Leave Me Alone
Kool Keith (as Dr. Dooom) Lyrics

Yeah
Acknowledging the audience and preparing to deliver a message

To all my fans
Addressing supporters and dedicated listeners

The people, who don't know..
Referring to those who are unaware of the artist's struggles

What I been goin through
Describing the challenging experiences faced by the artist

To make my, own..
Emphasizing the effort put into creating a unique artistic identity

Now it's time to hurt your feelings as I upsets music industry fan
Preparing to challenge and provoke the emotions of music industry fans

Hey yo my man, look at my hand, they look human right?
Questioning the perception of the artist's appearance

You think I'm a monster, ill circus clown
Addressing the stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding the artist

Not a specimen, don't look at me funny when I come around
Asserting individuality and asking for fair treatment

A&R been tryin to figure me out for years
Highlighting the ongoing struggle for recognition and understanding from record label A&R personnel

Tryin to re-duplicate me but they can't so they hate me
Expressing frustration at attempts to replicate the artist's style without success, leading to resentment

While white boys run the head of black music with a Japanese assistant
Critiquing the racial dynamics and power imbalance within the music industry

What does a Chinese kid know about the rap game? That's a shame
Questioning the credentials and knowledge of individuals from different cultures attempting to navigate the rap genre

As I see and watch on BET
Observing and reflecting on the state of the music industry through the lens of BET

There's a million uncreative rappers tryin to be me
Recognizing the lack of originality in the industry and the abundance of artists attempting to imitate the artist's style

I'm startin to feel like Jimi Hendrix
Drawing a parallel between the artist's experience and the challenges faced by Jimi Hendrix as a pioneering musician

When they covered the story who started rock
Referencing the media's tendency to overlook or misrepresent the origins of musical genres

Magazines put blankets over my interviews
Highlighting the censorship and suppression of the artist's voice in magazine interviews

They don't want to see me on channel 7 news, tellin the truth
Expressing a desire to share the truth and challenge mainstream narratives on a news platform

Off the project roof, they always have secret spies with eyes
Acknowledging the presence of covert surveillance and infiltration of the artist's creative process

Watchin me recordin my album, send in producers with wack tracks
Describing the interference and sabotage attempts by sending subpar producers and tracks

And DAT's, messin up my whole format
Highlighting the detrimental impact of faulty equipment and disruptions on the artist's creative process

Can you imagine somethin on the kneeboard with Con-Funk-Shun?
Questioning the compatibility of diverse elements in music creation, using Con-Funk-Shun as an example

With an alternative hippie kid from the record label watchin your back
Illustrating the presence of an unconventional, potentially incompatible person from the record label overseeing the artist's work

Talkin about, 'Mariah Carey's funky,'
Commenting on the questionable opinions and guidance received from industry personnel

Makin the average group buckdance like a barrel full of monkies
Criticizing the pressure placed on artists to conform and adopt a commercial sound

While I break out to shoppin mall he's makin a quick phone call
Contrasting the artist's creative pursuits with the trivial tasks and distractions of industry figures

About my sound is too new and different
Addressing the resistance and pushback received for creating a sound that deviates from the norm

I need to be regular like Dru Hill and a little more ill
Sarcastically expressing the expectation for the artist to conform to mainstream trends while maintaining uniqueness

(Hey Keith, we want you to be ill)
Mocking the insincere requests and expectations from industry figures

Leave me alone, leave me alone!
Asserting a desire for solitude and autonomy

(Politics, politics..)
Using the repetition of the word 'politics' to emphasize the influence of the industry's politics on the artist's experience

OF COURSE I'm hard to work with cause you hard to work with
Asserting that the artist's difficulty in collaboration is a direct response to the industry figures' own challenging nature

I don't want to meet Insane Clown Posse and collaborate
Rejecting the idea of collaborating with a specific artist, emphasizing a desire for unique and innovative collaborations

I'm tryin to innovate and think quick at a fast rate
Expressing the artist's commitment to pushing boundaries and generating ideas rapidly

Why you mad cause I'm original - you can't do the material
Challenging the industry figures' resentment towards the artist's originality due to their inability to replicate it

When I sit back and watch you act big
Observing how industry figures present themselves arrogantly

Spend your budget on your video
Commenting on the excessive spending on music videos by industry figures

I'm in one of my three luxury apartments eatin Raisin Bran cereal
Contrasting the artist's modest and comfortable lifestyle with the ostentatious lifestyle of industry figures

While you front low, I take my bike ride down to Wells Fargo
Highlighting the artist's preference for a simple, independent mode of transportation compared to industry figures' excessive lives

How long is it gon' take, nine-hundred-thousand in clear
Questioning the time and effort required to achieve financial success in the industry

Takin with a clear, I don't need a Benz this year
Asserting the artist's contentment with not needing extravagant possessions or luxurious vehicles

Took care of my paperwork
Asserting responsibility and professionalism in managing administrative tasks

Takin United Taxi out to Vegas
Choosing a practical and economical mode of transportation despite industry figures' luxury lifestyles

While the average R&B group is doin a promo concert
Contrasting the artist's activities with the conventional promotional tactics used by R&B groups

Ignorin your phone calls from broke labels
Disregarding the communication attempts of financially struggling record labels

Who try to put out underground MC's
Rejecting the attempts of record labels to release artists with an underground style

Tryin to get me to rap on a wack jazz track for one G
Refusing to compromise artistic integrity by participating in a subpar collaboration for minimal compensation

How dare you try to insult me?
Expressing outrage and offense at attempts to undermine the artist's skill and worth

I got 40 grand for three minutes to write a song with Prodigy
Highlighting the artist's success and financial compensation for collaborating with a respected artist

Other crews don't get budget, got the nerve to call me
Observing the disparity in financial support, with other artists lacking proper funding while criticizing the artist

Welcome to the business, stand as a witness
Acknowledging and inviting others to witness the challenges and injustices within the music industry

Work on your stomach, do physical fitness
Advising others to develop resilience and perseverance in the face of industry pressures

I ain't playin, all this African stuff all look the same
Challenging the perception of African art and music as homogeneous or interchangeable

I don't need a Joey Neckbone puttin his artwork on my CD
Rejecting the imposition of another artist's visual representation on the artist's own project

Drawin Apple Jacks and Honeycomb with me sittin on the throne
Expressing disdain for an artist's inaccurate portrayal and depiction of the artist's image

No I'm takin a regular picture by the hotel St. Bonaventure
Preferring a more authentic and genuine representation of oneself over a fabricated or exaggerated image

Besides I do wear a coat in the winter
Asserting a personal preference or habit to counter assumptions or misconceptions

And eat at beautiful restaurants
Describing the artist's enjoyment of fine dining experiences despite industry challenges

Why you think I should wear a motorcycle helmet??
Questioning the expectation or suggestion for the artist to conform to safety measures

Why don't you wear it?! Put on some wings like a PARROT
Challenging the inconsistency and hypocrisy of imposing certain standards on the artist

Let's discuss this contract
Proposing a discussion or negotiation regarding a contractual agreement

Why are you hypin up a normal female group with fat cellulite
Questioning the promotion and praise of a conventional female group with physical imperfections

That sound wack? Most of why'all goin out like Uncle Tom's
Criticizing the lack of artistic integrity and capitulation to industry demands

Like Louis Armstrong
Drawing a parallel between compromising artists and Louis Armstrong as a representation of selling out

Wearin a tattoo and goin onstage like Tracy Chapman
Commenting on the contrived image and performance of certain artists

I cancelled a big tour cause I was prepared
Asserting control and agency in making decisions related to the artist's career

Why'all on the road with per diem money and why'all scared
Highlighting the financial struggles and anxieties experienced by other artists on tour

While why'all walk and look hard
Contrasting the artist's resolute and confident stance with the perceived facade of toughness displayed by other artists

Your manager got his name all over your Versatile card
Mocking the excessive self-promotion and involvement of managers in an artist's career

And plus this video treatment sucks
Expressing dissatisfaction with the creative direction and execution of a music video

The fish lens effects, the lens to the camera only cost a hundred bucks
Criticizing the budget-conscious and uninspired visual choices made for the video

Look at the director, tryin to tell me what to do
Rejecting the director's attempt to dictate the artist's actions and decisions

I done this before, 14 degrees freezin cold
Asserting experience and resilience in adverse conditions during previous performances

Doin _Poppa Large_ with a cage on my head, that's dead
Recalling a previous performance incorporating a unique visual element and implying its irrelevance to the present situation

Don't get your imagination too messed up
Cautioning against exaggerated expectations or assumptions

I'm wearin a Yankee hat and a Starter I'm not dressin up
Highlighting the artist's preference for a casual and authentic appearance over forced extravagance

How you gonna tell me what to wear?!
Challenging the authority of others to dictate the artist's wardrobe

I don't need mascara and a stylist
Rejecting the need for excessive grooming and styling

Save that for a big rock group like Pantera
Suggesting that such grooming practices are more suitable for mainstream rock artists

Experience, Next Plateau, Mercury, Wild Pitch, EMI, Capitol, DreamWorks
Listing record labels associated with the business side of the music industry

Never got dropped
Emphasizing the artist's resilience and ability to maintain a record label contract

Put my lyrics away and stopped
Revealing a period of hiatus or pause in the artist's creative output

Too many people with hands in my projects
Commenting on the excessive involvement and interference of various individuals in the artist's work

Havin fantasies of me bein Superman
Criticizing others' unrealistic expectations and desires for the artist's abilities

You bein stupid man
Dismissing or mocking the foolishness and ignorance of industry figures

I'm like Prince, you might see me once every five years
Comparing the artist's elusive presence to the scarcity of Prince's public appearances

At the record company
Referring to the artist's occasional visits or interactions with the record label

While most of why'all live at the label
Contrasting the artist's independence and external residence with the dependence and confinement of other artists within the record label

Beggin for your rent and car notes to be paid
Highlighting the financial struggles and reliance on the record label for basic expenses

Under the table, doin routine dances for advances
Criticizing the willingness of artists to compromise personal values and integrity for financial advances

(Ooh, you get involved!)
Mocking the superficial and self-serving involvement of industry figures in the artist's career