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".
New Beginning
MF Doom Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo, yo
Bring in the big guns, weapons is ready
In the square shoot the heady reppin the yeti is ready
Bout time last train from Gun Hill, Dunn chill
Stay filled with exhilaration from one kill
[Scott Free]
Smack the drum black, black rap Jack Dempsey
You get laced without a trace just for takin up space
Bill Bill the bombville you still catch a Gas Face
For real
The song "New Beginning" by MF Doom and Scott Free is a fast-paced rap that describes the need for preparation and the anticipation for a new beginning. The lyrics are somewhat cryptic but evoke a sense of readiness for whatever comes next. MF Doom rap's verse talks about the need to bring in the "big guns", indicating that they are preparing for something serious. He mentions the "square", which could be a reference to a public space or a military formation, and talks about the yeti, which could be a metaphor for a powerful and unstoppable force. He also mentions Gun Hill and Dunn, two possible references to locations or people, and hints at the excitement that comes from a victorious kill.
Scott Free's verse builds on the theme of readiness and determination. He talks about rocking for "row", which could be a reference to a specific group or audience. He then uses a boxing metaphor, saying that he can "smack the drum black, black rap Jack Dempsey". This could be interpreted as a confident declaration that he is a skilled rapper and can handle any challenge that comes his way. He warns about taking up space, which could be a reference to anyone who is trying to compete with him. He ends the verse with a reference to the "Gas Face", a term that was popularized in the 80s by the rap group 3rd Bass, which could mean that anyone who tries to compete with him will end up looking foolish.
Overall, "New Beginning" is a song about the thrill of anticipation and the importance of being prepared. The lyrics are packed with metaphors and references, but the overall message is clear: whatever comes next, MF Doom and Scott Free are ready to face it with confidence and skill.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, yo
Greetings, greetings
Bring in the big guns, weapons is ready
Introduce the powerful weapons that are prepared
In the square shoot the heady reppin the yeti is ready
In the town square, the skilled shooter representing the mythological creature is prepared
Bout time last train from Gun Hill, Dunn chill
It's about time to relax after taking the last train from a dangerous place called Gun Hill
Stay filled with exhilaration from one kill
Feeling energized from the satisfaction of taking a life
Yo, rock for ? row don't tempt me
Hey, I perform for a specific group of people, don't provoke me
Smack the drum black, black rap Jack Dempsey
Beat the drums and rap hard like the famous boxer Jack Dempsey
You get laced without a trace just for takin up space
You will receive a beating relentlessly if you take up unnecessary space
Bill Bill the bombville you still catch a Gas Face
Even in the explosive city named Bombville, you will face public embarrassment
For real
Truthfully
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: FRANZ WAXMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@viktorvondoom9119
The real MVP
@womb2thetomb617
Fucking hardest 25 second verse eva
@mfdoomnyc1471
Only real ones could ever be here
@photological
My exact thoughts 💯
@thetimelesshistoryofhip-ho1013
Just copped the CD cake w some cool stuff too. There was only one left on that site🥶
@thetimelesshistoryofhip-ho1013
Czars do their thing on this too bad DOOM was so short
@thetimelesshistoryofhip-ho1013
And peace Ray “Web” Davis aka King Cesar Aka X-Ray da Mindbenda. Mindbenda Recordings is dropping heat right now