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".
Pennyroyal
MF DOOM Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Another love song gone wrong
So know you are a WOOP
Like based God in wonton
But I didn't
And I ain't even tripping
Another foul ball
But I'm still glad I hit it
Coulda shoulda type like,
"Oh, it was like, too tight"
Come on, I would've pipe
But our schedules contradicted
Well I was tied down hey pipe down
First night ya boy laid the pipe down
Took off the night gown
And whipped out the slanky
Then she screamed, "Joey spank me"
And after that she even thanked me, swanky
One time for my nigga Dymes
Lord knows we'll be kicking rhymes
'Til the end of time
But back to the topic
Oh yeah I'm pissed off
I'm still tripped off
And wondering why shorty dipped off
I ain't gonna front a nigga
Do miss the lip gloss
Now she sucked some next nigga dick off
And my dick soft
So tell me what the fuck I'm posed to do
And you know it ain't too easy getting over you
I sent the postcards so you know it's true
I promise that I wouldn't get emotional
And I'm not, so stop it
Why you frontin like you don't miss my whole cock
Pit down your esophagus
Screaming, "daddy stop it"
Ripping out your tracks
Chipped nail polish in the scratches of my back like
Did you forget about the time we had the sticky roll
And I tried to suck your titties whole
For milk for my cheerios
Did you forget about the video when you first came
I hit that spot twice and since then
You haven't been the same
Now I heard you fucking with some new man
Can't remember his name
But my first impression: what a lame
Lorraine said she seen him at a bowling lane
Walking out the bathroom kinda strange with a shoulder stain
Faggot
Six months, and I'm still at it
You probably never hear this track
But I still rap it
I guess I'm still attracted to you being here
I swear I can't imagine you to not even care
Whole thing played out like magic and it's kinda weird
It's like I did a trick and you won't be reappear
It ain't fair, I need you back sometimes I get scared
But I'm a player, ain't gonna let you see my tears
'Cause I'm a player, ain't gonna let you see my tears
'Cause I'm a player, ain't gonna let you see my tears
'Cause I'm a player, ain't gonna let you see my tears
'Cause I'm a player
I couldn't see it coming down my eyes
So I had to make the song cry cry
I couldn't see it coming down my eyes
So I gotta make the song cry
I couldn't see it coming down my eyes
So I had to make the song cry cry
I couldn't see it coming down my eyes
So I gotta make the song cry
Yeah
The lyrics of MF Doom's song Pennyroyal are rife with emotional turmoil caused by a love affair that has gone horribly wrong. The lyrics detail a relationship that ended in heartbreak, leaving the singer lost, confused, and struggling to come to terms with the situation. He reminisces about the good times he shared with his lover – the sticky roll, trying to suck her titties whole, and even a video of their first intimate encounter. However, now that she has moved on and is seeing someone else, the singer is left feeling betrayed, helpless, and struggling to move on. He's still attracted to her and can't fathom the idea of her not being in his life.
The singer also reveals that he's a "player," using that as a cover-up for the pain that he's experiencing. MF Doom contrasts the vulnerability of the song's lyrics with the machismo of the assertion that he's a "player." It's almost as if the singer is trying to convince himself that he's not hurt and is going to continue on with his life. The lyrics of the song show that the singer's bravado is just a defense mechanism he's put up to keep his vulnerabilities hidden. Overall, the song manages to convey the complexities of a failing relationship and its aftermath with impressive emotional depth.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah
Starting the song with an expression of affirmation or agreement with what's going to be said next.
Another love song gone wrong
Referencing a situation where a love song didn't go as planned, similar to a previous experience.
So know you are a WOOP
Addressing someone as a 'WOOP', slang for an unattractive person.
Like based God in wonton
Comparing the unattractive person to rapper Lil B, 'Based God', in a humorous manner.
But I didn't
Acknowledging that something wasn't done or didn't work out as planned.
And I ain't even tripping
Stating that the situation doesn't affect or bother them.
Another foul ball
Using a baseball metaphor to describe a failed attempt.
But I'm still glad I hit it
Despite not succeeding, taking pride in having tried.
'Cause a lot of niggas didn't, you know
Referencing that other people didn't even try and feeling better that they did.
Coulda shoulda type like, "Oh, it was like, too tight"
Mocking people who didn't try, using the expression 'Coulda shoulda', meaning they could have done something in the past but didn't. 'Too tight' is added to imply an excuse is being made up for not trying.
Come on, I would've pipe
Asserting that they would have had sexual intercourse with someone given the chance.
But our schedules contradicted
Explaining that they couldn't organize a chance at sex due to conflicting schedules.
Well I was tied down hey pipe down
Telling someone to be quiet, explaining that they were in a committed relationship at the time.
First night ya boy laid the pipe down
Referring to the first time they had sex with someone.
Took off the night gown
Describing the act of undressing, specifically the removal of a nightgown.
And whipped out the slanky
Using a slang term to refer to their penis, indicating their intent to have sex.
Then she screamed, "Joey spank me"
A reference to BDSM, indicating a request for spanking during sex.
And after that she even thanked me, swanky
Stating that their sexual partner thanked them afterwards, using 'swanky' as a slang term for cool.
One time for my nigga Dymes
A shoutout to a friend named Dymes, acknowledging they will continue to create music together.
Lord knows we'll be kicking rhymes
Confidently stating that they will continue to write and perform music.
But back to the topic
Moving the conversation back to the main topic at hand.
Oh yeah I'm pissed off
Admitting to feeling angry or upset about something.
I'm still tripped off
Still feeling uneasy or confused about a situation.
And wondering why shorty dipped off
Asking why someone left or disappeared suddenly.
I ain't gonna front a nigga
Not going to lie or pretend about something.
Do miss the lip gloss
Admitting that they miss someone's physical appearance or body part (in this case, their lips).
Now she sucked some next nigga dick off
Referring to an ex-partner engaging in oral sex with someone else, expressing disappointment, and using a derogatory term for a man.
And my dick soft
Stating that they are not aroused or sexually excited at the moment.
So tell me what the fuck I'm posed to do
Expressing frustration at not knowing what to do in a certain situation.
And you know it ain't too easy getting over you
Acknowledging that it's difficult to move on from someone they still have feelings for.
I sent the postcards so you know it's true
Stating that they sent postcards as proof of their sincerity or feelings towards someone.
I promise that I wouldn't get emotional
Making a promise not to become overly emotional or sensitive.
And I'm not, so stop it
Denying being emotional or sensitive, telling someone else to stop thinking otherwise.
Why you frontin like you don't miss my whole cock
Challenging someone's claim of not being attracted to or missing someone sexually.
Pit down your esophagus
Referring to oral sex and using a crude and graphic term for the act.
Screaming, "daddy stop it"
Describing a sexual encounter where someone is calling the other partner 'daddy' and asking them to stop a certain act.
Ripping out your tracks
Using a slang term to refer to hair extensions, implying they were rough during sex.
Chipped nail polish in the scratches of my back like
Describing the aftermath of sex, including nail polish chipped from scratching and scars left on their back.
Did you forget about the time we had the sticky roll
Reminiscing about a specific moment they shared together, involving food or maybe even drugs.
And I tried to suck your titties whole
Describing a sexual encounter where they attempted to engage in a certain act with their partner's breasts.
For milk for my cheerios
Using a humorous statement to imply that they were hungry after sex.
Did you forget about the video when you first came
Referencing a private sexual video they made together, describing a specific moment in it.
I hit that spot twice and since then
Proudly stating that they were able to provide pleasure for their partner by hitting a certain spot twice during sex.
You haven't been the same
Suggesting that the partner's behavior or feelings towards them has changed since that moment.
Now I heard you fucking with some new man
Acknowledging that their ex-partner has moved on and is dating someone else.
Can't remember his name
Adding humor to the fact that they don't know the person their ex-partner is dating.
But my first impression: what a lame
Expressing judgement towards their ex-partner's new partner, calling them a loser or uninteresting.
Lorraine said she seen him at a bowling lane
Referencing someone named Lorraine who saw their ex-partner's new partner at a bowling alley.
Walking out the bathroom kinda strange with a shoulder stain
Using humor to describe their ex-partner's new partner as clumsy, walking out of the bathroom with a stain on their shoulder.
Faggot
Using a derogatory term for a gay man towards their ex-partner's new partner.
Six months, and I'm still at it
Stating how much time has passed since they broke up but admitting they are still talking or thinking about their ex-partner.
You probably never hear this track
Accepting that their ex-partner might not even hear the song they wrote about them.
But I still rap it
Saying that they will still perform the song even if their ex-partner doesn't hear it.
I guess I'm still attracted to you being here
Acknowledging that they still have romantic feelings towards their ex-partner and miss their presence in their life.
I swear I can't imagine you to not even care
Expressing disbelief that their ex-partner might not care about them anymore.
Whole thing played out like magic and it's kinda weird
Comparing their relationship to magic, using it to describe how easily it ended, and adding that it's strange or unexpected.
It's like I did a trick and you won't be reappear
Using a metaphor to describe how their ex-partner disappeared suddenly, as if they were never there to begin with after being a part of their life.
It ain't fair, I need you back sometimes I get scared
Expressing a feeling of longing and fear of being alone.
But I'm a player, ain't gonna let you see my tears
Not wanting to show vulnerability or weakness towards their ex-partner, despite still having feelings for them.
'Cause I'm a player
Reinforcing the idea that they are not going to show vulnerability, maintaining a cool or confident persona.
I couldn't see it coming down my eyes
Describing a situation where they cried without realizing it.
So I had to make the song cry cry
Using the song to express their emotions because they didn't want to cry in front of their ex-partner.
Yeah
Finishing the song with an affirmation or cue for the listener to recognize the end.
Writer(s): Daniel Dumile Thompson
Contributed by David Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.