Calamus
MF DOOM Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

"He’s a super " hero
Jet Jaguar's a superhero
Jet Jaguar's a superhero
Jet Jaguar's a superhero
Jet Jaguar's a superhero

Here to save rap
Always working on new flows
Not the same crap
Operation Doomsday, the day after mission
Hot to death, iron chef
Vocals in the kitchen
The world wants to know how
We follow up a classic
Did we lose our hunger? Do we have the magic?
Day By Day, Metal Face, together, yes
We build this
Now it’s double homicide because, again
We killed this mF DOOM and MF Grimm
Put ‘em back together and you can’t win
‘Cause it can’t lose, so, what the hell?
While others choose to rock ‘em
We kill you with bells
I’ll resurrect you with some Special Herbs
Or we’re hurting birds with
Some special words
Punks think they’re gangsta
But they’re really herbs
‘cause when they empty a clip
It’ll test your nerves
Gangsta keep a straight face
You start to swerve
All that street shit change
You’re on the curve hollering like a bitch
What happened to the hard talk?
Street shit is gone
Now you’re driving on the sidewalk
Destiny is moving, looking at you funny
They see you were driving in
The streets for the money lost your respect
Now your face you try to hide
We refuse to stop and let you slide
I know this is eating you up inside
Day By Day distribution now worldwide
No longer honorable, you’re a fucking crook
You better get new guidance
Your manager is shook
Hiding behind cellphones and emails
He’s a little bitch
Between his legs is his tail
Three years ago, I left that’s a fact
But now I came back to save rap!

Jet Jaguar's a superhero (M-IC)
Jet Jaguar's a superhero (N-Y-C)
Jet Jaguar's a superhero (M-IC)
Jet Jaguar's a superhero (N-Y-C)
Jet Jaguar's a superhero (M-IC)

Jet Jaguar jet Jaguar (N-Y-C)
Jet Jaguar jet Jaguar
Jet Jaguar jaguar (Jaguar)
(Special Herbs, M-IC)
Day by day, Metal Face (Jet Jaguar)
(King Geedorah, Monsta Island)
(MF Grimm, M-IC)
(M-IC, M-IC)
(M-IC, MF DOOM, MF Grimm)




(The Supervillain and the Superhero)
(Stay tuned)

Overall Meaning

The opening lines to "Calamus" by MF DOOM introduces Jet Jaguar as a superhero. Jet Jaguar is a fictional character from the Japanese film Godzilla vs. Megalon. In the song, Jet Jaguar is portrayed as the savior of rap, with MF DOOM explaining that he's working on new flows and not creating the same crap. The rest of the song is MF DOOM talking about the state of hip hop and the need for change. He discusses the pressure of following up a classic album, but he and his fellow rappers, MF Grimm and Metal Face, are always building and working to improve the genre.


Line by Line Meaning

He’s a super " hero
Jet Jaguar is a superhero, representing the musical genius of MF DOOM.


Jet Jaguar's a superhero
Reiteration of Jet Jaguar being a superhero, indicating MF DOOM's confidence and pride in his work.


Here to save rap
MF DOOM is on a mission to rescue rap music and bring it back to its former glory.


Always working on new flows
MF DOOM is constantly experimenting with new styles and techniques in his music.


Not the same crap
MF DOOM refuses to conform to mainstream ideas and create music just for commercial gain.


Operation Doomsday, the day after mission
Reference to one of MF DOOM's albums, signifying that his work doesn't end with one successful project, but continues as a lifelong mission.


Hot to death, iron chef
MF DOOM is a genius in his craft, constantly producing quality music that is unmatched by his contemporaries.


Vocals in the kitchen
MF DOOM is cooking up lyrics in the lab, working his magic in the studio to create timeless music.


The world wants to know how
Fans are eagerly waiting for MF DOOM's next release, anticipating his next masterpiece.


We follow up a classic
MF DOOM is under pressure to match the success of his previous work, but he is confident in his abilities and creativity.


Did we lose our hunger? Do we have the magic?
MF DOOM wonders if he still has the drive and ability to create great music, questioning his abilities and self-doubt.


Day By Day, Metal Face, together, yes
MF DOOM, often called Metal Face, is committed to his craft and working hard towards creating an excellent body of work, one day at a time.


We build this
MF DOOM is dedicated to building his brand and legacy, creating timeless music that will always be appreciated by fans.


Now it’s double homicide because, again
MF DOOM and MF Grimm (another rapper) are collaborating and creating music, resulting in musical bloodshed and a fantastically successful project.


We killed this mF DOOM and MF Grimm
Together, MF DOOM and MF Grimm are creating music that sets the standard and raises the bar for other rappers to follow.


Put ‘em back together and you can’t win
MF DOOM and MF Grimm's combined musical talents are unbeatable and unstoppable.


‘Cause it can’t lose, so, what the hell?
Their music can't be beaten, leading to amazed wonder at the level of creativity and skill.


While others choose to rock ‘em
Other rappers continue to make mainstream music and follow trends to achieve commercial success.


We kill you with bells
MF DOOM and MF Grimm kill their competition with intricate yet straightforward beats and rhymes, mastering the original instrument used in hip hop: drums.


I’ll resurrect you with some Special Herbs
MF DOOM promises to revive the careers of other rappers with his talent and creativity but emphasizes that he's the king of beats made with his Special Herbs.


Or we’re hurting birds with
MF DOOM brings down other rappers with his skillful music, being an eagle that preys other birds.


Some special words
MF DOOM uses his exceptional lyrical ability to take other rappers down and establish himself as the king of rap music.


Punks think they’re gangsta
Other rappers pretend to be gangsters, emulating the lifestyle without truly being a part of it.


But they’re really herbs
MF DOOM labels these rappers as inexperienced or inefficient which essentially are not the real thing.


‘cause when they empty a clip
These fake gangsters are clueless on their actions and just follow the general fashion of rap.


It’ll test your nerves
Their music won't do justice to the genre as MF DOOM's lyrics have a deeper meaning and get to the nerve of the audience.


Gangsta keep a straight face
True gangsters have no reason to brag and keep their emotions under control, unlike popular stereotypes.


You start to swerve
MF DOOM wants these fake gangsters to swerve from their path of emulating the lifestyle and find their true path.


All that street shit change
The era of street rap music has changed, and MF DOOM doesn't want to be a part of it by creating music that's only superficial and lacking depth.


You’re on the curve hollering like a bitch
These rappers are weak and will break under the pressure, ultimately losing out in the game of rap music.


What happened to the hard talk?
MF DOOM questions why rap music has become so diluted, losing its aggression and lyrical content- with the current era of rap only discussing cars, girls, and money.


Street shit is gone
The essence of street rap music, which is the raw and authentic emotions of the people, is lost.


Now you’re driving on the sidewalk
MF DOOM compares how the current scene of rap is driving away from the road of authentic music. Now to achieve success, they have started to move towards drug use, managing scandalous public images, etc., moving away from true hip hop music when rap was only about the art of MCing.


Destiny is moving, looking at you funny
The idea of destiny is to complete its original plan, but it is doubtful about the current scene of rap music and how the focus has shifted from art to fame and fortune.


They see you were driving in
The overall fate is keeping a watch on the current scene of rap music in contrast to that of its early days and understands that the lust for fame may weaken the original essence of rap music.


The streets for the money lost your respect
Real rappers lost their way by trying to gain maximum profit and ceased creating music for the welfare and respect of the audience.


Now your face you try to hide
Fake rappers feel embarrassed for losing their originality and cannot face the audience and the true artists because of this loss.


We refuse to stop and let you slide
MF DOOM and his music are unstoppable, and he will not be disheartened by the loss of authenticity in rap music. He will continue to create authentic music.


I know this is eating you up inside
Returning authentic rap music that focuses on the art and not the money will create discomfort among modern-day rappers, guilty of making superficial and inferior music.


