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Keith Matthew Thornton, better known by his stage name Kool Keith, is an American rapper. A founding member of Ultramagnetic MCs, Kool Keith has also recorded extensively both as a solo artist and under multiple aliases.
HistoryAfter the release of Ultramagnetic MCs' debut album, Critical Beatdown, Thornton was reportedly institutionalized in Bellevue Hospital Center.[first= ][first=Sean ] However, he admitted later that the idea that he was institutionalized came from a flippant remark made during a stressful interview and he never expected the story to become so well-known.[first=David] Following the unsuccessful release of Ultramagnetic MCs' second and third albums, Thornton released his first notable solo single, "Earth People," in 1995, under the name Dr. Octagon, followed by the release of Dr. Octagonecologyst the following year. The album's production by Dan the Automator and scratching by DJ Qbert was acclaimed by critics, and the album was released nationally by DreamWorks Records, who also issued an instrumental version of the album, titled Instrumentalyst (Octagon Beats).
In 1998, Thornton collaborated with Tim Dog for the single "The Industry is Wack," performing under the name Ultra.
On June 5, 2001, Thornton released the album Spankmaster on Esham's Overcore Records through TVT Records. It peaked at #16 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart, #11 on the Top Independent Albums chart and #48 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. In 2002, Thornton began recording The Resurrection of Dr. Octagon with producer Fanatik J,[last=Downs ] signing a contract with CMH Records to release the album, which was eventually completed without much input from Thornton, due to a falling out over contractual terms.[last=Godfrey ]
Lyrical and performance styleThornton's lyrics are often abstract, surreal, and filled with non-sequiturs and juvenile humor. Thornton is also known for an explicit style focusing on sexual themes, which Thornton has referred to as "pornocore". In a 2007 interview, Thornton claims to have "invented horrorcore".
Discography- 1996: Dr. Octagonecologyst
- 1997: Sex Style
- 1999: First Come, First Served
- 1999: Black Elvis/Lost in Space
- 2000: Matthew
- 2001: Spankmaster
- 2004: Diesel Truckers (with KutMasta Kurt)
- 2006: Nogatco Rd.
- 2006: Project Polaroid (with TomC3)
- 2006: The Return of Dr. Octagon
- 2008: Dr. Dooom 2
- 2009: Tashan Dorrsett
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