Kool Keith aka Dr. Octagon - “Octagon Octagon”

SXSW 2020 - OEB Score: 9; Popularity Index: 9

Pairs Well With…MF Doom, A Tribe Called Quest, Black Star

A godfather of NYC hip hop, Kool Keith still sounds fresh decades into his career, turning out a strong trio of solo records just last year. Kool Keith employs a complex rap style that sounds fluid and natural at the same time, rhyming within and around bars in a way that twists syllables with a masterful touch. He can be out front or awash in his beats with a psychedelic edge, finding the right mood and meter to match his music. That place tends to be darkly lit more often than not, especially when Kool Keith embraces his Dr. Octagon persona like he last did on 2018’s Moosebumps: An Exploration Into Modern Day Horripilation. A collaboration with Dan the Automator and DJ Qbert, Moosebumps gives off horrorcore vibes both in its intricate, minor music and Dr. Octagon’s mysterious, lyrically dense flows that hit with unique intensity. His sound is grimy and fascinating, a masterclass of rap that’s wildly relevant even in his mid-50s and his roll hopefully continues into the next year. I did get to catch a live SXSW set in 2018 from Keith, Dan, and Qbert and it was an intense and fun live performance that made you think, sweat, and respect an artist that inspires to this day. (Kevin McStravick)