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'{{About|the character|the rapper|Kool Keith}} {{Infobox character | colour = #DEDEE2 | name = Dr. Octagon | image = [[File:Dr. Octagon.gif|250px]] | caption = The image used by [[CMH Records]] in its promotion of ''[[The Return of Dr. Octagon]]''. | first = ''[[Dr. Octagonecologyst]]'' | last = ''[[The Return of Dr. Octagon]]'' | creator = [[Kool Keith|Keith Thornton]] | portrayer = Keith Thornton | species = [[Extraterrestrial life|Extraterrestrial]] | gender = Male | occupation = [[Gynecologist]] and [[surgeon]]. | relatives = Mr. Gerbik | nationality = [[Jupiter]] }} '''Dr. Octagon''' was a [[persona]] created and used by [[United States|American]] [[rapping|rapper]] Keith Matthew Thornton, better known as [[Kool Keith]]. First appearing on Thornton's 1996 debut [[solo album]], ''[[Dr. Octagonecologyst]]'', Dr. Octagon is an [[Extraterrestrial life|extraterrestrial]] [[time travel]]ing [[Gynaecology|gynecologist]] and [[surgeon]] from the planet [[Jupiter]]. Thornton performed and released two albums under the alias. The character was murdered by Dr. Dooom on Thornton's 1999 album ''[[First Come, First Served]]'', and was briefly revived before once again being killed on Thornton's 2008 album ''[[Dr. Dooom 2]]'', in response to the release of ''[[The Return of Dr. Octagon]]'', an album largely produced without Thornton's involvement. == Biography == In ''[[Dr. Octagonecologyst]]'', Dr. Octagon is described as having yellow eyes, green skin, and a pink-and-white [[Afro]].<ref name="Hess">{{cite book |last=Hess |first=Mickey |title=Is Hip Hop Dead? The Past, Present, and Future of America's Most-Wanted Music |year=2007 |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |isbn=0-275-99461-9 |pages=75–76 |chapter=The Rap Persona }}</ref> Further tracks detail a list of services offered by Octagon, who claims to treat [[chimpanzee]] [[Acne vulgaris|acne]] and [[moose]][[Goose bumps|bumps]], and relocate [[Salivary gland|saliva gland]]s.<ref name="Huey"/> Octagon is described as being incompetent, as many of his surgery patients die as he conducts his rounds.<ref name="ChairmanMao">{{cite web |author=Chairman Mao |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/223510/dr_octagonecologyst |title=Review of ''Dr. Octagynecologyst'' |accessdate=2009-01-27 |date=May 28, 1997 |publisher=''[[Rolling Stone]]''}}</ref> Octagon also pretends to be a gynecologist and often engages in [[sexual intercourse]] with female patients and [[nurse]]s.<ref name="Huey">{{cite web |url={{Allmusic|class=album|id=r235693/review|pure_url=yes}} |title=Review of ''Dr. Octagynecologyst'' |accessdate=2009-01-27 |last=Huey |first=Steve |publisher=[[Allmusic]]}}</ref> Octagon's uncle, Mr. Gerbik, is described as being half shark, having the skin of an alligator, and is 208 years old.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Eshun |first1=Kodwo |last2=Sagar |first2=Anjalika |title=The Ghosts of Songs |accessdate=2009-02-09 |year=2007 |month= |origyear= |publisher=Liverpool University Press |isbn=1-84631-014-8 |pages=207 }}</ref> On ''[[First Come, First Served]]'', Dr. Dooom posed as a patient and murdered Dr. Octagon.<ref>{{cite news |first=Randall |last=Roberts |title=''Space Invader'' |url=http://www.riverfronttimes.com/1999-09-01/music/space-invader |publisher=''[[Riverfront Times]]'' |date=September 1, 1999 |accessdate=12 February 2009 }}</ref> Pages from "[[Classified information|top secret documents]]" written by Fanatik J for ''The REAL Return of Dr. Octagon Mix Tape'' reveal a storyline in which Dr. Dooom's influence over Los Angeles has grown, and Dooom and a "Hybrid" set out to resurrect the long deceased Octagon as part of "a final bid for total Industry Chaos".<ref name="FanatikJ">{{cite web |url=http://fanatikj.com/fj2octomain.htm |author=Fanatik J |title=Briefing Document: Operation Octagon |accessdate=2009-02-11 |publisher=Fanatik J}}</ref> Octagon took a blood sacrifice, an A&R representative from a classified record label represented by [[Hillbilly|hillbillies]] under the direction of the [[penal colony]] of [[Oceania]].<ref name="FanatikJ"/> A "hasty deal" was struck between Dooom, the Hybrid, and the label. When the Hybrid revealed that Dooom had made a deal with actual hillbillies, the Oceanic Penal Colony Overlord exerted his desire to destroy Octagon, and relations between the label and Dooom became hostile.<ref name="FanatikJ"/> Dooom instructed the Hybrid to "turn over use-less acapella and early versions" to facilitate a final payment from the label.<ref name="FanatikJ-5">{{cite web |url=http://fanatikj.com/octomajestic5.gif |author=Fanatik J |title=Briefing Document: Operation Octagon (page 5) |accessdate=2009-02-11 |publisher=Fanatik J}}</ref> The Hybrid gave the label intentionally distorted and obscured tracks, neutralizing the label's advantage, and created an internet portal to leak the tracks.<ref name="FanatikJ-5"/> According to the story published in eight chapters to promote ''[[The Return of Dr. Octagon]]'', a package containing new songs by Octagon arrived at the offices of OCD International, who hired "interpreters" to decipher the meaning of each song.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usounds.com/mt/archives/000805.html |title=''The Return of Dr. Octagon'' – Remix Campaign Week 1 |accessdate=2009-02-11 |publisher=usounds le internacional}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usounds.com/mt/archives/000813.html |title=''Dr Octagon Decipher Series'' Chapter 2: "Al Greazy" |accessdate=2009-02-11 |publisher=usounds le internacional}}</ref> Three weeks after receiving the package, and still unable to decode its meaning, OCD received a phone call from an unknown source, tracked to [[Los Angeles]], [[New York]], [[Australia]] and [[Saturn]].<ref name="Decipher3">{{cite web |url=http://www.usounds.com/mt/archives/000817.html |title=''Dr Octagon Decipher Series'' Part 3 |accessdate=2009-02-11 |publisher=usounds le internacional}}</ref> The caller claimed to have received the same package five years ago, and that it had brought destruction and chaos upon the society that received it, and warns that they will come after Octagon.<ref name="Decipher3"/> OCD received a message from a [[Hacker (computer security)|hacker]] identifying himself as [[Cassettes Won't Listen]], who stated that eight years ago, himself and five friends were [[Abduction phenomenon|abducted]] by aliens, tortured, cloned and kept in isolation. The last survivor was killed by one of the clones, and Cassettes Won’t Listen went underground to fight the clones.<ref name="Decipher5">{{cite web |url=http://www.usounds.com/mt/archives/000832.html |title=''Dr Octagon Decipher Series'' Part 5 |accessdate=2009-02-11 |publisher=usounds le internacional}}</ref> Cassettes Won’t Listen reveals that Dr. Octagon was imprisoned in the cell next to him, as "a prime candidate to study all things regarding [[grill (jewelry)|grill]]s, pills and bills".<ref name="Decipher5"/> Octagon was cloned, and his clones have been sent out to destroy the universe.<ref name="Decipher5"/> [[Rob Sonic]] learned that the clones were created by a giant gorilla driving a pickup truck, who intend to steal the package to prevent the world from hearing Octagon's message, allowing him to destroy the Earth.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usounds.com/mt/archives/000841.html |title=''Dr Octagon Decipher Series'' Part 7 |accessdate=2009-02-11 |publisher=usounds le internacional}}</ref> OCD's staff escaped with the package on Kid Loco's plane. An intern briefly saw a figure standing on OCD's rooftop, wearing a labcoat with stethoscope around his neck, holding the head of "some black hairy creature" in his hand.