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 feat. Megalon
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)
In "Operation Greenbacks," MF Doom tells a story of his life as a drug dealer, rhyming about the daily risks and dangers he faces on the streets. The lyrics delve into the danger and allure of drug dealing, his promiscuous sexual encounters, and his willingness to engage in violence when necessary. He seems to target his lyrics at fellow rappers who he views as superficial and weak, boasting that he could probably "run up in all three" of his lovers at once. Doom also references his alter ego, King Geedorah, calling himself the "monster island czar." The use of references to pop culture figures and his own characters add a unique depth to the song.
Interestingly, the title "Operation Greenbacks" is a reference to a Nixon-era plan to disrupt drug trade in order to cut off the funding of organized crime. The song also samples James Brown's "Funky President (People It's Bad)," giving it a smooth and funky backing track. Additionally, the lyrics contain several references to various comic book characters, lending a touch of humor to the otherwise dark themes. "Operation Greenbacks" was released on MF Doom's 2004 album "MM..Food."
Line by Line Meaning
A fly tramp, that's what she called me
She called me unappealing because I don't wear stetson hats like Paul C
As y'all see, who give a fuck? Who know what is it?
Who cares or knows what this is? These styles will be flipped to absolute perfection
It's like a blizzard, soon as I got home from atl
As soon as I got home from ATL, it was like a blizzard hit
Looked into my baby's face, my boo was like "well!
I looked at my partner's face, and they had a look of recognition
I know your types of clientele! Thoughts, needs"
My partner knows what type of people I deal with and what they want
As I held her firmly, yet gentle as the soft sea
As I held her, I was firm but gentle like the calm sea
She said, "the one with the horse weave? The pretty one?
She asked me which one I wanted, referring to the woman with the horse weave
Which one you want?" I'm like, "if there was comp?
I replied that I would choose all three if there was competition
King Geedorah what they call me, either Caesar or Baldy
My name is King Geedorah, but some call me Caesar or Baldy
Probably have moved since last y'all saw me
I have likely moved since the last time you saw me
On the d-low, I slaughter solo emcees, they paper-thin
I take out solo rappers on the down-low, they're easily defeated
In they polo, nautica, or dk men
These rappers wear cheap clothing brands like Polo, Nautica, or DK Men
Amen! it's funny how significance make a difference
Significance can make all the difference
Notice parables of three in every other inference
I see patterns of threes in everything
For instance: "who wanna battle? On the real?
For example, who wants to battle for real?
Choose your weapon: microphone, beats, or the wheels-of-steel"
Choose your preferred weapon: microphone, beats, or turntables
I own a crown in all three for getting down without a doubt
I am skilled in all three and can win without a doubt
I'd like to give a extra special out to jet jaguar, the sun, moon and star
I want to give a shout-out to Jet Jaguar and to the sun, moon, and stars
The monster island czars - y'all know who you are
The Monster Island Czars know who they are
Coming straight from the black lungs
Straight from the depths of the city
I rip tracks for all players that pack guns
I make music for those who carry guns
Stack ones in packs, done and doing back-to-back runs
I stack money and do back-to-back performances
To my peeps that close, so's ya' knows what's up
Shout-out to my close friends who know what's going on
Y'all know the dough's quick, hoes that mess with 5-o shrimp like, "what?
You know money goes quickly, even women who deal with police officers know that
Like they wanna shmoosh us, just to packing the pushers
These women act like they want to be with us, but they're really dealing drugs
I'm packing gat then bust a cap at po-po
I carry a gun and will fire at the police if necessary
If they catch us and try to push us
If they catch us and try to arrest us
Since when a miny nigga don't be taking no shit?
When has a small guy not taken any crap?
I be that drug dealing nigga that be fucking ya' bitch!
I am the drug dealer who's having sex with your girlfriend
What a fella! Like salt, pepa, Spinderella
I'm a cool guy, like Salt N Pepa and Spinderella
I came to spark the deaf, dumb and blind like Helen Keller
I am here to inspire and excite even those who can’t hear, speak, or see
If I'm not with George of the Jungle, if he not with Stella
If I'm not with George of the Jungle or Stella
Or either Priscilla, I'm doing dips on Godzilla
I'm doing dips on Godzilla instead
Though y'all know he don't play, right?
You know Godzilla doesn't mess around, right?
TNT throws a nigga out a moving van in broad daylight
TNT violently handles people in broad daylight
And he was shackled by hands and feet
The person was restrained by hands and feet
Then they say he tried to escape, once his face scraped the concrete
They say he tried to escape, and his face hit the concrete
Near the curb on monster island, 103 street
This happened near the curb on Monster Island, on 103rd Street
Where brothers run the risk of getting swallowed once the beast eat
People risk getting swallowed by a monster on this island
I'd rather lay in the cut, collect cash pay
I'd rather lay low and collect money
Only TNT I see is Gilligan's castaway
The only TNT I know is from Gilligan's Island
With Mary Jane and Ginger
With Mary Jane and Ginger, the female characters from Gilligan's Island
Oh, from which you spent the night by accident, I creep like a ninja
I sneak around like a ninja when you're sleeping over by accident
When the Mack is bent, who can give one fuck?
When I'm messed up from drinking, who cares?
Get bucked, get broke up like three-piece nun-chucks
You'll get beat up like a three-piece nun-chucks
Y'all sun struck, sick to they head-piece
You're blinded by the sun and sick in the head
Three-headed beast brings the drama to a dead cease
We bring an end to any drama
Sick to they head-piece (Get that money, god),
Sick in the head (Get that money, god)
Get that money, god
Let's make that money
Get that money, god (Get that money, god)
Let's make that money (Get that money, god)
Get that money, god (Get that money, god)
Let's make that money (Get that money, god)
Greenbacks the meanest green stacks
Greenbacks are the most valuable stacks of cash
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Daniel Dumile Thompson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@turbotone5058
One of my favorite MF Doom tracks, definitely favorite off this album.
@davelouie131
How about rymes like dimes and gas drawls.
@turbotone5058
@Dave Louie Those are dope as well.
@icecreampimpdeux
We love you forever DOOM!! We will share your art with the future. Always and forever
@lindygaming9425
Underrated DOOM track
@dude.norman
Totally agree.
@chocobros1
I listened to the album on Spotify after I heard he died and was shocked that nobody I know brings it up.
@Jeff-rx6fj
Goddammit. Supavillan Goddammit.
@-rippen-
Of course Lindy likes DOOM
@actionman4205
One of my top 3