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)
Time For Business
Kool Keith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They got he camera's everywhere
Yo your whole joint is under surveillance
But I was peepin' it out and yo, I think I can fix it
Know what I'm saying
Let me get busy, then we can get busy
I'm still the player, the mayor, the street corner government
Fierce with diamonds and rings sparkle on my finger
I pose with Ho's, my Lager and my Feld Linger
The big casino, with mega loot like Al Pacino
Sharing stocks and trading bonds with the whole Gambino
Rosa Maria pass me the pizza
For girls who front I tell 'em hasta la vista
Riding with the stupid funk, is it real?
My trunk full of Mack Ten's, grenades made of steel
I got more cash then Clinton, pay off the FBI
My game top notch, the phantom known slick and sly
I got a house in LA, and one in New York
Snitches around, I must be careful when I talk
I got the number to call Elizabeth Taylor
My movie star girl friend, my mobile home trailer
You call your lawyer, let's handle make a settlement
It's time for business, your man got to step back
It's time for business, your man got to step back
It's time for business, your man got to step back
It's time for business, your man got to step back
It's time for business, your man got to step back
Closing deals on Capitol Hill, I spin the wheel
I shock point blank range, just like a street electric eel
I chew your face off, just like a great white shark
Atomic lights on, my Caddy bouncin' in the dark
Through 125 and down another live street
You in Hollywood, neon lights shine on Vine Street
I ride around see my jealous type enemies
Some friends of mines on drugs and bad memories
Sammy L and Teddy's back sniffin' cocaine
They die from heart attacks with bullets in they brain
I keep rollin' with the phantom face cryin'
Laughin' and gigglin' while everybody's dyin'
Who told you open that tube and try to sniff the glue?
You in emergency, the room is turnin' dark blue
With black potion, I look into the ocean
My fast life style is watchin' you in slow motion
You got the ketchup, you standing with no french fries
Marked for death, with glasses on your dirty eyes
I don't know in Jackie's bar who killed Mr Green
I was home with my girl friend named Bernadine
Don't try to pin it on me, come on Ben Casey
I'm workin' 9 to 5, the fed's think i'm lazy
I know my game, I'm mad freaky undercover
Exotic psycho, and California panty lover
I see the news and blood drippin' from my shoes
He messed up money jack, i'm not the one to pay his dues
It's time for business, your man got to step back
It's time for business, your man got to step back
It's time for business, your man got to step back
It's time for business, your man got to step back
It's time for business, your man got to step back
It's time for business, your man got to step back
Now detectives appear they want a firm investigation
They tappin' my white phone for secret information
I get no sleep accumulatin' millions in a week
I walk by, you think I'm blind and I never speak
I see you scopin' my eye in the back of my head
Two blocks away, yo look around, now he's dead
Everybody's scheme is all vanilla ice cream
I catch you on the highway, put on my high beam
You see voodoo, you drop doo doo and a man appear
Happy birthday, goodbye in your last year
As I stand by your Hearst with the black coffin
You been sinning, winning, and flirting with the devil often
I hold the spirits, the songs to the murder case
No time for demons, don't step up in the phantom face
It's time for business, your man got to step back
It's time for business, your man got to step back
It's time for business, your man got to step back
It's time for business, your man got to step back
It's time for business, your man got to step back
It's time for business, your man got to step back
It's time for business, your man got to step back
It's time for business, your man got to step back
The lyrics to Kool Keith's song "Time For Business" paint a vivid picture of a life of illegal activities and associations with dangerous people. The opening lines warn Keith that his phones are tapped and his joint is under surveillance. This sets the tone for the rest of the song, as Keith boasts about his wealth and shady dealings while also acknowledging the risks involved. He talks about his connections to organized crime (referencing the Gambino family) and his habit of carrying weapons like Mack Tens and grenades.
Throughout the song, Keith portrays himself as a smooth operator who can handle any situation, whether it's closing deals on Capitol Hill or dealing with jealous enemies. He also references some of the darker aspects of his lifestyle, such as drug use and violence. In one verse, he mentions two acquaintances who died from heart attacks with bullets in their brains.
Overall, "Time For Business" portrays a world that is often brutal and unforgiving but one that Keith navigates with skill and cunning. It's a glimpse into the life of a man who lives outside the law, where every move must be calculated and every connection scrutinized.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo Keith B, they got your phones tapped
Keith's phone is being monitored by authorities
They got he camera's everywhere
Surveillance is being carried out everywhere on Keith
Yo your whole joint is under surveillance
Every area Keith frequents is under surveillance
But I was peepin' it out and yo, I think I can fix it
I have examined the situation and I believe I can solve the problem
Know what I'm saying
Do you comprehend what I am communicating?
Let me get busy, then we can get busy
Allow me to handle it, then we can proceed with our plan
I'm still the player, the mayor, the street corner government
I am still the influential figure in the streets
Increase my growth, my style is dap, so intelligent
I am constantly evolving, my vibe is stylish and intelligent
Fierce with diamonds and rings sparkle on my finger
I possess expensive and shiny jewelry
I pose with Ho's, my Lager and my Feld Linger
I take pictures with prostitutes, my alcoholic drinks, and my expensive clothing
The big casino, with mega loot like Al Pacino
I am like a big casino, wealthy like Al Pacino
Sharing stocks and trading bonds with the whole Gambino
I exchange shares and bonds with the entire Gambino family
Rosa Maria pass me the pizza
Rosa Maria, please hand me the pizza
For girls who front I tell 'em hasta la vista
I dismiss girls who put on airs and pretend to be someone they're not
Riding with the stupid funk, is it real?
