As the epicenter from which Hip Hop’s primary gatekeepers scrutinize the culture that has expanded far from humble beginnings, New York’s self-importance is equally questioned and justified. While some argue the Big Apple’s prominence has come and gone, diehard stalwarts fight for monumental originators to never be rendered obsolete. A leading figure of the revolutionary elite group Ultramagnetic MCs, Kool Keith, has preserved a solo cult following due to an endless well of creativity and zany humor spawning numerous characters and concept LPs for the greater part of two decades now. Rumored to coincide with his formal retirement from music, Love & Danger is yet another trip into the mind of Rap’s most beloved prolific madman.
With respect due to critical praise and esteem garnered from his craft routinely pushing the envelope, Love & Danger takes Keith Thornton’s shtick past reasonable comprehension as the album largely lacks any sense of normalcy. Completely produced by the relatively unknown DJ Junkaz Lou (a name reflecting the LP’s overall tone of obscurity), Kool Keith seems dead set on pretentious and ironic performance art rather than adding a prideful trophy to his extensive track record. Given an emulation of hipster monarch Diplo’s sound on “Cow-Boy Howdy,” the Trap-Rap leanings of “New York” and songs full of meaningless (freestyled) phrases strung together, probability leans towards the project being an elaborate inside joke that only he is privy to.
Continual awkward moments arrive with Kool Keith attempting to draw possible levity from the perspective of a racial oppressor on “Supremacy” and “Pull Your Hat Down,” his awkward spin on Southern Hip Hop. Impersonations of The Neptunes on “Something Special” and “Lovin Me” along with a general disregard for rhythm and staying on beat, and the purposely bad singing on “I Never Hurt You” are further indicative of an ongoing prank that comes to a halt with “Goodbye Rap” where he airs out festering gripes with the scene he originally helped pioneer.
This potential end to Kool Keith’s fabled journey may signal a far fall from grace, lending itself towards debate as to whether the emcee’s eccentricity renders him harmlessly out of touch or a self-saboteur. In the end, Love & Danger leaves a confusing stain on the veteran’s legacy and does little to strengthen the cause of loyalists with a vested interest in his haphazard easily misunderstood art.
Diesel Truckers was the last “new-era” Kool Keith album that sounded up to the level he set.
That’s because KutMasta Kurt was involved. Kool Keith puts out his best material when KutMasta is producing. Too bad he doesn’t stick with him on every album. Sex Style, Dr. Dooom, Matthew, Masters Of Illusion, Deisel Truckers were all mainly produced by KutMasta Kurt. That’s why they’re all ILL ass albums!
KuMasta Kurt sucks
kool keith
Nice beats hope Keith does not call it a day just yet
BOUT to go copp 2 copies of the album now!!!
Unfair review… Love and Danger is the best KoolKeith solo album since Sex Style and Spankmaster!
Solid album, original tracks.. Kool “Mda” Keith
This album is classic!!!!!!
It seems that the uncommon fantasy of this LP is too creative for Jesse Fairfax whatever you think about it, it’s an interesting projet to discover and to listen carefully. Peace
Its nowhere near a 2 1/2 , I mean its far from Keith’s best moment but it should have gotten at least a 3 1/2
If your a keith fan already this album should appease you, it wont blow your mind like Octagon or nothin but its got a clever concept, production could have been tightened up a bit but this rating is still bullshit. Worth your time to chek out if you fuck with keith
2.5? That’s bullshit. This album is a 4, it’s not perfect, but definitely an interesting experience and well worth checking out. If this is Keith’s swan song, it’s a strong one.
Great album and concept, dope production i’d rate it at least 4/5 Kool Keith is still the best MC.
whoever wrote this review should be fired from hiphopdx for being a donkey…
whoever wrote this review should be fired from hhdx for being a donkey…
whoever wrote this review should be fired …
Best album of the month with Killer Mile’s RAP Music. I totally disagree with Sir Jesse Fairfax on this one.
Who ever said KK was gonna stop rappin’? How can you believe that? The guy’s 48, still raps, and you think he’d stop? Can’t yu understand that as an artist he says whatever he wants, it’s always half real-half fiction, isn’t it what you always loved about him?
Same thing on: “…Love & Danger takes Keith Thornton’s shtick past reasonable comprehension blablablabla”: So now you’re gonna complain that you don’t understand KK when other times you complained about him not being “the good old crazy Keith”…well it’s hard to understand what people want…maybe they just like criticizing and typing so much on their keyboards to feel they’re so special…
Same as others here: I’m disappointed by this review, and by the fact that so-called rap heads can’t understand such a original piece…
This album is a master piece!!!
Kool Keith is the illest!
Double K is the illest!
Got the album this week, gave it a good spin and it grows to be a banger. Jessee I think you somewhat need to go back and give this album some love. My best cuts so far are ‘goodbye rap’ ‘you love that’ ‘supremacy’ and ‘new york’. I remember when Sex Style came out it was underrated too. Keith is experimenting indeed y’all have to give it up to Keith and Junkaz Lou for this amazing project.
Got the album this week, gave it a good spin and it grows to be a banger. Jessee I think you somewhat need to go back and give this album some love. My best cuts so far are ‘goodbye rap’ ‘you love that’ ‘supremacy’ and ‘new york’. I remember when Sex Style came out it was underrated too. Keith is experimenting indeed y’all have to give it up to Keith and Lou for this amazing project.
Don’t know why y’all erasing my posts ???
I love this album!!!! Keith needs to stay in the game!
Amazing project!
“Impersonations of The Neptunes”
JESSE FAIRFAX, are you a fucking retarded?
Keith did the whole Neptunes-sound before Pharrell could take a piss standing up.
this album is perfect
This review is full of hate or should I say secret hidden love. Did you even listen to the album? Kool Keith’s delivery is perfect and match an innovative production. I give it a perfect 5 and i’m not even what you could call a Kool Keith fan. Can’t do nothing but disagree with the content of this article.
shananigans!
Can’t do nothing but bow down and pay homage to the KING
Black Elvis – Dr Dooom, Dr Octagon – Tashan Dorset -Rhythm X -Reverand Tom -Mr Gerbick- Crazy Lou…I hope Kool Keith won’t retire it would be a sad day for HipHop. Thanks for this album Mr Thornton, another piece of Art in my collection…
Thumbs UP!!!!
BELOW on every new video article and basically any new piece of content
This album is better than most of the music featured on the site this week except Killer Mike and Elp’s albums and Joey Bada$$’s single
Real Hip Hop!!!
I love Keith’s new sound y’all should give the big homie props for being the illest in the game. This review should be reviewed. uh?
I love Keith’s new sound y’all should give the big homie props for being the greatest in the game. This review should be reviewed. uh?
I love Keith’s new sound y’all should give the brother mad props for being the greatest in the game. This review should be reviewed. uh?
I love this sound y’all should give the brother mad props for being the greatest in the game. This review should be reviewed. uh?
y’all should give the brother mad props for being the greatest in the game. This review should be reviewed. uh?
5 STARS
HypeHopDeeX erasing my posts ? ….wack!!!!
This review….wack
This review….w$$$ck
THATS HAAAARRD
SO many rappers claim it but he has done it, birthed countless styles. Legend sums it up nicely
…who cares if you don’t get it..lol good looks keith
RAP GODFATHER
Kool fucking keith!
Kool Keith keeps it weird you gotta love it.
KEEP IT REAL….REPRESENT KEITH!!!!!
‘disregard for rhythm’ ? ‘awkward spin’ ? Are you sure we’re talking about the same album ? WTF??
Jesse are u a c u next Tuesday or wet behind the ears twat . This album is solid
Keith will forever be the King of alterna-rap. He invented everything that has been fun or interesting in rap in the last 15 years. No reviewer can change that.
Best Keith shit I heard and seen in a good minute…
banger..
Beautiful music/mind.
I love Keith, a true a Pioneer and Super Entertainer.
This album was weak, but done this way on purpose. Keith
Is just experimenting with the industry again. Personally I need aome of that Sex Style Flavor…Keith Call Motion and Kurt and bring a new microwave to these popcorn heads.
‘Keith Call Motion and Kurt’ HAHAHA
kutmastakurt sucks!! if it wasn’t for kool keith he’d be a nobody…as bubble head motion man he’s a clown…could have been a dope rapper but can’t fly on his own…your time is over get a real job before it’s too late…
Wow!it’s obvious that @clifton is either Motion Man or Kutmasta Kurt…lame..
This C-section is killing me. I respect Kool Keith, but he makes trash upon trash upon trash.
Agreed.
I completely agree.
best kool keith album since sex style..
Double K is the MAN
Congrats on the new album Keith, no matter what a hater can say, love & danger is hella dope!
Congrats on the new album Keith, no matter what a hater can say, love & danger is dope!
keith lost his flow…i’m a big fan of his but that black elvis/DR.DOOOM FLOW FROM 99’is what is needed…the production was nice…just a lost flow…expected more from KK
KK did not lost his flow at all.. he changed it. respect the fact he’s still innovating
‘I Just Need What I Need’ – Kool Keith
‘Goodbye Rap’ is a hit
Keith is always evolving.Had his years with Ultra (Ced Gee/TR Love), had his years with The Automator, had his years with KutmastaKurt now he’s having his years with Junkadelic/JunkazLou and his self produced beats…you can’t ask him to go back he’s an Artist…
The album is great indeed…
mad props to KK for this new project love 90% of the album but even the tracks i didn’t feel at first are growing. Definitely a must have.
Keith is the art of rap
Damn I wish I could be this creative.
Amazing!!!
As always, Kool Keith makes 99% of the rap game look amateur at best. Ask outkast, missy, busta, bobby digital, mf doom, and many others where they got their ideas. Cypress Hill claims to be “experimenting” with the dub step sound KK used years ago.
B.S. commenters
Not my ish doe