Born in London, Dumile moved with his family to Long Island, New York at a young age. He began his musical career in 1988 as a member of the East Coast hip-hop trio KMD, at which time he performed under the name Zev Love X. KMD disbanded in 1993 following the death of Dumile's brother, DJ Subroc. After taking a hiatus from the music scene, Dumile reemerged in 1998, when he began performing at open mic events while wearing a mask. He adopted the MF DOOM persona and rarely made unmasked public appearances from that time onward. His metal mask resembles that of Marvel Comics supervillain Doctor Doom, who is depicted rapping on the cover of his 1999 debut solo album Operation: Doomsday. In the early 2000s, Dumile also released solo albums under the pseudonyms King Geedorah and Viktor Vaughn.
MF DOOM appeared in several collaborative projects such as Madvillain (with Madlib), DANGERDOOM (with Danger Mouse), DOOMSTARKS (with Ghostface Killah), JJ DOOM (with Jneiro Jarel), NEHRUVIANDOOM (with Bishop Nehru), and Czarface Meets Metal Face (with CZARFACE).
Dumile was born on 9 January 1971 in London, England, the son of a Trinidadian mother and a Zimbabwean father. His family moved to Long Island, New York, when he was a child; Dumile remained a British citizen. Dumile grew up in Freeport, New York, and first started DJ'ing during the summer after third grade. Dumile had lived in London since 2009. Dumile was a follower of the Nuwaubian Nation.
Dumile created the MF DOOM character as an alter ego with a backstory he could reference in his music. The character combines elements from the Marvel Comics supervillain Doctor Doom, Destro, and the Phantom of the Opera; like Doctor Doom and Phantom, Dumile referred to himself in the third person while in character. His signature mask was similar to that of Doctor Doom, who is depicted rapping on the cover of Dumile's 1999 debut album Operation: Doomsday.
Dumile wore the mask while performing, and would not be photographed without it, except for short glimpses in videos and in earlier photos with KMD. Later versions of the mask were based on a prop from the 2000 film Gladiator. Academic Hershini Bhana Young argued that, by appropriating the Doctor Doom mask, Dumile "positions himself as enemy, not only of the music industry but also of dominant constructions of identity that relegate him as a black man to second-class citizenship".
Dumile's rap persona MF DOOM was known for his unique free-association rap style, challenging the conventional style of rhyming and flow. His interest in cartoons, comics and other pop culture realms as well as his distinct sampling/production inspired many contemporary artists today.
On December 31, 2020 it was announced on Dumile's Instagram and Facebook by his wife Jasmine, that the rapper had passed away on October 31 of that year at the age of 49.
After his death, Variety described him as one of the scene's "most celebrated, unpredictable and enigmatic figures". Dumile is considered one of the most celebrated and influential musicians in hip-hop. The English musician Thom Yorke, who collaborated with Dumile on two occasions, wrote: "He was a massive inspiration to so many of us, changed things... For me the way he put words was often shocking in its genius, using stream of consciousness in a way I'd never heard before." Stereogum, reviewing Operation: Doomsday on its 20th anniversary, noted Dumile's "formative" influence on younger rappers. El-P of Run the Jewels described him as a "writer's writer", while Q-Tip called him "your favorite rapper's favorite rapper".
Rapp Snitch Knishes feat. Mr. Fantastik
MF DOOM Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Yo)
MF DOOM
Mr. Fantastik
Mr. Fantastik
Villain
(What up, nigga?
(Ain't nothin', what's the word?)
(What's cracking, boy?)
(Same ol' shit, kid)
(Man)
(Different day, you know?)
(These rap snitches, man, shit is bugged out, man)
(What the fuck, man?)
(Shit, you telling me)
(Niggas running their mouth, telling everything, everything)
(Critical)
Rap snitches, telling all their business
Sit in the court and be their own star witness
Do you see the perpetrator? Yeah, I'm right here
Fuck around, get the whole label sent up for years, uh
Rap snitches, telling all their business
Sit in the court and be their own star witness
Do you see the perpetrator? Yeah, I'm right here
Fuck around, get the whole label sent up for years
Type profile low, like A in Paid in Full
Attract heavy cash 'cause the game's centrifugal
Mister Fantastik, long dough like elastic
Guard my life with twin Glocks that's made out of plastic
Can't stand a brown nosing nigga fake ass bastard
Admiring my style, tour bus through Manhattan
Plotting, plan the quickest, my flow's the sickest
My hoes be the thickest, my dro the stickiest
Street nigga, stamped and bonafide
When beef jump niggas come get me 'cause they know I ride
True to the ski mask, New York's my origin
Play a fake gangsta like a old accordion
According to him, when the D's rushed in
Complication from the wire testimony was thin
Caused his man to go up north, the ball hit 'em again
Lame rap snitch nigga even told on the Mexican
Rap snitches, telling all their business
Sit in the court and be their own star witness
Do you see the perpetrator? Yeah, I'm right here
Fuck around, get the whole label sent up for years
Rap snitches, telling all their business
Sit in the court and be their own star witness
Do you see the perpetrator? Yeah, I'm right here
Fuck around, get the whole label sent up for years
True, there's rules to this shit, fools dare care
Everybody wanna rule the world with Tears For Fear
Yeah, yeah tell 'em, tell it on the mountain hill
Running up they mouth bill, everybody doubting still
Informer, keep it up and get tested
Pop through the bubble vest or double breasted
He keep a lab down south in the little beast
So much heat you woulda thought it was the Middle East
A little grease always keeps the wheels a spinning
Like sitting on twenty threes to get the squealers grinning
Hitting on many trees, feel real linen
Spitting on enemies, get the steel for tin men
Where no brains but gum flap
He said his gun clap, then he fled after one slap
Son shut your trap, save it for the bitches
Mm, delicious, rap snitch knishes
(You know what I'm saying?)
(It's terrible)
(Crazy, man, I'm just analyzing this whole game)
(This is bugged out, man, niggas is snitching)
(Telling on they own self)
(It's a horror, yo)
(Fuck around and get everybody bagged, man)
(Atrocities)
(Fuck around and get yo mama bagged, nigga)
(You know your grandmama used to be bootlegging)
(Fake hustling, nigga)
(Perpetrator?)
(Yeah, I'm right here)
The song Rapp Snitch Knishes by MF DOOM featuring Mr. Fantastik is a commentary on the culture of "rap snitches" in the rap industry. The lyrics are a critique of rappers who would "tell all their business" to the authorities or media, and betray their fellow artists or colleagues. The song uses clever rhymes and wordplays to illustrate the consequences of snitching, including being sent to jail or ruining one's reputation.
The first verses of the song establish the scene of two friends catching up and talking about the rap industry. They both express disgust at the snitching culture in rap music, and lament the fact that some people would betray their own interests for personal gain. The chorus is a warning to those who snitch, that they will be caught and punished for their actions.
The second part of the song features Mr. Fantastik rapping about his own experiences in the rap game. He boasts about his wealth and fame, and warns those who try to snitch on him that he carries guns and is not afraid to use them. He also references a real-life case where a rapper from his neighborhood was sent to jail because of snitching.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo
Hello.
Yo
Hello.
What up nigga?
What's going on?
Ain't nuttin', what's the word?
Nothing much, what's new?
What's cracking, boy?
What's happening?
Same ol' shit, kid
Nothing new, same old routine.
Man
Hey, listen up.
Different day, you know?
Everyday is the same.
These rap snitches, man, shit is bugged out, man
These people who tell everything are crazy.
What the fuck, man?
What is going on?
Shit you telling me
I know what you mean.
Niggas running their mouth, telling everything, everything
People talk too much, even about things they aren't supposed to.
Critical
This is a serious problem.
Rap snitches, telling all their business
People who snitch on others in the rap industry.
