An original member of New York's new-school pioneers the Ultramagnetic MC's… Read Full Bio ↴An original member of New York's new-school pioneers the Ultramagnetic MC's, "Kool" Keith Thornton is best known as a solo rapper. His signature style is stream-of-consciousness lyrical flow and complex vocals, two skills that earn him a perennial nod from the underground hip-hop community. The average Kool Keith album is peppered with bizarre, disjointed, even delusional or disassociated themes, concepts, and references. Nearly all of his albums incorporate a satirical dislike for more commercialized strains of hip-hop, as well as major record labels.

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)

Shit Expands
Kool Keith Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Bronx, Brooklyn
Queens, Manhattan
Staten Island
Keith in the house

It ain't about the bitch with a wig like she comin' from China
Y'all fronted in rented Benzes with Avis on 'em
No breakfast, I'm goin home, fuck Chelsea or diner

Let the guys with the chrome buckets expose the cuffs
Be a co-signer

I'm in your ass man, close like your Starter jacket liner
Dr. J sharper, plug your asshole up with a tub stopper
Your wife's a New York City Breaker
Your baby's mom is a pop-locker, know the metropolitan area

Custodian nigga, you sanitation worker, shit cleaner
Floor mopper, look down on the city with binoculars
Piss out at choppers, defecate 80 thousand feet in the air
I flip your small game, take your small urban territory
Put the street in the air

My shit rise, increase like subway fare
Scuffle your dinner wear
Your sneaker line ain't makin it, I piss on four pair
You know the big head boy from the projects

Retarded motherfucker, you know you be in child care
You better stay there
Your crew get picked up with shitty diapers from daycare
Your foe be his crib death

The top rappers receive hot dogs up they ass, they get F
Mark flush the toilet, you shit next
Expand your stomach range with tummy pains
Shit in the back of your Bentley when it rains

Leave your wooden panels with shit stains
Throw the turds out the windows
Watch them bounce in the carpool lanes

Hot 97
The shit expand, over your Jacob, the diamond watch
The penis is loose, we piss in your hand
The shit expand, over your Jacob, the diamond watch
The penis is loose, we piss in your hand

The shit expand, over your Jacob, the diamond watch
The penis is loose, we piss in your hand
The shit expand, over your Jacob, the diamond watch
The penis is loose, we piss in your hand

Yo, where's the block at? Uh
They say 106th and Park is on the mad, fuck it is on
I haven't heard a hard record in years, uh
Everybody dancin', Harlem shakin, strip free naked

And put a pole up and watch the ratings go up
And if AJ steps, take his Jacob and slap off the makeup
I'm in the crowd like Lee Malvo, with a sniper rifle
A hockey mask, a butcher knife, yo, who knows what I'll do

They sellin' dreams with a rap battle, uh, huh
Look, yeah, you rappers are kids and rappin' with a rap rattle
Nobody ever comes out, that's right
No twelve inches, no fires, no jets

Early retired, no links
No chains, no videos, no baguettes, uh
Don't Speak, uh huh, I'm gettin Gwen Stefani
Tossed up, sellin' pussy like every week

So don't fight me, uh, you can hype me, that's right
I'm liable to go out with a terrorist style
I'm liable to flow out with a terrible style
Viacom bought you, suckers
I'm outta here nigga I'm changin' the dial

Hot 97
The shit expand, over your Jacob, the diamond watch
The penis is loose, we piss in your hand
The shit expand, over your Jacob, the diamond watch
The penis is loose, we piss in your hand

The shit expand, over your Jacob, the diamond watch
The penis is loose, we piss in your hand
The shit expand, over your Jacob, the diamond watch
The penis is loose, we piss in your hand

No more cars and shit, we suicide bombers
Nigga, walk up in your radio station
We get gas from the gas station, nigga
You better ask public relations, blow out your DJ booth

With hats off, like motherfuckin' Dr. Seuss
No buckets, strictly bombs under the North Face goose
Caught you with acid, baby
We put it in your motherfuckin orange juice

Fuck a turned up cap
How bout a burnt up motherfuckin' baseball cap
With a whack-ass rap
We detonate with three sticks of dynamite through your turntables
Blow out your ass crack

You ain't the motherfuckin' pimp, you ain't the motherfuckin' mack
Review this right, you gon' drink a daquiri
Are you gon' come back to me?
Are you gon' get smacked from me?
Fuck around look how you act to me, bitch

Hot 97
The shit expand, over your Jacob, the diamond watch
The penis is loose, we piss in your hand
The shit expand, over your Jacob, the diamond watch
The penis is loose, we piss in your hand

The shit expand, over your Jacob, the diamond watch
The penis is loose, we piss in your hand

The shit expand, over your Jacob, the diamond watch
The penis is loose, we piss in your hand

Overall Meaning

The song "Shit Expands" by Kool Keith is a rap track that is largely critical of the state of the rap genre in the early 2000s. The verses in the song express a disdain toward the mainstream rap culture that was being propagated on Hot 97 and other radio stations. Keith is expressing his view that the rap genre had become commercialized and was losing its edge, with many artists "selling out" to gain financial success. In contrast, Keith positions himself as an underground artist who is true to the roots of hip hop and is not willing to compromise his art for commercial success.

