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".
Lavender Buds
MF Doom Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
under summers magic spell
but when autumn came her love did not remain
and made my world a living hell
I just lie awake and think of pleasant nights we'd spend
under summers magic spell
but when autumn came her love did not remain
and made my world a living hell
under summers magic spell
but when autumn came her love did not remain
and made my world a living hell.
In MF Doom's "Lavender Buds", the lyrics seem to convey a sense of loss and heartbreak, as the singer reminisces about the happy summer nights he once shared with his partner. The song suggests that the love he once shared with his significant other was magical and irresistible, as he describes being under "summer's magic spell". However, as the autumn arrived, the love and affection that they shared seemed to fade away, leaving the singer in a state of loneliness and despair, which he describes as a "living hell".
The lyrics of the song seem to convey a sense of longing and regret, as the singer reflects on the good times that he once shared with his partner. Moreover, the reference to "lavender buds" can be interpreted symbolically as a representation of the fragility of love and life. Just as the lavender buds can wither and die, so can love and relationships.
Overall, the song conveys an emotional message that is skillfully conveyed through poignant lyrics and a haunting melody. As with much of Doom's work, the song combines elements of hip hop, jazz, and soul, creating a unique soundscape that perfectly complements the melancholic tone of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
I just lie awake and think of pleasant nights we'd spend
I can't sleep at night because all I can do is think about the sweet memories of the good times we shared.
under summers magic spell
Those good times were during the summer when everything felt magical and perfect.
but when autumn came her love did not remain
Sadly, as the seasons changed, so did her love for me. She left me when things got tough.
and made my world a living hell
Her departure shattered my world and left me in an unbearable, painful state of being.
Writer(s): Daniel Dumile Thompson
Contributed by Zachary H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.