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".
operation: greenbacks
MF DOOM Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(But you can't get there)
M-O-N-E-Y (yeah, it's good just to be back)
Never did a thing for L-O-V-I-N (it's good to be seen back, greenbacks)
(Greenbacks, greenbacks, green stacks)
Never understand what people's heads are in (greenbacks, mean stacks)
(Mean stacks, greenbacks)
A fly tramp, that's what she called me
'Cause I don't wear no Stetson hats like Paul C
As y'all see, who give a fuck? Who know what is it?
These styles will be flipped to the absolute exquisite
It's like a blizzard, soon as I got home from ATL
Looked into my baby's face, my boo was like, "Well
I know your types of clientele, thoughts, needs"
As I held her firmly, yet gentle as the soft sea
She said, "The one with the horse weave? The pretty one?
All crazy, had to touch the tattoo through the short sleeve
Which one you want?" I'm like, "If there was comp?
Fuck around, a nigga like me probably run up in all three"
King Geedorah what they call me, either caesar or baldy
Probably have moved since last y'all saw me
On the D-low, I slaughter solo emcees, they paper-thin
In they Polo, Nautica, or DK men
Amen, It's funny how significance make a difference
Notice parables of three in every other inference
For instance, "Who wanna battle? On the real?
Choose your weapon, microphone, beats, or the wheels-of-steel"
I own a crown in all three for getting down without a doubt
I'd like to give a extra special out to Jet Jaguar, the sun, moon and star
The Monster Island Czars, y'all know who you are
Get that
M-O-N-E-Y
Never did a thing for L-O-V-I-N
Coming straight from the black lungs
I rip tracks for all players that pack guns
Stack ones in packs, done and doing back-to-back runs
To my peeps that close, so's ya' knows what's up
Y'all know the dough's quick, hoes that mess with 5-O shrimp like, "What?"
Like they wanna shmoosh us, just to packing the pushers
I'm packing gat then bust a cap at po-po
If they catch us and try to push us
Since when a MINY nigga don't be taking no shit?
I be that drug dealing nigga that be fucking ya' bitch
What a fella, like Salt, Pepa, Spinderella
I came to spark the deaf, dumb and blind like Helen Keller
If I'm not with George of the Jungle, if he not with Stella
Or either Priscilla, I'm doing dips on Godzilla
Though y'all know he don't play, right?
Tnt throws a nigga out a moving van in broad daylight
And he was shackled by hands and feet
Then they say he tried to escape, once his face scraped the concrete
Near the curb on Monster Island, 103 Street
Where brothers run the risk of getting swallowed once the Beast eat
I'd rather lay in the cut, collect cash pay
Only TNT I see is Gilligan's castaway
With Mary Jane and Ginger
Oh, from which you spent the night by accident, I creep like a ninja
When the mack is bent, who can give one fuck?
Get bucked, get broke up like three-piece nun-chucks
Y'all sun struck, sick to they head-piece
Three-headed beast brings the drama to a dead cease
(Get that money, God)
Sick to they head-piece
(Get that money, God)
(Get that money, God)
(Get that money, God)
Greenbacks the meanest green stacks
M-O-N-E-Y (we have stationed King Geedorah at the western hemisphere)
Never did a thing
Never (and King Geedorah is completely controlled by computers)
Ask me what I need, I need your
M-O-N-E-Y
(These monsters can destroy you and together conquer the entire earth)
The song "Operation: Greenbacks" by MF DOOM is a combination of rap verses and chorus which features a repetitive chant of "M-O-N-E-Y" and "Greenbacks, mean stacks". Throughout the song, DOOM is speaking about the importance of money over various other things like love and relationships. He talks about his type of clientele and asserts himself as an independent and free man with his own sense of style. The second verse features a more aggressive tone with lyrics about his drug-dealing lifestyle and his willingness to take on anyone who tries to mess with him. The song ends with the repetition of the "Get that money, God" line and the idea of complete control and destruction of the earth.
Line by Line Meaning
Ay, look
Attention please
But you can't get there
Something is out of reach
M-O-N-E-Y (yeah, it's good just to be back)
Money is back and it's a good thing
Never did a thing for L-O-V-I-N (it's good to be seen back, greenbacks)
Love cannot be bought but having money is noticeable
(Greenbacks, greenbacks, green stacks)
Money, money, money
Never understand what people's heads are in (greenbacks, mean stacks)
Cannot comprehend why people are obsessed with money
(Mean stacks, greenbacks)
Having a lot of money
Ask me what I need
What do you need from me?
A fly tramp, that's what she called me
Being called a cool guy
'Cause I don't wear no Stetson hats like Paul C
Not conforming to a standard
As y'all see, who give a fuck? Who know what is it?
Doesn't matter what people think or say
These styles will be flipped to the absolute exquisite
Music styles will be reworked to perfection
It's like a blizzard, soon as I got home from ATL
As soon as I returned from Atlanta, it was a rush
Looked into my baby's face, my boo was like, "Well
Looking at my significant other
I know your types of clientele, thoughts, needs
I understand your customers, thoughts, and needs
As I held her firmly, yet gentle as the soft sea
Holding her securely but gently
She said, "The one with the horse weave? The pretty one?
Asking which woman he prefers
All crazy, had to touch the tattoo through the short sleeve
Describing one of the women he has been with
Which one you want?" I'm like, "If there was comp?
Asked which woman he prefers and responded he would take all of them if there was competition
Fuck around, a nigga like me probably run up in all three"
He means he would have sex with them all if he had that opportunity
King Geedorah what they call me, either caesar or baldy
Referring to himself as King Geedorah
Probably have moved since last y'all saw me
Most likely has relocated since he was last seen
On the D-low, I slaughter solo emcees, they paper-thin
He figuratively destroys his enemies alone even though they are hard to beat
In they Polo, Nautica, or DK men
Referring to competitors who wear clothes made by popular brands
Amen, It's funny how significance make a difference
Important things really make a difference
Notice parables of three in every other inference
Noticing patterns recurring in the music
For instance, "Who wanna battle? On the real?
Describing a competition that's real
Choose your weapon, microphone, beats, or the wheels-of-steel"
Choose what weapon you will use in the competition
I own a crown in all three for getting down without a doubt
He is confident in his skills and talents
I'd like to give a extra special out to Jet Jaguar, the sun, moon and star
Giving a shout out to some people
The Monster Island Czars, y'all know who you are
Referring to his squad
Get that
One more shout out
M-O-N-E-Y
Money
Never did a thing for L-O-V-I-N
Money cannot buy love
Coming straight from the black lungs
Referring to where he comes from
I rip tracks for all players that pack guns
Targeting those who wield firearms
Stack ones in packs, done and doing back-to-back runs
Making a lot of money and continuously working
To my peeps that close, so's ya' knows what's up
Addressing those who are close to him
Y'all know the dough's quick, hoes that mess with 5-O shrimp like, "What?"
Everyone knows that money comes and goes quickly
Like they wanna shmoosh us, just to packing the pushers
Describing a situation where women want to be with them because they have money
I'm packing gat then bust a cap at po-po
He is ready and willing to shoot at the police
If they catch us and try to push us
What will be done if caught by the police
Since when a MINY nigga don't be taking no shit?
They will not take any abuse from anyone
I be that drug-dealing nigga that be fucking ya' bitch
He sells drugs and has sex with women who aren't his girlfriend
What a fella, like Salt, Pepa, Spinderella
Referring to Salt-n-Pepa
I came to spark the deaf, dumb and blind like Helen Keller
He came to inspire people to take action
If I'm not with George of the Jungle, if he not with Stella
If he is not with his girlfriend, he is with someone else
Or either Priscilla, I'm doing dips on Godzilla
Doing other things while Godzilla is not present
Though y'all know he don't play, right?
Godzilla is someone who shouldn't be messed with
Tnt throws a nigga out a moving van in broad daylight
Dangerous situations that he's been in
And he was shackled by hands and feet
He was tied up by his captors
Then they say he tried to escape, once his face scraped the concrete
Trying to escape his captors
Near the curb on Monster Island, 103 Street
In a dangerous location
Where brothers run the risk of getting swallowed once the Beast eat
In a dangerous area where there are dangerous creatures
I'd rather lay in the cut, collect cash pay
He would rather wait it out and get paid
Only TNT I see is Gilligan's castaway
Not being exposed to certain things
With Mary Jane and Ginger
In a place with only fictional characters
Oh, from which you spent the night by accident, I creep like a ninja
Sneaking around like a ninja
When the mack is bent, who can give one fuck?
When one is high, they don't care
Get bucked, get broke up like three-piece nun-chucks
Describing a fight
Y'all sun struck, sick to they head-piece
People are crazy
Three-headed beast brings the drama to a dead cease
Overcoming a big obstacle
(Get that money, God)
More money
Greenbacks the meanest green stacks
Money is stacks of greenbacks
M-O-N-E-Y (we have stationed King Geedorah at the western hemisphere)
Money
Never did a thing
Money cannot do everything
Ask me what I need, I need your
Asking for something
M-O-N-E-Y
Money
(These monsters can destroy you and together conquer the entire earth)
Referencing threats
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Daniel Dumile Thompson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind