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)
Spread 'Em
Kool Keith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know, show ya how to make records, do it the right way
You listeners out there, you know it's real, you know, it's real
Yeah check it out, you know one time
I make statements, permanent holes in what you say
It ain't that riff raff junk and all the garbage that you play
College kids know that's a Frisbee, it's a no, no
Move on the floor, spread 'em wide, eat 'em up
Move on the floor, spread 'em wide, eat 'em up
Move on the floor, spread 'em wide, eat 'em up
Move on the floor, spread 'em wide, eat 'em up
I kick one style, you Kurt, yo drop that record right down
They wanna dance, yo stupid buggin', c'mon right now
Yeah, I guess I'll jump up on the record
Your A&R man is quite stupid, he can't check it
My style go again, my style flow again
My style kicks like Jim Kelly in a show again
Alright you buggin' my brother, you still thinkin'
A M.C. Battle, no comp, a rapper still stinkin'
You got that deal this time 'cause you was lucky man
Yo, gimme my tape back yo, what fuck it man
I continue I walk with my heat I burn your style
Like a live barbecue smells good I turn your style
You don't want none, it's rabbit time and duck season
Move on the floor, spread 'em wide, eat 'em up
Move on the floor, spread 'em wide, eat 'em up
Move on the floor, spread 'em wide, eat 'em up
Move on the floor, spread 'em wide, eat 'em up
Move on the floor, spread 'em wide, eat 'em up
I put my mask on, the thing with me you can't see me
My freestyle get wild makin' rappers wanna leave me
Yo pack yo bags yo kid you catchin' Amtrak
I'm revolvin' like a pin worm in yo ass crack
I don't care who you bad, I work your rectum out
Give you a shower cap, a rag wipe your spectrum out
I see you boogie' an' down hop on the first floor
I see you boogie' an' up hop on the second floor
You ain't that good kid, I'm bringin' back more
Your crew is over like Breakout and the Funky Four
Super Rhymes the Fifth Dimension on they last tour
Yo, better step back, yo tell 'em that I'm comin' through
Move on the floor, spread 'em wide, eat 'em up
Move on the floor, spread 'em wide, eat 'em up
Move on the floor, spread 'em wide, eat 'em up
Move on the floor, spread 'em wide, eat 'em up
Move on the floor, spread 'em wide, eat 'em up
Move on the floor, spread 'em wide, eat 'em up
I come like Fright Night, you come and you fear the funky monster
You walk like herman, I cut your hair like Eddie Munster
Don't try that grampa style, you catch a tissue wipe
You talkin' big shit, ya rhymin' on a tiny mic
I freak the funk, I flow 'n funk, I freak it fast, I freak it past
Like Scottish wipe ash
You don't know you margarine, come on butter man
I hate to say it straight to your face again
Kickin' that wack junk, you're bound to feel the bass again
I don't, I don't, I don't, yo play kid
If you must test skills you dummies can stay, kid
Move on the floor, spread 'em wide, eat 'em up
Move on the floor, spread 'em wide, eat 'em up
Move on the floor, spread 'em wide, eat 'em up
Move on the floor, spread 'em wide, eat 'em up
Move on the floor, spread 'em wide, eat 'em up
Move on the floor, spread 'em wide, eat 'em up
Move on the floor, spread 'em wide, eat 'em up
Move on the floor, spread 'em wide, eat 'em up
In "Spread 'Em", Kool Keith is flexing his lyrical abilities and taking shots at other MCs who he feels are putting out inferior music. He brags about his permanent impact on the industry with his style - it's not just a passing trend like some of the songs he hears on the radio. He also takes a jab at college students who play Frisbee and aren't familiar with real hip hop, saying his music is too good to be a promotional item.
The chorus of the song repeats the line "Move on the floor, spread 'em wide, eat 'em up" which can be interpreted in different ways. It could simply be a phrase to get people dancing, or it also has sexual connotations that fit with the explicit nature of the rest of the lyrics.
The second verse starts with Kool Keith putting on his mask, which he has worn in other songs and performances. It could represent the character he takes on as an MC, or it could be a form of protection or anonymity. He continues to rap about his superiority over other MCs, even making reference to cutting their hair like Eddie Munster, a fictional character with a distinctive hairstyle.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, kick a little freestyle, show you kids how I get wild
I'm going to freestyle and show everyone my skill and energy.
I make statements, permanent holes in what you say
My lyrics are powerful and can easily debunk anything someone else says.
It ain't that riff raff junk and all the garbage that you play
My music is authentic and not like the phony stuff others produce.
Move on the floor, spread 'em wide, eat 'em up
Move your body on the dance floor by spreading your legs wide and getting into the groove.
I kick one style, you Kurt, yo drop that record right down
I have my own unique style, and I'm telling the DJ to drop a record to enhance it.
I'm revolvin' like a pin worm in yo ass crack
I'm making a power move and shaking things up like a parasite in your behind.
Your crew is over like Breakout and the Funky Four
Your group is outdated and irrelevant, like older rap groups Breakout and the Funky Four.
I come like Fright Night, you come and you fear the funky monster
I am a scary and powerful presence, like the movie Fright Night, and you are afraid of what I might do.
You talkin' big shit, ya rhymin' on a tiny mic
You're trying to act big with your rhymes, but in reality, you're just a small-time artist.
I freak the funk, I flow 'n funk, I freak it fast, I freak it past
I have a unique ability to create and perform funky music at a high speed and level.
Contributed by Katherine N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.