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".
Ghostwhirl
MF DOOM Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't need a friend, maybe two or three
That's me myself, and I
Happiness will be awhile
Until I remember how to freestyle right
Man, I see bland faces, floating next to me
Is this my destiny?
Hope not, or I might throw up
Man, I sure can stay inside my head
And play dead
Like night of the living white dreads
Who want to be angry
But them seem frightened
Sort of reminiscent of clash
Of the teen titans
I used to have a girlfriend
But it was time to go
When she was trying to show
How much hate she could still taste
From things that happened awhile ago
It was wearing thin
But I can be a trifle slow
Especially on a tourniquet that
Should've stymied her flow
I never earned her full bliss, it went wrong
But my permagrin is quite strong, like 500
000 miles long
Cry on, cause I'm like the swan
And if this mic is on
I guess I might stay on long
Enough to write this song
Yeah, right, it's hype get your clothes girl
I don't have the time or mood
To make your toes curl
No more open mics? no sir
Ever since you laid the cold hurt
It's a ghost world
NEXT, a strict regiment of
Sets on the bowflex
Chromium to mold flesh and wheat
Grass to show the rest
Meditation and some slow stretching
Let the mind go to rest
When necessary, speaking of which, no sex
It's a time to heal, not a time to hate
And don't try to keep it real
In such a sad state
Just be depressed for a sec
And if it ends late
Be like yeay! I made through to the next day
The best say
You can't stay in one place too long
The rest say, you're gay if you still like
Those old love songs
The test press day is now
I best press play and taste the sound
Just in case I see a queen
And want to checkmate her style
And we could just embrace, or ride out
But right now
I'm still looking for love inside my hideout
It's really nothing to cry about
But when I'm out patience with
My mistakes, it's like, "God
Get the white-out!"
What a messy fuss
It happens to the best of us love
Hate to raise the heart rate up
To your chest to bust
And leave you with just enough stress to cuss
Ooh trouble, two's a couple
Three's treacherous
And got you open like the high seas
Hoping like these for the squeeze on live G's
Jive turkeys, they lucky if they
Survive the depths of hell, it's murky
Jerky, come on work with me
See how she's twerking the
Skirt with tit's perky
A flirt with a smirk that could
Body you in one shot glance
And let 'em rot, I'm like, not a chance
Hot pants!"
Run feet, and keep from off front street
That sizzle like the blunt heat
With business that's for under sheets
Creep on secret missions, peep it
Or else be in some deep shit
With more fishes to sleep with
The song "Ghostwhirl" by MF Doom and Tom Caruana explores themes of loneliness, self-reflection, and the search for love. The lyrics highlight the singer's inner struggles as he navigates through life and relationships. The opening lines emphasize the solitude the singer feels, expressing that he doesn't necessarily need a large number of friends, but rather a few genuine ones. However, he admits that he has some difficulties in finding happiness and freestyling properly.
The lyrics also touch upon the singer's observations of bland and uninteresting individuals around him, questioning whether this is his destined reality. He expresses a desire not to let this define him or make him sick with negativity. The mention of "night of the living white dreads" could be a reference to individuals who try to appear angry or rebellious but ultimately seem afraid, reminiscent of the comic clash between characters from the Teen Titans series.
The song then delves into a past relationship that the singer had to let go of because his partner was focused on harboring hate for past events. Although it took time for the singer to realize the relationship was wearing thin, he possesses a resilient attitude, symbolized by his "permagrin" that stretches miles long. The lyrics express a sense of self-reflection, as if speaking directly from the singer's mind. He then mentions the mic, indicating his intention to express his emotions through the song and possibly continue to perform, despite the challenges he faces.
Line by Line Meaning
Well here we are again just you and me
We find ourselves in the same situation, just the two of us.
I don't need a friend, maybe two or three
I don't really need companionship, maybe just a couple more friends.
That's me myself, and I
It's just me, alone with my thoughts.
Happiness will be awhile
It may take some time for me to find happiness.
Until I remember how to freestyle right
I need to remember how to express myself freely and authentically.
Man, I see bland faces, floating next to me
I see uninteresting and uninspiring people around me.
Is this my destiny?
Is this where I'm meant to be?
Hope not, or I might throw up
I hope not, or I might become sick.
To lose the recipe
To forget how to do something.
Man, I sure can stay inside my head
I can spend a lot of time lost in my thoughts.
And play dead
And pretend to be unresponsive or unaffected.
Like night of the living white dreads
Like a group of people with dreadlocks who lack energy or passion.
Who want to be angry
Who want to express anger.
But them seem frightened
But they appear scared.
Sort of reminiscent of clash
Similar to a conflict or confrontation.
Of the teen titans
Similar to a group of young warriors.
I used to have a girlfriend
I used to be in a romantic relationship.
But it was time to go
But it was time for the relationship to end.
When she was trying to show
When she was trying to demonstrate.
How much hate she could still taste
How much resentment she still held.
From things that happened awhile ago
From past events that occurred some time ago.
It was wearing thin
The relationship was becoming less strong or durable.
But I can be a trifle slow
But I can be a bit slow to understand.
Especially on a tourniquet that
Especially when it comes to something that.
Should've stymied her flow
Should've inhibited or stopped her expression.
I never earned her full bliss, it went wrong
I never fully satisfied her, and things went downhill.
But my permagrin is quite strong, like 500
But I still have a strong, permanent smile, like 500 miles long.
000 miles long
Cry on, cause I'm like the swan
Keep crying, because I'm calm and graceful like a swan.
And if this mic is on
And if this microphone is turned on.
I guess I might stay on long
I suppose I might continue performing for a while.
Enough to write this song
Enough to create and complete this song.
Yeah, right, it's hype get your clothes girl
Yeah, right, it's exciting, so get dressed.
I don't have the time or mood
I don't have the time or desire.
To make your toes curl
To make you feel excitement or pleasure.
No more open mics? no sir
No more opportunities to perform? No, not anymore.
Ever since you laid the cold hurt
Ever since you inflicted emotional pain.
It's a ghost world
It's a world full of empty or haunting experiences.
NEXT, a strict regiment of
Next, a strict routine of.
Sets on the bowflex
Exercise sets on the bowflex machine.
Chromium to mold flesh and wheat
Using chromium to shape and strengthen the body.
Grass to show the rest
Grass to showcase or impress others.
Meditation and some slow stretching
Engaging in meditation and gentle stretching.
Let the mind go to rest
Allow the mind to relax and become calm.
When necessary, speaking of which, no sex
When needed, and speaking of that, no sexual activity.
It's a time to heal, not a time to hate
It's a time to focus on healing, not on harboring hatred.
And don't try to keep it real
And don't try to be overly authentic or genuine.
In such a sad state
In such a dejected or depressed state.
Just be depressed for a sec
Simply allow yourself to feel down for a moment.
And if it ends late
And if it finishes late.
Be like yeay! I made through to the next day
Be like, yay! I survived and made it to the next day!
The best say
The wisest people say.
You can't stay in one place too long
You shouldn't remain in the same place or situation for too long.
The rest say, you're gay if you still like
Others say that you're foolish if you still enjoy.
Those old love songs
Those classic love songs.
The test press day is now
The day to test and evaluate is here now.
I best press play and taste the sound
I better start the music and experience its sound.
Just in case I see a queen
Just in case I encounter a remarkable woman.
And want to checkmate her style
And want to outwit or surpass her in terms of style.
And we could just embrace, or ride out
And we could simply hug or continue the journey together.
But right now
But currently.
I'm still looking for love inside my hideout
I'm still searching for love while keeping to myself.
It's really nothing to cry about
There's truly no reason to be upset about it.
But when I'm out patience with
But when my patience runs out.
My mistakes, it's like, "God
My mistakes, it's as if, "God
Get the white-out!"
Please provide a way to erase or correct them!
What a messy fuss
What a chaotic situation.
It happens to the best of us love
It occurs even to the most accomplished individuals, my dear.
Hate to raise the heart rate up
I dislike causing an increase in heart rate.
To your chest to bust
To make your chest burst.
And leave you with just enough stress to cuss
And leave you with just the right amount of stress to curse.
Ooh trouble, two's a couple
Oh, trouble, when there are two people in a relationship.
Three's treacherous
Three people in a relationship can be dangerous or precarious.
And got you open like the high seas
And have you vulnerable or exposed like the vast, unpredictable seas.
Hoping like these for the squeeze on live G's
Desiring moments like these to exert authority on real gangsters.
Jive turkeys, they lucky if they
Insincere individuals are fortunate if they
Survive the depths of hell, it's murky
Make it through difficult times, which can be unclear or confusing.
Jerky, come on work with me
Unreliable people, come on, cooperate with me.
See how she's twerking the
Observe how she's dancing provocatively.
Skirt with tit's perky
With a skirt that emphasizes or enhances her attractive breasts.
A flirt with a smirk that could
A person who flirts with confidence and a smug smile that has the potential to
Body you in one shot glance
Attract and captivate you with just a single look.
And let 'em rot, I'm like, not a chance
And disregard them, I'm not interested at all.
Hot pants!"
Attractive, seductive clothing!
Run feet, and keep from off front street
Move quickly and avoid getting involved in dangerous situations.
That sizzle like the blunt heat
That have a strong, exciting impact.
With business that's for under sheets
Involving secretive or intimate activities.
Creep on secret missions, peep it
Move stealthily on secret tasks, observe it.
Or else be in some deep shit
Otherwise, find yourself in serious trouble.
With more fishes to sleep with
With more people to deceive or betray.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind