Daniel Dumile (July 13, 1971 – October 31, 2020) was a British-American rap… Read Full Bio ↴Daniel Dumile (July 13, 1971 – October 31, 2020) was a British-American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He performed and released music under a variety of stage names, most notably MF DOOM, which Dumile preferred to be stylized in all caps. Dumile debuted during hip-hop's golden age of the late 1980s and became a major figure in underground hip-hop of the early 21st century. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest rappers of all-time.
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".
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".
Super
MF DOOM Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
It's superhero vision, sonic listen
It's superhero vision, sonic listen
It's superhero vision, sonic listen
It's superhero
JVC is nice
I've been around Japan
It's electronic, calls me Viktor
High on the scales, off the Richter
The media say I'm mature, check me out on Wikipedia
Coach them off their walkers
Let them walk again and run and speed up
I come from a place where superheroes meet up
The X Men drinkin' tea watchin' chicks with D cups
Spiderman saw Doctor Oct spittin' off the top of a New York City bus
City Island eatin' shrimps
Throwin' fries in water to swans and ducks
It'd be wrong to the universe if I drive with a monster green Lamborghini up
All the 5's come out to reunite, throw their beanies up
I molest cholesterol, you's a fine tune abuser
The Yankees lost but the blue and orange team amuse us
I could make a million rappers whisper and hush
Cold Stone ice cream, you don't have to lick that much
They hold my balls, easy soft touch
Throw your ladies some bucks
The reindeers jump out, you need that antler juice
Ski hat with the mommy goose
It's superhero vision, sonic listen
It's superhero vision, sonic listen
It's superhero vision, sonic listen
It's superhero
Vik in the sick captain's pilot suit
Designed by Travolta out his mind
Is in the mind of another culture vulture
Threw him from Tulsa to this dimension
Right on time for the heroes-hustler's convention
It's no admission, you gotta be on the list
Play your position, peon, against the metal fist
He's on a purely secular mission
Stroll through wearin' the DOOM Clarks, second edition
Web slinger need a beat, well black him out
Flank him out, test his spidey senses on his bank account
For illest mention he hermaphrodite whose pants was tight
Who dance aight
Gave it to Puck from Alpha Flight
The mask was bright as lightnin'
Same type of shinin' got them Teen Titans fightin'
Sippin' on that She-Hulk milk, at least she said it was milk
In a Hello Kitty catsuit, I bet it was silk
Grabbed the award for bein' hella raw
Of course he scored the relic for
Until next rhyme, y'all, Excelsior!
It's superhero vision, sonic listen
It's superhero vision, sonic listen
It's superhero vision, sonic listen
It's superhero
It's superhero vision, sonic listen
It's superhero vision, sonic listen
It's superhero
JVC is nice
I've been around Japan
It's electronic, calls me Viktor
The media say I'm mature, check me out on Wikipedia
Coach them off their walkers
Let them walk again and run and speed up
I come from a place where superheroes meet up
The X Men drinkin' tea watchin' chicks with D cups
Spiderman saw Doctor Oct spittin' off the top of a New York City bus
City Island eatin' shrimps
Throwin' fries in water to swans and ducks
It'd be wrong to the universe if I drive with a monster green Lamborghini up
All the 5's come out to reunite, throw their beanies up
I molest cholesterol, you's a fine tune abuser
The Yankees lost but the blue and orange team amuse us
I could make a million rappers whisper and hush
Cold Stone ice cream, you don't have to lick that much
They hold my balls, easy soft touch
Throw your ladies some bucks
The reindeers jump out, you need that antler juice
Ski hat with the mommy goose
It's superhero vision, sonic listen
It's superhero vision, sonic listen
It's superhero vision, sonic listen
It's superhero
Vik in the sick captain's pilot suit
Designed by Travolta out his mind
Is in the mind of another culture vulture
Threw him from Tulsa to this dimension
Right on time for the heroes-hustler's convention
It's no admission, you gotta be on the list
Play your position, peon, against the metal fist
He's on a purely secular mission
Stroll through wearin' the DOOM Clarks, second edition
Web slinger need a beat, well black him out
Flank him out, test his spidey senses on his bank account
For illest mention he hermaphrodite whose pants was tight
Who dance aight
Gave it to Puck from Alpha Flight
The mask was bright as lightnin'
Same type of shinin' got them Teen Titans fightin'
Sippin' on that She-Hulk milk, at least she said it was milk
In a Hello Kitty catsuit, I bet it was silk
Grabbed the award for bein' hella raw
Of course he scored the relic for
Until next rhyme, y'all, Excelsior!
It's superhero vision, sonic listen
It's superhero vision, sonic listen
It's superhero vision, sonic listen
It's superhero
The lyrics to "Super Hero" by MF DOOM featuring Kool Keith use superhero imagery and metaphors to create a picture of an alternate universe where superheroes hang out together and do mundane things like drink tea and eat shrimp. The use of superhero imagery is a nod to the popularity of superhero culture and its influence on hip-hop, as well as a commentary on larger societal issues. The song also touches on themes like fame, legacy, and power dynamics.
The lyrics reference various well-known superheroes such as Spiderman and the X-Men while also alluding to lesser-known characters like Puck from Alpha Flight. The use of these characters establishes a sense of community and history within the world of superheroes. However, the song is also critical of the way superheroes are commodified and fetishized by mainstream media, as seen in lines like "The media say I'm mature, check me out on Wikipedia."
Additionally, the lyrics reference JVC and Viktor, which may be a nod to the Japanese electronic company JVC and their line of Victor brand products. This could be a commentary on the globalization and homogenization of culture through technology.
Overall, "Super Hero" is a playful and creative exploration of the superhero universe, while also making subtle critiques about society and culture.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Keith Matthew Thornton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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