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usounds.com/mt/archives/000848.html |title=''Dr Octagon Decipher Series - The Final Chapter'' |accessdate=2009-02-11 |publisher=usounds le internacional}}</ref> According to "R.I.P. Dr. Octagon", Dr. Dooom made multiple attempts to murder Octagon, and multiple [[music critic]]s and [[record producer]]s made attempts to keep him alive, until Dooom returned to finally kill off Octagon.<ref>{{cite audio |people=Dr. Dooom |date=April 26, 2008 |title="R.I.P. Dr. Octagon" |url=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018P4DH2/ |format=[[maxi single]] |medium=[[Digital distribution|digital download]] |publisher=Threshold Recordings |accessdate=2009-02-12 }}</ref> == History == Thornton produced two songs under the alias Dr. Octagon, "Dr. Octagon" and "Technical Difficulties."<ref name="Downs">{{cite news |first=David |last=Downs |title=''Kool Keith CD Scam Exposed'' |url=http://www.eastbayexpress.com/ebx/PrintFriendly?oid=291467 |publisher=''[[East Bay Express]]'' |date=September 27, 2006 |accessdate=25 January 2009 }}</ref> Thornton mailed the songs to radio stations as a teaser, as well as giving copies to several [[Disc jockey|DJ]]s, as well as producer [[Dan the Automator|Dan "The Automator" Nakamura]], resulting in the production of ''Dr. Octagonecologyst''.<ref name="Downs"/> The album featured the work of [[Turntablism|turntablist]] [[DJ Qbert]] and additional production by [[KutMasta Kurt]]. An instrumental version of the album was released under the title ''[[Instrumentalyst (Octagon Beats)]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url={{Allmusic|class=album|id=r261341/review|pure_url=yes}} |title=Review of ''The Instrumentalyst (Octagon Beats)'' |accessdate=2009-01-27 |last=McLeod |first=Kembrew |publisher=[[Allmusic]]}}</ref> In promotion of the album, Thornton toured under the Dr. Octagon billing. These performances featured a full live band, an on-stage breakdancer and appearances by [[Invisibl Skratch Piklz]].<ref name="Synthesis">{{cite news |title=Kool Keith gets freaky as Dr. Octagon |url=http://www.synthesis.net/music/interview/item-340/1997-05-30-kool_keith_gets_freaky_as_dr_octagon |publisher=''[[Synthesis (magazine)|Synthesis]]'' |date=May 30, 1997 |accessdate=27 January 2009 }} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> Nakamura has referred to Dr. Octagon as a three-person group rather than an alias of Thornton,<ref>{{cite news |first=David |last=Downs |title=''Dashed Hoop Dreams'' |url=http://www.eastbayexpress.com/music/dashed_hoop_dreams/Content?oid=291777 |publisher=''[[East Bay Express]]'' |date=October 25, 2006 |accessdate=25 January 2009 }}</ref> and these claims were reported by the press.<ref>{{cite news |first=Greg |last=Kot |title=''Back to the Future: Dr. Octagon looks to the past to cure hip-hop'' |url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/12679957.html?dids=12679957:12679957&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Jun+27%2C+1997&author=Greg+Kot.&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=BACK+TO+THE+FUTURE++DR.+OCTAGON+LOOKS+TO+PAST+TO+CURE+HIP-HOP&pqatl=google |publisher=''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' |date=June 27, 1997 |accessdate=27 January 2009 }}</ref> Thornton later expressed some frustration with the "Dr. Octagon" nickname, saying, "Octagon wasn't my life...I've done a lot of things that were totally around different things other than Octagon. Are some people just afraid to venture off into my life and see that I do other things which are great? I think people stuck me with something."<ref name="AVClub">{{cite web |url=http://www.avclub.com/articles/kool-keith-and-kutmasta-kurt,14335/ |title=Kool Keith and KutMasta Kurt |accessdate=2009-01-27 |last=Downs |first=David |coauthors= |date=November 21, 2008 |publisher=''[[The A.V. Club]]''}}</ref> In 2002, Thornton announced ''The Resurrection of Dr. Octagon'', a proposed sequel to ''Dr. Octagonecologyst'', that would reintroduce the character.