Day By Day distribution now worldwide
MF DOOM has established his brand and music worldwide, working day by day to create his music's popularity and authenticity.


No longer honorable, you’re a fucking crook
Rappers who have sold out and made music only for profit aren't honorable and have lost their authentic integrity, making them fraudulent and crooked.


You better get new guidance
MF DOOM asks modern-day rappers to learn from him and get a new direction to create better music and return to authentic hip hop music's roots.


Your manager is shook
Managers of these modern-day rappers are only interested in profit, avoiding creation of authentic music, leading to their fear that true hip hop music will make a comeback, making the fraudulence of their clients's music a thing of the past.


Hiding behind cellphones and emails
Managers are hiding their clients behind technological advancements of communication to avoid being criticized for the inferiority of their client's music.


He’s a little bitch
MF DOOM is criticizing these managers' cowardice and how they have made our society's musical values severely depreciate.


Between his legs is his tail
In the metaphorical sense, these managers have their tail between their legs, admitting their defeat in the face of more authentic music creators like MF DOOM.


Three years ago, I left that’s a fact
MF DOOM had disappeared for three years because of the sudden death of his son and took a break to heal and spend time with his family to find new inspiration for his music.


But now I came back to save rap!
MF DOOM is back with a determination to take a stand against the music industry's superficiality and return to authentic hip hop music's roots, reviving the genre's golden age.


Jet Jaguar's a superhero (M-IC)
Reiteration of Jet Jaguar as MF DOOM's superhero identity, reminding the world that he is back and ready to create more music with his unique touch.


Jet Jaguar's a superhero (N-Y-C)
MF DOOM is representing the city of New York City where hip hop originated as a global superhero that defeats all inferior musical artists.


Jet Jaguar's a superhero (M-IC)
MF DOOM's identity as Jet Jaguar has cemented him as a superhero like figure in rap music.


Jet Jaguar's a superhero (N-Y-C)
Reiteration of MF DOOM's loyalty to hip hop music's birthplace, New York City, and his commitment to reviving the genre with his unique superhero identity- Jet Jaguar.


Jet Jaguar's a superhero (M-IC)
Reiteration of Jet Jaguar's identity and MF DOOM's confidence in his powers as a creator of music.


Jet Jaguar jet Jaguar (N-Y-C)
Reiteration of Jet Jaguar being MF DOOM's superhero identity from NYC, reminding everyone that his loyalty lies with the place where hip hop was born.


Jet Jaguar jet Jaguar
MF DOOM repeats Jet Jaguar's name, increasing the intensity of the song and celebrating his superhero's identity.


Jet Jaguar jaguar (Jaguar)
MF DOOM repeats Jet Jaguar's name playfully, ending the song on a high note.


(Special Herbs, M-IC)
MF DOOM often uses a mixture of rare herbs in his music, which he calls Special Herbs, signifying that there's more in his music than meets the eye.


Day by day, Metal Face (Jet Jaguar)
MF DOOM continues with his commitment to create music day by day, reaffirming himself as a musical genius who wears a metal mask while also acknowledging Jet Jaguar as his superhero identity.


(King Geedorah, Monsta Island)
MF DOOM has previously released music under names like King Geedorah and Monsta Island, amplifying his creativity in music.


(MF Grimm, M-IC)
MF DOOM is collaborating with MF Grimm in this project, reminding the world of his commitment to creating new and innovative music.


(M-IC, M-IC)
Repetition of their name, adding rhythm and flow to the song, highlighting the power of collaboration.


(M-IC, MF DOOM, MF Grimm)
Collaboration between the three artists, creating a masterpiece that depicts the true essence of hip hop music.


(The Supervillain and the Superhero)
MF DOOM has created two personas for himself- one being the supervillain and the other, Jet Jaguar, being his superhero identity that represents his creative genius and power.


(Stay tuned)
MF DOOM is promising the audience to be prepared and stay tuned for more of his music, indicating that he has several more surprises up his sleeve.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DANIEL DUMILE THOMPSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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