If hip-hop had a multiverse, Kool Keith would be the interdimensional overlord, rapping from a floating Cadillac while wearing a spacesuit made of pure funk. One of the most eccentric and influential MCs of all time, Keith Thornton (aka Kool Keith, Dr. Octagon, Black Elvis, Dr. Dooom… the list goes on) has spent decades pushing rap into the stratosphere—sometimes literally.

First breaking out in the late ‘80s as part of Ultramagnetic MCs, Keith quickly made it clear he wasn’t interested in playing by the rules. His 1996 solo masterpiece Dr. Octagonecologyst introduced us to a bizarre, sci-fi horror world of alien gynecologists and cybernetic beats, forever changing underground hip-hop. Since then, he’s released a mind-bending number of albums, shapeshifting between alter egos and styles with the unpredictability of a fever dream.

From rapping about outer space conspiracies to dropping bars about breakfast cereals with equal conviction, Kool Keith remains a true original—equal parts genius, mad scientist, and hip-hop’s weird uncle who shows up to Thanksgiving in a silver cape. Whether he’s Dr. Dooom exterminating competition or Black Elvis rocking the mic from another dimension, one thing’s for sure: Kool Keith is never boring.