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)
Mack Trucks
Kool Keith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Big Lou and company
Macks, Peterbilts, GMC's, white freight liners
Volvos, Marlins, Internationals
Eighteen wheels, we do deals
Major fake baller close your mouth, you rap about the same thing
Record company got you gassed
And act like you from Down South
I "Pimp Hard" like MJG and Eightball
Called the crib that my girl Kate called
Olde English aluminum can tall
Girls smile when I walk with alligators through the mall
Shiny jeans and baseball cap, no time for rotation crap
No sleep, always up with heat, never take no N-A-P
I.P.P. - International Player
Wherever you search there's no one greater
But you look at the back of the club walkin around
I see you, that's you, a HATER!
Macks, trucks, big wheels roll
Macks, trucks, big wheels roll
Macks, trucks, big wheels roll
Macks, trucks, big wheels roll
Global W.V.C. who can step to me
Got the belt over my head like Ernie Shavers
Why'all be talkin behind my back, rhyme as sweet as Life Savers
From New York, push records out from Detroit
Greyhound bus will get me to the point
From there, I don't care, pick me up in a pickup truck
I roll wagons fly like blue shoes with big Chuck
Thinkin I gives a fizzucka
You'se a metropolitan plastic-ass, youse a sucka!
Turn let me blast you in the face
A guy like you I should slash in the face
Pick up the lampshade, knock your blunt out your hand
Smear ash in your face!
Macks, trucks, big wheels roll
Macks, trucks, big wheels roll
Macks, trucks, big wheels roll
Macks, trucks, big wheels roll
The song "Mack Trucks" by Kool Keith is an ode to the world of trucking and a diss track to fake rappers. The lyrics list various types of trucks, including Macks, Peterbilts, GMCs, and Internationals, highlighting the importance of these vehicles in the transportation industry. The first verse also takes aim at record companies and fake ballers who rap about the same thing and act like they're from the South. Kool Keith, on the other hand, claims to be an "International Player" who doesn't have time for sleep or rotation crap.
In the second verse, Kool Keith boasts about his skills as a rapper and dismisses his haters. He compares himself to boxer Ernie Shavers, who was known for his powerful punches, and claims that his rhymes are as sweet as Life Savers. He also mentions his travels from New York to Detroit and other parts of the country, and his willingness to ride a Greyhound bus or a pickup truck to get to his destination. The verse ends with Kool Keith insulting his critics and threatening to blast them in the face, pick up a lampshade, and knock their blunts out of their hands.
Overall, "Mack Trucks" is a fun and catchy song that celebrates trucking culture and showcases Kool Keith's unique style and humor. It also sends a clear message to fake rappers: don't mess with Kool Keith.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, 2003
This song is from the year 2003.
Big Lou and company
Big Lou and his team are involved in the action that will be described in the song.
Macks, Peterbilts, GMC's, white freight liners
Volvos, Marlins, Internationals
These are all brands of large trucks that will be mentioned throughout the song.
Eighteen wheels, we do deals
Referring to the 18 wheels on a large truck, they are doing business with these trucks.
Major fake baller close your mouth, you rap about the same thing
Record company got you gassed
Now you want to hold champagne and bounce
And act like you from Down South
This is a criticism of other rappers who talk about clichéd topics and act like big shots because of their record label's influence, even though they are not authentic to their origins.
I "Pimp Hard" like MJG and Eightball
Called the crib that my girl Kate called
Olde English aluminum can tall
The singer compares himself to other rappers who also use the phrase 'pimp hard'. He references an old-fashioned and inexpensive malt liquor brand as an example of his gritty, unpretentious style.
Girls smile when I walk with alligators through the mall
Shiny jeans and baseball cap, no time for rotation crap
No sleep, always up with heat, never take no N-A-P
I.P.P. - International Player
The singer describes his confident and fashionable appearance when in public, being surrounded by admirers who appreciate his style. He never sleeps and is always ready, while also calling himself an International Player of some sort.
Wherever you search there's no one greater
But you look at the back of the club walkin around
I see you, that's you, a HATER!
The artist proclaims himself to be the best, but also calls out others who are jealous of his success and talk behind his back.
Global W.V.C. who can step to me
Got the belt over my head like Ernie Shavers
Why'all be talkin behind my back, rhyme as sweet as Life Savers
From New York, push records out from Detroit
The artist is confident in his abilities and describes himself with a boxing metaphor. He is also aware of those who criticize him with 'sweet' words even though he is from New York but produces music in Detroit.
Greyhound bus will get me to the point
From there, I don't care, pick me up in a pickup truck
I roll wagons fly like blue shoes with big Chuck
Thinkin I gives a fizzucka
The artist is willing to use a simple mode of transportation to get where he needs to go, and doesn't care what vehicle they use to pick him up later. He also alludes to a popular brand of sneakers here, but he doesn't care what others think about it.
You'se a metropolitan plastic-ass, youse a sucka!
Turn let me blast you in the face
A guy like you I should slash in the face
Pick up the lampshade, knock your blunt out your hand
Smear ash in your face!
The singer shames other people who he perceives to be fake or overly concerned with superficial things. He threatens them with violence and insults them by indicating that they would be unable to handle it.
Macks, trucks, big wheels roll
Macks, trucks, big wheels roll
Macks, trucks, big wheels roll
Macks, trucks, big wheels roll
The chorus repeats that the focus is on the large trucks that are being used for business, emphasizing their importance.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: KEITH THORNTON, MARK GIVEAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Orgon Solo
Among one of the most pleasing covers ever conceived LOL
Though, seriously, I just feel this is getting a new lease of life these days , what with the Canadian Truckers rolling into town!
Ringolero
'Global WBC who can step to me got the belt over my head like Ernie Shavers'. Random Bars like this is why I've been a fan for like 25 years!!!! 🔥🔥😡🔥🔥
javy 82
Sick.
asshoIe ©94
the european human being
Showcom Digital
Dope beat!
Big Al
“ Macks, trucks, big wheels roll”
FOGATRON
The precursor to Diesel Truckers 😎
Tom Garfunkel
This man Invented Trucker Rap he’s the greatest to ever do it
KAVMCCESQ
If you go back to Ultramag, there are links to his space styles, trucking, horror core...everything.
DreamWarrior
hilarious how he would open with a random city or year