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)
Steroids
Kool Keith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Keith: voice lowered]
It's the motherfuckin Commi$$ion
A.K.A. Piscadon, piss went on
Ride to see Lon, pump devestating rollin with Devon
The flow clap before you leech on
Expands and that's why Jersey pikin your chick
Rapid transit from Matawa, I'm a Ottawa
City love greens with the fennies the spark marker
Top shelf plasma bottles
I'm wearin that shit you never seen by Casabano
You've been Gabbano'd, binoco', you can't hang out
And get past where I go
Just local material, writin that same shit, with the cop shit
Always, layin the bullshit poems about the federales and the po'-po'
You can't, pop a 'matic, or a zero-B-oh like me
Boogie woe, you'd rather take the colored bars out your hair than fight me
You ain't built to write, think of somethin that's great, then type me
Play your skirt position, you somebody else wifey
Lyrical gym workout, amino acids, we do sell steroids
Lyrical gym workout, amino acids, we do sell steroids
That's right if you wanna press up and bench up for cheap
We do.. have.. steroids
[JoJo:]
Gun popper, cop dropper, mic rocker
I got a thousand flows that'll stop ya
Two lyrical niggaz, me and the Doctor
Slow mo' you still shoppin your promo
90% of you cats that rap is homos
Act up I keep identical fo'-fo's
Catch me in L.A. ridin in low-lows
Me and my wife invite Hollyhood celebrities like Ice and Koko
You sucker ass niggaz work for po'-po'
Your wife of twenty years is now a hoe-hoe
Let me let off steam rap elitists say I'm loco
When you see me clutchin the heat you quick to scream "OH NO~!"
Your mom shoulda told you not to fuck with JoJo
You toy-ass niggaz, come get your steroids PUSSY!
We got it half price
Steroids, niggaz, come get them fuckin steroids
The song "Steroids" by Kool Keith is a collaboration with Jojo, and it starts with Keith's lowered voice announcing "It's the motherfuckin Commi$$ion." The lyrics of the song are filled with phrases that make references to Keith's life, his experiences, and the things that his music stands for. He mentions places such as Piscadon, Matawa, and Ottawa, which are all cities in Canada that are close to his hometown of the Bronx, New York. He talks about how he wears clothes that have never been seen before by Casabano, and how he writes lyrics that are original and meaningful, which sets him apart from other rappers in the game. The chorus emphasizes the idea of working hard and using steroids to build up your strength, both physically and mentally, which is why Keith claims they sell steroids.
Jojo's verse brings more aggression to the song, with lines like "gun popper, cop dropper, mic rocker" and "act up, I keep identical fo'-fo's." He also emphasizes that he and Keith are not like the rest of the rappers out there, who he labels as "homos." He declares that he and his wife invite other celebrities like Ice and Koko and calls out those who work with the police or sell out in some way. He finishes his verse by directly challenging those he considers to be inferior to him and Keith, urging them to come and get their steroids.
Overall, "Steroids" is a song that is filled with bravado and boasts about the strength of Kool Keith and Jojo's lyrics and skills, emphasizing their uniqueness in a sea of lesser rappers. The song encourages listeners to work hard and build their strength, both physically and mentally, through consistent effort and the use of metaphorical steroids.
Line by Line Meaning
It's the motherfuckin Commi$$ion
Introducing Kool Keith as part of the Commi$$ion crew.
A.K.A. Piscadon, piss went on
Also known as Piscadon, a slang term meaning to urinate.
Ride to see Lon, pump devestating rollin with Devon
Going to visit Lon with Devon and causing destruction wherever they go.
The flow clap before you leech on
Kool Keith's rap style is so good that it attracts attention before others can copy it.
You're a pound so Frank's go safe on
Kool Keith is so intimidating that even the police are scared of him.
Expands and that's why Jersey pikin your chick
His fame is expanding to other areas and he is stealing other people's girlfriends.
Rapid transit from Matawa, I'm a Ottawa
Kool Keith is traveling quickly from Matawa to Ottawa.
City love greens with the fennies the spark marker
Kool Keith enjoys money and women in the city.
Top shelf plasma bottles
Kool Keith is drinking expensive plasma in bottles.
I'm wearin that shit you never seen by Casabano
Kool Keith is wearing expensive clothes that even the brand Casabano hasn't seen before.
You've been Gabbano'd, binoco', you can't hang out
Kool Keith is so cool and fashionable that others can't hang out with him.
And get past where I go
No one can surpass Kool Keith's level of swag.
Just local material, writin that same shit, with the cop shit
Kool Keith is criticizing other rappers who only write about local issues and law enforcement.
Always, layin the bullshit poems about the federales and the po'-po'
Kool Keith is also criticizing rappers who write bad lyrics about law enforcement.
You can't, pop a 'matic, or a zero-B-oh like me
No one can rap as well as Kool Keith can.
Boogie woe, you'd rather take the colored bars out your hair than fight me
Kool Keith is so tough that others would rather change their appearance than mess with him.
You ain't built to write, think of somethin that's great, then type me
Kool Keith is calling out other rappers to try and come up with something better than him.
Play your skirt position, you somebody else wifey
Kool Keith is telling other rappers to stay in their lane and not to try and be like him.
Lyrical gym workout, amino acids, we do sell steroids
Kool Keith and Jojo are selling steroids for cheap to help other rappers become better at their craft.
That's right if you wanna press up and bench up for cheap
If you want to improve your rap skills for a low price, Jool Keith and Jojo are offering steroids.
We do.. have.. steroids
Reiterating the fact that they are selling steroids to help other rappers become better.
Gun popper, cop dropper, mic rocker
Jojo is introducing himself as someone who can rap and is also dangerous.
I got a thousand flows that'll stop ya
Jojo is confident in his rap style and believes it can stop others in their tracks.
Two lyrical niggaz, me and the Doctor
Jojo is bragging about his and Kool Keith's rap skills.
Slow mo' you still shoppin your promo
Jojo is saying that even though others are trying to promote themselves, he and Kool Keith are still better.
90% of you cats that rap is homos
Jojo is making an offensive comment about other rappers.
Act up I keep identical fo'-fo's
Jojo is saying that if others try to mess with him, he has guns to protect himself.
Catch me in L.A. ridin in low-lows
Jojo is saying he's riding around in Los Angeles in lowrider cars.
Me and my wife invite Hollyhood celebrities like Ice and Koko
Jojo is saying that he and his wife are friends with famous people like Ice-T and his wife Coco.
You sucker ass niggaz work for po'-po'
Jojo is calling out other rappers who he believes work for law enforcement.
Your wife of twenty years is now a hoe-hoe
Jojo is making a disrespectful comment about someone's wife.
Let me let off steam rap elitists say I'm loco
Jojo is saying he needs to release his anger and that some people think he's crazy for being a rapper.
When you see me clutchin the heat you quick to scream "OH NO~!"
Jojo is saying that when others see him with a gun, they get scared.
Your mom shoulda told you not to fuck with JoJo
Jojo is warning others not to mess with him.
You toy-ass niggaz, come get your steroids PUSSY!
Jojo is calling out other rappers to come and buy steroids from him and Kool Keith.
We got it half price
Reiterating the fact that they are selling steroids for a cheap price.
Steroids, niggaz, come get them fuckin steroids
Encouraging others to come and buy steroids from them to improve their rap skills.
Contributed by Jason E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
chi7072
This song is the last song
I quit rap, couldn’t find competition
I threw hip-hop in the garbage
The rap hall of fame had to pay homage
While everyone was fat cookin’ sausage
I was wearin’ ostrich
Rap ain’t been the same since I had it hostage
The last song I guess was written wrong
First class flight I’m leavin’ MCs to fight over who’s the best, I’m gone
To a secret shelter in space
An astronaut ready to take off
Go home to the Bat Cave and take my cape off
A rock star, still I will shock tomorrow
Rap went out the door, all MCs cry with tears
Miss my metaphor
Inspiration gone now they gotta see artificial tissue on tour
From the Bronx, true story
Ask Bambaataa and Kool Herc
I don’t rap no more, I don’t rap no more
Sinyo Indisch eten
Kool Keith, in my opinion, is like Picasso.
A true artist, making art because that's his nature. As an innovating artist you don't want to be trapped like in Steven King's Misery. You want to be free to do your thing an not get frozen in time by fan's and labels.
David Ogden
Rap Picasso. Yeah, I never thought of it that way. You're right.
RickyPayaso
Spot on. He creates because he needs to. Most original artist in hiphop of all time
Junkadelic Music
Watch : Kool Keith - Paradise http://youtu.be/ts7eZhsYXrs
eazy
Kool Keith... The best MC and rapper I've ever seen. His Rhymes are real!
UBF BELT HOLDER
+KevPlays YOU are a REAL nigga!!!!
Cameron McCaffrey
Keith's longevity, and to be doing what he does at the level he's done it for so long, are a legendary achievement. Most older cats show their age now, but Keith is pretty much ageless. He's been able to flip his style with the times and adapt for every era's changing trends. Respect to ALL of the pioneers, but Keith is VERY unique among all the pioneering emcees. What's he done will probably NEVER be done again.
WB N
His list of shit he thinks is wack is hilarious but I agree with it thoroughly
Vince Bernal
An all time great in my opinion. Thank you keith for all the dope material u have graced us with. Most underrated lyricist of all time bar none. #TheBestTo EverDoIt
Franz Sperginand
+Vince Bernal I hated rap for so long. It just wasn't a part of my youth. Kool Keith changed that.