Dr. Octagon Is Back In The Operating Room With New Music
In 2017 Dr. Octagon is making big waves after years in idle. More than 20 calendars after Kool Keith, Dan The Automator, DJ QBert and others recorded the cult-lauded Dr. Octagonecologyst album, the fictional persona is back in the symbolic operating room.
Keith, Dan, and QBert performed their first ever shows as a group. They have since confirmed a spot at the 2017 Soundset Festival in May. Additionally, the 1996 Bulk Recordings album (later re-released by DreamWorks) was privy to a Get On Down Records box set treatment, including five unreleased songs.
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Speaking with HipHopDX, Dan The Automator (also of Handsome Boy Modeling School, Deltron 3030, and early Gorillaz fame) confirmed new music in the cans. “There are new [Dr. Octagon] songs, let’s put it that way,” Dan tells DX. However, the veteran San Francisco, California producer and musician bemoans the LP format. “Releasing an album is all convoluted and complicated these days. Personally, I think singles are the only way. You kind of waste an album if you put it out there because you get the same amount of press and impact with a single. Maybe we’re going back to a ‘50s and ‘60s vibe where everyone just makes 45s.” He says that especially for concept-driven creators like him and Handsome Boy partner Prince Paul, albums are ideal. However, fans consume music differently as compared to the ’90s and 2000s.
Of reuniting with Kool Keith, Dan notes, “He’s a stream of consciousness rapper, so sometimes it doesn’t work. But when it does, it’s fucking amazing.” Last year, the Ultramagnetic MC’s co-founder released Tashan Dorsett/The Preacher as part of another series, and Feature Magnetic. Both links are to authorized, full streams of the albums.
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In 2006, Kool Keith independently released The Return of Dr. Octagon without involvement from Dan or QBert. Elsewhere in the interview, Dan expresses surprise the fast-selling shows in California.