An original member of New York’s new-school pioneers the Ultramagnetic MC’s, “Kool” Keith Thornton is best known as a solo rapper. His signature style is stream-of-consciousness lyrical flow and complex vocals, two skills that earn him a perennial nod from the underground hip-hop community. The average Kool Keith album is peppered with bizarre, disjointed, even delusional or disassociated themes, concepts, and references. Nearly all of his albums incorporate a satirical dislike for more commercialized strains of hip-hop, as well as major record labels.

Thornton’s early career and lyrics with the Ultramagnetic MC’s often referenced his time as a patient of Bellevue, a psychiatric hospital, where he was treated for depression. With Ultramagnetic MC’s, his abstract style developed, maturing in songs like Poppa Large. He was probably the first rapper to create an alter ego, and then create an alter ego for that alter ego (Kool Keith v. Moe Luv). After the Ultramagnetic MC’s broke up, he expanded his resume, experimenting with new styles, including his self-described pornocore, known for pornographic imagery and brutal, abstract lyrics. Sex Style released in 1997, was the showcase for this genre.

Teaming up with Dan the Automator Nakamura under the name Dr. Octagon, Thornton again reinvented his image, recording the self-titled Dr. Octagon album (later reissued under the title Dr. Octagonecologyst) which was released by the English trip hop label Mo Wax.

A veteran of Chicago’s burst in underground hip hop, Robust is known in the Chi town scene for his past collaborations with groups such as Scam Artists and The Molemen. His 2000 independent release “Freelance Gynecologist” got attention worldwide from fans and critics of dope punchlines and humorous rhymes. Soon Bigga would appear on projects like Sage Francis’ “Still Sick Urine Trouble” & Qwel’s debut “If It Ain’t Been In A Pawn Shop, Then It Can’t Play The Blues”, where he showed his growth into a more serious lyricist.

After success with 7″ single “Flibbertigibbit” (also on Meaty Ogre’s recent “Leo vs. Pisces”), hip hop was definitely ready for Robigga to step up the game. Enter “Potholes In Our Molecules”, the brand new full length on Galapagos4.

Things get very serious on this deep album, as Robust bares it all from the inside out, with his intricate flows & creative rhyme schemes intact. Of course he comes off with some humor, wit & straight rap savvy as well. The supremely crafted beats, handled mostly by Meaty Ogre & east coast producer Prolyphic, create a solid moody backdrop to keep your head stuck on nod. Dreas, Maker, Sun Spark & Bless also contribute heat to this 17 track album. Here’s to life’s flawless imperfections, flawlessly perfected as hip hop potholes.