BLACK ELVIS

Kool Keith as interviewed by Hal Miller
September 2, 1999

Granted an interview with hip-hop's warped genius "Kool" Keith Thornton, aka Black Elvis, aka Rhythm X, aka Dr. Octagon, I imagined the possibilities of gathering some exclusive, wacky bits from the bizarre MC. While I was anticipating this prospect, Keith's well-known, inconsistent nature with interviews and other music industry obligations beyond creating his music kept my expectations in check.

We began our conversation on a friendly enough note, the ever-unpredictable Keith and myself. It wasn't until reviewing the tape that I noticed Keith's growing fatigue, and wondered if my questions had been furthering his losing battle with narcolepsy. I later heard from a friend at the label that my interview subject was seen nodding off during my precious twenty minutes. Apparently, our busy friend Keith was exhausted by the time he had arrived at the record label and had the phone placed in his hand. Poor guy.

I managed to cull some interesting bits of dialog from the interview tape, under the challenging yet amusing circumstances. In between momentary lapses, Keith revealed a bit about his world, from his days in the late-'80s with seminal rap outfit Ultramagnetic MC's, up to his current solo ride. Thus, I was able to learn a few things about Keith Turbo, the master of his own game.

Hal: Hey, Keith.

Keith: Hey!

Hal: Keith, I was wondering, has anyone confronted you about "Intro," the first track on "Black Elvis/Lost In Space?"

Keith: No, I don't think so. It's a sarcastic intro. It's made for the masses. It's not [about] anybody in particular. It's just a materialistic view of everything.

Hal: In the liner notes to "Black Elvis/Lost In Space" you urge us to "leave the '70s and '80s alone." What's that all about?

Keith: I wrote that because I think we're still stuck in the loop-and-sample thing of the '70s and '80s. I think we should go on to the '90s and the future and just let it be, y'know what I'm saying? Making the music up [rather than sampling]. I played everything original and new [on "Black Elvis"].

Hal: Tell us about the equipment and instruments that you used on "Black Elvis."

Keith: I used a lot of organic synthesizers. Different types of keyboards, not your average stuff that the Top 40 people would use, not a lot of common stuff. I used the Moog, different pedals, the Yamaha . . . and the combining of Kurtsweil [electric keyboards] with different things.

Hal: I understand that you wrote and produced all of the music for "Black Elvis."

Keith: I took over my whole production scene this year. Because, I was doing a lot of tracks, even back in the day, working with Ced[-G] and [Ultramagnetic MCs]. I mean, I had to compromise with The Automator and [Kutmaster] Kurt [on Dr. Octagon's "Octagonecologyst"]. For years, we were doing tracks, and I was always collaborating with other artists on their music. I think it's time for me to come out the shell. I've been responsible for bass lines on a lot of successful songs . . . I just wanna put my production out. A lot of people didn't know I was doing a lot of music back in the days, behind the stuffs [scenes].

Hal: So where is Dr. Octagon's body at the moment?

Keith: (Laughs) Well, he was murdered! What was the date that Dr. Dooom came out?

Hal: Sometime back in April.

Keith: Octagon, rest in peace, Octagon was murdered a couple of months ago. He was shot in the head. (laughs) Dr. Dooom shot him in the head.

Hal: What's Dr. Dooom up to these days?

Keith: (Yawning) Dr. Dooom . . . is . . uh, handling his independent work, and just stayin' independent. He's one of the most hard, most stubborn MC's out; he's stayin' independent. Black Elvis is enjoying the limelight. They're twin brothers [Dooom and Elvis]. One is mean, one is happy, one has got galactic and one is scary funk.

Hal: Dooom is mean and scary funk, Elvis is happy and galactic.

Keith: Yeah.

Hal: You're holding a rat-burger on the cover for Dr. Dooom's "First Come, First Served." What's the butt-nastiest item that you've ever found in a fast food meal?

Keith: A roach in my rice. At a Chinese restaurant that was kinda dirty. (Keith's voice turns gravelly and slows down considerably) I forgot where it was, I think it was downtown L.A.

Hal: Nice. You've got quite a repertoire of alter egos, like Dr. Octagon, Rhythm X, Dr. Dooom, Mr. Gerbik and others. Are your personas inspired from anyone in particular, or do they just pop up in your head? Keith?

Keith: (Snoring, wakes with a start) Yeah, I mean, say that again, heh, repeat that? It's inspired from a little bit of everything right now. Black Elvis is like a futuristic Black Robin. Y'know, it's . . . ill. It's inspired from just me, spontaneously going to Hollywood and just picking up my outfit for the day, and whatever I wanna be. It's just weird! (laughs)

Hal: Are there any new, up-and-coming MC's whom you respect?

Keith: (Passing out) New MC's? Huh? Uhhh ... not at all, nobody at all, just me. I am the new future.

Hal: Uh, Keith? You there? You've mentioned that you have a large contingent of backpack-wearing kids at your shows. What do you think they stuff 'em with?

Keith: Weird things, eclectic books of science fiction, some carry . . . Ultra[Magnetic] CDs, Dr. Dooom, Black Elvis, Rags Around Our Lips . . . I don't know, you'd be surprised. I've met weird fans (Keith drops off. Snoring commences once again)

Hal: What inspires you to write those crazy lyrics?

Keith: I've been writin' like that for years, there's no inspirations, I think it's natural. Some groups go force themselves to write like that.

Hal: Speaking of which, you seem frustrated with the music industry.

Keith: I've been going through that constant political battle a lot. [But] it's calmed down since I [signed] with Sony. I don't wanna force the people into what I'm doing. I wanna find another avenue.

Hal: I heard you are currently starring in a Sprite commercial. Was that fun? Keith? Keith?

Keith: Yeah, it was nothin', it was just . . . uhhhhhh . . .

Hal: Tell us about the Dr. Ultra character.

Keith: That's the Rhythm X guy, one of my original characters from the past. Which is loads of fun, as you notice.

Hal: Uh-huh. When's the Robbie Analog joint gonna drop? Are you working on that now?

Keith: (Snoring) The next project after Black Elvis? Yeah, I'm working on another album, Ultra[Magnetic MC's] are working on an album. I'm just takin' a basic break right now, [some time for] re-evaluation . . .

Hal: I see. Well, thanks for your time, Keith. I'm looking forward to the show tonight.

Keith: You goin' to the show? Gimme a tap on the shoulder.

Hal: OK, see you tonight.

This interview originally appeared on Y2G.com.