Am I riding with a foolish mindset, is it genuine?
My trunk full of Mack Ten's, grenades made of steel
My car contains several Mack Ten guns and steel grenades
I got more cash then Clinton, pay off the FBI
I have more money than Clinton and I can bribe the FBI
My game top notch, the phantom known slick and sly
My plan is of the highest quality, and I am sly like a phantom
I got a house in LA, and one in New York
I have a residence in Los Angeles and another in New York
Snitches around, I must be careful when I talk
Since there are informants around me, I must be cautious with my words
I got the number to call Elizabeth Taylor
I possess Elizabeth Taylor's phone number
My movie star girl friend, my mobile home trailer
My girlfriend is a movie star and we live in a luxurious mobile home
You call your lawyer, let's handle make a settlement
Contact your lawyer, let's come to an agreement
It's time for business, your man got to step back
It's time to get serious and your associate needs to step aside
Closing deals on Capitol Hill, I spin the wheel
I am engaging in lucrative deals with Washington insiders
I shock point blank range, just like a street electric eel
I am shocking people at close range, like an electric eel on the street
I chew your face off, just like a great white shark
I will verbally attack you with no mercy, just like a great white shark
Atomic lights on, my Caddy bouncin' in the dark
The bright lights on my Cadillac are bouncing in the dark
Through 125 and down another live street
I am traveling down another street at 125 miles per hour
You in Hollywood, neon lights shine on Vine Street
You are in Hollywood, where the neon lights shine on Vine Street
I ride around see my jealous type enemies
I ride around and observe my envious foes
Some friends of mines on drugs and bad memories
Some of my friends have drug habits and unpleasant memories
Sammy L and Teddy's back sniffin' cocaine
Sammy L and Teddy are back to snorting cocaine
They die from heart attacks with bullets in they brain
They die from heart attacks caused by bullets in their brains
I keep rollin' with the phantom face cryin'
I keep driving while my face is covered and crying
Laughin' and gigglin' while everybody's dyin'
I am laughing and giggling while everyone else is dying
Who told you open that tube and try to sniff the glue?
Who advised you to open that tube and attempt to sniff the glue?
You in emergency, the room is turnin' dark blue
You are in the emergency room, and the room is turning dark blue
With black potion, I look into the ocean
With a mysterious liquid, I gaze into the ocean
My fast life style is watchin' you in slow motion
My high-speed lifestyle is observing you in slow motion
You got the ketchup, you standing with no french fries
You have ketchup but no french fries
Marked for death, with glasses on your dirty eyes
You are destined to die, with dirty glasses covering your eyes
I don't know in Jackie's bar who killed Mr Green
I am not aware of who killed Mr. Green in Jackie's bar
I was home with my girl friend named Bernadine
During the incident, I was home with my girlfriend named Bernadine
Don't try to pin it on me, come on Ben Casey
Do not attempt to frame me, Ben Casey
I'm workin' 9 to 5, the fed's think i'm lazy
I am working from 9 to 5, while the authorities believe I am idle
I know my game, I'm mad freaky undercover
I am well-versed in my schemes, I operate in secrecy
Exotic psycho, and California panty lover
I am an unusual and unpredictable individual, and I have a particular attraction to Californian women's undergarments
I see the news and blood drippin' from my shoes
I watch the news and notice blood dripping from my shoes
He messed up money jack, i'm not the one to pay his dues
He mismanaged his finances, and I am not the one responsible for his debts
Now detectives appear they want a firm investigation
Detectives have arrived and they are requesting a thorough investigation
They tappin' my white phone for secret information
They are wiretapping my unmarked phone to obtain confidential information
I get no sleep accumulatin' millions in a week
I am not sleeping, and I am earning millions each week
I walk by, you think I'm blind and I never speak
I pass by, and you mistakenly believe I am blind and silent
I see you scopin' my eye in the back of my head
I notice you watching me from behind
Two blocks away, yo look around, now he's dead
Two blocks away, you look around, and now the person is dead
Everybody's scheme is all vanilla ice cream
Everyone's plan is basic and unoriginal
I catch you on the highway, put on my high beam
I catch you on the highway and activate my high beams
You see voodoo, you drop doo doo and a man appear
You see voodoo and are frightened, and a man suddenly appears
Happy birthday, goodbye in your last year
It's your birthday, but it will also be your last year alive
As I stand by your Hearst with the black coffin
As I stand by your Hearst with the black coffin
You been sinning, winning, and flirting with the devil often
You have been committing sins, winning, and frequently interacting with the devil
I hold the spirits, the songs to the murder case
I possess the knowledge of the spiritual realm and the details of the murder case
No time for demons, don't step up in the phantom face
I have no tolerance for malevolent entities, and they should not confront me
Contributed by Olivia C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
DeathDrums
he's the dopest.. no joke best rapper alive.
iluvrocknrap
This song is sick kool keith is dope
j. edmund
you know whats sad? Lil' Wayne and his garbage gets 50,000,000 views. This stuff is rap at it's absolute finest, and nobody gives a shit. All the better
Matty DredZ
Sick mo fo.
DeathDrums
by the way, this song sounds so much Don't Crush It off the first Sex Style album.. damn..
Tim Stadlmueller
Cold.