Kool Keith

Kool Keith
Kool Keith performing in 2011
Background information
Birth name	Keith Matthew Thornton
Also known as	Dr. Octagon Dr. Dooom Black Elvis Dr. Ultra Crazy Lou Robbie Analog Poppa Large Rhythm X Keith Korg Dicky Long Docking Platinum Rich Underwear Pissy Number One Producer Exotron Geiger Counter One Gamma Plus Sequencer
Born	(1963-10-07)October 7, 1963 New York City, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop
Occupations	Rapper producer
Discography	Kool Keith discography
Years active	1984–present
Labels	Bulk Funky Ass Ruffhouse Columbia Threshold DMAFT Insomniac OCD International Junkadelic Mello(current)
Member of	Ultramagnetic MCs
Website	Kool KeithonTwitter

Keith Matthew Thornton(born October 7, 1963), better known by his stage nameKool Keith,is an American rapper and record producer fromThe Bronx,New York City, known for his surreal, abstract, and often profane or incomprehensible lyrics. Kool Keith has recorded prolifically both as a solo artist and in group collaborations. Kool Keith is generally considered to be one of hip-hop's most eccentric and unusual personalities.

Kool Keith was a cofounding member ofUltramagnetic MCs,whose debutCritical Beatdownwas released in 1988. After two more albums with the group,Funk Your Head UpandThe Four Horsemen,Kool Keith released his critically acclaimed solo debut album,Dr. Octagonecologyst,under the nameDr. Octagonin 1996. He subsequently released a series of further independently released hip hop albums, includingSex Style,First Come, First Served(as Dr. Dooom), and most recentlyKeith.

After releasing only one album on a major label,Black Elvis/Lost in Space,Kool Keith subsequently returned to independently releasing music, producing further efforts as a solo artist and in collaboration with groups such asAnalog Brothers,Masters of Illusion,Thee UndatakerzandProject Polaroid.Kool Keith has also made guest appearances in collaboration withPeeping TomandYeah Yeah Yeahs.He was also featured on the short track DDT onJurassic 5's albumPower in Numbers. The Prodigy's hit "Smack My Bitch Up"was based on a sample of Kool Keith's voice saying" Change my pitch up. Smack my bitch up "onGive The Drummer Someby Ultramagnetic MCs.

History

Ultramagnetic MCs (1984–1993)

Thornton began his career with the groupUltramagnetic MCsunder the pseudonym Kool Keith in 1984. Four years later, their release of the albumCritical Beatdownwas critically acclaimed and later became recognized as widely influential for its innovative production, complex rhymes, and chopped sampling. Just after its release, Thornton was reportedly institutionalized inBellevue Hospital Center.However, he later said that the idea that he was institutionalized came from a flippant remark made during an interview, and he never expected the story to become so well known.

Ultramagnetic MCs would release two more albums (1992'sFunk Your Head Upand 1993'sThe Four Horsemen) with little commercial success due toWest Coast hip hop's changing landscape. They went on hiatus for years, leading Thorton to embark on a solo career.

Dr. Octagon debuts (1995–1996)

Thornton released his first notable solo single, "Earth People", in 1995, under the nameDr. Octagon.This was followed by the release of theconcept albumDr. Octagonecologystthe following year. The album's production byDan the AutomatorandKutmasta Kurt,withscratchingbyDJ Qbertwas acclaimed by critics, and the album was released nationally byDreamWorks Recordsin 1997, after an initial release on the smaller Bulk Recordings label (as, simply,Dr. Octagon) a year prior.Dr. Octagonecologystwas considered a departure from old school hip hop to abstract hip hop, with surrealistic, horror, science-fiction, and sexual themes.DreamWorks also issued an instrumental version of the album, titledInstrumentalyst (Octagon Beats).

Further releases (1996–2001)

In 1996, Thornton collaborated withTim Dogfor the single "The Industry is Wack", performing under the name Ultra—the albumBig Timesoon followed. The following year, Thornton followed the release the sophomore album,Sex Styleunder the name Kool Keith. Being adirty rapconcept album, Thornton described it as "pornocore", filled with sexual metaphors to diss other rappers.An instrumental version was also released.This year, a collaborative album withGodfather DontitledCenobites,was released as an LP.

In 1999, he released the albumFirst Come, First Servedunder the name "Dr. Dooom", in which the album's main character killed off Dr. Octagon on the album's opening track. The same year, on August 10, 1999, Thornton releasedBlack Elvis/Lost in Space,under the major record labelsRuffhouseandColumbia.It peaked at #10 on theBillboardHeatseekers chart,#74 on theTop R&B/Hip-Hop Albumschart, and #180 on theBillboard200,Despite standing out as Thornton's most commercially successful project to date, he was disappointed with the album's delays and promotional efforts, even though a promotional video was made for the lead single, "Livin' Astro", which aired on a few episodes of theMTVshowAmpin early 2000. Its sequel,Black Elvis 2,was released in 2023.

On June 5, 2001, Thornton released the albumSpankmasteronTVTand Gothom Records.It peaked at #16 on theBillboardHeatseekers chart, #11 on the Top Independent Albums chart and #48 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.The album has yet to be on streaming.

Collaborations (2000–2004)

On July 25, 2000, Thornton released the albumMatthew.It peaked at #47 on theBillboardHeatseekers chart.The following month, Thornton collaborated withIce-T,Marc Live, Black Silver and Pimp Rex for the albumPimp to Eat,under the group nameAnalog Brothers,with Keith performing as Keith Korg and Ice-T as Ice Oscillator.The album was re-released byMello Music Groupon streaming, CD, and LP in 2016.Masters of Illusion,a collaboration withKutMasta Kurtand Motion Man, followed a few months later.

Thornton, Marc Live andH-Bombformed the group KHM, releasing the albumGameon November 19, 2002. They later changed their name to "Clayborne Family"by the release of their second album two years later.During the same year (2004) that Clayborne Family was released in,Kool Keith Presents Thee Undatakerz(with Reverend Tom (Kool Keith) Al Bury-U (BIG NONAME), M-Balmer and The Funeral Director) andDiesel Truckers,another collaboration with KutMasta Kurt.

Second Dr. Octagon album (2002–2004)

In 2002, Thornton began recordingThe Resurrection of Dr. Octagonwith producer Fanatik J,signing a contract withCMH Recordsto release the album, which was eventually completed without much input from Thornton, due to a falling out over contractual terms.

On October 12, 2004,Real Talk Entertainmentissued the albumDr. Octagon Part 2.The album was discontinued by court order.On June 27,The Return of Dr. Octagonwas released byOCD International,an imprint of CMH, advertised as the official follow-up toDr. Octagonecologyst.Some critics felt that it was not as good as its predecessor.Thornton stated that he liked the album, but felt that it hurt his reputation as a musician.In August, Thornton performed under the Dr. Octagon billing, but did not acknowledge the release of the OCD album.

Further collaborations and solo albums (2006–present)

On April 25, 2006, Thornton released the albumNogatco Rd.under the name Mr. Nogatco, andProject Polaroid,a collaboration with TomC3.The Return of Dr. Octagon,the sequel toDr. Octagonecologyst,was released two months later, as well as a Dr. Dooom sequel titledDr. Dooom 2being released two years later.

In 2007, Ultramagnetic MCs released the reunion albumThe Best Kept Secret.In 2009, Kool Keith released the concept albumTashan Dorrsett;a follow-up,The Legend of Tashan Dorrsett,followed two years later.In 2012, Kool Keith performed at theGathering of the Juggalos.He has stated that he is considering retiring from music.In 2013, Keith appeared as Dr. Octagon on theYeah Yeah Yeahssong "Buried Alive", from their albumMosquito.In 2015, Keith released "Time? Astonishing!" with producer L'Orange and began the start of his relationship withMello Music Group.Since then, Keith also re-issued his group album with theAnalog Brothers(Ice-T, Pimp Rex, Marc Live, Silver Synth) "Pimp To Eat" with Mello Music.Kool Keith's recent solo albumFeature Magneticwas dropped on September 16, 2016 and it featuresMF DOOM,Slugfrom Atmosphere,Dirt Nastyand many others.Artwork for the "Feature Magnetic" album was produced byMarc Santo.

In 2018, Keith collaborated once again withDan the AutomatorandDJ Qbertfor anotherDr. Octagonalbum.Moosebumps: An Exploration Into Modern Day Horripilationwas released on streaming services on April 6, 2018,with the physical release scheduled forRecord Store Day,April 21, 2018. The Record Store Day release includes both vinyl and CD copies. Using hisDeltronpersona,Del the Funky Homosapienguests on "3030 Meets the Doc, Pt. 1". NPR offered a first look at the album on March 29, 2018.Kool Keith appears on "Western" by the bluegrass-rap group Gangstagrass, performing as himself. Throughout five years, Thornton releasedController of Trap,Keith,Computer Technology,Saks 5th Ave,Space Goretex(with Thetan),Keith's Salon,Subatomic(withDel the Funky Homosapien),Serpent(with Real Bad Man), andBlack Elvis 2.

Thornton's fan site refers to his discography of roughly fifty album releases, most of which have been commercially released. Singles such as "Spectrum" continue to appear online under the artist's name, on sites such asSoundCloudandSpotify.

Lyrical and performance style

Kool Keith performing at Mezzanine in San Francisco, California during the 2009Noise Pop Festival

Thornton's lyrics are oftenabstract,surreal,and filled withnon-sequitursand profane humor.For example, "Technical Difficulties," from the albumDr. Octagonecologyst,contains the following lyrics: "Intestines, investments, hide money in your stomach / Who can stopPepto-Bismol?Only a Gremlin eatin' inLarry Parkerlike Gizmo. "Thornton is also known for an explicit style focusing onsexualthemes, which Thornton has referred to as "pornocore".In a 2007 interview, Thornton claims to have "inventedhorrorcore".

Alter egos

Kool Keith is known for his many alter egos. As of 2012, Kool Keith had at least 58 such alter egos: these include well-known aliases such as Dr. Octagon, Dr. Dooom, and Black Elvis, which appeared on albums bearing their names; and the more obscure, such as firearms dealer "Crazy Lou" and "Exotron Geiger Counter One Gamma Plus Sequencer," as he introduced himself in an appearance onMarley Marl's radio showIn Control.Some of Kool Keith's monikers have only existed on album artwork, such as "Mr. Green" and "Elvin Presley."

In reference to his relationship between himself and his various stage personalities, Keith has said, "I don't even feel like I'm a human being anymore".

Discography

Solo albums

Main article:Kool Keith discography

• Dr. Octagonecologyst(1996)
• Sex Style(1997)
• First Come, First Served(1999)
• Black Elvis/Lost in Space(1999)
• Matthew(2000)
• Spankmaster(2001)
• Nogatco Rd.(2006)
• The Return of Dr. Octagon(2006)
• Dr. Dooom 2(2008)
• Tashan Dorrsett(2009)
• Love & Danger(2012)
• Demolition Crash(2014)
• El Dorado Driven(2014)
• Feature Magnetic(2016)
• Moosebumps: An Exploration Into Modern Day Horripilation(2018)
• Controller of Trap(2018)
• Keith(2019)
• Computer Technology(2019)
• Saks 5th Ave(2019)
• Keith's Salon(2021)
• Black Elvis 2(2023)
• Mr. Controller(2023)
• World Area(2023)

Collaborative albums

See also:Ultramagnetic MCs § Albums

• Big Time(withTim Dogas Ultra) (1996)
• The Cenobites(withGodfather Donas The Cenobites) (1997)
• Pimp to Eat(withIce-T,Black Silver, Marc Live and Pimpin' Rex asAnalog Brothers) (2000)
• A Much Better Tomorrow(withDan The Automator) (2000)
• Masters of Illusion(withKutMasta Kurtand Motion Man asMasters of Illusion) (2000)
• Game(withJacky Jasperand Marc Live as KHM) (2002)
• Kool Keith Presents Thee Undatakerz(with M-Balmer, The Funeral Director and Al Bury-U asThee Undatakerz) (2004)
• Kool Keith Official Space Tape(with DJ Junkaz Lou) (2004)
• Diesel Truckers(withKutMasta Kurtas The Diesel Truckers) (2004)
• Clayborne Family(withJacky Jasperand Marc Live as Clayborne Family) (2004)
• The Original SoundTrack Album of Project Polaroid(with TomC3 as Project Polaroid) (2006)
• Idea of a Masterpiece(with 57-41) (2009)
• Bikinis N Thongs(with Denis Deft) (2009)
• Stoned(withH-Bombas 7th Veil) (2009)
• Magnetic Pimp Force Field(with Big Sche Eastwood) (2013)
• Time? Astonishing!(with L'Orange) (2015)
• A Couple of Slices(with Ray West) (2015)
• Moosebumps: An Exploration Into Modern Day Horripilation The SP 1200 Remixes(with Dan The Automator) (2018)
• The Foundation Album(2019)
• Space Goretex(with Thetan) (2020)
• Subatomic(2022, with FNKPMPN)
• Serpent(2023, with Real Bad Man)
• Lonnie Parachute(2023, with Your Best Friend Jippy)
• STRIKE! eMERGENCY heARTS Mix(with scott crow,Ceschi,Xiu Xiu)(2024)(Emergency Hearts)
• STRIKE! Mark Pistel Mix(with scott crow,Ceschi,Mark Pistel,Xiu Xiu)(2024)(Emergency Hearts)
• STRIKE! AwareNess Remix(with scott crow,Ceschi,AwareNess,Xiu Xiu)(2024)(Emergency Hearts)

External links

• Kool KeithatAllMusic
• Kool Keithdiscography atDiscogs