four, see me on the news
I am not interested in doing any interviews, but you may see me in the news.
Erase your message walk streets with my cellular phone
I delete your messages and use my cellular phone while walking around the streets.
Address you wonder, don't try to catch me home alone
You may wonder where I live, but don't attempt to catch me home alone.
Up seven o'clock, while you trying to find me on my block
I wake up early while you are still searching for me in my neighborhood.
I'm at the airport, you think I'm strange, boardin' the plane
I am at the airport, and you may find my behavior strange as I board the plane.
Turn off my pager, then quickly, relax my feet
I turn off my pager and take a moment to relax my feet.
Hotel Onion drinkin' brew watchin' Sesame Street
I am in a hotel room drinking beer and watching Sesame Street.
You thought you saw me with a wig on, at 7/11
You may have thought you saw me wearing a wig at the convenience store.
Disguised like Shakespeare with blue chrome behind your ear
I am disguised like Shakespeare with a blue gun behind my ear.
My George Washington robe, I still travel the globe
I still travel the world wearing my George Washington robe.
On Pan-Am air flights, I roll in cities after midnight
I travel on Pan-Am air flights and arrive in cities after midnight.
Stand in your lobby unsuspected, you get neglected
I stand in your lobby without being noticed, and you ignore me.
Traffic was hectic
Traffic was very busy.
Order room service, transfer quick to Holiday Inn
I order room service and quickly transfer to a Holiday Inn.
Check out time nine o'clock, coat on, I'm on again
I check out of the hotel at 9 o'clock and immediately leave.
You comin' so wack you sound like the Bulworth soundtrack
You are coming across as unoriginal and uninspired, like the soundtrack for the movie Bulworth.
I'm in the mall steady shoppin' while you tryin' to call
I am shopping at the mall while you are trying to reach me by phone.
It's on my answering machine, to speak to me as a dream
You can leave a message on my answering machine, but don't expect me to respond.
Pacific Bell know him, the phone is off, and I'm well known
Pacific Bell knows how to reach me, but my phone is turned off, and I am already famous.
1-800 number, castle code see to summer
You can call me on my 1-800 number, and I will answer if you know the code for my castle in the summer.
Extreme complicated businessman, can't be reached
I am a very complicated businessman, and it is difficult to reach me.
No type of headquarters, deserted land, by the waters
I don't have a headquarters, but I am often found in deserted areas near the water.
Target my focus on, internal thinkin' by myself
I am focusing on my own thoughts and inner reflections.
You catch the treatments hiatus like Sam on the shelf
You are experiencing a delay like Sam, who is on the shelf waiting to be treated.
Move out your zip code with you-Haul, watch you fall
I am moving out of your area with a U-Haul, and I will watch as you fail.
Obtain five boxes callin' Mayflower, every hour
I am calling Mayflower and ordering five boxes every hour.
You scratch your brain askin' neighbors what, now you wonder
You are confused and asking your neighbors what's going on, and now you are wondering.
While you search lookin' deep in your Rolodex, I flex, I tell the truth
While you are searching through your contacts, I am being honest and confident.
When I'm serious you think I'm mysterious, drop rap in minutes
When I am serious, you perceive me as mysterious, and I can create rap lyrics in a matter of minutes.
Become your problem like Dennis the Menace
I can become a problematic person in your life, like Dennis the Menace.
Hold up your meetings papi, let's ? to the paparazzi
Stop your meetings, sir, so we can talk to the paparazzi.
Unseen heard of your magazine got the nerve of a two-year old crayon writing
I have never seen or heard of your magazine before, and it has the quality of a crayon drawing by a two-year-old.
Talkin' to y'all I'm decidin'
I am talking to all of you to make a decision.
Communication leads one step to aggravation
Talking too much can lead to frustration and annoyance.
I got my ears closed, back to bookin' my own shoes
I am closing my ears to avoid distractions and focusing on booking my own gigs.
Level seven eight nine - second dimension
I am entering a new level of existence and exploring the possibilities of the second dimension.
Lyrics © THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: KEITH THORNTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Spazmobot
20 years old -- still sounds like the future!
Giridrion
So glad I was part of this generation. Dopeness overload. (WARNING)
Faruk Hugh
Me tooooo
S. P.
Morning
Brandon
Stand in your lobby, unsuspected/ you get neglected, traffic was hectic.
Keith is so damn nice with the wordplay
Frank Wright
Kool Keith demonstrates the Ultra Instinct of rap.
NO TO DIVERSITY
What a tune love that bass line🔥🔥🔥
dani konrad
this is how hip hop should sounds.
Daaaamn this is sooo futuristic, cosmic and psychedelic.
Amazing as fuck, if people know more artist like this let me know thx!
James Bond
yes, please let us know
Iconoclastic
dani konrad You might like the Deltron 3030 album if you haven't heard it. Check it out!