Sit in the court and be their own star witness
They testify against others in court and try to make a name for themselves.
Do you see the perpetrator? Yeah, I'm right here
The person who did the crime is right in front of you.
Fuck around, get the whole label sent up for years, uh
If you mess around with the industry, you can end up ruining it for everyone.
Type profile low, like A in Paid in Full
To stay out of sight like the character A in the movie Paid in Full.
Attract heavy cash 'cause the game's centrifugal
To attract a lot of money because the rap industry pulls people in.
Mister Fantastik, long dough like elastic
Mr. Fantastik has a lot of money that seems to stretch like elastic.
Guard my life with twin Glocks that's made out of plastic
To protect himself with guns that are fake.
Can't stand a brown nosing nigga fake ass bastard
Hates people who are fake and suck up to him.
Admiring my style, tour bus through Manhattan
People like his music and he's traveled through Manhattan on a tour bus.
Plotting, plan the quickest, my flow's the sickest
Working hard and coming up with unique rhymes.
My hoes be the thickest, my dro the stickiest
He's got the best women and the best weed.
Street nigga, stamped and bonafide
Legitimate street person.
When beef jump niggas come get me 'cause they know I ride
People protect him because they know he's loyal and will fight for them.
True to the ski mask, New York's my origin
He's loyal to his identity and New York is where he's from.
Play a fake gangsta like a old accordion
Pretending to be a tough guy like a worn-out accordion.
According to him, when the D's rushed in
Based on what he's heard, when the detectives showed up.
Complication from the wire testimony was thin
The evidence from the wire was flimsy and didn't hold up.
Caused his man to go up north, the ball hit 'em again
Because of what he said, his friend was sent to prison again.
Lame rap snitch nigga even told on the Mexican
He's calling someone out for snitching on someone despite being considered a poor excuse for a rapper.
True, there's rules to this shit, fools dare care
There are rules to follow in the rap industry, but some people choose not to follow them.
Everybody wanna rule the world with Tears For Fear
Everyone wants to be in control.
Yeah, yeah tell 'em, tell it on the mountain hill
Go ahead and tell everyone.
Running up they mouth bill, everybody doubting still
People talk too much and continue to be doubtful.
Informer, keep it up and get tested
People who inform on others will eventually get caught.
Pop through the bubble vest or double breasted
Shoot through a bullet-proof vest or a coat with two layers.
He keep a lab down south in the little beast
He has a drug lab in the southern part of the country.
So much heat you woulda thought it was the Middle East
There's so much violence and fighting that it feels like the Middle East.
A little grease always keeps the wheels a spinning
A little bribe can keep things going smoothly.
Like sitting on twenty threes to get the squealers grinning
Driving around in a car with expensive wheels makes people want to snitch.
Hitting on many trees, feel real linen
Smoking a lot of weed and wearing expensive clothing.
Spitting on enemies, get the steel for tin men
Fighting against enemies and always having weapons ready.
Where no brains but gum flap
People who talk too much and don't have brains.
He said his gun clap, then he fled after one slap
He threatened to shoot, but ran away after getting slapped.
Son shut your trap, save it for the bitches
Shut up and keep your words for your girlfriends.
Mmm, delicious, rap snitch knishes
People who snitch are tasty and he uses them as fuel for his music.
You know what I'm saying?
Do you understand me?
It's terrible
This is horrible.
Crazy, man, I'm just analyzing this whole game
This is insane, I'm examining everything.
This is bugged out, man, niggas is snitching
This is messed up because people are telling on each other.
Telling on they own self
People are snitching on themselves.
It's a horror, yo
This is scary.
Fuck around and get everybody bagged, man
If you mess around, everyone will get caught.
Atrocities
These actions are terrible.
Fuck around and get yo mama bagged, nigga
If you mess around, even your mother will get caught.
You know your grandmama used to be bootlegging
Even your grandmother knows better than to snitch.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Daniel Dumile Thompson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind