Keith Matthew Thornton, better known as Kool Keith, is an influential American rapper and producer recognized for his experimental, eccentric, and surreal approach to hip-hop. A founding member of Ultramagnetic MCs, he helped shape the genre with their groundbreaking 1988 debut, Critical Beatdown. After further group releases, he launched a solo career that includes the cult classic Dr. Octagonecologyst under the alias Dr. Octagon, along with projects like Sex Style and First Come, First Served as Dr. Dooom. Despite only one major label release, Black Elvis/Lost in Space, Kool Keith has remained prolific through independent albums and collaborations with acts such as Analog Brothers, Masters of Illusion, Thee Undatakerz, and Project Polaroid. His unique style and unpredictable persona have made him one of hip-hop’s most distinctive figures. Notably, his voice was sampled in The Prodigy’s hit Smack My Bitch Up.