Keith (album)

Last updated
Keith
Kool Keith - Keith.png
Studio album by
ReleasedJuly 12, 2019
StudioTME Studios (The Bronx, NY)
Genre Alternative hip hop
Length44:08
Label Mello Music Group
Producer Psycho Les
Kool Keith chronology
Controller of Trap
(2018)
Keith
(2019)
Computer Technology
(2019)
Singles from Keith
  1. "Zero Fux"
    Released: May 14, 2019 [1]
  2. "Turn the Levels"
    Released: June 4, 2019

Keith (stylized in all caps) is the seventeenth solo studio album by American recording artist Kool Keith. It was released on July 12, 2019 through Mello Music Group. [2] The album was produced by Psycho Les of the Beatnuts. [3] It features guest appearances from fellow rappers B-Real, Jeru the Damaja and Paul Wall. The album was recorded at TME Studios in the Bronx and mixed by DJ Fred Ones.

Contents

Singles

The album's lead single, "Zero Fux" was released on May 14, 2019. It features Cypress Hill member B-Real. [4] The second single, "Turn the Levels", was released on June 4, 2019. [5]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [6]
The Arts Desk Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [7]

Keith was met with mostly positive reviews. Paul Simpson of AllMusic writes, "Keith is simply another consistent, enjoyable album from one of rap's true legends". [6] Guy Oddy of The Arts Desk writes, "a lyrical and beat collage that takes in social reportage on the menacing "95 South", anti-materialism on "Word Life" and racism, it also has a good deal of bragging about his prowess on the mic." [7]

Track listing

Credits adapted from Pitchfork. [2]

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Intro" Keith Thornton  1:04
2."Foot Locker" (featuring Paul Wall)
Psycho Les 3:01
3."95 South" (featuring Psycho Les)Psycho Les3:15
4."Graceland"ThorntonPsycho Les3:07
5."Holy Water"ThorntonPsycho Les3:03
6."Makem Crazy"ThorntonPsycho Les3:51
7."Muscle Block"ThorntonPsycho Les3:00
8."Open and Wet"ThorntonPsycho Les3:25
9."Plush Mink"ThorntonPsycho Les3:46
10."Slave Owner"ThorntonPsycho Les3:11
11."She Answer" (featuring Jeru the Damaja)
Psycho Les3:00
12."Turn the Levels"ThorntonPsycho Les3:31
13."Word Life"ThorntonPsycho Les4:12
14."Zero Fux" (featuring B-Real)
Psycho Les2:52
Total length:44:08

Sample credits

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kool Keith</span> American rapper and producer

Keith Matthew Thornton, better known by his stage name Kool Keith, is an American rapper and record producer from The 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.

<i>Critical Beatdown</i> 1988 studio album by Ultramagnetic MCs

Critical Beatdown is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Ultramagnetic MCs, released on October 4, 1988, by Next Plateau Records. Production for the album was handled primarily by the group's rapper and producer Ced-Gee, who employed an E-mu SP-1200 sampler as the album's main instrument. Music journalists have noted the album for its innovative production, funk-based samples, self-assertive themes, ingenious lyricism, and complex rhyme patterns by Ced-Gee and fellow rapper Kool Keith.

<i>Pimp to Eat</i> 2000 studio album by Analog Brothers

Pimp to Eat is the only studio album by American hip hop supergroup Analog Brothers, which consists of Ice-T as Ice Oscillator, Kool Keith as Keith Korg, Pimpin' Rex as Rex Roland JX3P, Marc Live as Marc Moog, and Black Silver as Silver Synth. It was released on August 15, 2000 via Ground Control Records and re-released on June 10, 2016 via Mello Music Group. The 16-track record featured guest appearances from Odd Oberheim, H-Bomb, Teflon, Rhymes Syndicate, Synth-A-Size Sisters, and DJ Cisco.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lose Control (Missy Elliott song)</span> 2005 single by Missy Elliott

"Lose Control" is a song by American rapper Missy Elliott featuring singer Ciara and rapper Fatman Scoop. It was released as the lead single from Elliott's sixth studio album, The Cookbook, on May 23, 2005. It contains samples from Hot Streak's "Body Work" and Cybotron's "Clear". The song peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, number two in New Zealand, and in the top thirty in various countries.

<i>Dr. Octagonecologyst</i> 1996 studio album by Dr. Octagon

Dr. Octagonecologyst is the debut solo studio album by American rapper and Ultramagnetic MCs member Kool Keith, released under the alias Dr. Octagon. Originally titled Dr. Octagon, it was released on May 7, 1996, on Bulk Recordings in the United States and Mo' Wax in the United Kingdom. The album was later reissued with a different track listing by DreamWorks Records in 1997 under the title Dr. Octagonecologyst. The album was produced by Dan "The Automator" Nakamura and featured the work of turntablist DJ Qbert. KutMasta Kurt provided additional production work. The artwork for Dr. Octagonecologyst was drawn by Brian "Pushead" Schroeder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Get Down on It</span> 1981 single by Kool & the Gang

"Get Down on It" is a 1981 song by American band Kool & the Gang. It was originally released on their Something Special album in 1981. The single was certified Gold by the RIAA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slow Jamz</span> 2003 single by Twista

"Slow Jamz" is a song by American rapper Twista featuring fellow American musicians Jamie Foxx and Kanye West. Produced by the latter, it was released in November 2003 through Atlantic and Roc-A-Fella Records, as the lead single from Twista's fourth studio album Kamikaze (2004), and the second single from West's debut studio album The College Dropout (2004). The song was written by Twista and West, with additional writing credits going to Burt Bacharach and Hal David for the sampling of Luther Vandross' cover of Dionne Warwick's 1964 song "A House Is Not A Home". Containing genres of hip hop, pop rap, R&B, and soul, the song's lyrics reference slow jam artists and describes the role of lovermen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guilty Simpson</span> American rapper

Byron Dwayne “Guilty” Simpson is an American rapper and songwriter from Detroit, Michigan whose recording career spans more than 20 years. He is signed to Stones Throw Records, and is known for being one of the late producer J Dilla’s favorite rappers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hollywood Swinging</span> 1974 funk song by Kool & The Gang

"Hollywood Swinging" is a 1974 song by R&B/funk band Kool & the Gang from their album Wild and Peaceful. It was written by Robert "Kool" Bell, Ronald Bell, George M. Brown, Robert "Spike" Mickens, Claydes Charles Smith, Dennis R. Thomas and Rick A. Westfield.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercy (Kanye West song)</span> 2012 single by Kanye West

"Mercy" is a song by American rapper Kanye West featuring fellow American rappers Big Sean, Pusha T, and 2 Chainz. The song, released April 3, 2012 through GOOD Music and Def Jam, serves as the lead single from the compilation album Cruel Summer (2012). The song's production was handled by Lifted, with additional production from West, Mike Dean, and Mike Will Made It, and additional instrumentation from Hudson Mohawke. The song heavily samples the dancehall song "Dust a Sound Boy" by Super Beagle. The song received mostly positive reviews from music critics who praised the bombastic production, the varying quality of the verses, and the wordplay of the individual rappers. The song was featured on the soundtrack for NBA 2K13.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2 On</span> 2014 single by Tinashe featuring Schoolboy Q

"2 On" is the debut single by American singer Tinashe for her debut studio album Aquarius (2014). The song features a guest verse from American rapper Schoolboy Q. Both artists wrote the song with Bobby Brackins, and features production from DJ Mustard, Jon Redwine, and DJ Marley Waters, who are also credited as songwriters. It features a sample from the 2005 single "We Be Burnin'" by Jamaican recording artist Sean Paul, resulting in writing credits for Cezar Cunningham, Sean Paul, Steven Marsden, Delano Thomas, Michael Jarrett, and Craig Serani Marsh. "2 On" was released as Tinashe's commercial debut single from Aquarius on January 21, 2014 and was sent to US rhythmic contemporary, urban contemporary on March 18, 2014, and to contemporary hit radio on July 30, 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It's a Demo</span> 1986 single by Kool G Rap & DJ Polo

"It's a Demo" is the 1986 debut single by American hip hop duo Kool G Rap & DJ Polo. Originally a non-album single with "I'm Fly" as a B-side, a remix of the track was featured on the duo's 1989 album Road to the Riches and later on the compilation albums Killer Kuts (1994), The Best of Cold Chillin' (2000), Greatest Hits (2002) and Street Stories: The Best of Kool G Rap & DJ Polo (2013).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DJ Shadow</span> American DJ and record producer

