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".
Guinnesses feat. Angelika
MF DOOM Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Met a brother from the drill that gave my spine chills
All thirty three nerves
Controlling my curves
Common sense just swerved every time I got served
Stress, frustration, empty rhetoric
Cold as winter in Connecticut
Compassion lacking deficit
You not a soul-mate
More ways and actions of a primate
Who by low and census coming faker than extensions
Pissed away all good intentions
Outta here sister was missin'
Intuition
Maybe it was me
I couldn't see
Holdin' onto fantasy
Getting bitten by reality
War wound, purple heart, love veteran
Morphine, pain killers, drugs and medicine
Anything just to forget the hurt, incoming!
Take cover, hit the dirt
On the front-line, there's casualties in the mind
And the POW's get left behind
Mentally scarred for life, love is war
And some chicks are just too hard to wife
I shoulda deaded it from Genesis
Instead of hitting these Guinnesses
Now I'm free falling
Cursing at the street, bawling
He ceased calling
No appetite for feast darling
So deep, all in, I bet he never stop balling women
Forsake God for the scent of a man
Sacrifice a whole life for a slice, overstand?
Maybe it's a lack of pigment
Loneliness imagine figment
Only got the car tinted to pull extra G's in it
Damn Jody, comin with the okie doke, pokie poke
Steady rockin' boats, got me aimin' for ya throats
Sniper scope
Weren't we supposed to elope?
Propose then ya froze, I don't think that I can cope
War wound, purple heart, love veteran
Morphine, pain killers, drugs and medicine
Anything just to forget the hurt, incoming!
Take cover, hit the dirt
On the front-line, there's casualties in the mind
And the POW's get left behind
Mentally scarred for life, love is war
And some chicks are just too hard to wife
Constant frustration, stemming from a no win situation
Rushing lust and fornication
Adding to the complication
Patience is a virtue
Pain run deep when love desert you
Listenin' to whisperin'
Choosing chaos over discipline
Simpleton, life should really be a piece of intimance
Relationships strengthening
Flower essence: Penstemon
Gentlemen, my favorite shit, so I've never forsaken it
I persevere, make it fit, sculpting and reshaping it
Taking sips off a fifth of it
Passionate, intense
Incense candles lit, scandalous
Emotional bandages, why would he abandon this?
Guess he couldn't handle it, the boss is magnanimous
War wound, purple heart, love veteran
Morphine, pain killers, drugs and medicine
Anything just to forget the hurt, incoming!
Take cover, hit the dirt
On the front-line, there's casualties in the mind
And the POW's get left behind
Mentally scarred for life, love is war
And some chicks are just too hard to wife
The lyrics to MF DOOM's song "Guinnesses" featuring Angelika explore the complicated and often painful experiences that come with romantic relationships. Sheitan never came so ill and met a brother from the drill who gave the singer's spine chills; using the metaphor of the nerves controlling their curves, the lyrics portray the common sense that just swerved every time they were served with stress, frustration, and empty rhetoric. They feel as cold as winter in Connecticut and as though their compassion is lacking, leading them to believe that what was thought of as love being sent from above was really just more ways and actions of a primate.
The lyrics express a war wound, purple heart, love veteran, suffering mental scars from their relationship experience. The singer tries hard to cope and forget the hurt, but it only leads them to take cover and hit the dirt on the front-line. The POWs or prisoners of war get left behind, revealing how some relationships can leave mental scars that never fully heal. The lyrics express that love is war and some people are just too hard to wife. When relationships lack patience, they can add to the complication and stem from a no-win situation, leading to chaos over discipline. The lyrics conclude on a contemplative note, wondering why their partner abandoned the relationship and if they couldn't handle it.
Line by Line Meaning
Sheitan never came so ill, he got skill
The devil has never been as skilled as the person being referred to
Met a brother from the drill that gave my spine chills
Encountered someone who caused her to feel fearful or anxious, likely because of something they said or did
All thirty three nerves
Referring to the nerves in the spinal column, meaning that something has affected her deeply or at the core of her being
Controlling my curves
Describing how her body feels the full impact of whatever situation she is going through
Common sense just swerved every time I got served
Her judgment or ability to reason became clouded every time she was presented with a difficult situation
Stress, frustration, empty rhetoric
Describing the feelings of anxiety, irritation, and meaningless talk she experiences
Cold as winter in Connecticut
Her feelings or circumstances have left her feeling cold and isolated, like the chill of winter in Connecticut
Compassion lacking deficit
She feels lacking in empathy or concern for others, possibly as a result of her experiences
Thought it was love like, sent from above
She believed that she had found true love and that it was a blessing from a higher power
You not a soul-mate
Realizing that the person she thought was her soulmate is not actually the right person for her
More ways and actions of a primate
Comparing the behavior of the person she thought was her soulmate to that of a monkey or animal
Who by low and census coming faker than extensions
The person she thought was her soulmate is fake or deceitful, like hair extensions
Pissed away all good intentions
The person she thought was her soulmate ruined any good intentions they may have had or previously claimed to have
Outta here sister was missin'
The person she thought was her soulmate made her lose touch with her true self or sense of identity
Intuition
Referring to the ability to understand or instinctively know something without the need for conscious reasoning
Maybe it was me
Acknowledging that some of the issues or problems in the relationship may have been caused by her own actions or behaviors
I couldn't see
She was unable to recognize the problems in the relationship or the true nature of the person she thought was her soulmate
Holdin' onto fantasy
Continuing to cling to an idealized version of the relationship or the person despite the reality of the situation
Getting bitten by reality
Finally acknowledging the harsh or painful truth of the situation
War wound, purple heart, love veteran
Using military terminology to describe the emotional wounds and scars caused by past relationships
Morphine, pain killers, drugs and medicine
Describing the various ways people try to numb or deaden the pain of heartbreak or emotional trauma
Anything just to forget the hurt, incoming!
The individual is willing to do whatever it takes to avoid feeling the pain or discomfort caused by their emotions
Take cover, hit the dirt
Military language suggesting that the person needs to hide or protect themselves from the emotional pain or trauma
On the front-line, there's casualties in the mind
Using war metaphors to describe the emotional impact of relationships and the damage they can cause to a person's mental health
And the POW's get left behind
Referring to how some people are unable to move on from past emotional pain or trauma and remain psychologically stuck in the past
Mentally scarred for life, love is war
Describing how relationships can cause long-lasting emotional trauma and the metaphor that love can feel like a battlefield
And some chicks are just too hard to wife
Admitting that some women are not meant to be in long-term relationships or get married, possibly because of personal issues or a lack of compatibility
I shoulda deaded it from Genesis
Wishing she had ended the relationship before it began or at an earlier stage
Instead of hitting these Guinnessez
Referring to drinking Guinness beers as a way of numbing the emotional pain or finding comfort
Now I'm free falling
Feeling out of control or like she is falling apart emotionally
Cursing at the street bawling
Expressing a deep sense of frustration or disappointment, possibly in public
He ceased calling
The person she thought was her soulmate stopped contacting her
No appetite for feast darling
Unable to enjoy or take pleasure in things that once brought her happiness or fulfillment
So deep all in, I bet he never stop balling women
Referring to the tendency for some men to continue pursuing multiple sexual partners or relationships despite being in committed partnerships
Forsake God for the scent of a man
Describing how some people are willing to give up their religious or spiritual beliefs for the sake of romantic relationships or sexual attraction
Sacrifice a whole life for a slice, overstand?
Asking if someone understands or recognizes the negative impact that sacrificing everything for a small piece of happiness or pleasure can have on a person's life
Maybe it's a lack of pigment
Possibly suggesting that the person's own shortcomings or personal issues may have contributed to the failed relationship
Loneliness imagine figment
Describing how loneliness can be imaginary or perceived rather than actual
Only got the car tinted to pull extra G's in it
Possibly suggesting that the person only cared about their car or material possessions in order to impress others or feel superior
Damn Jody, comin with the okie doke, pokie poke
Using slang to describe how someone was deceived or tricked by another person
Steady rockin boats, got me aimin for ya throats
Describing how frustration or anger can make someone feel violent or aggressive
Sniper scope
Using military language to describe how the person is targeting someone in their crosshairs, possibly for revenge or retribution
Weren't we supposed to elope?
Asking why someone didn't follow through on their plans to get married or start a life together
Propose then ya froze, I don't think that I can cope
Describing how someone changed their mind or had a sudden change of heart, leaving the other person feeling overwhelmed or unable to handle the situation
Constant frustration, stemming from a no win situation
Describing how a situation feels hopeless or like there is no solution, leading to feelings of frustration and helplessness
Rushing lust and fornication
Describing how impulsive behavior or decisions can lead to unhealthy or unfulfilling sexual experiences
Adding to the complication
Suggesting that the impulsive behavior or decisions have made the situation worse or more complex
Patience is a virtue
Recognizing that it takes time and effort to resolve complex or difficult situations
Pain run deep when love desert you
Describing the intense emotional pain that comes from feeling abandoned or rejected by someone you love
Listenin' to whisperin'
Describing how the person is paying close attention to what other people are saying or gossiping about them
Choosing chaos over discipline
Suggesting that the person is choosing to live a life of unpredictability or instability instead of working towards stability and order
Simpleton, life should really be a piece of intimance
Using sarcastic language to describe how some people have a simplistic view of life or relationships and think they are easy
Relationships strengthening
Recognizing that relationships can be a source of strength and support
Flower essence: Penstemon
Referring to the Penstemon flower, which is believed to have healing properties and can symbolize love or commitment
Gentlemen, my favorite shit, so I've never forsaken it
Describing how the person values and respects chivalry and good manners in men, and would never give up on someone who embodies those qualities
I persevere, make it fit, sculpting and reshaping it
Describing how the person is willing to put in the time, effort, and hard work necessary to make their relationship work and grow stronger over time
Taking sips off a fifth of it
Referring to drinking alcohol as a way of coping or finding temporary relief from emotional pain
Passionate, intense
Describing how the person's feelings or emotions are very strong and intense
Incense candles lit, scandalous
Describing a scene of romantic or sexual intimacy, possibly with a sense of danger or riskiness
Emotional bandages, why would he abandon this?
Describing how the person feels like their relationship is soothing or healing their pain, and questioning why someone would want to leave that behind
Guess he couldn't handle it, the boss is magnanimous
Suggesting that the person who left the relationship was unable to handle the intensity or passion of the other person, and that the individual will move on and remain strong despite the setback
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Daniel Dumile
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind