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)
Maxi Curls
Kool Keith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
I see maxi curls (Yeah! ...)
Players activator
Remote control alligators
[Kool Keith]
I got skill you're on my tip now back off
Slack off let me do this and y'all turn the wack off
The radio stereo here we go flow and blow
Puerto Rico Southside Latin you're feed pattern
Black people mingle white people buy my single
Bingo bangle let go my steel Eggo
Throwin rhymes in spirals like Joe Klecko
Miami Dolphin, now shut up, close your mouth and
you be hatin debatin, regurgitatin
Ratin latent, and perpetratin
My album's love mics, tough like dirt bikes
You get frantic, New York City, run and panic
California, I switch up, boogie on ya
Like Don Cornelius, on SOULLLLLLLLLLL TRAIN!
And heads I clip off, in rap leave a bloodstain
A bigger pain, you would need novacaine
Bite off Rakim, you copy Big Daddy Kane
You know my steelo, I rhyme against a million people
who think they equal, disguisin as Jamaican people
Fakin, funkin, you're pedigree, your beat is sunk in
Tonka toy of little boy, steppin down to Roy
I'm no joke, I rap for cash and you're buyin a coat
Bronx bomber, superb on the freak momma
Stinkin movin, my whole crew is comin through
Yeah..
[Chorus]
[Kool Keith]
Bout it bout it, like Master P, makin money G
No time for promos, get paid when I MC
You know my feeling, I'm dealing, with tracks so real and
radio blackout, your format, is not appealin
R&B can step up, but can't compare to me
You oughta know -- how, I, feel
That's wack, with bookbags, packed on your back
Video bop, my skin is black BET
Program your channels, your grandkids want to see me
Freakin status, freakin styles, freakin flows
Freakin foes, freakin lyrics, freakin spirits
I make a def person hear it
Duplicate you demonstrate, what I used to make
Remakes I watch, your crew'll imitate
Motivate still skills to pay bills
Creative sauce, watch out, I'm your boss
On Panasonic like Steve, style bionic
You get to workin, your head bop, you not jerkin
You be out lurkin for danger, in my Ranger
You think I'm bugged man? With Catwoman, like a stranger
Packed with speed, supersonic level Reed
Steelo jets and Bill Blass like rockets
In your pockets, damagin your brain sockets
Yeahhhhh?
[Chorus ]
[Kool Keith]
Like Mobile, settin up shop in Alabama
For proper grammar, my style Arm & Hammer
Strong computer, underground like Roto Rooter
Fools critics they mimic, copy, sloppy
MC's get hurt, you blockhead, try to stop me
Digital thinkin, you're blinkin, career sinkin
Old like Mod Squad, you rap like Lincoln
Sideburns turned, you catchin ringworm
A heavy virus, worser than, hepatitis
Schizophrenic like ten people out the clinic
Yankee Stadium uptown, you can't win the pennant
I do construction, you pack up your whole production
Your lips are ready, your girl has a nice suction
Pack her bags pack her bags pack her bags right
Pack her bags pack her bags pack her bags left
Your style is A, be , see-D
E-F, G-H, I-J-K, L-M-N-O-P, Q-are-S
Don't test, I taught you how to get your deals
You put my style on your reels
You went uptown, claimin my sound
Get back, stay down
[Chorus 2X ]
[Kool Keith]
Maxi curl, activator
Brought to you by, cool Keith
In Kool Keith's "Maxi Curls," he raps about a variety of topics, including his skills as an MC, racial dynamics, his disdain for radio DJs who play wack music, and his unique style. The chorus mentions "Maxi Curls," a hairstyle popularized in the 80s and early 90s that involved long, curly hair, often aided by the use of activator. The song is brimming with wordplay and cultural references that showcase Kool Keith's offbeat lyrical style.
In the first verse, Keith asserts his skill as an MC while telling others to back off and turn the "wackness" off. He boasts about being beloved by people of all races and even mentions the breakfast food brand Eggo. Keith also references Joe Klecko, a former American football defensive lineman, and the Miami Dolphins. In the second verse, Keith emphasizes his ability to make money and succeed as an independent artist by refusing to compromise his sound for the sake of pleasing the mainstream. He touches on the lack of representation and profitability of Black art in the music industry, as well as the mimicry and plagiarism he often experiences. Holding nothing back, Keith expresses his opinions on everything from radio, politics, the entertainment industry, and the human condition in general.
* "Maxi Curls" is from Kool Keith's debut solo album, "Dr. Octagonecologyst," which was released in 1996.
* The song was produced by Dan the Automator, who has worked with a number of prominent artists, including Gorillaz and Deltron 3030.
* The album was initially released under Keith's Dr. Octagon alias, but he later began using his own name for subsequent releases.
* The character of Dr. Octagon is a fictional extraterrestrial gynecologist and surgeon who has a fascination with pornography.
* The album features guest appearances from a diverse array of artists, including DJ Qbert, Prince Paul, and Damon Albarn of Blur and Gorillaz.
* The song's chorus heavily samples "Let the Music Play" by Shannon.
* The song also features a prominent sample of "Theme from The Warriors" by Barry DeVorzon and Joe Walsh.
* "Maxi Curls" was a popular staple on college radio and later became a cult classic among hip-hop fans.
* The song was included in the video game "Tony Hawk's Underground."
* Kool Keith has cited "Maxi Curls" as one of his favorite songs from his solo career.
The chords to "Maxi Curls" are not available as the song does not have any discernible instrumentation outside of its samples.
Lyrics © THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: KEITH THORNTON, KOOL KEITH, KURT MATLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind