Daniel Dumile (July 13, 1971 – October 31, 2020) was a British-American rap… Read Full Bio ↴Daniel Dumile (July 13, 1971 – October 31, 2020) was a British-American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He performed and released music under a variety of stage names, most notably MF DOOM, which Dumile preferred to be stylized in all caps. Dumile debuted during hip-hop's golden age of the late 1980s and became a major figure in underground hip-hop of the early 21st century. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest rappers of all-time.
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".
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".
Benetton
MF DOOM Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Long time coming huh Jorge?
I gotchu hip-Hop to the death
Let me tell my story
I'm the blood from the stone
And that stone is Far Rock
Home is off Virginia near Cornega and Mott
We brought kicks from sneaker steez
White tees with creased sleeves
To make dough we shoveled snow
In the fall we'd break leaves
Then my pen took it's path
And I began writing my raps
I was kicking it with females
In biker shorts and gold caps
And Ebony and Mahogany
Bring em home to meet my family
And when the heads around the way saw me
They started dogging me
Talking all reckless trynna knock my success
Better to climb them stairs
Instead of project steps
See my people in Far Rockaway never seen
Me more than a block away
And when your crew need you
How you gonna say no not today?
So I got caught between a Rock and hard place
But never last place
And then we came up with the "Gas Face"
KMD Zev Love X Subroc RIP
We'd get dissed by chicks and this
Is the face they gave me
We'd drive back to Long Beach
With my tank on empty
And my my bank on empty
I had a quarter for a loosey
The Newport I inhaled and
Exhaled through my nose
Dusting the cigarette ash from my
Clothes then I rose
Planning to never be in the
Same place ever again
Being broke was my people but
It was never my friend
But my love will never die
I am what I supply
See I am Hip-Hop music and I use it to get by
And this culture accepted me for the
Skin that was on me
And then came "Step into the
AM" and the "Cactus" CD
And it put me on the course
That you see me on today
And truth be told I would
Have it no other way
That's why I say it's not a game
Hey yo' Serch
I appreciate you coming through
Good looking out yo'
Y'all used to let me get on stage with you
Pop goes the weasel so hot that I'm diesel
Nowadays I couldn't paint this picture
Better on a easel
But back then I didn't know
What was truly the prize
Soon after I'm on tour with Fugees and Nas
Such a great honor I wasn't ready
I was late pana
My whole shit pause like a straight comma
I had to search within
Take the wrong make it right
Mend my broken wings
So once again I take flight
Now I'm free as the wind
Don't know where to begin
I gather my thought's every time I breath in
Believe in self
Give thanks to where it's supposed to go
Lord knows my beloved i'm supposed to flow
Don't get a twist between that
Rap and that street shit stay on the humble
But never on no weak shit
Those thinkin' otherwise can buckle
Down and eat dick
Get your money, buy a ticket
Come see me spit kurious Jorge
See the name in lights incredible how 20
20 be the hindsight get your rhymes right
Get your minds right
This that big purse heavyweight prize fight
Get your life right (Money)
Get your life right
This that big purse heavyweight prize fight
Persistence always overcomes resistance
Is the words of Mr magic
Not to be confused with the magican
Hat tricks out the bag
Look at what the cat done drug in cousin
If you don't know, you buggin
There's about to be muggin
My brova Jorge is here
Swords is clear as I pour beer for years
More to share, Cheers
It's good to see you back boss
Game ain't changed since the
Crack to Iraq wars
Villian, droolin still share his
Last snack bar
Feeding these chirrens with the knack off
The black tarts swervin' double lines bubble
Lines been through
Nerve to beat the odds when they
Against you with a pencil
It's all in the mental OOOOH
Saw what he said?
Metal Face DOOM open doors with his forehead
Click Call it hands-free wireless
The burnout plan and the fans be tireless
Turns out there's no bluff
Pump you punks but kiss the
DOOM Dunks like Sho'Nuff
The bottom, pond scum, swallow some
To the T-O-P left for Harlem
What the problem is? Fondle 'em
I gotchu hip-Hop to the death
Let me tell my story
I'm the blood from the stone
And that stone is Far Rock
Home is off Virginia near Cornega and Mott
We brought kicks from sneaker steez
To make dough we shoveled snow
In the fall we'd break leaves
Then my pen took it's path
And I began writing my raps
I was kicking it with females
In biker shorts and gold caps
And Ebony and Mahogany
Bring em home to meet my family
And when the heads around the way saw me
They started dogging me
Talking all reckless trynna knock my success
Better to climb them stairs
Instead of project steps
See my people in Far Rockaway never seen
Me more than a block away
And when your crew need you
How you gonna say no not today?
