Daniel Dumile (July 13, 1971 – October 31, 2020) was a British-American rap… Read Full Bio ↴Daniel Dumile (July 13, 1971 – October 31, 2020) was a British-American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He performed and released music under a variety of stage names, most notably MF DOOM, which Dumile preferred to be stylized in all caps. Dumile debuted during hip-hop's golden age of the late 1980s and became a major figure in underground hip-hop of the early 21st century. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest rappers of all-time.
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".
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".
The Unexpected
MF Doom Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Hmmmmm you say the beat grabbed you
Then the rhyme stabbed you
But can't prove it was my
Clients Doom and Babu?
I rest my case - the witness never showed up
They both kept heat on the street
And had it sewed up
Defense was wise, complete with alibis
What the informer told the coroner
Was a pile of lies
Beat the rap in a court of law
Free to beat the crap out them snitches
While protectin and extortin the poor
Expect to expect the unexpected
Check for wreck
Tons up under or in front of Han detected
Thunder for breakfast
Sun a hundred sons in under a second
Whoever disrespect neck get disconnected
Off the record macho steel cage tiger stripe
Metal Fang striker versus Nacho
Libre Riker type rigged for a fake drawer
That's what the paper do
Pick more cake score HD pay-per-view
It's much safer for you to
Cry dry tears for years
Dun da da dah Villain here, no fears
It is what it is 'cept it
Ain't what it used to be that's news to me
Choose to be free musically
Take it from Doom-dini the crew meanie
Act like you don't know, even if you seen me
In it for the green zucchini
So we can get a new beanie
For Babu, the 1 and 2s genie
"Don't start none, won't be none"
"Your game, I'm above it, it's combat"
"My advice, quit talkin
It's over" - "no doubt"
"You don't know-know-know-know what
It's about"
"Don't start none, won't be none"
"Your game, I'm above it, it's combat"
"My advice, quit talkin
It's over" - "no doubt" (Babu)
"You don't know-know-know-know what
It's about"
Question'! Nigga have you ever heard of Sean?
Hell yeah but I prefer my Uncle Murda songs
I'm sorta whack like, Hancock movie
Shorty dropped to her knees sayin
"Hand cock to me"
Box of chop suey, flowin through outerspace
+Ring the Alarm+ this nigga
Tryin to Mock-Fu me
Pop shots through he, damn that's bad grammar
Fuck a senior citizen, bad gramma jammer
Rap like a 'Bama
('Bama) sound like pork chops
Slapped with the hammer change his
Diet into full pop
Unorthodox socks, knee high, Jason Terry
Maverick, stab a chick when chasin fetti
My mind on my money
(money) money on my mind (mind)
This 9 on my waist guaranteed
Money all the time (time)
Whack rappers always argue over faggot shit
I argue with Dru about seekin new management
"Don't start none, won't be none"
"Your game, I'm above it, it's combat"
"My advice, quit talkin
It's over" - "no doubt"
"You don't know-know-know-know what
It's about"
"Don't start none, won't be none"
"Your game, I'm above it, it's combat"
"My advice, quit talkin
It's over" - "no doubt"
"You don't know-know-know-know what
It's about"
"Duck Season 3" officially in Haters Town
Be sure to bring your maters call
And nature sounds
They flied in, migrated, that's why I waited
The whole time eyeballs dilated
Flier was faded, the date was right though
Oh it ain't nuttin but my hound dog Nitro
Go get 'em boy, Villain fowl for dinners
After I finished skinnin 'em y'all
Can split the innards
Innards, Lynyrd Skynyrd - why did I say that?
Not to fuck up the ebb and flow of said track
Head crack, I always throw sixes
Return of Ike Turner, I always throw bitches
You know the flow vicious -
New and improved shit
No time for arguing - do what you do bitch
I like sneakers and I like bud
Catch me smokin right in front
Of the Flight Club
"Don't start none, won't be none"
"Your game, I'm above it, it's combat"
"My advice, quit talkin
It's over" - "no doubt"
"You don't know-know-know-know what
It's about"
"Don't start none, won't be none"
"Your game, I'm above it, it's combat"
"My advice, quit talkin
It's over" - "no doubt"
"You don't know-know-know-know what
It's about"
Then the rhyme stabbed you
But can't prove it was my
Clients Doom and Babu?
I rest my case - the witness never showed up
They both kept heat on the street
And had it sewed up
Defense was wise, complete with alibis
Was a pile of lies
Beat the rap in a court of law
Free to beat the crap out them snitches
While protectin and extortin the poor
Expect to expect the unexpected
Check for wreck
Tons up under or in front of Han detected
Thunder for breakfast
Sun a hundred sons in under a second
Whoever disrespect neck get disconnected
Off the record macho steel cage tiger stripe
Metal Fang striker versus Nacho
Libre Riker type rigged for a fake drawer
That's what the paper do
Pick more cake score HD pay-per-view
It's much safer for you to
Cry dry tears for years
Dun da da dah Villain here, no fears
It is what it is 'cept it
Ain't what it used to be that's news to me
Choose to be free musically
Take it from Doom-dini the crew meanie
Act like you don't know, even if you seen me
In it for the green zucchini
So we can get a new beanie
For Babu, the 1 and 2s genie
"Don't start none, won't be none"
"Your game, I'm above it, it's combat"
"My advice, quit talkin
It's over" - "no doubt"
"You don't know-know-know-know what
It's about"
"Don't start none, won't be none"
"Your game, I'm above it, it's combat"
"My advice, quit talkin
It's over" - "no doubt" (Babu)
"You don't know-know-know-know what
It's about"
Question'! Nigga have you ever heard of Sean?
Hell yeah but I prefer my Uncle Murda songs
I'm sorta whack like, Hancock movie
Shorty dropped to her knees sayin
"Hand cock to me"
Box of chop suey, flowin through outerspace
+Ring the Alarm+ this nigga
Tryin to Mock-Fu me
Pop shots through he, damn that's bad grammar
Fuck a senior citizen, bad gramma jammer
Rap like a 'Bama
('Bama) sound like pork chops
Slapped with the hammer change his
Diet into full pop
Unorthodox socks, knee high, Jason Terry
Maverick, stab a chick when chasin fetti
My mind on my money
(money) money on my mind (mind)
This 9 on my waist guaranteed
Money all the time (time)
Whack rappers always argue over faggot shit
I argue with Dru about seekin new management
"Don't start none, won't be none"
"Your game, I'm above it, it's combat"
"My advice, quit talkin
It's over" - "no doubt"
"You don't know-know-know-know what
It's about"
"Don't start none, won't be none"
"Your game, I'm above it, it's combat"
"My advice, quit talkin
It's over" - "no doubt"
"You don't know-know-know-know what
It's about"
"Duck Season 3" officially in Haters Town
Be sure to bring your maters call
And nature sounds
They flied in, migrated, that's why I waited
The whole time eyeballs dilated
Flier was faded, the date was right though
Oh it ain't nuttin but my hound dog Nitro
Go get 'em boy, Villain fowl for dinners
After I finished skinnin 'em y'all
Can split the innards
Innards, Lynyrd Skynyrd - why did I say that?
Not to fuck up the ebb and flow of said track
Head crack, I always throw sixes
Return of Ike Turner, I always throw bitches
You know the flow vicious -
New and improved shit
No time for arguing - do what you do bitch
I like sneakers and I like bud
Catch me smokin right in front
Of the Flight Club
"Don't start none, won't be none"
"Your game, I'm above it, it's combat"
"My advice, quit talkin
It's over" - "no doubt"
"You don't know-know-know-know what
It's about"
"Don't start none, won't be none"
"Your game, I'm above it, it's combat"
"My advice, quit talkin
It's over" - "no doubt"
"You don't know-know-know-know what
It's about"
The lyrics of MF DOOM's song "The Unexpected" depict a story of a criminal duo, Doom and Babu, who are facing a trial and have managed to evade conviction through their cunning defense strategies and manipulation of the legal system. The opening lines suggest that while the beats and rhymes may have captivated the audience, the true intentions and actions of the artists remain hidden. The "clients" Doom and Babu are implied to be involved in illegal activities, controlling the streets and using their power to exploit the poor. The lyrics further emphasize the theme of "expecting the unexpected" and the need to be cautious in a world where deception and deception thrive.
The song also includes references to various pop culture figures and events, such as Hancock (a film), Uncle Murda (a rapper), and Lynyrd Skynyrd (a rock band). These references serve to add layers of complexity and nuance to the lyrics, creating a sense of unpredictability and cultural relevance. The overall tone of the song is confrontational and defiant, with DOOM expressing his disdain for whack rappers and his determination to stay true to his unique style.
Overall, "The Unexpected" delves into themes of deception, manipulation, and the necessity of remaining vigilant in a world full of hidden agendas. It showcases MF DOOM's skill in crafting thought-provoking lyrics that blend intricate storytelling with cultural references.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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@MattyMilligan
RIP to MF Doom and Sean Price. 2 legends.
@maileejones9753
Word up RIP 2 the Gz
@seankelly4157
Absolutely my mans! Sean Price always #1 in my books. But MF DOOM was such a fuckin beast too. LEGENDS
@xangoyangazumbiaffair8801
Sean Price repeatedly said he was letting go of Dru Ha / Duckdown. It was likely he was killed rather than OD'd (which was claimed to dismiss further investigation) because he was worth more to them dead than alive. LL DOOM, he good, avoided the trap!
@mattr6887
Rip all 3 =‘(
@lucaspaiva3634
R.I.P MF Doom you were one of the most inteligent rappers I've ever heard. Your music helped me a lot through difficult times. I Will always have you on my playlist
@FrankBlocc
Probably the sickest collaboration in underground history, the most unique MC's ever. Rest in peace Sean <3
@patrickholbert780
And rip doom
@ryanjung4416
Oh no not babu
@patrickholbert780
@yung unn wtf u sayin?