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.
Dr. Octagon is a persona created and used by American rapper Keith Matthew Thornton, better known as Kool Keith. Thornton performed and released three studio albums under the alias. Having introduced the character in 1993 on the unreleased Ultramagnetic MC's demo "Smoking Dust", Thornton's first full-length recording as Dr. Octagon was on his 1996 debut solo album, Dr. Octagonecologyst.
William Michael Griffin Jr., better known by his stage name Rakim, is an American rapper. He is one half of golden age hip hop duo Eric B. & Rakim, with whom he released four albums: Paid in Full (1987), Follow the Leader (1988), Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em (1990), and Don't Sweat the Technique (1992). He also released four solo albums: The 18th Letter (1997), The Master (1999), The Seventh Seal (2009), and G.O.D.'s Network: Reb7rth (2024).
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, and clever lyrical rhymes by Ced-Gee and rapper Kool Keith.
Masters of Illusion is the eponymous debut album of American hip hop group Masters of Illusion, composed of producer KutMasta Kurt and rappers Kool Keith & Motion Man. It was released on November 14, 2000, via Threshold Records. The project features no guest emcees, but does feature DJ cuts/scratches by DJ Revolution, DJ Babu and DJ Rhettmatic.
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 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.
Live and Let Die is the third and final studio album by the American hip hop duo Kool G Rap & DJ Polo. It was released on November 24, 1992, via Cold Chillin' Records and features Big Daddy Kane, Bushwick Bill, Ice Cube and Scarface. The singles "Ill Street Blues" and "On The Run" both received consistent airplay on Yo! MTV Raps and BET's Rap City upon release.
Funke, Funke Wisdom is the fourth solo studio album by American recording artist Kool Moe Dee from the Treacherous Three. It was released in 1991 via Jive Records, making it the rapper's final album on the label.
The Return of Dr. Octagon is the eighth solo studio album by American rapper Kool Keith, and his second release under the 'Dr. Octagon' alias, following Dr. Octagonecologyst. It was released on June 27, 2006, on OCD International in the United States. The album revives the character of Dr. Octagon, who was killed off on Thornton's 1999 release First Come, First Served. Production for the album began in 2002 under the title The Resurrection of Dr. Octagon with producer Fanatik J.
Dirty rap is a subgenre of hip hop music that contains lyrical content revolving mainly around sexually explicit subjects.
First Come, First Served is the third solo studio album by American recording artist Kool Keith, and the first he released under the alias Dr. Dooom. It was released on May 4, 1999, by Funky Ass Records. The album featured guest appearances from Jacky Jasper and Motion Man, and was produced entirely by KutMasta Kurt and Kool Keith. It peaked at number 48 on the Heatseekers Albums.
Black Elvis/Lost in Space is the fourth solo studio album by American rapper and producer Kool Keith, and his first release under the alias of 'Black Elvis'. It was intended to be released the same day as First Come, First Served, but was pushed back by Columbia Records and ended up being released four months later on August 10, 1999, through Relativity Entertainment Distribution rather than Sony Music Distribution, denoted by the WK prefix instead of the customary CK prefix and the legal copy on the release. Black Elvis 2 followed in 2023.
Big Time is the only album by Ultra, an American hip hop group composed of Kool Keith and Tim Dog, who had previously collaborated as part of Ultramagnetic MCs. The duo only released one album, which contained many disses towards other rappers. It has been called "the holy Grail of the Kool Keith catalog, owing mostly to its rarity".
Penicillin on Wax is the debut studio album by American New York-based rapper Tim Dog. It was released on November 12, 1991, via Ruffhouse Records. The album was produced by Tim Dog, Ced-Gee, TR Love and Moe Love from Ultramagnetic MC's, Bobby Crawford, and Louis Flores. Kool Keith made uncredited guest appearances on two tracks.
Matthew is the fifth studio album by American rapper and producer Kool Keith. It was released on July 25, 2000, via Funky Ass Records. The entire record was produced by Kool Keith himself, except for track 16, produced by KutMasta Kurt, and it contains guest appearances by Freddie Foxxx and Black Silver. Matthew peaked at #36 on the US Billboard Independent Albums and #47 on the Heatseekers Albums.
Spankmaster is the sixth solo studio album by American rapper and producer Kool Keith. It was released on June 5, 2001, through Overcore/Gothom with distribution via TVT Records. Recording sessions took place at Overture Recording in Michigan. Production was handled by Santos, Jacky Jasper, Esham, Marc Live, and Kool Keith himself, who also served as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Jacky Jasper, Esham, Brittany Hurd, Heather Hunter, Laura Ruby and Mary Santos.
Dr. Dooom 2 is the ninth solo studio album by American rapper Kool Keith, and his second release under the Dr. Dooom moniker following First Come, First Served. It was released on September 23, 2008 via Threshold Recordings. The album was produced entirely by KutMasta Kurt, except for one song "God of Rap" produced by TomC3, and featured guest appearances from Motion Man, FatHed and Denis Deft.
Instrumentalyst (Octagon Beats) is a remix album by American emcee Keith Thornton, credited under the title Dr. Octagon. Released in 1996, it is the instrumental version of Dr. Octagonecologyst. It is Thornton's second album under the Dr. Octagon alias. Instrumentalyst (Octagon Beats) was produced by Dan "The Automator" Nakamura and featured the work of turntablist DJ Qbert. KutMasta Kurt provided additional production work. The artwork was drawn by Brian "Pushead" Schroeder.
Kool Keith Presents Tashan Dorrsett is the tenth solo studio album by American rapper and producer Kool Keith, and his debut release under his 'Tashan Dorrsett' alias. It was dropped on February 24, 2009 via Junkadelic Music, making it the rapper's first release on the label. The album featured guest appearances from Ced-Gee, Marc Live, Champ, D.Eazy, and Dgiz. The concept of the album was, in Keith's words, a reality show in which the street-smart, down-to-earth Tashan was the star. The album was produced by Junkaz Lou, who previously worked with Keith on the Official Space Tape and Collabs Tape.
The Poison Boyfriend is the second album by Scottish musician Momus, released in 1987 on Creation Records. After the critical success of Momus' Biblical-themed and stripped down debut album Circus Maximus (1986), Momus left él Records and signed with Creation Records after he bonded with record label boss Alan McGee. His first release for the label, The Poison Boyfriend is a song cycle that features a full band; its first half features acoustic-based singer-songwriter songs with cabaret pop influences, while the more upbeat second half features synthesisers and drum machines.
