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)

The Traveler
Kool Keith Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴

Kool Keith
Checkin? out of the Venetian Hotel
That's right, flight to Africa
Mastercharge, yeah

Extravagant traveler, Puerto Rico out to Africa
Extravagant traveler, Puerto Rico out to Africa
Extravagant traveler, Puerto Rico out to Africa

Extravagant traveler, Puerto Rico out to Africa

MC's is wack, I'm lookin? at the Robb Report
Eighty-thousand-sixty-two Bentley
Owner of the Houston Astrodome, Don King represent me
[Unverified] bus with gold trim
And you can't act up frontin? on your lemon

Legend status with keys to the MGM Grand
Got your wife and kids holdin? my poster, grabbin? my hand
All I hear is a bunch of wack primetime MC's sayin?
I hate him cause he's great

He's on all the billboard and the highway
Face is on soup cans and milk crates
Restaurants with movie theaters in 'em
Continental airlines, planes we buyin? off the lot
While y'all rent ?em

Excursion flights with Bill Clinton
Takin? fine girls out to Washington to get they extensions
Usin? my TV phone, I see girls in they thongs
Fantasizin? while they home alone
Pack my bags, I need room service

Extravagant traveler, Puerto Rico out to Africa
Extravagant traveler, Puerto Rico out to Africa
Extravagant traveler, Puerto Rico out to Africa
Extravagant traveler, Puerto Rico out to Africa

?Cause my face is in the newspaper every week
Pronounce words right, ask Jesse Jackson how I speak
Sign my autographs for Jagged Edge and Sisqo on 125th Street
Red carpet on the sidewalk, I gotta step on it before I talk

Part investor of the Utah Jazz, I'm the real king of New York
London cashmere, walkin? around with
Guiliani regular football shirt
Tailors grab my Armani, maids cook dinner
Sauteed fish and shrimp

Dallas Mavericks want me as a baldheaded five-eight guard
With a ninety-five inch vertical, Vince Carter respect my legs
Ask Shawn Kemp, [unverified] and the NBA commissioner
Takin? pictures of me in front of Nell's

Special election day got chocolate girls
With flowers dresses on
You would swear they Naomi Campbell
And Nia Long from section 8
Yes, I guess

Extravagant traveler, Puerto Rico out to Africa
Extravagant traveler, Puerto Rico out to Africa
Extravagant traveler, Puerto Rico out to Africa
Extravagant traveler, Puerto Rico out to Africa

Bustin? no freestyles, lookin? at you in the back of the car
Rappin? for twenty miles
I'm sittin? in the back of the limo with the fly brim-o
Me in a black Cadillac, Elliot Ness

Sendin? rappers with doo-rags an S.O.S.
You wanna rap big man? Take Mickey Mouse off your chest
I let you wear your vest; plaid shirts or stripes
is that the way your stylist make you dress?

She should be sued for that, contract renewed for that
And on stage you should be booed for that
I'ma tap you in the back and let everybody know they wack
Yo SkyCab, hand me my platinum suitcases

Extravagant traveler, Puerto Rico out to Africa
Extravagant traveler, Puerto Rico out to Africa

Extravagant traveler, Puerto Rico out to Africa
Extravagant traveler, Puerto Rico out to Africa

Overall Meaning

"Extravagant Traveler" by Kool Keith is a song that celebrates the luxurious and opulent lifestyle of the artist. The lyrics depict Kool Keith as a wealthy and influential figure, indulging in extravagant travels from Puerto Rico to Africa. He mentions staying at the Venetian Hotel and flying on a Mastercharge to Africa, showcasing his high-end lifestyle and financial freedom.

Keith boasts about his success and stature, claiming ownership of the Houston Astrodome and having keys to the MGM Grand. He taunts other MCs who envy him, as his face is on billboards, soup cans, and milk crates. He highlights his association with prominent figures like Don King, Bill Clinton, and Jesse Jackson, further solidifying his status.

The song also touches on his involvement in the Utah Jazz and being hailed as the "real king of New York." Keith exhibits a sense of self-importance and confidence, as he derides other rappers and critiques their fashion choices and musical abilities.

Overall, "Extravagant Traveler" is a braggadocious track where Kool Keith showcases his lavish lifestyle, fame, and success while simultaneously dismissing his less successful peers.

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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