Throughout the song, Keith makes references to different locations in New York City and name-checks different neighborhoods such as the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and Manhattan. He also makes fun of other rappers who are making their money by collaborating with corporations and selling out to advertisers.

One of the interesting things about this song is that it is a response to an ongoing feud between Kool Keith and Hot 97. The radio station had refused to play his music, which led to Keith recording this track as a response. Another interesting fact is that the song features a sample of Lyn Christopher's 1973 song "Take Me With You," which provides the hook for the chorus.

Overall, "Shit Expands" is a powerful commentary on the commercialization of the rap genre and serves as a reminder of the importance of staying true to the roots of hip hop.

Chords: N/A

Line by Line Meaning

Bronx, Brooklyn
Referring to different boroughs in New York City

Queens, Manhattan
Referring to different boroughs in New York City

Staten Island
Referring to one of the boroughs in New York City

Keith in the house
Referring to Kool Keith being present or in control

It ain't about the bitch with a wig like she comin' from China
It's not important or impressive to have a woman wearing an extravagant wig

Y'all fronted in rented Benzes with Avis on 'em
You pretended to own luxury cars but they were actually rented from Avis

No breakfast, I'm goin home, fuck Chelsea or diner
I don't care about fancy dining options like Chelsea or trendy diners

Let the guys with the chrome buckets expose the cuffs
Let the people with flashy cars show off their expensive accessories

Be a co-signer
Be a supporter or ally

I'm in your ass man, close like your Starter jacket liner
I'm deeply involved or close to you, like the lining of a Starter jacket

Dr. J sharper, plug your asshole up with a tub stopper
I'm skilled or clever like Dr. J and can figuratively close your asshole with a tub stopper

Your wife's a New York City Breaker
Your wife is a skilled dancer associated with New York City Breakers group

Your baby's mom is a pop-locker, know the metropolitan area
The mother of your child is a dancer known for her popping and locking skills and is familiar with the city

Custodian nigga, you sanitation worker, shit cleaner
You're a low-level person, like a janitor or sanitation worker, responsible for cleaning up messes

Floor mopper, look down on the city with binoculars
I have a higher perspective or view of the city

Piss out at choppers, defecate 80 thousand feet in the air
I have the ability to urinate on helicopters and defecate from high altitudes

I flip your small game, take your small urban territory
I dominate or take control of your insignificant activities or territory

Put the street in the air
Assert dominance or control over the streets

My shit rise, increase like subway fare
My success or influence grows steadily, like the cost of subway fare

Scuffle your dinner wear
I will disturb or disrupt your formal dining attire

Your sneaker line ain't makin it, I piss on four pair
Your shoe brand or collection is unsuccessful, and I disregard or disrespect four pairs

You know the big head boy from the projects
You're familiar with the well-known person from the housing projects

Retarded motherfucker, you know you be in child care
You're unintelligent or foolish, and you're better suited for taking care of children

You better stay there
You're better off remaining in that position or situation

Your crew get picked up with shitty diapers from daycare
Your associates or group gets humiliated or taken advantage of, like dirty diapers being picked up from daycare

Your foe be his crib death
Your enemy has a situation or circumstances that will lead to their failure or downfall

The top rappers receive hot dogs up they ass, they get F
Popular or successful rappers are manipulated or taken advantage of, resulting in their failure

Mark flush the toilet, you shit next
Someone named Mark will get rid of their problems or failures, and you will be the next in line to face them

Expand your stomach range with tummy pains
Increase your capacity or tolerance, even if it causes discomfort

Shit in the back of your Bentley when it rains
I don't care about luxury or expensive belongings and I'm willing to disrespect or defecate in your expensive car

Leave your wooden panels with shit stains
I will leave my mark or evidence of disrespect on your valuable possessions

Throw the turds out the windows
I will discard or dispose of the disrespectful acts or behaviors

Watch them bounce in the carpool lanes
Observe or enjoy the consequences or reactions in a carefree manner

The shit expand, over your Jacob, the diamond watch
The influence or dominance expands, overshadowing or surpassing your expensive watch

The penis is loose, we piss in your hand
The power or control is unrestricted, and we disrespectfully urinate in your hand

Yo, where's the block at? Uh
Where is the neighborhood or area located?

They say 106th and Park is on the mad, fuck it is on
People say that 106th and Park is popular or intense, and I agree

I haven't heard a hard record in years, uh
I haven't heard a musically impressive or aggressive song in a long time

Everybody dancin', Harlem shakin, strip free naked
Everyone is dancing and performing the Harlem Shake, even getting naked

And put a pole up and watch the ratings go up
Suggesting that adding a stripper pole will increase viewership and improve ratings

And if AJ steps, take his Jacob and slap off the makeup
If AJ, a host on 106th and Park, leaves the show, take his expensive watch and ridicule his appearance

I'm in the crowd like Lee Malvo, with a sniper rifle
I am positioned in the audience, resembling Lee Malvo, the sniper, with a weapon

A hockey mask, a butcher knife, yo, who knows what I'll do
In addition to the sniper rifle, I possess a hockey mask and a butcher knife, and my actions are unpredictable

They sellin' dreams with a rap battle, uh, huh
In rap battles, people are selling false dreams or promises

Look, yeah, you rappers are kids and rappin' with a rap rattle
Mocking other rap artists for being childish and using a rap rattle as their instrument

Nobody ever comes out, that's right
No one ever shows up or emerges successfully

No twelve inches, no fires, no jets
There are no impressive records, intense performances, or extravagant lifestyle

Early retired, no links
Retired at a young age, without any meaningful connections or associations

No chains, no videos, no baguettes, uh
No expensive chains, music videos, or diamond-cut bread

Don't Speak, uh huh, I'm gettin Gwen Stefani
Don't talk or try to communicate, as I'm focusing on achieving success like Gwen Stefani

Tossed up, sellin' pussy like every week
In a sexually explicit manner, selling oneself regularly

So don't fight me, uh, you can hype me, that's right
Don't try to oppose or challenge me, instead, you should promote or celebrate me

I'm liable to go out with a terrorist style
I am capable of adopting a violent or aggressive approach, similar to a terrorist

I'm liable to flow out with a terrible style
I am likely to rap with a unique and unconventional style

Viacom bought you, suckers
The media corporation Viacom has purchased or controlled you, making you weak or easily manipulated

I'm outta here nigga I'm changin' the dial
I'm leaving or moving on, and I will change or influence the direction or focus of attention

No more cars and shit, we suicide bombers
We no longer care about material possessions and instead embrace a destructive or extreme mindset

Nigga, walk up in your radio station
I will enter your radio station without hesitation

We get gas from the gas station, nigga
We acquire energy or motivation from ordinary sources, such as a gas station

You better ask public relations, blow out your DJ booth
You should seek advice from the public relations team, as I will cause damage to your DJ booth or setup

With hats off, like motherfuckin' Dr. Seuss
Removing hats or covering as a sign of respect, similar to Dr. Seuss

No buckets, strictly bombs under the North Face goose
There are no belongings or accessories, only explosives hidden under the North Face jacket

Caught you with acid, baby
Discovered or exposed your illicit drug use

We put it in your motherfuckin orange juice
We mixed the drug with your orange juice, possibly without your knowledge

Fuck a turned up cap
Disregard or dismiss a fashionable hat

How bout a burnt up motherfuckin' baseball cap
Instead, consider a damaged or charred baseball cap

With a whack-ass rap
Accompanied by a subpar or unimpressive rap performance

We detonate with three sticks of dynamite through your turntables
We forcefully and explosively destroy your turntables using dynamite

Blow out your ass crack
Cause significant damage or defeat to your existence

You ain't the motherfuckin' pimp, you ain't the motherfuckin' mack
You lack the qualities or status of a true pimp or player

Review this right, you gon' drink a daquiri
Consider or evaluate this situation properly, or else you'll face consequences

Are you gon' come back to me?
Will you return to me or acknowledge my presence?

Are you gon' get smacked from me?
Will you face physical punishment or consequences from me?

Fuck around look how you act to me, bitch
Behave or respond in a disrespectful or submissive manner, you bastard

Writer(s): Keith Thornton Copyright: Kohaw Music, Kohaw Music O.B.O. Notting Dale Songs Inc., Kohaw Music Inc. O/B/o Reverend Tom Music

Contributed by Jayce T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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