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)
The Mack Is Back
Kool Keith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Quincy Jones, James Brown, Prince, Madonna
And of course cool Keith!
Take it away at the Grand Auditorium!
Now you're up late can't get no sleep I'm outside
Cruisin' down 5th Ave. makin' love in your ride
You want that baby but I'm out here thinkin' maybe
Take off your shoes, don't spread my business news
Reachin' for the rubber tips it's time to pay your dues
Two girls in the back, bring your friend, make it three
It's the big thing honey, that's the policy
I got to pull down and bring the steel home for you
Break the headboards and tell your girlfriends come over too
Put my motorcycle helmet on and feel the power
Rock and lift the boots, spank the lips for a hour
The mack is back, doin' good and lookin' fly
The mack is back, doin' good and lookin' fly
Keith is in town, it sho' was good goin' down
The mack is back, doin' good and lookin' fly
Keith is in town, it sho' was good goin' down
The mack is back, doin' good and lookin' fly
Yeah, I must show up, scope the cheeks well with clientele
When a sister wants to see me, I should not really tell
I bought some movies, some strippin' joint type of coolies
Boots and thongs, girls flip on my theme songs
They know I damage, with gloves my equipment's on
I got a cape, like Superman, I'ma put it on
Grab the Vaseline, make your hiney shine like Mr. Clean
With a purple G-string, you want to do your own thing
Girls dance for me, pumpin' over me
Big sniff is back, word to honey's crack
The mack is back, doin' good and lookin' fly
The mack is back, doin' good and lookin' fly
Keith is in town, it sho' was good goin' down
The mack is back, doin good and lookin' fly
Keith is in town, it sho' was good goin' down
The mack is back, doin' good and lookin' fly
Keith is in town, it sho' was good goin' down
The mack is back, doin' good and lookin' fly
Hello, Room 402
What's happenin' pizzimp?
Yo whassup?
Yo Menelik, I want you to go down the stairs
Get five cases of champagne, order two limousines
Yeah, I got them honies
And check it out yo
Bring five freaks that's ready to do this
Aight, let me just see, I'll be down in a minute
Late night, me Trev and Keith, leave the suite
Three limos deep, with honies greet us downstairs
Prepared to take us, anywhere, tonight's the Grammy's
After party back at the hotel, we're poppin' expensive Perignon
I'm the suave Don, this is the average evening
Of the celebrities, the days are relaxed
It would seem to most, an expensive vacation package
The pay is good, in Hollywood
A hustler has to mack in fresh gear, my choise of Rolls Royce
And a duplex location up at Sunset and LaBrea
I'm mackin' in your area
The mack is back, doin' good and lookin' fly
Keith is in town, it sho' was good goin' down
The mack is back, doin' good and lookin' fly
Keith is in town, it sho' was good goin' down
The mack is back, doin' good and lookin' fly
Keith is in town, it sho' was good goin' down
The mack is back, doin' good and lookin' fly
Keith is in town, it sho' was good goin' down
The first stanza of "The Mack Is Back" sets up a scene of a live performance with notable musicians, including Quincy Jones, James Brown, Prince, and Madonna. The song moves on to describe a scene of cruising down Fifth Avenue and the singer "makin' love in your ride." Despite the woman's desire for the singer, he considers the possibility that she might flip and takes precautions by putting on a motorcycle helmet and reaching for rubber tips. The lyrics suggest that the singer is engaging in promiscuous behavior with multiple women and encourages them to bring their friends. The song ends with a reference to Hollywood, and the singer professes to be a "hustler" and "mackin' in your area."
The lyrics of "The Mack Is Back" are laden with sexual innuendo and descriptions of promiscuity that are typical of Kool Keith's style. The song continues his focus on narrative storytelling, presenting a character who is simultaneously charismatic and sexually irresponsible. The focus on Hollywood and references to famous musical icons are also common themes in hip-hop and suggest that the song is a commentary on the excesses of the entertainment world.
Line by Line Meaning
Now you're up late can't get no sleep I'm outside
I'm out cruising down 5th Avenue looking for some action, while you're at home unable to sleep.
Cruisin' down 5th Ave. makin' love in your ride
Driving my car down 5th Avenue, picking up women and having sex.
You want that baby but I'm out here thinkin' maybe
You may want me, but I'm thinking about other options.
What if you flip but it's okay when you're on my tip
What if you change your mind, but it's okay because you're just one of many people interested in me.
Take off your shoes, don't spread my business news
Take off your shoes before you get on my bed, and don't go around telling everyone about what we did.
Reachin' for the rubber tips it's time to pay your dues
It's time to use a condom and take responsibility for your actions.
Two girls in the back, bring your friend, make it three
I have two women with me, bring your friend and let's make it a party of three.
It's the big thing honey, that's the policy
Group sex is the norm, that's just how it is.
I got to pull down and bring the steel home for you
I need to have sex with you and satisfy you.
Break the headboards and tell your girlfriends come over too
Let's have sex so vigorously that it breaks the headboards, and invite more friends to join in.
Put my motorcycle helmet on and feel the power
I'm putting on a motorcycle helmet to feel the excitement during sex.
Rock and lift the boots, spank the lips for a hour
Let's rock back and forth and lift our legs, while spanking each other's private parts for an hour.
I must show up, scope the cheeks well with clientele
I need to show up and find attractive women to have sex with.
When a sister wants to see me, I should not really tell
When a woman wants to have sex with me, I should be discreet about it.
I bought some movies, some strippin' joint type of coolies
I purchased some porn movies and strip club merchandise to get women interested in having sex with me.
Boots and thongs, girls flip on my theme songs
Girls get turned on by my music and the clothing I wear, such as boots and thongs.
They know I damage, with gloves my equipment's on
Women know I'm good at sex, and I wear gloves to protect myself and my partner.
I got a cape, like Superman, I'ma put it on
I have a cape like Superman, and I'm going to wear it during sex to add excitement.
Grab the Vaseline, make your hiney shine like Mr. Clean
I'm using Vaseline to lubricate and make a woman's buttocks shine.
With a purple G-string, you want to do your own thing
If a woman wears a purple G-string, it means she wants to engage in sexual activity.
Girls dance for me, pumpin' over me
Women dance for me, grinding and touching me in a sexual way.
Big sniff is back, word to honey's crack
I'm back in town, and ready for some more sex.
Hello, Room 402
I'm calling from room 402 in the hotel.
What's happenin' pizzimp?
What's going on my friend?
Yo whassup?
Hey, what's up?
Yo Menelik, I want you to go down the stairs
I'm asking Menelik to go downstairs for me.
Get five cases of champagne, order two limousines
Get five cases of champagne and two limousines for us to use tonight.
Yeah, I got them honies
I have attractive women waiting for me.
Bring five freaks that's ready to do this
Bring five women who are eager to engage in sexual activity.
Late night, me Trev and Keith, leave the suite
Late at night, me, Trev, and Keith (referring to the rapper himself) leave the hotel room.
Three limos deep, with honies greet us downstairs
Three limousines with attractive women are waiting for us downstairs.
Prepared to take us, anywhere, tonight's the Grammy's
The women are prepared to go anywhere with us, as it's the night of the Grammy Awards.
After party back at the hotel, we're poppin' expensive Perignon
After the Grammy Awards, we're having an after-party at the hotel and drinking expensive champagne.
I'm the suave Don, this is the average evening
I'm smooth and charismatic, and this is just a typical night for me.
Of the celebrities, the days are relaxed
As a celebrity, my life is often relaxed and easy-going.
It would seem to most, an expensive vacation package
To most people, my lifestyle seems like an expensive vacation.
The pay is good, in Hollywood
I make a lot of money as a celebrity in Hollywood.
A hustler has to mack in fresh gear, my choise of Rolls Royce
As a hustler, I need to look good and impress others, and I choose to drive a Rolls Royce.
And a duplex location up at Sunset and LaBrea
I have a duplex apartment located on Sunset Boulevard and LaBrea Avenue.
Keith is in town, it sho' was good goin' down
Keith (referring to the rapper himself) is back in town, and had a good time engaging in sexual activity.
The mack is back, doin' good and lookin' fly
The rapper is back and doing well, looking fashionable and confident.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CLAYDES SMITH, DENNIS RONALD THOMAS, GEORGE MELVIN BROWN, RICHARD ALLEN WESTFIELD, ROBERT BELL, ROBERT SPIKE MICKENS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind