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".
Sorcerers
MF Doom Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got that, and he never shot that gat
Clever spot rats
Face plate glisten
He got fat and hate for Jake Snake Plissken
Y'all got the wrong tape by mistake
Listen to it hissinβ²
Crack the safe, his cake's missin'
Fake dissinβ²
Bake that the wig twistinβ²
Legend stature
Since the prime factor
Of the blast master
Gift of gab, mic wrapper, rapper ever
Tracks with terror
Like bad meaning good though
I'm talkinβ² some of the finest truths to ever bang in your hood, yo
World notoriety
Recognized by mad society
We supplying that high-fi so fly
Oh my, skies clear as day
Go sit down in the sunshine
Takin' rappers out like lunch time
Itβ²s Just one of those
Bullet holes deliver killer notes
Silence never spoke violence
Keep quiet while you wildin' try to live the island
Nonsense is never callinβ² 80 G's behind him
Still crime affects time on the island
Nickel and dimin' the hustleβ²s optional
Powerful moves
Copped two work shifts block, sigh, giga 2
Under the table
The tammy food blaze with
Stay paid if the name fits you
Who went back and made yβ²all the boss of us?
It's the rawest MCβ²s that flossed'ed it
Sorcerers
Itβ²s furthering the era that most know of
Everywhere he go they go
That whole show love
Thank god for the buddha
Tank armor suitor
Word kama sutra user
Stank mama recruiter
Broad set fools up
God get your jewels up (buddha)
Get your jewels up
Get your jewels up
Superstar, all pro
Homegrown
The craft speaks alone
Mastered this closed casket
Pro savages
Poor travelers, hunger reach streets battlers
Money the dollar the dream gaffled up
Scalpel cut broke
Dope gettin' thatβ²s most definite
Gold record hits spin it grind forever get it
God's clever building, cheddar filling
Keep the better living
Miscellaneous thoughts
Getting millions
Know that feeling
You had enough of that
85 jive talking
Loonie schemes
Something right off the movie screens
Burn Hollywood like arson
More powers than Austin
Sound awesome
Pump these sounds often
Last chance to come off son
For more to come in the mental auditorium
Without forcing him
Strung him up on the last joint but it don't stop
Doing this so the world could rock
Who blows spots?
Mommy look, he talking to his self
And walking fast
On the ave hawkinβ² ass
With the walkman on blast
Coby headphones wack
At least itβ²s Dolby Sony chrome cassette
Only the best you can get off the black market
Tell it
Find these truer hell strategies
Sell it like Chinese Duracell batteries
Two dollar for change for a aqua blue benjie
These were brand new
He grew stingy gingerly
In the song "Sorcerers," MF DOOM is showcasing his lyrical prowess and unique style. The verses are laced with complex rhyming schemes and multiple meanings. One of the central themes is the superiority of MCs like him over others who claim to have skills but don't measure up. He dismisses would-be contenders as "jive talking/ loonie schemes/ something right off the movie screens" and proclaims himself as one of the "rawest MCs that flossed'ed it." In verse two, he brags about his world notoriety and how his tracks with terror bang in your hood. The sorcerers mentioned in the title could be interpreted as the skilled rappers who command the game and have powers beyond the norm.
The imagery in the song allows for a range of interpretations. In the lines, "Get your jewels up/ Superstar, all pro/ Homegrown/ The craft speaks alone/ Mastered this closed casket," DOOM could be saying that he's a superstar who has mastered his craft and doesn't need to flaunt it. He challenges the "boasters" who waste their lives "behind the scenes" to step up and show their skills. The line, "Nonsense is never callin' 80 G's behind him/ Still crime affects time on the island," could be interpreted as a commentary on how even the most skilled MCs can fall on hard times and face repercussions from their actions.
Line by Line Meaning
He's not that cat
The singer (MF DOOM) is not the person someone thinks he is
Got that, and he never shot that gat
The singer does not possess a weapon, nor has he ever used one
Clever spot rats
The singer is skilled in identifying and avoiding danger
Face plate glisten
The artist's mask is shiny or reflective
He got fat and hate for Jake Snake Plissken
The artist dislikes Jake Snake Plissken and has gained weight
Y'all got the wrong tape by mistake
Someone has accidentally obtained the wrong audio recording
Listen to it hissin'
Pay attention to the subtle sounds or hidden meanings of the recording
Crack the safe, his cake's missin'
Someone has stolen the artist's money from the safe
Backs to break to tape this could make in prison
Recording this could result in being caught and sent to prison
Fake dissin'
The artist sees through the facade of fake criticism
Bake that the wig twistin'
The truth is being revealed in a way that may shock or disturb listeners
Legend stature
The artist is a legendary figure
Since the prime factor
For a long time, since the beginning
Of the blast master
A hip hop artist skilled in creating explosive performances
Gift of gab, mic wrapper, rapper ever
The singer is an extremely skilled and entertaining rapper
Tracks with terror
The artist's music has an intense and powerful impact
Like bad meaning good though
Despite any negative connotations, the artist's music is excellent
I'm talkin' some of the finest truths to ever bang in your hood, yo
The singer's lyrics are some of the most profound and truthful to ever resonate in the listener's community
World notoriety
The singer is well-known and respected internationally
Recognized by mad society
The artist is recognized by society, even the craziest members
We supplying that high-fi so fly
The artist's music is of high quality and popular
Oh my, skies clear as day
The situation is clear and obvious
Go sit down in the sunshine
Relax and enjoy life, take a break
Takin' rappers out like lunch time
The artist is taking out other rappers with ease
It's Just one of those
This is a typical situation
Bullet holes deliver killer notes
The singer's lyrics are powerful and deadly
Silence never spoke violence
Being loud doesn't necessarily mean being violent
Keep quiet while you wildin' try to live the island
Stay calm and keep quiet in a difficult situation in order to survive
Nonsense is never callin' 80 G's behind him
The artist will not tolerate nonsense, and he is not someone who has a lot of money behind him
Still crime affects time on the island
Crime results in punishment on the island, even if it doesn't seem obvious at first
Nickel and dimin' the hustle's optional
One can choose to hustle to make money, but it is hard work for little payoff
Powerful moves
The artist is making progress and taking action that will lead to success
Copped two work shifts block, sigh, giga 2
The artist has obtained two work shifts, possibly in a difficult or technological field
Under the table
The artist is doing something secretly or illegally
The tammy food blaze with
The singer has blazing hot food that is difficult to handle
Stay paid if the name fits you
If you have the right name (or reputation), you will always be successful
Who went back and made y'all the boss of us?
The singer does not recognize someone else's authority over him
It's the rawest MC's that flossed'ed it
The best rappers flaunt their skills
Sorcerers
Like magicians, the singer and other talented rappers are able to perform incredible feats
It's furthering the era that most know of
The artist's music is advancing a well-known era or movement
Everywhere he go they go
The artist's fans follow him everywhere he goes
That whole show love
The singer and his fans have a mutual love and respect for each other
Thank god for the buddha
The singer is grateful for marijuana, commonly known as buddha
Tank armor suitor
The artist is able to withstand insults and criticism without being harmed
Word kama sutra user
The artist is skilled in using words in a highly skilled, sexual and pleasurable way
Stank mama recruiter
The artist is interested in having sex
Broad set fools up
The singer is able to manipulate or deceive others
God get your jewels up (buddha)
The artist is suggesting that the listener find a way to improve their situation, possibly using marijuana to do so
Get your jewels up
Find a way to improve your situation
Superstar, all pro
The singer is a highly skilled and successful performer
Homegrown
The singer is from and proud of his local area
The craft speaks alone
The artist's talent is enough to impress others without any further explanation
Mastered this closed casket
The artist has perfected his craft and is ready to be buried with it
Pro savages
The singer and other rappers are highly skilled and talented
Poor travelers, hunger reach streets battlers
Despite dealing with poverty and other difficulties, the singer and others continue to fight and achieve success
Money the dollar the dream gaffled up
Money and financial success are an important part of achieving one's dreams and goals
Scalpel cut broke
The artist is cutting through poverty and hardship with great precision
Dope gettin' that's most definite
By using drugs, the artist is able to find success and pleasure
Gold record hits spin it grind forever get it
The singer's successful songs will continue to be played and enjoyed for a long time
God's clever building, cheddar filling
The artist is building wealth through his talent and skill
Keep the better living
The singer aims to improve his lifestyle and quality of life
Miscellaneous thoughts
The singer is sharing random thoughts
Getting millions
The singer is earning a lot of money
Know that feeling
The artist knows what it's like to be successful and wealthy
You had enough of that
The listener has had enough of the artist's bragging
85 jive talking
People who talk too much and say nothing of substance
Loonie schemes
Crazy or foolish ideas or plans
Something right off the movie screens
Something crazy or unbelievable that seems like it belongs in a movie
Burn Hollywood like arson
The artist wants to destroy the Hollywood film industry
More powers than Austin
The artist has more power and influence than Austin Powers, a fictional character
Sound awesome
The singer's music is impressive and amazing
Pump these sounds often
The listener should play the artist's music frequently
Last chance to come off son
The singer is giving the listener one final opportunity to change their behavior
For more to come in the mental auditorium
The singer has more songs and performances in store for his listeners
Without forcing him
The singer will continue to produce content without any external pressure or expectation
Strung him up on the last joint but it don't stop
The artist's music is so good that listeners continue to play it even after the last song
Doing this so the world could rock
The artist is creating music with global appeal and impact
Who blows spots?
The singer is asking who is able to create such powerful and impressive performances
Mommy look, he talking to his self
The singer is talking to himself, appearing crazy or unusual
And walking fast
The artist is in a hurry or is trying to avoid being noticed
On the ave hawkin' ass
The artist is trying to sell something on the street
With the walkman on blast
The artist is listening to loud music on his headphones
Coby headphones wack
Coby brand headphones are not of good quality
At least it's Dolby Sony chrome cassette
At least the artist is listening to a high-quality chrome cassette tape made by Sony with Dolby noise reduction
Only the best you can get off the black market
The singer is referring to obtaining music illegally
Tell it
The singer is encouraging someone to share the truth
Find these truer hell strategies
Discover methods that are effective and successful, even if difficult
Sell it like Chinese Duracell batteries
Sell an idea or product with great enthusiasm and energy
Two dollar for change for a aqua blue benjie
The artist is giving two dollars in exchange for a rare or valuable item
These were brand new
The item being exchanged is in like-new condition
He grew stingy gingerly
The singer became more cautious and careful with his money over time
Contributed by Jason O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.