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".
No Snakes Alive Instrumental
MF DOOM Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ajowan = No Snakes Alive Pt 3"
Locked down, learned law, represented pro se
Got released, mental beast did become Percy
Open gates, let me out mach speed
Return to Monsta
Island, summon all monsters, spit fire
Many made it out, and many go again
Many ways to make money in the streets
So many come
Many die young ‘cause the ghetto’s many guns
Harlem days, Harlem nights
Path of money making
Harlem death, Harlem life, some get taken
Harlem world at war, bullets hit
You’re aching
Body at Harlem hospital, in surgery
Harlem shaking
Better way? Gotta be day By Day, try to see
Focus on future, meditate on positivity
I’m immortal
You could never kill me my voice
Echo for eternity, threats don’t concern me
Now know true power
Is within, radiate to the people
Pure focus, no hocus pocus
Superstar Jet Jag, showbiz
So you know this, now I slow down
‘Cause I realize I’m speeding, and I give a
Moment of silence for the brothers
Who no longer here
I love you all!
‘Til we meet again, my weapon is the pen
Same agenda, no snakes alive in the end
No breaks this time for fake-ass friends
Left dead-bent, decipher what is meant
Question for the hip hop mass:
Who will grab a mic and wax an emcee’s ass?
Who could be three years behind and fly fast?
Jet Jag blast past where others catch crash
Music Platos predicted Percy, planet’s Pluto
Problem: king pissed, one head on the platter
Pest, Percy preach power to the people
Yes, punish him, place him in prison
Provoke him, play him
Take away his privileges planet of the Apes
Caesar educate the savages
Settings starve him, reduce daily ration
Strip search, shake cells
See for shanks stashing
Swallowed by a system of six day sores
Who hypnotize society?
Even though suffer slow, I
Still saddled my sanity most
Think it’s cool to kill kin and go to
Correctional facilities for eternity
It must stop! Free Mumia
(That’s right) Free Mumia i didn’t
Come here to make friends
Motherfuckers i came here to piss niggas
Off that’s right what?! It’s
Working that’s right that’s right let’s
Get this shit going
(Killer mongoose) Manhattan (The killer
Mongoose) New York jet
Jaguar a killer mongoose no snakes alive once
Again (Crushing heads) Keep breeding ‘em, keep killing ‘em mF DOOM, MF Grimm j marty
What up?
The lyrics to "Arabic Gum" by MF DOOM and MF Grimm tell a story of struggle, survival, and growth. The song begins with the singer recounting his time in prison, where he educated himself on the law and eventually represented himself. After his release, he refers to himself as a "mental beast," ready to face the world with ferocity.
The lyrics depict the harsh realities of living in a violent neighborhood, specifically Harlem. Money and guns are prevalent, leading to the premature deaths of many young individuals. Despite the chaos, the singer emphasizes the importance of staying focused on a better future, meditating on positivity, and becoming immortal through the power of his voice.
In the latter half of the song, the lyrics take a more confrontational tone. The artists challenge the hip-hop community to step up and prove their skills, asking who will take the mic and outshine other emcees. They assert their own prowess, referencing themselves as the "Killer Mongoose" with no fear of snakes (deceptive individuals). The song concludes with a call for solidarity, mentioning the importance of freeing Mumia, possibly referring to Mumia Abu-Jamal, a political activist convicted of the murder of a Philadelphia police officer.
Overall, "Arabic Gum" can be interpreted as a reflection on personal growth, resilience, and the need for unity and justice in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Locked down, learned law, represented pro se
After being imprisoned, I studied the law and represented myself in court
Got released, mental beast did become Percy
When I was released, my mind became sharper and I transformed into a powerful force
Open gates, let me out mach speed
Once free, I quickly broke free from the confines and accelerated full speed ahead
Return to Monsta Island, summon all monsters, spit fire
Returning to my roots on Monsta Island, I unite with fellow talented artists and deliver impactful music
World burning purgatory, many moons, many men
The world is in turmoil, caught between heaven and hell, with countless individuals affected
Many made it out, and many go again
Some were able to escape their hardships, but many find themselves back in the struggle
Many ways to make money in the streets
The streets offer numerous avenues for financial gain
So many come
Many individuals are drawn to these opportunities
Many die young ‘cause the ghetto’s many guns
The abundance of firearms in the ghetto leads to premature deaths
Harlem days, Harlem nights
The contrasting experiences of life in Harlem during the day and at night
Path of money making
The pursuit of financial success
Harlem death, Harlem life, some get taken
Harlem's environment can be deadly, and some people become victims
Harlem world at war, bullets hit
Harlem is a battleground, with bullets flying and causing harm
You’re aching
You're feeling the pain and desperation
Body at Harlem hospital, in surgery
A person injured in Harlem is receiving medical treatment
Harlem shaking
The chaos and turmoil in Harlem
Better way? Gotta be day By Day, try to see
Is there a better path? We must navigate life one day at a time, striving for understanding
Focus on the future, meditate on positivity
Direct your attention towards what lies ahead and find peace through positive contemplation
I’m immortal
My impact and influence will live on forever
You could never kill me my voice
My voice cannot be silenced or eradicated
Echo for eternity, threats don’t concern me
My message will resonate for eternity, and I am not affected by threats
Now know true power
I have come to understand my true strength
Is within, radiate to the people
It lies within me and I will spread it to the masses
Pure focus, no hocus pocus
I maintain complete concentration without any deception or trickery
Superstar Jet Jag, showbiz
I am a highly acclaimed artist named Jet Jag, dominating the show business
So you know this, now I slow down
I want to make sure you understand this, so I will now slow down my delivery
‘Cause I realize I’m speeding, and I give a
Because I recognize that I have been rushing my words, and I apologize
Moment of silence for the brothers
Let us take a moment to honor our fallen brothers
Who no longer here
Who are no longer with us
I love you all!
I deeply care for each and every one of you
‘Til we meet again, my weapon is the pen
Until we reunite, I will continue to use my powerful tool - the pen
Same agenda, no snakes alive in the end
We share the same goals, and deceitful individuals will eventually be exposed
No breaks this time for fake-ass friends
I won't give any opportunities to those who pretend to be friends
Left dead-bent, decipher what is meant
They are left confused, attempting to understand the true intentions
Question for the hip hop mass:
A query for the collective hip hop community:
Who will grab a mic and wax an emcee’s ass?
Who possesses the skill to lyrically defeat an emcee on the microphone?
Who could be three years behind and fly fast?
Who can make up for lost time and still excel at a rapid pace?
Jet Jag blast past where others catch crash
Jet Jag soars ahead while others stumble and fail
Music Plato predicted Percy, planet’s Pluto
Plato, the ancient philosopher, foresaw the rise of talented artists like Percy (referring to himself), representing the planet Pluto
Problem: king pissed, one head on the platter
There's a problem when the king is enraged and demands the decapitation of a traitor
Pest, Percy preach power to the people
I, Percy, am seen as an annoyance, but I continue to spread powerful messages to the masses
Yes, punish him, place him in prison
Yes, punish him by imprisoning him
Provoke him, play him
Intentionally provoke and toy with him
Take away his privileges planet of the Apes
Strip him of his privileges, treating him like an animal on the planet of the Apes
Caesar educate the savages
As a leader, I will educate the ignorant and misguided
Settings starve him, reduce daily ration
Subject him to starvation by limiting his daily food intake
Strip search, shake cells
Humiliate him through strip searches and ransacking his prison cell
See for shanks stashing
Look for hidden weapons he may have
Swallowed by a system of six day sores
Consumed by a prison system that inflicts pain and suffering
Who hypnotize society?
Who is responsible for manipulating and controlling society?
Even though suffer slow, I
Despite enduring a slow and painful existence, I
Still saddled my sanity most
Still manage to preserve my sanity
Think it’s cool to kill kin and go to
Some foolishly believe it's admirable to harm their own and end up in
Correctional facilities for eternity
Prisons indefinitely
It must stop! Free Mumia
This cycle of destruction must end! Support the liberation of Mumia Abu-Jamal
(That’s right) Free Mumia i didn’t
(That's right) Support the cause of freeing Mumia Abu-Jamal, I didn't
Come here to make friends
I didn't enter this industry to gain friendships
Motherfuckers i came here to piss niggas
I came to provoke and challenge other artists
Off that’s right what?! It’s
To anger them, that's right! What?!
Working that’s right that’s right let’s
I'm effectively achieving my goal, that's right, that's right, let's
Get this shit going
Continue to push forward with our movement
(Killer mongoose) Manhattan (The killer
(Referring to myself) Conquer the music scene in Manhattan (The killer
Mongoose) New York jet
Mongoose) New York - a powerful force
Jaguar a killer mongoose no snakes alive once
Similar to a ferocious jaguar, I am a deadly force that eliminates all deceitful individuals, leaving none alive
Again (Crushing heads) Keep breeding ‘em, keep killing ‘em mF DOOM, MF Grimm j marty
Once again crushing the heads of the fake, continue to expose and eliminate them - MF DOOM, MF Grimm, J. Marty
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: DANIEL DUMILE THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind