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".
Sniper Elite
MF DOOM Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The new June Moon shootin' on a Blue Lagoon
Shoo, as DOOM zooms in on a Platoon
Z-zing! Sniper Elite
Swipe 'em off his feet on
This type of heat beat
Stranger on a solo misflow dolo
Paid, played the position by the poles glow
Swear it ain't me in the PE logo
Remote control in his overcoat Polo
Go for broke, get the dough
Float on the go-go (Heh)
Hopes and praise out of phase with the
Straight through the middle crews
Hate the new riddle, too
Late too little, Operation Doomsday complete
On the Jump street dump the heat
Vil, one shot, one kill
Spotted him, got his off the top, done deal
Spill your guts
They say they said the Don dead good
You could ask the dread in your
Hood or John Ed Wood
The truth is in the verse
Not on the bottle bottom
Black devils is the worst
First you gotta spot 'em
Ain't never get stuck on their boats
And don't give a fuck if
He gettin' their votes
At most he may exchange pleasantries
Really don't go for the sex change energies
Or Ben 'n' Jerry's berries
Friends with make pretend fairies
Who take men's cherries
Just don't boycott his shit
The fake first amendment foils the plot
Mischievous midget
The lyrics of MF DOOM's "Sniper Elite" depict the character of DOOM as a skilled sniper, targeting his enemies with precision. The mention of "June Moon shootin' on a Blue Lagoon" sets a vivid scene for the sniper's action. As DOOM zooms in on a platoon, he swiftly takes them out, leaving them surprised and defeated. The line "Swipe 'em off his feet on this type of heat beat" suggests that DOOM's lyrical flow is so powerful and captivating that it easily overwhelms his opponents.
DOOM is portrayed as a solitary figure on a solo mission, unphased by the opinions of others. He mentions being paid by someone and playing a specific position, indicating that he is a professional in his line of work. The lyrics also touch upon the concept of false representation, as DOOM denies being associated with any PE (Public Enemy) logo, showcasing his independence and refusal to conform.
The second verse further emphasizes DOOM's lethal precision as a sniper. He takes pride in his ability to spot his targets and eliminate them with a single shot, displaying his expertise. The line "The truth is in the verse, not on the bottle bottom" suggests that DOOM's authenticity lies in his lyrics, not in superficial appearances or material possessions. The reference to "black devils" indicates that he sees his enemies as malicious and dangerous individuals.
Overall, "Sniper Elite" portrays DOOM as a highly skilled and independent artist, drawing parallels between his lyrical prowess and the precision of a sniper.
Line by Line Meaning
To the head
Directly targeting the intended victim
The new June Moon shootin' on a Blue Lagoon
Engaging in a covert operation during a moonlit night
Shoo, as DOOM zooms in on a Platoon
Swiftly and skillfully approaching a group of enemies
Z-zing! Sniper Elite
Effortlessly eliminating targets with precision
Swipe 'em off his feet on
Taking down opponents swiftly and effortlessly
This type of heat beat
Operating under intense conditions
Stranger on a solo misflow dolo
Operating alone as a mysterious figure
Paid, played the position by the poles glow
Successfully executing the mission by following strategic guidelines
Heard it on the TV promo
Gaining information about the mission through media sources
Swear it ain't me in the PE logo
Clarifying that the individual is not associated with a certain organization
Remote control in his overcoat Polo
Having control and power over the situation
Go for broke, get the dough
Taking risks for financial gain
Float on the go-go (Heh)
Maintaining a smooth and effortless movement
Hopes and praise out of phase with the
Having different perspectives and beliefs compared to the mainstream
Straight through the middle crews
Directly targeting and defeating the enemy groups
Hate the new riddle, too
Disliking the cryptic and complex nature of the situation
Late too little, Operation Doomsday complete
Despite delays, successfully completing the mission
On the Jump street dump the heat
Disposing of any evidence and remaining inconspicuous
Vil, one shot, one kill
Achieving the desired outcome with a single precise shot
Spotted him, got his off the top, done deal
Successfully finding and eliminating the target quickly and efficiently
Spill your guts
Revealing the truth and hidden information
They say they said the Don dead good
Rumors spread about the successful elimination of a powerful figure
You could ask the dread in your
Seeking confirmation from trusted individuals
Hood or John Ed Wood
Referring to different sources for verification
The truth is in the verse
The real facts can be found in the lyrics
Not on the bottle bottom
Not relying on superficial or false information
Black devils is the worst
Identifying a particular group as the most dangerous
First you gotta spot 'em
Identification and surveillance are crucial
Ain't never get stuck on their boats
Avoid becoming trapped or involved in their operations
And don't give a fuck if
Displaying indifference towards their actions or opinions
He gettin' their votes
Not concerned with gaining popularity or approval
At most he may exchange pleasantries
Engaging in superficial interactions, if necessary
Really don't go for the sex change energies
Avoiding involvement in unnecessary conflicts or changes
Or Ben 'n' Jerry's berries
Not being enticed or distracted by unnecessary pleasures
Friends with make pretend fairies
Avoiding associations with dishonest or unreliable individuals
Who take men's cherries
Deceiving and taking advantage of unsuspecting individuals
Just don't boycott his shit
Not disregarding or dismissing the individual's work
The fake first amendment foils the plot
Recognizing and exposing deceptive actions that hinder progress
Mischievous midget
Referring to someone who is cunning and deceptive
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sUperPerson2rescu
Now that JDilla and DOOM have passed on this song hurts my heart man
@djcactus
Feel u. I was devastated
@coreygolphenee9633
It felt like a world I never got to experience before Mr. Dumaly left us and now it feels like a relic of raps past
@Nostalgiepunique
@@coreygolphenee9633 Real talk long live the gods
@sanchezdean3808
I feel your pain!
@geedorah21
eye hear you. my sentiments are similar. nonetheless death is a part of life. eye appreciate these two artists lives connected. peace, love, and blessings.
@andrewsandberg6371
DillaDoom the best album that never got to happen, R.I.P J Dilla the king of beats
@mrworldpeace
+Andrew Sandberg Would be one of the best hip-hop albums ever.
@evangilmore3964
DOOM has rapped over good amount of dilla beats thoo
@multidimensionalentt7417
Born again has plenty dilla beats