So I got caught between a Rock and hard place
But never last place
And then we came up with the "Gas Face"
KMD Zev Love X Subroc RIP
We'd get dissed by chicks and this
Is the face they gave me
We'd drive back to Long Beach
With my tank on empty
And my my bank on empty
I had a quarter for a loosey
The Newport I inhaled and
Exhaled through my nose
Dusting the cigarette ash from my
Clothes then I rose
Planning to never be in the
Same place ever again
Being broke was my people but
It was never my friend
But my love will never die
I am what I supply
See I am Hip-Hop music and I use it to get by
And this culture accepted me for the
Skin that was on me
And then came "Step into the
AM" and the "Cactus" CD
And it put me on the course
That you see me on today
And truth be told I would
Have it no other way
That's why I say it's not a game
Hey yo' Serch
I appreciate you coming through
Good looking out yo'
Y'all used to let me get on stage with you
Pop goes the weasel so hot that I'm diesel
Nowadays I couldn't paint this picture
Better on a easel
But back then I didn't know
What was truly the prize
Soon after I'm on tour with Fugees and Nas
Such a great honor I wasn't ready
I was late pana
My whole shit pause like a straight comma
I had to search within
Take the wrong make it right
Mend my broken wings
So once again I take flight
Now I'm free as the wind
Don't know where to begin
I gather my thought's every time I breath in
Believe in self
Give thanks to where it's supposed to go
Lord knows my beloved i'm supposed to flow
Don't get a twist between that
Rap and that street shit stay on the humble
But never on no weak shit
Those thinkin' otherwise can buckle
Down and eat dick
Get your money, buy a ticket
Come see me spit kurious Jorge
See the name in lights incredible how 20
20 be the hindsight get your rhymes right
Get your minds right
This that big purse heavyweight prize fight
Get your life right (Money)
Get your life right
This that big purse heavyweight prize fight
Persistence always overcomes resistance
Is the words of Mr magic
Not to be confused with the magican
Hat tricks out the bag
Look at what the cat done drug in cousin
If you don't know, you buggin
There's about to be muggin
My brova Jorge is here
Swords is clear as I pour beer for years
More to share, Cheers
It's good to see you back boss
Game ain't changed since the
Crack to Iraq wars
Villian, droolin still share his
Last snack bar
Feeding these chirrens with the knack off
The black tarts swervin' double lines bubble
Lines been through
Nerve to beat the odds when they
Against you with a pencil
It's all in the mental OOOOH
Saw what he said?
Metal Face DOOM open doors with his forehead
Click Call it hands-free wireless
The burnout plan and the fans be tireless
Turns out there's no bluff
Pump you punks but kiss the
DOOM Dunks like Sho'Nuff
The bottom, pond scum, swallow some
To the T-O-P left for Harlem
What the problem is? Fondle 'em
The lyrics of "Benetton" by MF DOOM tell the story of his journey in the world of hip-hop and his struggles along the way. He starts by referencing his hometown of Far Rockaway, describing it as a tough neighborhood where he faced challenges and had to find ways to make money. Despite the obstacles, he found solace in writing his raps and connecting with people in his community. He mentions the ups and downs of his career, from being dissed by women to gaining recognition with his group KMD and their iconic album "Gas Face." MF DOOM reflects on his experiences of being broke and the determination to never be in that position again. He expresses his gratitude for hip-hop culture accepting him and credits it for shaping who he is today.
The song also includes a shoutout to Serch, possibly referring to MC Serch of the group 3rd Bass, who had a significant impact on MF DOOM's early career. He acknowledges the opportunities Serch provided him, allowing him to perform on stage. Despite his newfound success, MF DOOM acknowledges his past mistakes and the lessons he had to learn along the way. He emphasizes the importance of self-belief and staying humble while also asserting himself in the rap game. The lyrics convey a sense of resilience and the constant pursuit of personal and artistic growth.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it
More Genres
No Artists Found
More Artists
Load All
No Albums Found
More Albums
Load All
No Tracks Found
Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Search results not found
Song not found
@diegocalles4986
MF DOOM
Persistence always overcomes resistance
Is the words of Mr. Magic
Not to be confused with the magican, hat tricks
Out the bag, look at what the cat done drug in cousin
If you don't know, you buggin
There's about to be muggin
My brova Jorge is here
Swords is clear as I pour beer for years
More to share, Cheers
It's good to see you back boss
Game ain't changed since the Crack to Iraq wars
Villian, droolin still share his last snack bar
Feeding these chirrens with the knack off
The black tarts
Swervin' double lines bubble lines been through
Nerve to beat the odds when they against you with a pencil
It's all in the mental OOOOH saw what he said?
Metal Face DOOM open doors with his forehead
click Call it hands-free wireless
The burnout plan and the fans be tireless
Turns out there's no bluff
Pump you punks but kiss the DOOM Dunks like Sho'Nuff
The bottom, pond scum, swallow some
To the T-O-P
Left for Harlem, what the problem is? Fondel'em
@blazakin246
One thing i love about DOOM, you never heard all his songs, once you think you have, you find a new one..
@3WAYSSS
the best ever really
@Nimtrix
Exactly what just happened to me
@nefariousrig2070
https://youtu.be/rYfMSgW16Fc
Thankfully 👊🏻
This one found me last night funnily enough.
@Beardshire
I feel like DOOM didn't plan a lot of stuff, he was just in the circle of friends and other rappers and just jumped in wherever he wanted. I think even the albums he did was mostly just falling into place from him being at the right place, right time and being so fucking skilled it looks planed.
@jesusmejia1334
Fr I’m on some guy’s playlist looking for DOOM music I haven’t heard. His catalog is boundless like universes 😅
@courtneykettle9165
Rest in peace MF DOOM, hope you and Subroc reunite in paradise 🙏
@Cragmortis
They are making beautiful music together up there.
@newarksmith7176
Word subroc rip I still got the whole kmd autogra phs from when they came to east orange on 4th ave in ILLTOWN
@downfall3614
Unheard DOOM verse.. today is a good day