<ref>{{cite news |first=Abbey |last=Goodman |authorlink= |author= |coauthors= |title=All The Voices In Kool Keith's Head Working On New Albums |curly= |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1453279/20020405/kool_keith.jhtml?headlines=true |format= |agency= |work= |publisher=[[MTV News]] |location= |id= |pages= |page= |date=April 5, 2002 |accessdate=13 December 2008 |language= |quote= |archiveurl= |archivedate= }}</ref> [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]]-based producer Fanatik J was chosen to create the music for the album.<ref name="Downs"/> Thornton himself took part in the production of early material for the project, playing [[bass guitar|bass]], [[guitar]], and [[Keyboard instrument|keyboards]] on many of the tracks.<ref name="Moayeri">{{cite news |first=Lily |last=Moayeri |title=''Kool Keith Revives Dr. Octagon'' |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/koolkeith/articles/story/5934820/kool_keith_revives_dr_octagon |publisher=''[[Rolling Stone]]'' |date=July 23, 2002 |accessdate=25 January 2009 }}</ref> After shopping around demos for the proposed album, Thornton signed a contract with [[CMH Records]] to release the album.<ref name="Downs"/> On July 23, 2002, ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' reported that a new Dr. Octagon album would be released in February 2003.<ref name="Moayeri"/> As production on the album was underway, Thornton had a falling out with Fanatik J over contract rights, and the One-Watt Sun production team was hired to create the album's music.<ref name="Downs"/> After completing three vocal tracks with the label, based upon rough sonic themes created by the production team, Thornton had a falling out with the label, and gave the label recordings he had made two years previously, consisting of Thornton rapping and goofing off, in order to complete his contract. The resulting album, ''The Return of Dr. Octagon'', was largely produced without Thornton's involvement, and did not resemble the direction Thornton had initially intended for the album.<ref name="Downs"/> Promotional materials, including [[music video]]s, were produced without Thornton's involvement. Thornton states that he was "shocked" by the label's misrepresentation.<ref name="Downs"/> Following the release of the album, Thornton performed under the Dr. Octagon billing, but did not promote the album.<ref>{{cite news |first=Sarah |last=Godfrey |title=''Kool Keith's Bits & Pieces'' |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/25/AR2006082501297.html |agency= |work= |publisher=''[[The Washington Post]]'' |page=C08 |date=August 26, 2006 |accessdate=19 January 2009 }}</ref> ''[[Dr. Dooom 2]]'', Thornton's 2008 follow-up to ''First Come, First Served'', was produced in response to ''The Return of Dr. Octagon''.<ref name="AVClub"/> In the music video for "R.I.P. Dr. Octagon", the appearance of Dr. Octagon resembles the character design used in promotional materials by [[CMH Records]].<ref>{{cite video |people=Kool Keith |date=July 29, 2008 |title="R.I.P. Dr. Octagon" |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMeOrWuOtBI |medium=[[music video]] |publisher=Threshold Records |accessdate=2009-02-09 |time=1:41 |quote= }}</ref> == References == {{Reflist}} ==External links== *[http://metallungies.com/2006/05/talkin-back-to-back/ Talkin Back to Back: Dr. Octagon] at Metal Lungies {{Kool Keith}} [[Category:Concept album series]] [[Category:Fictional doctors|Octagon, Dr.]] [[Category:Fictional extraterrestrial characters|Octagon, Dr.]] [[Category:Fictional surgeons|Octagon, Dr.]] [[Category:Recorded music characters|Octagon, Dr.]] [[Category:Time travel in fiction]]'