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)
You Get Yours
Kool Keith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
You know I get about 82 thousand 3 million records in the mail
But now I can only play about 2, what's up with that?
There are 8 billion 2 thousand white black records
They on my scrotum they should be on whack records
I know the industry is wet like a labia
Everybody's crazy, gone hysterical
M.C.'s came psycho, toy like Tyco
Poppin' that weak shit like Myers, you ain't Michael
I left my sons in space behind years ago
Coco puffs, your crew remind me of a Cheerio
You're like a condom, an old piece of dried up sperm
Don't try to mess with me, you rappin' fuckin' germ
M.C.'s come up they call themself now Papa
I'm entertained watchin' prime time do do droppa
You dissed the naked man, you ain't the boss man
I run over panties and heads with a Range Rover
I kidnap Amy, grab my tapes back from Marc Genova
And stick an enema pipe right into Faith Newman
You think I'm Lincoln, Abraham or Harry Truman
You get yours, cum smeared all in your face
You get yours, tell me how it tastes?
You get yours, cum smeared all in your face
You get yours, tell me how it tastes?
You get yours, cum smeared all in your face
You get yours, tell me how it tastes?
One two, one two copycats sound like my wife
You on my balls kiddie style man sound like Phife
I'm illin' tonight, you see me stand with Suge Knight
You rappers are scared, now wet rectums get tight
You might as well sing a simple song like you're Brandy
You wanna be down, put panties on I'll call you Sandy
Like Stu watchin' his back, yo that shit is fine
Hold 'em and piss David Berk wanna blow his mind
Shootin' the jizm, M.C.'s lightin' stinkin' Izm
Awe that stink put that out, man that blunt shit
I'm on some cunnalingus, women know that cunt shit
Gimmick experts your logo's won't make it work
As Monica Lynch about the Flinstones
Niggas still lickin' my dick like chicken bones
Who's on wax with pumps on wack soundtracks?
Lisa Cortez or Ed shoulda called me
Russell and Lyor, Andre know that shit would bore me
Look in your Rolodex Naked Man, I come and flex
Tie up your anus rectum piece, brothers heads are next
Girl rappers lick my ass before they're most famous
You name 'em all I gave abortions with hangers
Spread 'em easy people, this won't hurt
You get yours, cum smeared all in your face
You get yours, tell me how it tastes?
You get yours, cum smeared all in your face
You get yours, tell me how it tastes?
You get yours, cum smeared all in your face
You get yours, tell me how it tastes?
You ran to Pete Rock, you ran to Premier
With New York sounds, Professor couldn't save your career
Watch your ass Ducket, play me out like Dave Gossit
M.C.'s should quit or sign with Tuff City
I left management and Alex, fuckin' tough titty
I went to Hammers house some people didn't know me
Dave Jacobson was lying, what the fuck he just told me?
Lookin' back at Tom Silverman's convention
Money was made and counted for, not to mention
Laminates don't cost much, that shit is cheap
Like nigga's tryin' front at Jack the Rapper every week
Don't try that hand shake shit my dick is more legit
You get yours, cum smeared all in your face
You puppets on Jive with budget tryin' a stay alive
Suckin' the dick twice of owner kid Barry Weiss
You like red dirt the two faced alcoholic
You get yours, cum smeared all in your face
You get yours, tell me how it tastes?
You get yours, cum smeared all in your face
You get yours, tell me how it tastes?
You get yours, cum smeared all in your face
You get yours, tell me how it tastes?
Sunday 11:37 pm
Yeah, now that's what I'm talkin' about
I think I should just take these records
And start an ash tray business
Or maybe I'll uh just donate 'em to the Goodwill
(Huh, huh)
Atleast it's a tax write off, aight man, peace
In “You Get Yours,” Kool Keith expresses his frustration with the music industry and the current state of rap music. He takes aim at MCs who he feels are weak and unoriginal, using vivid and often vulgar language to attack their skills and claim his own superiority. Keith plays with language and images to create a stream-of-consciousness rant that blends humor and aggression to make his points.
At the beginning of the song, Keith’s friend DJ Kutmasta Kurt calls him to ask why he’s only playing two records out of the thousands he receives. Keith responds with a stream of insults aimed at the industry and his fellow rappers, suggesting that there are too many bad records out there for him to support. He compares these records to objects on his scrotum, indicating that they are a nuisance that he would rather do without.
As the song continues, Keith continues to attack his peers, using graphic and sometimes bizarre language to make his points. He compares himself to a condom, emphasizing his protective role in the rap game and suggesting that other MCs are like germs who can infect the industry. He also references his own career, bragging about his past successes and suggesting that other rappers could never measure up to his standards.
“You Get Yours” is a complex and layered song that combines wordplay, humor, and aggression to make its points. It reveals Kool Keith’s deep-seated frustrations with the rap industry and his determination to stand apart from others in the game.
Contributed by Penelope N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.