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".
Dragon's Blood
MF Doom Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Blood + Cayenne = 1000 Degrees"
"There they go: the clown and the two thugs"
"Hey"
MF! MF! MF! MF! MF! MF! MF! MF!
MF! MF! MF! MF! MF! MF!
MF Grimm is hard as hell
Murder anybody, I don’t care who you tell
I bust shells, they all fell
World domination started sitting in my cell
Potential, kinetic, only time tell
Pressing up unit's for more to make ‘em sell
Messing up universe, fractal cause chaos
Communicate with the dead
Grimm is in a seance
Don’t take it personal this
Is strictly business, kid
Nosy niggas wanna hang around
We’re killing witnesses
We’re into torture, have you tied up
Hollering
Bleed, let you die slow, in Heaven, hovering
Face my adversaries
Every confrontation conquered and
Faces of my adversaries, mutilation
Severed and traces of my adversaries exist
It’s like they never did
Other cases involving Percy Carey, yes
I did a bid dream what the Feds feel, war
Pistol-whipping pigs old toupee type
Grimm’s probably twisting wigs
Not a stranger to getting hands dirty
Clothes bloody
Either mine or an enemy or a close buddy
We’ve come to terms
This the life we lead some
Burn from it, Lucifer indeed they
Can’t separate their wants from needs some
Learn from it and try to teach the seeds
A new breed coach seeds
Supply power others throw
Salt in the game let ‘em
Roast like they’re sunflowers
Hail gun power, sparks I sneeze
Your style stinks, and I’m Febreze
I’m Evahflowin’, so I rhyme for Breeze
Then, willing, I rhyme for cheese
Manhattan, murdering
Lay you down with ease manhattan
Clam chowder, a thousand degrees niggas
Nowadays, take your eye off
You’re a goner if I think you’re a snitch
Then I throw a cup of water on you
Hit team, fly through
Kill you on your own corners
Second team, flight crew
Mow ‘em down that’s how it scatters
Some have kids, but when it’s on
It doesn’t matter
Defeat that, they’ll hunt you later
The ones now that pitter patter
Hit baby formula, Similac, crack splatter
Fox Five covering kill reporter, take camera
Gun fire? Ducking it, hunted like Al Qaeda
Strictly with my mind
Choking niggas like I’m Darth Vader
Stick me on the crucifix
Reappearing days later
Fuck Jacob’s Ladder time’s changed
Use an elevator life is a struggle
So Day By Day’s the Entertainment
Day By Day, we make our moves
So competition hit the pavement
Ghetto politicians, recognition, move
The crowd, i’m waving
Shaking hands and kissing babies
Maybe they’ll assassinate me
Fully automatic, rapid fire bullets fill me
Six Million Dollar Man
Stronger they rebuild me
A hybrid: Michael Corleone
With the perspective of Michael Concepcion
So if
You fuck with me, then, nigga, it’s on with
The clock, moving palms with Viktor Vaughn
I make it "Rain Blood" with Megalon
Brothers in the street know
That Grimm’s a don
Yes, a made man trapped in a wasteland
They know my mind’s a refinery
So they keep an eye on me
Change life for comrades before they
All die on me
I sacrifice mine before they all die on me
Double-O-7, tuxedo niggas spy on me
Unavoidable, death will occur
Niggas left shaken, not stirred
On video surveillance, Grimm is blurred
Put me under the jail
That’s what they prefer
I don’t give a fuck, tuck my gun in my waist
Tie my belt tight so it stays in place
Get out my chair, crawl up the steps
No elevator, so they don’t feel I’m a threat
But, believe me, I’ma get ‘em
And that you can bet think it’s a prank
Nothing to see but a knock
As he opens the door
I’m on the floor with a Glock
Homemade suppressor, so the noise won’t start
Most in his face, a few in his heart
Without a trace, I slithered down the stairs
Upper body strength, I’m back in my chair
‘Cause, when I’m mad, nigga, I don’t care
You talk shit from far, I’ma leave you there
Reach for your gun, it’s done in vain
Grimm ain’t the one, you’ll be left in pain
Bullets pollute blood, infect the brain
I move fast with Kurious
We’re "Shifting Lanes"
Many get jealous ‘cause money we stack
Every time they try to kill me
I come right back!
"Doc, Doc! Here he comes again!
What do we do?!"
Surrender
The song "Dragon’s Blood + Cayenne = 1000 Degrees" by MF Doom (feat. MF Grimm) showcases the raw and intense lyrical abilities of both artists as they deliver a powerful and unapologetic performance. The lyrics depict a world of violence and domination, with MF Grimm proclaiming his willingness to murder anyone without hesitation. He boasts about his ability to manipulate the universe, cause chaos, and communicate with the dead. The song also touches on themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the harsh realities of street life.
The lyrics paint a picture of a dangerous and unforgiving world where adversaries are faced, mutilated, and erased without a trace. MF Grimm's persona is depicted as someone who is not afraid to get his hands dirty, willing to spill blood whether it's his own or that of his enemies. He emphasizes the importance of learning from the struggles and teaching the next generation, highlighting the cycle of violence and survival in the streets.
Overall, "Dragon’s Blood + Cayenne = 1000 Degrees" is a gritty and intense track that showcases the lyrical prowess of MF Doom and MF Grimm. It portrays a world defined by violence, dominance, and the struggle for survival.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PERCY L CAREY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind