In Bed with Kool Keith – Part 2
His albums have deep methologies that are often intertwined with each other. For example, Dr. Octagonecologyst introduces the character of Dr. Octagon, an extraterrestrial time traveling gynecologist and surgeon who is later killed by his nemesis Dr. Doom on a later record. Some of the most famous DJ’s in the world — Dan Nakamura, DJ Qbert, Kutmaster Kurt, DJ Shadow, etc. — have worked with KK, even right here in our fair city! Dan the Automator recorded and mixed Sex Style at The Glue Factory in San Francisco, California.
Kool Keith is not a Billboart chart-topping rapper, but he’s a master wordsmith, thinker and willing to take musical risks many rappers don’t even know are possible. Don’t be surprised if you find some of his characters or songs not to your liking. KK is a chameleon.
My voice is also in the beginning of a Princess Superstar song called “Kool Keith’s Butt.” So I’m a fangirl, I cant front.
in Part Two, KK gives me dating tips and talks to me about the limitations of technology.
Episode links: Kool Keith, Dr. Octagon, Dan the Automator
In Bed with Kool Keith – Part 1
If you’ve ever thought “KISS is my favorite rock band” and/or “Man I wish I was someone else today,” then you have something in common with hip hop legend Kool Keith. Because Mr. Keith Matthew Thornton aka Dr. Octagon aka Dr. Doom aka Kool Keith aka Robbie Analog aka Clean Man aka Mr. Green aka Willie Large aka … well, we don’t have time or space to name 60 of the master rapper’s aliases. But he started out with the Ultramagnetic MC’s, a Bronx-based hip hop group that every head knows well.
When Kool Keith was in town to perform a show in San Francisco at 111 Minna, I called the promoter and was lucky enough to get the interview. This meeting was not the first time I met KK. My first introduction to him was in NYC in the fall of 1999 when he was on his Black Elvis tour. I also met his parents and helped him tie a cape around his neck and watched as he threw fried chicken at the audience.
Keith and I sat in his Marriot hotel room bed for an hour, so we had to cut the interview into two parts. Please enjoy Part One. In Part Two next week, we will cover Keith’s fashion and Dating Tips.
Episode links: Kool Keith, Dan the Automator