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".
Change The Beat
MF DOOM Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When he grab the mic, son he crushed up all his metacarpals
He said he ain't mean it, totally by accident
After the show, he didn't follow where y'all taxi went
Will this be available on wax? Ask Max Mill
They on the opposition to his ass wack tax bill
But will it pass the senate? Slum lord tenant
And super like 1-A, have a fun stay
With enough land for his own projects and gun play
Section 8 penthouse, maid look like Faye Dunaway
Alotta y'all assed out like gay runaways
It's how they say "semi-risque"
All day everyday, give out Emmy's the quick way
Have the average mc say, "Gimme a sick day!"
They really ain't got shit to say like Timmy McVeigh
Get a hunch, a real rag tag bunch
In school, he kept a doo rag in his bag lunch
Just to eat heads on some breakdance shit and spit
He writ this skit in Sanskrit
If the pants fit, sport 'em but rock 'em low
Your man like Rollo on the slow, can't knock it though
It's like the same hustle bro, two knuckles glow
Tucked in Le Tigre, just let the name buckle show
Good googly moogly, see that loogie?
Yeah, but keep it on the D.L. Hughley
You don't watch her, he might Houser like Doogie
Just to cut her loosie like *swoosh* Mitsurugi
Gooey gum drops, who he got his style from?
His pops, you gotta give the bum some props
Ask ya sister, her beat box is more thicker
Doom, that nigga detox with malt liquor
Villain for hire, admire the sound
Make sure The Price Is Right before he come on down!
Rappers be on some, "You you you!"
Forgot who they talking too, too much pork stew
They need to not come out with nothing new
Blew the whole shit up on some, "What this button do?"
Doom cheat the game like walk-thru
Run 'em, son 'em like Mr. Rourke do Tattoo
The way alotta clowns get down is unnatural
This flow flip like oranges, apples
Rhymes like limes to a Lemonade Snapple
Leave her at the chapel, don't eat Scrapple
First thing they notice when they come to is they bling is gone
Then they start remembering the Klingon with the rings on
In came the Villain with their own gear like, "Hi, there"
Y'all play the rear, this whole year MY year
Metal face beard like Brillo pad
Y'all know his steelo so don't feel so bad
Seed call him, "Ol' dad," the one the ol' ho had
Knew he was a winner since a swimmer in the gonads
Okay pal, pay him like Paypal
So we could be A-OK not OK Corral
I think today I'll make the ladies say, "Ow"
And maybe fuck around take a bow, now
Who made his first mill and still carry razor blades
Used to be straight A's and still made the grade
Retarded ass, how he get cash so fast
Year after last, left back in the retarded class
Shoulda went to Boces
Watch him all closely, who he think he supposed to be
Villain who always win, at least he stay consistent
Find out where that bitch went, get a room pitch a tent
Yo yo, Max, yo change the beat yo
You got another one ... nah yo
The song "Change the Beat" by MF Doom [Ugly Mac Beer Invasion] is a verbal masterpiece. The song starts with a description of someone who is terrible and horrible but at the same time a modern-day marvel. The genius lies in the fact that the song is a combination of seemingly unrelated statements and ideas, but together they all form a coherent piece. The lyrics talk about a rapper who crushed his hand accidentally during a performance but denies it, someone who plans to put in a runway for their projects and gunplay, and a lot of wordplay such as "semi-risque" and "Tattoo." The song also makes references to popular culture and pop culture icons, such as Faye Dunaway, Timmy McVeigh, and Mr. Rourke, to name a few.
The lyrics are a commentary on the current state of the rap industry and how even though there are many people who want to make it big, not everyone has something unique to say. MF Doom uses his wordplay and clever rhymes to set himself apart and make himself stand out in a crowded industry.
Overall, the song "Change the Beat" is a work of art, combining elements of humor, social commentary, and wordplay.
Line by Line Meaning
A modern day marvel but terrible, better horrible
He is an impressive figure today, but his performance is extremely unpleasant
When he grab the mic, son he crushed up all his metacarpals
His energetic performance at the mic caused him to accidentally injure his hands' bones
He said he ain't mean it, totally by accident
He claimed that the aforementioned injury was an unintentional mistake
After the show, he didn't follow where y'all taxi went
He did not follow his fans' transportation after the show
Will this be available on wax? Ask Max Mill
To know if the music will be released, Max Mill knows the answer
They on the opposition to his ass wack tax bill
The opposition is against his ridiculous tax bill
But will it pass the senate? Slum lord tenant
The proposed bill might not pass the senate, so he might be stuck being a slum lord tenant
And super like 1-A, have a fun stay
He's fantastic like a superhero and invites everyone to have fun
One day, he plan to put in a runway
He hopes to add a landing strip for his private projects and maybe some war games
With enough land for his own projects and gun play
The runway would need to offer enough land for personal projects and weapon use
Section 8 penthouse, maid look like Faye Dunaway
He would like to live in a luxurious penthouse but will settle for what's affordable as long as the maid looks attractive
Alotta y'all assed out like gay runaways
Many of his fans are stuck on the streets, broke like a runaway homosexual
It's how they say 'semi-risque'
People might describe his behavior as somewhat indecent
All day everyday, give out Emmy's the quick way
He receives awards like an Emmy non-stop on a daily basis
Have the average mc say, 'Gimme a sick day!'
Other artists would want to take a break from their work when they see his outstanding performance
They really ain't got shit to say like Timmy McVeigh
Other rappers don't have anything significant to say in their music like Tim McVeigh, the terrorist
Get a hunch, a real rag tag bunch
He has a gut feeling about being surrounded by a lousy and disorganized group
In school, he kept a doo rag in his bag lunch
In school, he carried a do-rag in his bag for breakdancing and freestyling
Just to eat heads on some breakdance shit and spit
He would breakdance, battle others, and flow with raps during his time at school
He writ this skit in Sanskrit
He wrote this performance in an ancient Indian script for fun
If the pants fit, sport 'em but rock 'em low
If the pants are the right size, wear them, but make it look fashionable by sagging them
Your man like Rollo on the slow, can't knock it though
Your man is relaxed like Rollo from the TV show Sanford and Son, and that's okay
It's like the same hustle bro, two knuckles glow
It's the same game plan, but he shines in a unique way
Tucked in Le Tigre, just let the name buckle show
The Le Tigre shirt is tucked in but styled to show the brand name buckle
Good googly moogly, see that loogie?
Oh, my goodness, did you see that spit?
Yeah, but keep it on the D.L. Hughley
Yes, but don't spread this information out loud like comedian D.L. Hughley
You don't watch her, he might Houser like Doogie
If you're not careful, he might use his Dr. House and Doogie Howser, MD analytical skills to manipulate a woman
Just to cut her loosie like *swoosh* Mitsurugi
He might outsmart a girl just like the sword-wielding video game character Mitsurugi to get her intimate parts
Gooey gum drops, who he got his style from?
Who inspired his unique style?
His pops, you gotta give the bum some props
Credit goes to his father for his infectious style, even though he's not wealthy
Ask ya sister, her beat box is more thicker
Your sister has a better beatboxing impression of his music
Doom, that nigga detox with malt liquor
He rewards himself with malt liquor after detoxing from his successful shows
Villain for hire, admire the sound
He's willing to perform as the villain for hire and his music deserves admiration
Make sure The Price Is Right before he come on down!
He won't come to the show until he's satisfied with the payment
Rappers be on some, 'You you you!'
Other rappers like to reference themselves in their music constantly
Forgot who they talking too, too much pork stew
They don't know their audience well and only reference their personal interests, like pork stew
They need to not come out with nothing new
They should stick with their same old style and not switch it up
Blew the whole shit up on some, 'What this button do?'
They messed up everything by impulsively playing around with new equipment like a button
Doom cheat the game like walk-thru
He makes taking shortcuts in the game look like a normal thing to do, like walking through
Run 'em, son 'em like Mr. Rourke do Tattoo
He manages to control people like the TV show Fantasy Island's Mr. Roarke does with Tattoo
The way alotta clowns get down is unnatural
Other artists' methods of performing are forced and awkward
This flow flip like oranges, apples
His flow changes in a way that's unexpected, just like comparing oranges to apples
Rhymes like limes to a Lemonade Snapple
His rhymes sound just right, like lime flavoring in Snapple Lemonade
Leave her at the chapel, don't eat Scrapple
Leave the woman at the wedding ceremony, don't eat the unappetizing Scrapple dish
First thing they notice when they come to is they bling is gone
The first thing the others notice after they wake up is that their jewelry is missing
Then they start remembering the Klingon with the rings on
The next thing remembered is the villain with the unique jewelry
In came the Villain with their own gear like, 'Hi, there'
The Villain entered with their own equipment and greeted the others
Y'all play the rear, this whole year MY year
Everyone in the back, this year will be all about his success and fame
Metal face beard like Brillo pad
His beard looks like a Brillo pad with a metallic sheen
Y'all know his steelo so don't feel so bad
Everyone knows how he operates, so there's no need to be embarrassed
Seed call him, 'Ol' dad,' the one the ol' ho had
His son calls him their old father and they frequently notice his sex workers
Knew he was a winner since a swimmer in the gonads
He knew he would be successful since he was a swimmer in the sperm cells
Okay pal, pay him like Paypal
Just pay him using Paypal, okay, buddy?
So we could be A-OK not OK Corral
We need to be fine and not confront each other like the gunfight in the OK Corral
I think today I'll make the ladies say, 'Ow'
Today, he will try to make women compliment him and shriek in excitement
And maybe fuck around take a bow, now
He's having a great time and might even take a bow to finish off the performance
Who made his first mill and still carry razor blades
He made his first million while still carrying sharp razor blades
Used to be straight A's and still made the grade
He used to excel academically in school and still produces high-quality work
Retarded ass, how he get cash so fast
Being ignorant, how did he earn money so quickly?
Year after last, left back in the retarded class
Years later, he's still stuck in the class for intellectually handicapped individuals
Shoulda went to Boces
He should have gone to the alternative technical school called BOCES
Watch him all closely, who he think he supposed to be
Be vigilant about him, who does he think he's pretending to be?
Villain who always win, at least he stay consistent
He's always the villain who comes out on top but at least he's reliable and true to his style
Find out where that bitch went, get a room pitch a tent
Track down the woman and prepare for an intimate time with her by setting up a tent
Yo yo, Max, yo change the beat yo
Max, please switch to a different beat now
You got another one ... nah yo
Never mind, he doesn't have another suitable beat
Contributed by Reagan M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.