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)
Lyrical Magic
Kool Keith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, 7th Vail (7th Vail)
Kool Keith, the prince of New York
My man... H-Bomb
Like no other
My breed is no other
The world fashion instructor
New wave gator conductor
Gotta handle that flashes
Adjust my speed shutter
Futuristic vocalist, Kool Keith
I'm pro at this
I'm too high up in the sky
Many are lower at this
Girls look out the colossal windows
It's on when the wind blows
Scroll through your bank accounts, I'm not a pimp
You wanna give me your pocketbook
I'm not a violatin guy, I'm not a pocket crook
The empire of all this
People say what kinda style you call this
My sparkle shine, it's all wrist
(uh-huh, it's all wrist)
[Chorus - singer]
Your girlfriend got in me mayn
She been givin me brains
There's no shame in her game
But you should be ashamed (I'm the prince of New York)
You see I'm runnin thangs
Got diamond rings and chains
See I move in big ways
I like the finer thangs (I'm the prince of New York)
[uncredited rapper]
From age 14 I been walkin this talk
Fuck Bill Cosby, I'm with the prince of New York
In ninety-four, {?} play with Eric B.
Left {?} for the West coast from Jersey
And that's the time where about Big and 'Pac
The time on the mic, niggaz had to rock
Don't cuss the Lord cause he had blessed
Some distressed from the shine on the chest
The men remain, many get slain
Flipped perks for personal gain, money woodgrain
I changed the code, I save a load
I've crossed the road and L.A. showed
The flyest chicks, the dopest whips
The cush is the shit, out of town is flipped
Your hustle stopped cause you can not
do what I do so you chill with a half knot
[Chorus]
[Kool Keith]
The National Enquirer, tornado mister
Essence Magazine
You the model with the nice legs in sister to sister
You got a little resume with Mannie Fresh
So you worked a couple of videos
For Mario Winans and Tung Twista
Who's your contact? And who should I call back?
Turn around girl, all I see is a wineglass shape
It's nice right there, the thong gets lost
I see all back
I'm tellin your man, I'm all that
The industry bore me, y'all all whack
I created Hustler, I ball back
When I shop, I'm all back
[Chorus]
The song "Lyrical Magic" by Kool Keith boasts of his talents as a rapper and his status as the "prince of New York." He declares himself a "futuristic vocalist" and "world fashion instructor" who is too high up in the sky for others to match. In the first verse, Kool Keith expounds his skills, comparing himself to a conductor who is in control of the newest trends in music. He asserts his ability to captivate the audience, drawing a comparison to a colossal window that draws the attention of girls. Further, he dismisses allegations that he is a pimp, stating that he is not a violating guy nor a pocket crook.
The chorus of the song, which is sung by an uncredited singer, speaks about Kool Keith's lavish lifestyle as he experiences success as a rapper. The singer brags about stealing other men's girlfriends, and being unapologetic about his fame, affluence, and extravagant taste. The uncredited rapper adds to Kool Keith's narrative, sharing his experiences in the rap industry from age fourteen, his journey through iconic moments in music history, and his understanding of the changing culture. The song emphasizes Kool Keith's talent and influence in the music industry while touching on his luxurious lifestyle, success, and the industry's highs and lows.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, 7th Vail (7th Vail)
Introduction to the song, mentioning the 7th Vail and setting the mood.
Kool Keith, the prince of New York
Identifying the artist and his nickname as the Prince of New York.
My man... H-Bomb
Giving a shout-out to H-Bomb.
Like no other
Asserting that he is unique and incomparable.
My breed is no other
Reiterating his individuality and singularity.
The world fashion instructor
Claiming to be an expert in fashion and having an influence on it worldwide.
New wave gator conductor
Combining different concepts to create something new and unique, like conducting an alligator in a new wave style.
My name written on the back of your hiphuggers
Suggesting that he is so notable that people would write his name on their clothing.
Gotta handle that flashes
Being able to handle the attention and paparazzi flashes that come with fame.
Adjust my speed shutter
Metaphorically discussing changing his pace or adapting to his surroundings.
Futuristic vocalist, Kool Keith
Describing himself as a unique and innovative singer.
I'm pro at this
Asserting his expertise in his craft.
I'm too high up in the sky
Claiming that he is above the rest in terms of skill and accomplishment.
Many are lower at this
Suggesting that others cannot compete with his level of success.
Girls look out the colossal windows
Implying that he is so successful that women are peering out of large windows to get a glimpse of him.
It's on when the wind blows
The implication of a stirring atmosphere when he enters the room or arrives at an event.
Scroll through your bank accounts, I'm not a pimp
Asserting himself as respectable and not involved in illegal activities like pimping.
You wanna give me your pocketbook
Suggesting that women are so enamored with him that they would willingly give him their money.
I'm not a violatin guy, I'm not a pocket crook
Emphasizing that he is not a criminal and does not engage in illegal activities.
The empire of all this
Describing himself as a powerful figure with an empire of influence and success.
People say what kinda style you call this
Acknowledging that some may be confused about his unique style.
My sparkle shine, it's all wrist
Describing his flashy and extravagant presence with plenty of bling and style.
Your girlfriend got in me mayn
Boasting about taking someone's girlfriend.
She been givin me brains
Implied sexual activity with the stolen girlfriend.
There's no shame in her game
Justifying the actions of the stolen girlfriend and suggesting she has no shame in what she has done.
But you should be ashamed (I'm the prince of New York)
Suggesting that the boyfriend should feel ashamed for not being able to keep his girlfriend happy and satisfied.
You see I'm runnin thangs
Asserting his power and control over everything around him.
Got diamond rings and chains
Bringing up his wealth and status through the ownership of expensive jewelry.
See I move in big ways
Implying that he makes big and influential moves in the industry.
I like the finer thangs (I'm the prince of New York)
Acknowledging that he has expensive taste and can afford it because of his status as the Prince of New York.
From age 14 I been walkin this talk
Describing how long he has been in the music industry and talking about his success.
Fuck Bill Cosby, I'm with the prince of New York
Making a statement of opposition to Bill Cosby and aligning himself with New York royalty status.
In ninety-four, {?} play with Eric B.
Mentioning a year and the fact that he worked with Eric B. alongside an unknown artist.
Left {?} for the West coast from Jersey
Specifying a location change from New Jersey to the West Coast during his career.
And that's the time where about Big and 'Pac
Referencing the time when famous rappers Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur were active.
The time on the mic, niggaz had to rock
Describing how great the music scene was at that time, with so much talent and competition.
Don't cuss the Lord cause he had blessed
Suggesting that he is blessed and does not want to anger God or nature by acting against it.
Some distressed from the shine on the chest
People are intimidated by his wealth and jewelry.
The men remain, many get slain
He will continue to be successful, while others falter.
Flipped perks for personal gain, money woodgrain
Describing how certain people flip assets for personal gain, such as money and wooden interior car accents.
I changed the code, I save a load
Making changes in the industry and saving resources, such as money.
I've crossed the road and L.A. showed
Taking a different path and finding success in Los Angeles.
The flyest chicks, the dopest whips
Acknowledging his abundance of attractive women and high-end cars.
The cush is the shit, out of town is flipped
Implying that he has high-end marijuana and can flip it when he is out of town.
Your hustle stopped cause you can not do what I do so you chill with a half knot
Suggesting that he is able to succeed where others have failed and those that cannot do what he does have to settle for less success.
The National Enquirer, tornado mister
Combining the idea of a celebrity tabloid with the force of nature to create something unique.
Essence Magazine
Mentioning a popular magazine targeted toward African American women.
You the model with the nice legs in sister to sister
Referring to a specific model with nice legs and mentioning another magazine targeting African American women.
You got a little resume with Mannie Fresh
Referencing a musician and producer that she has worked with.
So you worked a couple of videos
Implying that she has worked in the entertainment industry by participating in video productions.
For Mario Winans and Tung Twista
Mentioning specific artists that she has worked with in her video productions.
Who's your contact? And who should I call back?
Asking for more information and indicating interest in working with her in the industry.
Turn around girl, all I see is a wineglass shape
Commenting on her attractive figure and comparing it to a wineglass shape.
It's nice right there, the thong gets lost
Implying that he is attracted to her and that her thong is barely visible.
I'm tellin your man, I'm all that
Asserting that he is better than her current partner.
The industry bore me, y'all all whack
Claiming that the entertainment industry is no longer interesting to him and labeling others as untalented.
I created Hustler, I ball back
Asserting that he has had a role in the creation of Hustler magazine and detailing his wealth and success.
When I shop, I'm all back
Suggesting that he spends large amounts of money when he goes shopping.
Contributed by Hudson E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
El Maestro
Forgot all about the song