Joshua Paul Davis, better known by his stage name DJ Shadow, is an American DJ and record producer. His debut studio album, Endtroducing....., was released in 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samuel T. Herring</span> American singer

Samuel Thompson Herring, known professionally as Samuel T. Herring and Hemlock Ernst, is an American singer, rapper and actor from Baltimore, Maryland. He best known as the frontman of the synth-pop band Future Islands, with whom he has recorded six studio albums. He has also previously been a member of Art Lord & the Self-Portraits, The Snails, and Trouble Knows Me.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Banks & Steelz</span> Musical project of Wu-Tangs RZA and Interpols Paul Banks

Banks & Steelz is a musical collaboration between Interpol frontman Paul Banks and Wu-Tang Clan rapper RZA. The duo began making music together in 2011 and began recording a full album in 2013. They released their debut studio album, Anything But Words, on August 26, 2016.

<i>Anything But Words</i> 2016 studio album by Banks & Steelz

Anything But Words is the debut studio album by Banks & Steelz, a collaborative project between Interpol vocalist Paul Banks and Wu-Tang Clan member RZA. It was released August 26, 2016, on Warner Bros. Records. Recording of the album dates back to 2013, with a demo of early material being created two years prior. Anything But Words features guest appearances by other musicians, as well as other Wu-Tang Clan members, and additional production from Ari Levine and Andrew Wyatt, among others. Five singles were released from the album; "Love and War", featuring Ghostface Killah, "Giant", "Speedway Sonora", "Sword in the Stone", featuring Kool Keith, and "Anything But Words".

<i>Rather You Than Me</i> 2017 studio album by Rick Ross

Rather You Than Me is the ninth studio album by American rapper Rick Ross. It was released on March 17, 2017, through Maybach Music Group and Epic Records. The album features guest appearances from Raphael Saadiq, Chris Rock, Young Thug, Wale, Future, Jeezy, Yo Gotti, Gucci Mane, Ty Dolla Sign, Nas, Meek Mill, Anthony Hamilton, Scrilla, and Dej Loaf. It was supported by two singles: "I Think She Like Me", and "Trap Trap Trap".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Way Life Goes (song)</span> 2017 single by Lil Uzi Vert

"The Way Life Goes" is a song by American rapper Lil Uzi Vert featuring British indie pop group Oh Wonder from the former's debut album Luv Is Rage 2 (2017). The song was released as the album's second single to urban contemporary radio on October 3, 2017. The track, produced by Don Cannon and Ike Beatz, samples vocals from Oh Wonder's 2015 song "Landslide". It would debut at number 39 on the Billboard Hot 100, with the YouTube visual gaining over 138 million views as of April 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">JPEGMafia discography</span>

The discography of American rapper and producer JPEGMafia consists of four studio albums, two extended plays, eight mixtapes, two video albums and 27 singles.

<i>Garbology</i> (album) 2021 studio album by Aesop Rock and Blockhead

Garbology is a collaborative studio album by rapper Aesop Rock and producer Blockhead. It was released through Rhymesayers Entertainment on November 12, 2021. The album was preceded by one single, "Jazz Hands", which was released on October 13, 2021, alongside a music video directed by Rob Shaw.

References

  1. Eustice, Kyle (May 14, 2019). "Kool Keith Announces New Album With "Zero Fux" Single Featuring B-Real". HipHopDX . Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  2. 1 2 Yoo, Noah (May 14, 2019). "Kool Keith Announces New Album Keith". Pitchfork . Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  3. Helman, Peter (May 14, 2019). "Kool Keith – "Zero Fux" (Feat. B-Real)". Stereogum. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  4. "Zero Fux (feat. B-Real)". SoundCloud . Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  5. "Kool Keith Shares New Song "Turn The Levels": Listen". Stereogum . Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  6. 1 2 Simpson, Paul. "Keith - Kool Keith". AllMusic . Retrieved July 21, 2019.
  7. 1 2 Oddy, Guy (July 10, 2019). "CD: Kool Keith - Keith". The Arts Desk . Retrieved July 29, 2019.
  8. "Kool Keith's 'Turn the Levels' sample of Keith Mansfield's 'Suspended Underscore'". WhoSampled . Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  9. "Holy Water by Kool Keith - Samples, Covers and Remixes". WhoSampled . Retrieved August 2, 2019.