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".
Is He Ill
MF Doom Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Spit to kill? Keep things real?
Know the drill? The ledge edge still?
Catch wreck at will?
Today's forecast, a slight chance of flurries
Slightly slim chance that they
Might dance to worries
Break to a cutaway
DOOM like the rain known to
Come back another day
Like this day like now-a day be right there
Like I, O, A, gimme half a light year
Same time it take y'all to drink a light beer
Feel the wrath of his truth just
Like the cast from Nightmare
Whoever got the cash, the mic
They both right here
What more can I say? keep your sights clear
Bare facts, triple naked to bare backs
He only came to jack rare
Tracks for your earwax
Oh snap! You hear that? Naw
DOOM stay way up in the cut like Ma and Pa
When he come out he dumb out, there he go
The villain with the illest flow
In all of Mexico all foes on some when he
Leave out let me know
Just so's I can breath out before I let go
Rappers is like Satchmo that you best know
Invest in free dough like Matthew Lesko
Followed by hailstorms, snow and earthquakes
Give out more toothaches than
First birthday cakes
The more we reverse scripts
The worse they fate to beat y'all with dimes
And dummy Anbesol shake
Now you got a rhyme tummy ache by mistake
Can't call it, can't call Jake
Call cannonball face
Dig tapes and stay in great shape
Today's rap game is like one big date rape
The name ring bell like ring ding dong
He can never be wrong like Ling Ting Tong
Once heard a hit song
Sounded like an annoying gong
It's so wack, I ain't wanna hit the bong
Now who get iller with the pen than I do?
And in it just to get
The benjamin like Netanyahu?
Let the god bless you like Achoo!
Get you like whats that on your chest
Got you
PNS beat good for you it's shredded wheat
As well as getting shredded by
The metal headed lead feet
Son 'em and dead 'em like
A dad that's dead beat
Beat him like a dead horse, nasty as red meat
DOOM memorize rhymes and still forgot
Call it how he see it and kill a shot
Like Willard Scott
In the place to be like no iller spot
To spill a knot
It's like a chilling thriller plot
Starring the villain as the black Jesus
If it ain't the 'gnac or
The Jack it's Grey Goose
Still could stay loose off
Grape juice regardless
Nevertheless did his best on
The retarded test it's trick questions
Always kept a cheat sheet on the microphone
A rep up before Beat Street
And beat meat that MF DOOM he stay true
If you online check the site and FAQ
In the song "Is He Ill," MF Doom questions whether he fits the expectations of being a successful rapper. He asks whether he is "ill" enough to thrive in the rap game, questioning if he has the skill set necessary to make it big. He also boasts about his ability to spit rhymes that can "kill," stating that he can keep things real and stay true to the craft of rapping. Doom is confident in his ability to catch "wreck at will" and claims to know the drill of the rap game, insinuating that he knows what it takes to be successful.
Throughout the lyrics, MF Doom presents a weather analogy, comparing himself to a storm. He claims that the forecast for the day is a "slight chance of flurries," implying that there is a chance for success but not without some obstacles. Doom compares himself to the rain, stating that he will come back another day, regardless of the challenges that he faces. He also alludes to his reputation as a villainous character, stating that he stays hidden in the cut, and only comes out to wreak havoc and show off his "illest flow."
Overall, "Is He Ill" is a song that reflects MF Doom's insecurities and doubts about his place in the rap game, while also showcasing his confidence in his ability to rhyme and stay true to himself as an artist.
Line by Line Meaning
Is he ill? Do he really fit the bill?
Is MF Doom really as good as he is hyped up to be?
Spit to kill? Keep things real?
Does he rap to impress or for the truth?
Know the drill? The ledge edge still?
Is he familiar with the way the industry works and still trying to make it on his own?
Catch wreck at will?
Will he destroy other rappers with ease?
Today's forecast, a slight chance of flurries
There might be some trouble ahead but nothing too major.
Slightly slim chance that they Might dance to worries
The chances that his rivals will win are very slim.
And won't know what to say Break to a cutaway
They won't know how to react when MF Doom comes at them.
DOOM like the rain known to Come back another day
MF Doom keeps coming back stronger even after being defeated.
Like this day like now-a day be right there
He is always there to spit fire at his enemies.
Like I, O, A, gimme half a light year
He is always ahead of his rivals in terms of skill.
Same time it take y'all to drink a light beer
He is able to defeat his rivals in the same amount of time it takes to finish a light beer.
Feel the wrath of his truth just Like the cast from Nightmare
He tells the truth and makes his rivals feel embarrassed.
Whoever got the cash, the mic They both right here
He is ready to battle anyone for money and fame.
What more can I say? keep your sights clear
He is one of the best and his rivals should keep that in mind.
Bare facts, triple naked to bare backs
He raps about the truth without any metaphors.
He only came to jack rare Tracks for your earwax
He is here to take over and produce hits.
Oh snap! You hear that? Naw DOOM stay way up in the cut like Ma and Pa
He is quietly producing hits without noise.
When he come out he dumb out, there he go
He comes out strong and powerful when he raps.
The villain with the illest flow In all of Mexico all foes on some when he Leave out let me know
He has one of the best flows in rap and people are scared when he leaves.
Just so's I can breath out before I let go Rappers is like Satchmo that you best know
He wants to give his rivals a chance before defeating them.
Invest in free dough like Matthew Lesko Followed by hailstorms, snow and earthquakes
He is able to make money without investing a lot.
Give out more toothaches than First birthday cakes
His raps are painful to listen to for his rivals.
The more we reverse scripts The worse they fate to beat y'all with dimes And dummy Anbesol shake
His raps are ahead of the game and his rivals can't keep up.
Now you got a rhyme tummy ache by mistake Can't call it, can't call Jake Call cannonball face
His rivals are struggling to keep up with him.
Dig tapes and stay in great shape
He is always working on his craft and giving his best.
Today's rap game is like one big date rape
The current state of rap is not good.
The name ring bell like ring ding dong He can never be wrong like Ling Ting Tong
His name is well known and respected.
Once heard a hit song Sounded like an annoying gong It's so wack, I ain't wanna hit the bong
He doesn't like the current state of music.
Now who get iller with the pen than I do? And in it just to get The benjamin like Netanyahu?
He is one of the best rappers and he is in it for the money.
Let the god bless you like Achoo! Get you like whats that on your chest Got you
His raps will hurt his rivals.
PNS beat good for you it's shredded wheat As well as getting shredded by The metal headed lead feet
His beats are good and he can destroy his rivals with ease.
Son 'em and dead 'em like A dad that's dead beat Beat him like a dead horse, nasty as red meat
He can destroy his rivals and make it look easy.
DOOM memorize rhymes and still forgot Call it how he see it and kill a shot Like Willard Scott
He can remember his rhymes but he can also freestyle.
In the place to be like no iller spot To spill a knot
He is the best in the business.
It's like a chilling thriller plot Starring the villain as the black Jesus
His music is like a thrilling movie with him as the main character.
If it ain't the 'gnac or The Jack it's Grey Goose
He likes to drink and party.
Still could stay loose off Grape juice regardless
Even without alcohol, he can still a good time.
Nevertheless did his best on The retarded test it's trick questions
He always tries his best even in difficult situations.
Always kept a cheat sheet on the microphone A rep up before Beat Street
He is not afraid to cheat to win and he was popular before Beat Street.
And beat meat that MF DOOM he stay true
He always stays true to himself.
If you online check the site and FAQ
Check out his website for more information.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mohamedyassinemazouzi4976
[Hook]
Is he ill?
Do he really fit the bill?
Spit to kill?
Keep things real?
Know the drill?
The ledge edge still?
Catch wreck at will?
(Repeat x2)
[Verse 1: MF Doom]
Today's forecast, a slight chance of flurries
Slightly slim chance that they might dance to worries
And won't know what to say, break to a cutaway
DOOM like the rain known to come back another day
Like this day like now-a-day be right there
Like I, O, A, gimme half a light year
Same time it take y'all to drink a light beer
Feel the wrath of his truth is like a catholic nightmare
Whoever got the cash, the mic, they both right here
What more can I say? keep your sights clear
Bare facts, triple naked to bare backs
He only came to jack rare tracks for your earwax
Oh snap! You hear that? Naw
DOOM stay way up in the cut like Ma and Pa
When he come out he dumb out, there he go
The villain with the illest flow in all of Mexico
All foes on some when he leave out let me know
Just so's I can breath out before I let go
Rappers is like Satchmo that you best know
Invest in free dough like Matthew Lesko
Followed by hailstorms, snow and earthquakes
Give out more toothaches than first birthday cakes
The more we reverse scripts the worse they fate
To beat y'all with dimes and dummy Anbesol shake
Now you got a rhyme tummy ache by mistake
Can't call it, can't call Jake, call cannonball face
Dig tapes and stay in great shape
Today's rap game is like one big date rape
The name ring bell like ring ding dong
He can never be wrong like Ling Ting Tong
Once heard a hit song, sounded like an annoying gong
It's so wack, I ain't wanna hit the bong
Now who get iller with the pen than I do?
And in it just to get the benjamin like Netanyahu?
Let the god bless you like Achoo!
Get you like whats that on your chest, got you
PNS beat good for you it's shredded wheat
As well as getting shredded by the metal headed lead feet
Son 'em and dead 'em like a dad that's dead beat
Beat him like a dead horse, nasty as red meat
DOOM memorize rhymes and still forgot
Call it how he see it and kill a shot, like Willard Scott
In the place to be like no iller spot
To spill a knot, it's like a chilling thriller plot
Starring the villain as the black Jesus
If it ain't the 'gnac or the Jack it's Grey Goose
Still could stay loose off grape juice regardless
Nevertheless did his best on the retarded test
It's trick questions, always kept a cheat sheet
On the microphone, a rep up before Beat Street
And beat meat that MF DOOM he stay true
If you online check the site and FAQ
@nbm02ss
Thank you for what you left us. Rest in Power, sir.
@rudy1252
Yes💔
@jaime1531
U
@user-ck6yo4li2c
He will come back in another form. Just have some patience
@solowarrior1145
I'm smiling from ear to ear right now, love hidden MF DOOM tracks
@VirgiMacG
Me too!
@SAZERU
^^ truly a wonderful feeling
@iBust
Now who get iller with the pen than I do?
And in it just to get the benjamin like Netanyahu?
Let the god bless you like Achoo!
Get you like whats that on your chest, got you
@PostFrog
חח ביבי
@PostFrog
@@orlelouch6384בב חיחי):