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".
This Is Dedicated
MF Doom Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And Emcees all the world
This goes out to Pete Rock KRS
The Roots crew and A Tribe called Quest
This goes out to Black Star Black Moon J Lack
And my man MF Doom
This goes out to Hip Hop
Daddy Kane Daddy Kane Daddy Kane Daddy Kane yo
This goes out to DJ's B-boys
And Emcees all the world
This goes out to Pete Rock KRS
The Roots crew and A Tribe called Quest
This goes out to Black Star Black Moon J Lack
And my man MF Doom
This goes out to Hip Hop
Daddy Kane Daddy Kane Daddy Kane Daddy Kane
This goes out to Hip Hop
As told by the oldest I'm straight out the womb
The first thing he noticed was a 808 boom
Doom not from the earth like mummy Smurf
If you ain't no ventriloquist then what's the dummy worth
There was a time when there was no fake gun clapping rapping happening
Let me know when they done yapping
Ever since the born age survived on rage
Dude's paid on a real stage like the steel cage
The Iron Sheik told you who's the all
The power of your thought can shape a cube into a ball
Stead of plugged in to the tube through the wall
Stop and follow your heart you might avoid the fall
Only the best will stand the test of time
I take this more serious than just a rhyme
Wanna learn the D pay the fee
This one goes out to the one Subrock KMD
And you don't quit
Back in the days when I was a teenage
Back the days back the days back the days
Before I had stacks and a pager
Back the days back the days back the days
You could find where I lay listening to Hip Hop
Back the days back the days back the days
You could find where I lay on the floor whenever the beat dropped
Nowadays radio only plays the same songs
Nowadays to be fake and you know that's all gone
It is time change our ways bring it back to where it belongs
How many Emcees must be dissed before they all learn
All learn that
This goes out to DJ's B-boys
And Emcees all the world
This goes out to Pete Rock KRS
The Roots crew and A Tribe called Quest
This goes out to Black Star Black Moon J Lack
And my man MF Doom
This goes out to Hip Hop
Daddy Kane Daddy Kane Daddy Kane Daddy Kane
This goes out to DJ's B-boys
And Emcees all the world
This goes out to Pete Rock KRS
The Roots crew and A Tribe called Quest
This goes out to Black Star Black Moon J Lack
And my man MF Doom
This goes out to Hip Hop
Daddy Kane Daddy Kane Daddy Kane Daddy Kane
This goes out to DJ's B-boys
And Emcees all the world
This goes out to Pete Rock KRS
The Roots crew and A Tribe called Quest
This goes out to Black Star Black Moon J Lack
And my man MF Doom
This goes out to Hip Hop
Daddy Kane Daddy Kane Daddy Kane Daddy Kane
This goes out to
In "This is Dedicated," MF DOOM pays tribute to the hip hop culture and the pioneers who have contributed to the genre's growth. He starts by addressing the DJs, b-boys, and emcees from all over the world, and then gives shoutouts to some of the most influential groups and personalities in hip hop, including The Roots crew, A Tribe Called Quest, Black Star, Black Moon, and J Lack, to name a few. The song serves as an ode to the art of rhyming, and DOOM takes it back to old school days, reminiscing about the early days of hip hop, the beats, and the passion that drove it.
The song's opening lines set the tone for the rest of the song. DOOM introduces himself as the "oldest," implying his long tenure in the game, and then mentions the first thing he noticed after being born: the 808 boom. This reference to the Roland TR-808 drum machine highlights the importance of beat-making in hip hop culture. He then goes on to talk about how he came up on the rap scene and survived on "rage," a nod to the challenges he faced and overcame to succeed in the industry. DOOM also alludes to the power of thought and how it can "shape a cube into a ball," underscoring the importance of mindset in achieving success.
The song's chorus repeats the phrase "This goes out to hip hop," emphasizing that the song is dedicated to the genre itself, as much as it is to the artists who helped shape it. The bridge takes a more nostalgic turn, as DOOM talks about the early days of hip hop and how it impacted him personally. He reminisces about listening to hip hop while lying on the floor, and how the beats used to excite him. The song ends on a hopeful note, with DOOM urging hip hop artists to bring back the passion and authenticity that made the genre so influential and impactful.
Overall, "This is Dedicated" is an homage to hip hop culture and the people who cultivated it. DOOM's lyrics paint a picture of a bygone era, but also inspire listeners to keep the spirit of hip hop alive and thriving.
Line by Line Meaning
This goes out to DJ's B-boys
Dedication to those who make Hip Hop possible
And Emcees all the world
Acknowledgment of the global reach of Hip Hop culture
This goes out to Pete Rock KRS
Respect for influential Hip Hop artists Pete Rock and KRS-One
The Roots crew and A Tribe called Quest
Shout out to the Roots and A Tribe Called Quest for their contributions to Hip Hop
This goes out to Black Star Black Moon J Lack
Acknowledgment of lesser-known Hip Hop groups Black Star, Black Moon, and J-Live
And my man MF Doom
Alongside the aforementioned artists, MF DOOM is recognized as a significant figure in Hip Hop
This goes out to Hip Hop
Overall dedication to the art and culture of Hip Hop
Daddy Kane Daddy Kane Daddy Kane Daddy Kane yo
Salute to Hip Hop pioneer Big Daddy Kane
As told by the oldest I'm straight out the womb
A declaration of being born into Hip Hop culture
The first thing he noticed was a 808 boom
Referring to the iconic Roland TR-808 drum machine used extensively in Hip Hop production
Doom not from the earth like mummy Smurf
A reference to MF DOOM's unconventional and otherworldly persona as an MC
If you ain't no ventriloquist then what's the dummy worth
A metaphor questioning the value of those who don't truly control their words
There was a time when there was no fake gun clapping rapping happening
Reflecting on a time when authenticity was highly valued in Hip Hop, rather than exaggeration and posturing
Let me know when they done yapping
A dismissive remark towards MCs who talk excessively but don't truly have anything meaningful to say
Ever since the born age survived on rage
Emphasizing the intense passion and emotion that has fueled Hip Hop culture
Dude's paid on a real stage like the steel cage
Drawing a comparison between Hip Hop performance and a wrestling match in the steel cage arena
The Iron Sheik told you who's the all
Referencing a famous wrestler, and highlighting the importance of being the best in Hip Hop
The power of your thought can shape a cube into a ball
Accentuating the transformative power of creative thinking, and the ability to make something out of nothing
Stead of plugged in to the tube through the wall
Encouraging people to stop being consumed by mass media and instead follow their own passions and directions
Stop and follow your heart you might avoid the fall
Urging listeners to trust their intuition and avoid negative outcomes
Only the best will stand the test of time
Highlighting the longevity of Hip Hop artists who truly excel
I take this more serious than just a rhyme
Affirming the importance of Hip Hop as a cultural movement, not just a form of entertainment
Wanna learn the D pay the fee
Asserting that in order to truly understand Hip Hop and become a part of it, a price must be paid
This one goes out to the one Subrock KMD
Honoring Subroc, one of the founding members of KMD, DOOM's former group
Back in the days when I was a teenage
A nostalgic reflection on the formative years of Hip Hop culture
Before I had stacks and a pager
Referencing a time when Hip Hop artists were not yet wealthy and didn't rely on modern technology
You could find where I lay listening to Hip Hop
An indication of the all-consuming interest Hip Hop held for its early adopters, who lived and breathed the genre
You could find where I lay on the floor whenever the beat dropped
Further emphasizing the intense love and dedication to Hip Hop's music and beats
Nowadays radio only plays the same songs
A lament at the lack of variety in contemporary mainstream Hip Hop music
Nowadays to be fake and you know that's all gone
Celebrating the demise of the fake personas and posturing that has plagued Hip Hop in the past
It is time change our ways bring it back to where it belongs
A call to revive Hip Hop's founding principles and values
How many Emcees must be dissed before they all learn
Questioning how many MCs must be insulted before people start to see the need for mutual respect and collaboration
All learn that
Emphasizing the need for everyone involved in Hip Hop culture to learn from past mistakes and work together for the good of the art form
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David Hady
grimm has such philosophic verses.
"Once I mediate, breath in release steam
Subconscious take a stroll
Quantum leap through my dreams
I put my nine on the shelf and try to mediate
And find myself below
I still can't find me, life's a tape
Stop, play and just rewind me
Push record and let me cry
I pray to god as a child but as a man I only pray to die
Holograms of horror through headphones
A virtual reality my brain is the dead zone"
silly goose
Not even death can separate the love
izmirurla35
one of the most underrated hip hop tracks ever
David Hady
grimm has such philosophic verses.
"Once I mediate, breath in release steam
Subconscious take a stroll
Quantum leap through my dreams
I put my nine on the shelf and try to mediate
And find myself below
I still can't find me, life's a tape
Stop, play and just rewind me
Push record and let me cry
I pray to god as a child but as a man I only pray to die
Holograms of horror through headphones
A virtual reality my brain is the dead zone"
Vx
David Hady subconscious takes control *
Dylan Lavercombe
And find myself but yo,
Solo Warrior
It’s official GRIMM is the most raw MC I’ve ever heard. His flow and subject matter is so original and rugged but smooth at the same time.
Vicente B
Word he is top 5 as a MC and may be the best bboy ever
imreallytired
This really gives new York vibes the closed in a box feeling where danger lurks around the corner and grimey vibes
Frejmarian Films
Pretty much was my anthem as a young highschooler I had great times an bad times by this album lol funny how powerful music can be to be able to instantly bring you back to a time and place from the past and you actually feel like you are there. I will always love this album so underrated yet highly appreciated! A perfect 10
NUBLADO
Frejmarian Films respect✌