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)
Make Up Your Mind
Kool Keith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah.. so you called me last night
You was kinda confused huh?
You didn't know what to do
Whassup? You lookin for a million dollars or somethin?
Man you kinda confused
Freak mode! I'ma have sex so let em feel
Touch my private my thing made of steel
Shootin gizm she ride like a Geo Prism
I'm out in Cali San Bernardino Valley
I'm on the hill, not North in Peteskill
Big Willie servin, now tell me how you femmes feel
I'm in the Cadillac, drivin in a droptop
People don't know my style, watch when they heads bop
I'm on the highway, girls pull em down my way
Credit cards and checks, man she get paid on Friday
The woman's out, the Phantom pushin more clout
I'm watchin ? with Sam, drinkin Guinness Stout
Bourban booze, green alligator shoes
Union commissioned sex, government intelligence
What you see girl, that Benz is irrelevant
Materialistic, ugly man is plastic
No class, in a suit, cost rather cheap
Got the nerve to blow the horn and he try to beep
Interfere, in my spot, and he's comin here
She's in the white boots, breathin in my ear
Chorus: cool Keith
Make up your mind, who you want to pump the butt (4X)
[Kool Keith]
No affections, condom style, I got no yeast
Worldwide trunk funk, no jazz on the East
Breakin honies down, mackin here to Petersberg
Virginia Slim, turn the freaks out in Lynchburg
With brown bootie, Joe Smith, hit from Pittsburgh
The right player, even if I choose odds
Let me shuffle jackpots, women pick the cards
Your hydraulic butt, bounce like a six-trey
I'm on the case, jealous man steppin in my way
Hot pursuit, why she play herself? Get the boot
Actin like Troop, he say he signed with a group
He wrote for Babyface, did songs, toured with Snoop
.. lyin to you to get thrilled
Droppin them old lines, his breath smell like doodoo
I got a style if a brother want to know
Smokin that stink blunt, you still sniffin blow
Nose runnin on time with green slime
Step in the club, I throw urine on your mind
Big Luciano, diamond rings on the grand piano
Girls flock and guys hop on the other jock
I'm in a two-door, with bass comin through your block
Sound kicks, I got the fly broads in the mix
California butt, MC's suckin more what
Like Gerald Levert, you try to make it work
Jheri Curl Jones, spendin cash on a skirt
Plan to win, whassup with Uncle Ben?
Brother is sly, fatback bacon
Still fakin, his voice chords achin
You know I'm perplex, exotic on Ampex
Dogstyle champ, hittin booty for butt sex
I can't disguise myself like Michael Jackson
The flasher, are you ready for action?
Chorus: cool Keith
Make up your mind, who you want to pump the butt (3X)
Make up your mind, who you want to pump it
[Kool Keith]
I got a summons, my clothes is off, I'm butt-naked
in a discotechque, don't tell me ladies can't take it
Just to have my drawers in a overcoat
My El Dorado lean, the black Caddy float
down the hill with Frankie Dolla Bill
Honies in red zone, tell me how them drawers feel
Suckin on the hippie, on the Mississippi
Econo Lodge, a cheap way to get a quickie
Five and five, equal ten
Add twenty up, I'm back in the spot again
Blowin it up, I drop my own bomb
Two big green mitts, and tails on my arm
You in my way my man, yo be excuse me
I didn't call your girl, why accuse me?
I think you're insecure, not sure
if your girlfriend's home, if she's knockin at my door
Back in your ride, no apartment, no place to wash
You can't clean, tell em black
He don't know yet, my discipline, how to act
Stack with fume, and twenty-four flicks
You can't win, takin shots like the Knicks
I'm old enough with skills to be your daddy
Go ask grandma, your freaky Aunt Sally
Pretty woman standin there with her ugly man
I don't want to shake his hand
Chorus: cool Keith
Make up your mind, who you want to pump the butt (6X)
Make up your mind, who you want to pump it
The song "Make Up Your Mind" by Kool Keith can be interpreted in different ways, but the underlying meaning is quite clear - it's about a man who is trying to convince a woman to choose between him and other men. Kool Keith portrays himself as a player with a lot of confidence, even describing his "thing made of steel" and talking about his sexual prowess. He travels across different states, picking up women and enjoying the single life, but he's not content with just having fun. He wants this particular woman to commit to him and choose him over others.
Throughout the song, Keith ridicules other guys and their materialistic lifestyles, calling them "ugly man is plastic" and saying that their Benz is irrelevant. He puts himself above them, stating that he has the skills and the looks to be anyone's daddy. However, this confidence is a facade, and he's really insecure about this woman's feelings towards him. His repeated plea for her to "make up her mind" shows that he's looking for validation from her and isn't sure if she really likes him.
Overall, "Make Up Your Mind" is a classic example of a man trying to convince a woman to choose him over others. Kool Keith portrays himself as a confident player, but also shows his insecurity and need for validation.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah.. so you called me last night
You reached out to me recently
You was kinda confused huh?
You were uncertain and unsure
You didn't know what to do
You were lacking direction
All excited over these football players and baseball players
You were enthusiastic about athletes
Whassup? You lookin for a million dollars or somethin?
What's going on? Are you searching for a large sum of money?
Man you kinda confused
You're quite perplexed
Freak mode! I'ma have sex so let em feel
In a state of indulgence! I'm going to engage in sexual activity to let others sense the intensity
Touch my private my thing made of steel
Interact with my intimate area, which is constructed from strong and durable material
Shootin gizm she ride like a Geo Prism
Ejaculating my reproductive fluid while she travels in a smooth and efficient manner, reminiscent of a Geo Prism car
I'm out in Cali San Bernardino Valley
I'm currently located in the San Bernardino Valley in California
I'm on the hill, not North in Peteskill
I'm situated on the hill, not in the northern region of Peteskill
Big Willie servin, now tell me how you femmes feel
A wealthy and influential individual serving others. Now, express your feelings, ladies
I'm in the Cadillac, drivin in a droptop
I'm driving a Cadillac convertible
People don't know my style, watch when they heads bop
Others are unaware of my unique approach, but they will notice and nod their heads when they witness it
I'm on the highway, girls pull em down my way
While traveling on the highway, women eagerly approach me
Credit cards and checks, man she get paid on Friday
She earns money through credit cards and checks, and receives her payment on Friday
The woman's out, the Phantom pushin more clout
The woman is absent, but my luxurious car, a Phantom, increases my influence and power
I'm watchin ? with Sam, drinkin Guinness Stout
I am observing something alongside Sam, while enjoying a bottle of Guinness Stout
Bourban booze, green alligator shoes
Drinking bourbon alcohol and wearing stylish shoes made from green alligator skin
Union commissioned sex, government intelligence
Engaging in sexual activity arranged by a labor union, with the involvement of government intelligence
What you see girl, that Benz is irrelevant
What you observe, young lady, the luxury car Benz is insignificant and holds no importance
Materialistic, ugly man is plastic
An individual who values material possessions excessively and an unattractive man is fake
No class, in a suit, cost rather cheap
Lacking sophistication, wearing an inexpensive suit
Got the nerve to blow the horn and he try to beep
Having the audacity to honk the horn and attempt to get attention
Interfere, in my spot, and he's comin here
Intervene in my location, and he is approaching this area
She's in the white boots, breathin in my ear
She is wearing white boots and exhaling close to my ear
Make up your mind, who you want to pump the butt
Decide, whom do you choose to have sexual intercourse with
No affections, condom style, I got no yeast
Lack of emotional attachment, using contraception, I do not have a yeast infection
Worldwide trunk funk, no jazz on the East
Internationally recognized groovy music, without any jazz influence in the Eastern region
Breakin honies down, mackin here to Petersberg
Breaking down attractive women, confidently flirting, even in Petersberg
Virginia Slim, turn the freaks out in Lynchburg
Virginia Slim cigarettes, captivating the promiscuous individuals in Lynchburg
With brown bootie, Joe Smith, hit from Pittsburgh
Engaging with a woman with a brown derrière, named Joe Smith from Pittsburgh
The right player, even if I choose odds
Selecting the correct individual, even if the odds are against me
Let me shuffle jackpots, women pick the cards
Allow me to rearrange winnings, while women select the playing cards
Your hydraulic butt, bounce like a six-trey
Your buttocks, enhanced with hydraulic features, bounce like a '63 Chevy Impala
I'm on the case, jealous man steppin in my way
I am determined to solve this problem, as a jealous man tries to interfere
Hot pursuit, why she play herself? Get the boot
Intense pursuit, why is she deceiving herself? She will be dismissed
Actin like Troop, he say he signed with a group
Behaving in a manner similar to Troop, claiming to be part of a musical group
He wrote for Babyface, did songs, toured with Snoop
He wrote songs for Babyface, created music, and travelled on tour with Snoop Dogg
.. lyin to you to get thrilled
.. deceiving you in order to experience excitement
Droppin them old lines, his breath smell like doodoo
Using outdated pick-up lines, with breath that has an unpleasant scent
I got a style if a brother want to know
I possess a unique approach, if a man is interested in learning
Smokin that stink blunt, you still sniffin blow
Inhaling that unpleasant-smelling marijuana cigarette, while you continue to use cocaine
Nose runnin on time with green slime
Having a running nose, perfectly synchronized with the green mucus
Step in the club, I throw urine on your mind
Entering the club, I metaphorically impact your thoughts negatively
Big Luciano, diamond rings on the grand piano
Prominent figure named Luciano, showcasing extravagant diamond rings on top of a grand piano
Girls flock and guys hop on the other jock
Women gather around, while men try to imitate and compete for attention
I'm in a two-door, with bass comin through your block
I'm driving a two-door vehicle, with powerful bass music vibrating through your neighborhood
Sound kicks, I got the fly broads in the mix
Impressive speakers, attracting attractive women to the gathering
California butt, MC's suckin more what
Curvaceous buttocks characteristic of California, while other MCs lack skill
Like Gerald Levert, you try to make it work
Similar to Gerald Levert, you attempt to make a situation function
Jheri Curl Jones, spendin cash on a skirt
A man named Jheri Curl Jones, using money extravagantly on a woman's outfit
Plan to win, whassup with Uncle Ben?
Having a strategy to attain victory, what's going on with Uncle Ben?
Brother is sly, fatback bacon
The man is cunning, similar to fatback bacon
Still fakin, his voice chords achin
Continuing to deceive, as his vocal cords experience discomfort
You know I'm perplex, exotic on Ampex
You are aware that I'm puzzling and extraordinary, recorded on an Ampex tape machine
Dogstyle champ, hittin booty for butt sex
An individual with expertise in a particular sexual position, engaging in anal intercourse
I can't disguise myself like Michael Jackson
I'm unable to conceal my true identity like Michael Jackson could
The flasher, are you ready for action?
The exhibitionist, are you prepared for an experience full of intensity and excitement?
Make up your mind, who you want to pump the butt
Decide, whom do you choose to have sexual intercourse with
I got a summons, my clothes is off, I'm butt-naked
I received a legal notice, I am completely naked without any clothing
in a discotechque, don't tell me ladies can't take it
Inside a nightclub, don't tell me that women cannot handle it
Just to have my drawers in a overcoat
Simply to possess my undergarments beneath an overcoat
My El Dorado lean, the black Caddy float
My El Dorado vehicle tilts, while the black Cadillac effortlessly moves
down the hill with Frankie Dolla Bill
Heading downhill with Frankie, who is wealthy
Honies in red zone, tell me how them drawers feel
Attractive women in a high-risk area, explain the sensation of wearing undergarments
Suckin on the hippie, on the Mississippi
Engaging in oral sex with a relaxed individual, while being near the Mississippi River
Econo Lodge, a cheap way to get a quickie
Econo Lodge, an inexpensive location to engage in a brief sexual encounter
Five and five, equal ten
Adding five to five results in ten
Add twenty up, I'm back in the spot again
Adding a total of twenty, I return to the same place
Blowin it up, I drop my own bomb
Causing an explosion of success, I create my own sources of excitement
Two big green mitts, and tails on my arm
Large green hands and long, hanging ornaments on my arm
You in my way my man, yo be excuse me
You, standing in my path, I request your pardon
I didn't call your girl, why accuse me?
I did not contact your girlfriend, so why do you blame me?
I think you're insecure, not sure
I believe you lack confidence, unsure of your own emotions
if your girlfriend's home, if she's knockin at my door
Whether your girlfriend is present or if she is attempting to contact me
Back in your ride, no apartment, no place to wash
Return to your vehicle, without an apartment or any location to clean yourself
You can't clean, tell em black
You cannot maintain cleanliness, inform them, my friend
He don't know yet, my discipline, how to act
He is unaware, as I possess the ability to exhibit proper behavior
Stack with fume, and twenty-four flicks
Having a large stack of money, along with twenty-four movies
You can't win, takin shots like the Knicks
You cannot achieve victory, continuously attempting like the New York Knicks basketball team
I'm old enough with skills to be your daddy
I possess sufficient experience and talent to be your father
Go ask grandma, your freaky Aunt Sally
Inquire with your grandmother or your promiscuous Aunt Sally
Pretty woman standin there with her ugly man
An attractive woman standing alongside her unattractive partner
I don't want to shake his hand
I have no desire to shake his hand
Make up your mind, who you want to pump the butt
Decide, whom do you choose to have sexual intercourse with
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CRAIG BARTOCK, SHELLY PEIKEN, ANNA TROY, LINDSEY TROY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind