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 Promoters
Kool Keith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The rap game has changed
You got four different types of promoters
The luxury promoter, the hustler promoter, and the alternative promoter
Of course the roach promoter
The luxury promoter is basically the top pop promoter
He'll book Neil Diamond, fly a 20-piece band overseas
Take out stadium insurance, pay artists three hundred thousand
Run advertisements on Billboard, TV
Usually teamed up with big investors who write checks
The hustler promoter, he's as good as the little bit
For the luxury for the ghetto celeb treatment
Usually book acts to prove he can do it, the hustler promoter
He'll make you feel like a big star
At home whether he's a pimp, drug dealer, gambler
He'll supply the best treatment, money up front
Paper bag ten to fifty grand cash, limo to and from
Five star hotel, he'll even include girls
He'll take you to dinner and chaffeur around his hood
Let you see how he's livin, not a hater
If he had a girl cousin he'd even let you meet her, THUMBS UP~!
Jacuzzi and everything, big radio advertisement
The alternative promoter uses weeklies and internet
Is a little strict, scared to spend, usually out of billions
The ones that do raves, go out baller style
Brand new clubs, new mics, also travel to and from
But others messed it up so it don't drop the same
Has sense to crease, they cuttin it
They also cut into the rap game for low prices on artists
The hustler promoter already treated well, sometimes tricky
The roach promoter, wants you to pay your own travel
Does not even have SHIT together, no transportation
Runner, a small cheap venue, usually holes in the wall
Don't have a liquor license
Wants to book you, with 20 acts for five hundred bucks
Still uses flyers in Motel 6's, and Travelodges
When you see a guy with a tiny Volkswagen goin back and forth
Pickin up a known artist up, from the airport
Most of the time a rejected whack rapper don't fuck with 'em!
In Kool Keith's song "The Promoters," the rapper sheds light on the different types of promoters in the rap game. He categorizes them into four types: luxury promoter, hustler promoter, alternative promoter, and roach promoter. The luxury promoter is at the top of the food chain, booking big-name artists and having the resources to support their extravagant performances. The hustler promoter, on the other hand, caters to artists looking for the "ghetto celeb treatment," offering them money up front, first-class accommodations, and extravagant gifts. The alternative promoter is much more cautious with their spending; they use weeklies and the internet to advertise and primarily stick to booking raves and new clubs. Lastly, the roach promoter is the bottom of the barrel, often having a small, cheap venue with no liquor license, and typically working with unknown or lower-class artists.
Through these descriptions, Kool Keith highlights the vast disparity within the music industry- how one artist may live a life of luxury while another struggles to make ends meet, all while performing for similar crowds. It is evident that the "luxury" life is inaccessible for the majority of artists, and the ruthlessness of the industry is exacerbated by the different types of promoters artists must navigate. The song, therefore, offers a cautionary tale to aspiring musicians, informing them that not all promoters have their best interests at heart.
Overall, "The Promoters" is a witty and satirical commentary on the music industry's darker side. Through the four different types of promoters, Keith offers insight into the troubling context within which many young rappers find themselves. Ultimately, the song is reflective of Keith's personal experience, having worked in many areas within the music industry, and is a testament to his wit and astuteness.
Line by Line Meaning
The rap game has changed
Things are different now in the world of hip-hop
You got four different types of promoters
There are four distinct types of individuals promoting hip-hop shows
The luxury promoter, the hustler promoter, and the alternative promoter
These three types of promoters are the most common and each has a different approach to promoting shows
Of course the roach promoter
There is also a fourth type of promoter who is not very effective
The luxury promoter is basically the top pop promoter
The luxury promoter is the most successful and has connections with the biggest names in music
He'll book Neil Diamond, fly a 20-piece band overseas
He books big-ticket acts and manages logistics like transportation and accommodations for the artists
Take out stadium insurance, pay artists three hundred thousand
He's willing to spend a lot of money to ensure the show goes smoothly and to guarantee high pay for the artists
Four half months ahead, with no problem
He's very organized and can book shows months in advance with ease
Run advertisements on Billboard, TV
He has a big advertising budget and can promote shows via mainstream media
Usually teamed up with big investors who write checks
He has financial backing from wealthy investors
The hustler promoter, he's as good as the little bit
The hustler promoter is capable, but not as successful as the luxury promoter
For the luxury for the ghetto celeb treatment
He tries to give up-and-coming artists the same level of treatment as those promoted by the luxury promoter
Usually book acts to prove he can do it, the hustler promoter
He books acts in order to prove himself as a capable promoter
He'll make you feel like a big star
He treats his artists well and makes them feel important
At home whether he's a pimp, drug dealer, gambler
He could be involved in illicit activities, but still knows how to promote a show
He'll supply the best treatment, money up front
He offers great perks and often pays upfront
Paper bag ten to fifty grand cash, limo to and from
He pays artists in cash and provides transportation
Five star hotel, he'll even include girls
He will go above and beyond to make the artist comfortable, even providing companionship
He'll take you to dinner and chaffeur around his hood
He wines and dines his artists and shows them his neighborhood
Let you see how he's livin, not a hater
He's proud of his lifestyle and is not envious of others
If he had a girl cousin he'd even let you meet her, THUMBS UP~!
He's so friendly that he would even introduce his family to the artist
Jacuzzi and everything, big radio advertisement
He advertises shows aggressively and provides luxurious accommodations
The alternative promoter uses weeklies and internet
The alternative promoter promotes via alternative media channels like weeklies and the internet
Is a little strict, scared to spend, usually out of billions
He's more cautious with his funds and not as financially backed as the luxury promoter
The ones that do raves, go out baller style
He often promotes rave-style events and tries to go above and beyond with event production
Brand new clubs, new mics, also travel to and from
He invests in new equipment and provides great transportation
But others messed it up so it don't drop the same
Other promoters' poor performances have made it harder for alternative promoters to be successful
Has sense to crease, they cuttin it
He's smart enough to cut his losses when necessary
They also cut into the rap game for low prices on artists
They underbid other promoters in order to get the biggest names to perform at their shows
The hustler promoter already treated well, sometimes tricky
The hustler promoter may be sly or manipulative despite being hospitable
The roach promoter, wants you to pay your own travel
The roach promoter is not financially well-off and cannot provide transportation for the artist
Does not even have SHIT together, no transportation
He's not well-organized and may not have anything arranged for the artist
Runner, a small cheap venue, usually holes in the wall
He books lower-quality venues with few amenities
Don't have a liquor license
He is not licensed to sell alcohol at the venue
Wants to book you, with 20 acts for five hundred bucks
He tries to book as many acts as possible for little money in order to save costs
Still uses flyers in Motel 6's, and Travelodges
He advertises via low-quality, cheap methods like flyers or at motels
When you see a guy with a tiny Volkswagen goin back and forth
He likely drives a small car and makes multiple trips to pick up the artist
Pickin up a known artist up, from the airport
He may book performers who are already relatively well-known
Most of the time a rejected whack rapper don't fuck with 'em!
Unsuccessful rappers will often refuse to work with this type of promoter
Contributed by Sebastian R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Infxctxd
Do you have the actual album? By any chance are you able to upload it?
Xandi
California Based I do have the album. Check my channel, I'll upload the other tracks within the next few days.
The1yaluv2h8
I've met them all LMAO REAL TALK oh shit I'm number one =-O
eon tou
you a roach promota