In 2006, Madvillain was featured on Stones Throw Records and Adult Swim's DVD/CD Chrome Children with a new song and live performance. Kidrobot followed this by announcing a Madvillain action figure.
On May 26, 2010, Madvillain released the song "Papermill" via Adult Swim's website. On January 3, 2011, Madvillain released the song "Avalanche & Victory Lap" via Stones Throw mixtape.
On 31 December 2020, Dumile's wife posted an image of MF DOOM on Instagram and Facebook stating that Dumile died on 31 October 2020 at the age of 49, which was later confirmed by his representative.
Curls
Madvillain Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They just tryin' to get a nut like squirrels in this mad world
Land of milk and honey with the swirls
Where reckless naked girls get necklaces of pearls
Compliments of the town jeweller
Left back now-schooler tryin' to sound cooler
On the microphone known as the crown ruler
Never lied to ma when we said we found the moolah
Huh, now let's try and get somethin' to eat
Then he turned four and started flowin' to the poor
That's about when he first started going raw
Kept the 'dro in the drawer
A rhymin' klepto who couldn't go up in the store no more
His life is like a folklore legend
Why you so stiff? You need to smoke more, bredrin
Instead of trying to riff with the broke war veteran
Spliff made him swore he saw heaven, he was seven
Yup, you know it, growin' up too fast
Showin' up to class with Moet in a flask
He ask the teacher, if he leave, will he pass?
His girl is home alone, he tryin' to get the
If you want to sip get a paper water fountain glass
How I'm 'posed to know where your mouth been last
Hands so fast, he can out-spin the Flash
Known to smoke a whole mountain of hash to the ash
Boom-bash leave the room with the stash
Assume it's in a smash, DOOM get the cash
In Madvillain's "Curls," the lyrics paint a vivid picture of an individual, Villain, who is motivated by money and living in a world of chaos. The first line, "Villain get the money like curls," is a battle cry that sets the tone for the rest of the song as Villain repeats this phrase throughout the track. The second line, "they just tryin' to get a nut like squirrels in this mad world," speaks to the survival mode that individuals must embrace in a world that is often unpredictable and challenging.
The third line, "land of milk and honey with the swirls," is an allusion to the biblical promised land, which was said to flow with milk and honey. Yet, in this context, it is a world full of corruption and chaos, exemplified by the "reckless naked girls" who receive "necklaces of pearls" from the "town jeweller." The fourth line's use of the term "town jeweller" suggests Villain's community or town where he is from is small, and the wealth is concentrated among a few individuals.
The rest of the song showcases Villain's journey, from finding "five-hundred somethin' dollars layin' right there in the street" to becoming a rapper who has "flowed to the poor." However, Villain's story is not one of easy success, as he faces personal struggles, including smoking too much and trying to impress girls. Ultimately, the song speaks to the difficulties of growing up in a society that can be both alluring and dangerous.
Line by Line Meaning
Villain get the money like curls
The villain is skilled at making money, similar to how a person might perfect the technique of curling their hair
They just tryin' to get a nut like squirrels in this mad world
People are simply trying to survive and secure basic resources in a chaotic and unpredictable world
Land of milk and honey with the swirls
The world has promise and riches, but the journey towards achieving these rewards is complicated and confusing
Where reckless naked girls get necklaces of pearls
Women are often objectified and valued for their physical appearance rather than their character or accomplishments
Compliments of the town jeweller
The town jeweler is responsible for magnifying the value of women's beauty and reinforcing societal expectations surrounding gender roles
Left back now-schooler tryin' to sound cooler
A student who has been held back in school is attempting to fit in with his peers by adopting a more impressive image
On the microphone known as the crown ruler
The student is attempting to make a name for himself through music and performance
Never lied to ma when we said we found the moolah
The student is honest with his mother about the source of his newfound wealth
Five-hundred somethin' dollars layin' right there in the street
The student stumbled upon a significant amount of money on the ground
Huh, now let's try and get somethin' to eat
The student decides to use the money to buy food
Then he turned four and started flowin' to the poor
At a young age, the student began making music with a socially conscious message
That's about when he first started going raw
The student's music became more explicit and unfiltered
Kept the 'dro in the drawer
The student hid his marijuana in a drawer
A rhymin' klepto who couldn't go up in the store no more
The student was a talented lyricist who resorted to stealing due to financial restraints
His life is like a folklore legend
The student's actions and experiences have become legendary and mythic in the eyes of others
Why you so stiff? You need to smoke more, bredrin
The artist is advising someone overly uptight to relax and smoke marijuana
Instead of trying to riff with the broke war veteran
Rather than trying to compete with someone who has experienced hardship and trauma, it is better to show respect and empathy
Spliff made him swore he saw heaven, he was seven
The singer began smoking marijuana at a young age and had a spiritual experience
Yup, you know it, growin' up too fast
The singer is acknowledging a sense of lost innocence and accelerated maturity
Showin' up to class with Moet in a flask
The artist is bringing an expensive champagne to school in a flask as a status symbol
He ask the teacher, if he leave, will he pass?
The student is attempting to prioritize his relationship over his academic responsibilities
His girl is home alone, he tryin' to get the
The student is trying to indicate that he is leaving to be with his girlfriend
If you want to sip get a paper water fountain glass
If you want a drink of the expensive champagne, you will have to settle for a cheap disposable cup
How I'm 'posed to know where your mouth been last
The artist is apprehensive about sharing his drink with someone he does not trust
Hands so fast, he can out-spin the Flash
The student is skilled at manipulating money or playing cards at a fast pace
Known to smoke a whole mountain of hash to the ash
The student is known for consuming large quantities of marijuana
Boom-bash leave the room with the stash
The student is leaving quickly and secretly with the marijuana
Assume it's in a smash, DOOM get the cash
The artist is confident that the plan to acquire money will be successful, and the musician DOOM will receive a share of the profits
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., EMPIRE PUBLISHING
Written by: Daniel Dumile Thompson, Otis Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind