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".
Accordion
MF DOOM Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That'd be the hour they knock the slick blaster
Dick Dastardly and Muttley with sick laughter
A gun fight and they come to cut the mixmaster
I-c-e cold, nice to be old
Y2g stee twice to threefold
He sold scrolls, lo and behold
Know who's the illest ever like the greatest (ever) story told
For half, half of his niggas'll take him out the picture
The other half is rich and it don't mean shit-ta
Villain a mixture between both with a twist of liquor
Chase it with more beer, taste it like truth or dare
When he at the mic, it's like the place get like, "Ah, yeah"
It's like they know what's 'bout to happen
Just keep ya eye out, like, "Aye, aye, captain"
Is he still a fly guy clapping if nobody ain't hear it
And can they testify from in the spirit? (Nah)
In living, the true Gods
Giving y'all nothing but the lick like two broads
Got more lyrics than the church got ooh, Lords
And he hold the mic and your attention like two swords (either that)
Or even one with two blades on it
Hey, you, don't touch the mic like it's AIDS on it (yuck)
It's like the end to the means
Fucked type of message that sends to the fiends
That's why he bring his own needles
And get more cheese than Doritos, Cheetos or Fritos
Slip like Freudian
Your first and last step to playing yourself like accordion
When he at the mic, you don't go next
Leaving pussy cats like why hoes need Kotex
Exercise index, won't need Bowflex
And won't take the one with no skinny legs like Joe Tex
The opening line of "Living off borrowed time, the clock tick faster" sets the tone for the entire song, expressing a sense of urgency and time slipping away. The lyrics describe a man who is fearless, leading listeners to follow his every move. MF DOOM uses his words to create powerful imagery, such as "Dick Dastardly and Muttley with sick laughter," referencing the classic cartoon characters as villains laughing in the face of danger. The lyrics also describe the struggle of balancing material wealth and power, with lines like "keep your glory, gold, and glitter" suggesting the dangers of being consumed by material possessions.
The verses are filled with wordplay, metaphors, and allusions to pop culture, showing MF DOOM's high level of intelligence and creativity. He references everything from biblical scrolls to Cheetos in his rhymes, showcasing his ability to draw inspiration from a wide range of sources. The final lines of the song, "Slip like Freudian, your first and last step to playing yourself like accordion" bring the song to a close with a wordplay on the psychological concept, reminding listeners to be careful with their own thoughts and actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Living off borrowed time, the clock tick faster
Time is precious and fleeting, and it seems to be running out quickly for the singer
That'd be the hour they knock the slick blaster
The singer is aware that violence and danger are always just around the corner
Dick Dastardly and Muttley with sick laughter
The world around the singer is full of villains who delight in causing others pain
A gun fight and they come to cut the mixmaster
Even in the midst of chaos and danger, the artist must be ready to defend themselves and their craft
I-c-e cold, nice to be old
The artist is older and wiser, and they appreciate the calm that comes with age
Y2g stee twice to threefold
The singer is confident in their ability to achieve success and greatness
He sold scrolls, lo and behold
The singer has knowledge and wisdom to share with others
Know who's the illest ever like the greatest (ever) story told
The artist knows that they are the best and will always be remembered as a legend
Keep your glory, gold and glitter
The artist values substance over style and isn't swayed by superficial things
For half, half of his niggas'll take him out the picture
Half of the people in the artist's life are only interested in using him for their own gain
The other half is rich and it don't mean shit-ta
The other half of the people in the singer's life are wealthy, but their money doesn't mean much to him
Villain a mixture between both with a twist of liquor
The artist is a complex figure who is both good and bad, and who enjoys indulging in alcohol
Chase it with more beer, taste it like truth or dare
The singer is always seeking new experiences and is unafraid of taking risks
When he at the mic, it's like the place get like, "Ah, yeah"
The singer is a charismatic performer who knows how to get the crowd hyped up
It's like they know what's 'bout to happen
The singer is so talented and unpredictable that his audience can sense something special is about to occur
Just keep ya eye out, like, "Aye, aye, captain"
The listener should pay attention and be prepared for anything, like a sailor obeying their captain
Is he still a fly guy clapping if nobody ain't hear it
The artist wonders if he is still impressive and respected even if no one is around to witness it
And can they testify from in the spirit? (Nah)
The singer doesn't believe in an afterlife or ghosts, so he doesn't care if anyone could testify to his greatness beyond this life
In living, the true Gods
The singer believes that true greatness comes from living life and experiencing its ups and downs, not from divine intervention
Giving y'all nothing but the lick like two broads
The artist is giving his fans the best possible experience, like two lovers indulging in each other
Got more lyrics than the church got ooh, Lords
The artist has an endless supply of lyrics and inspiration, perhaps even more than a religious organization has ways to praise God
And he hold the mic and your attention like two swords (either that)
The artist is able to command attention and hold it as if he were wielding two swords at once
Or even one with two blades on it
The singer is a force to be reckoned with, even with just one powerful tool at his disposal
Hey, you, don't touch the mic like it's AIDS on it (yuck)
The artist is protective of his craft and doesn't want anyone else to touch his microphone
It's like the end to the means
The singer's message and music are all part of a bigger picture, a means to an end
Fucked type of message that sends to the fiends
The singer is aware that some people might misconstrue his message and become addicted to harmful substances or lifestyles
That's why he bring his own needles
The singer is taking steps to protect himself and his audience from the dangers of drugs
And get more cheese than Doritos, Cheetos or Fritos
The artist is successful and makes more money than popular snack brands
Slip like Freudian
The artist sometimes says things that reveal his true feelings or subconscious desires, like a slip of the tongue
Your first and last step to playing yourself like accordion
If you mess with the singer or disrespect him, you're only setting yourself up for failure and humiliation
When he at the mic, you don't go next
The singer is so talented and powerful that no one can follow him and hope to match his skill
Leaving pussy cats like why hoes need Kotex
The artist is so dominant that he leaves other rappers feeling inadequate and defeated
Exercise index, won't need Bowflex
The artist is physically fit and strong without needing any gimmicky workout equipment
And won't take the one with no skinny legs like Joe Tex
The artist has high standards and won't settle for anyone or anything that doesn't meet them
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Alfred Darlington, Daniel Thompson, Otis Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@baloymoisesrodriguezcolmen7812
I hate me a lot for not known MF DOOM before he died
What a underground legend
I never was so hooked about a rapper until now
"Madvillainy" is a awesome album, but in special this song has something, something sad, something amazing, something nostalgic, something... IDK what has this song
I feel like I want to die right now... But with a smile in my face.
RIP sweet legend, thanks for gift to us amazing lyrics and amazing projects
@coko9186
Who the fuck just says "let's throw an accordion on that beat".
A god damn genius, that's who.
@xSilent
Co Ko madlib lol
@TheRalphwoods
I assume he heard the sample first, then looped it and added the drums ect.
@erminization
daedelus influenced this track, esp. the accordion part.
@TheRalphwoods
He didnt inspire it, it was a sample
@Kooliow12
Co Ko always thankful of Madlib
@harryyoung8623
song so good they named an instrument after it
@bruhsammich8568
I found madvillian when learning the history of the accordian in school
@poeticzjustice77
Fax 📠
@xylened.6765
I don’t even peep that