The name Viktor Vaughn comes from Victor Von Doom, the real name of Fantastic Four arch-enemy Dr. Doom.
Doom stated, in the song 'Doom on Vik': "Vik is more cutting edge, whatever the new stuff is or these new MC's are doing. But he still appreciates the old school art of rhyming. So there's still a level of sincerity to Viktors stuff, but it's still younger and newer, you know what I'm saying? And he rhymes over whatever beat, it don't matter." From another interview: "Like, Viktor, he supposed to be like a younger cat. Like, maybe a sophomore in high school type shit. So, his whole attitude has to be different. He's like, more spontaneous, spunky, you know what I'm saying? He got little funny stuff to say here and there. It's more from a younger guys perspective. I had to really get into character. It wasn't that hard, though. It's just a matter of remembering how it was back then at that time and just capturing that in lyrics." And also from another interview: "Viktor Vaughn is like a Bizarro Doom, if I can use that expression and whatnot. He's like the Doom from another dimension. But at the same time, it's another timeline, you know? Doom is known to dabble in science and technology here and there. But then Vik, in his dimension, technology might've been a little further along, so he had access to maybe quantum mechanics and all that a little earlier. He could devise a time travel machine, so that now you got Vik, he ends up in this dimension, but he's a little younger. He's a nineteen, kinda eighteen-year-old, kinda hotshot. He's a know-it-all kinda guy. But he's nice on the mic, know what I'm sayin? But he's still out of place. He's not even from here. But at the same time, he got that vigor, that young vigor that makes you say, 'It don't matter, like whatever. Like, well, y'all rhyme out here too, let's do it.' Nameen? It's really like I had to like make a Vik just so that I could speak for that other side. You know, because that side is valid too. We all remember being younger and kinda wild, a little rebellious. So I think that side needed a voice too."
Viktor Vaughn's debut album Vaudeville Villain was released on Sound-Ink Records September 16, 2003. The tracks were produced by Heat Sensor, King Honey, Max Bill (all of the Sound-Ink record label) and RJD2 (Saliva). The follow-up Venomous Villain was released through Insomniac, Inc. on August 3, 2004.
Modern Day Mugging
Viktor Vaughn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nowadays get way payed is the pet phrase
Set the stage, preferably night time
Daylight reserved for research and writin' rhymes
Things is harder than the tarnish on the garnish
And his gold seems to ?, gosh darn-it we, we hold heat
Goin' all out to the fullest, all dipped
Black electric tape over the hole in the handle
If you hold it right and hit 'em with it they can't tell
But still, you gotta be careful
Dudes be so scared they cop pleas by the earful
V personally favors, "please don't kill me"
Empty out your pockets and I probably wont willy
But if you don't hurry up and shut up, I'll kill ya
So lay down and count to a hundred loud will ya?
When the nickle gleam like its greased up
Thugs turn to icicles, hard rocks freeze up
This could all be a distraction just to buy time to blast you
So keep something to cut in case you has to
If he was on the island he'd probably rob a millionaire
And be known for wilin' out like Bob Dylan here
These clever war tips
You wont get from cats who never wore skips
Now lets get down to brass tacks
Follow procedure and count stacks like NASDAQ
Don't be caught snoozin'
In the early morning hours from a long night of boozing
Stick 'em up chump, you know what this is
Do the right thing you might live to see your kids
All he said was "c'mon don't shoot!"
So shook I think he shit his Sean Jean suit
Why you starin'? run your chain like an errand
And your girls earrings, and what you wearin'
Survival tactics for when things get too gritty
He feels its his duty to the people of the city
Just so long as nobody get hurt
It keep your average citizen on point and alert
And don't forget to check her d-cup
Now I bust how he got this duck for his re-up
Then he's back on the bricks, smokin indo'
Never let a handy fiend fix your broken window
Oh, who wanna hate the witty lurker
Who follow y'all on the late, dressed like a city worker
Ok miss, come up off that bracelet
Just got your hair did don't make me waste it
So, go to hades get the devil for his stash
But no old ladies unless you're sure they carry mad cash
Like the one from the liquor store
He watched her for weeks now, ready for the quick score
Before he told her whore get on the floor
She pulled out and let off like quick draw McGraw
Damn yo, he lucky, she barely nicked the camo
He would've let her have it, if he had the ammo
Its all in good fun, true
Moral of the story son duke
Senior citizens'll bust their guns too
In "Modern Day Mugging", Viktor Vaughn (aka MF DOOM) raps about the life of a mugger in modern-day New York City. The first verse paints the picture of a young man who used to be an excellent student but now earns money primarily through robbing people at night. He mentions that he spends his daytime researching and writing rhymes while the nights are reserved for his illicit business. The second verse describes the tools of his trade, with a focus on a black electric tape-wrapped gun that he uses to intimidate people into giving up their belongings. Vaughn also notes that he doesn't necessarily intend to hurt anyone during his muggings, but people should still beware of what he's capable of doing.
The third verse implies that there's a code of honor among robbers -- namely, that they should try not to hurt innocent people and should only target those with assets to spare. There's a sense that this kind of mugging is more about survival rather than greed. The last couple of verses bring to light the dangers of this lifestyle, with the implication that even seniors might be packing heat and could defend themselves against would-be muggers. The overall tone of the song is gritty and menacing, with Vaughn's low-pitched voice adding to the sense of danger.
Line by Line Meaning
He used to get straight A's
He was once a good student
Nowadays get way payed is the pet phrase
These days, getting paid well is what's popular
Set the stage, preferably nighttime
He chooses to commit crime at night
Daylight reserved for researchin' and writing rhymes
He uses daylight hours to write rap music
Things is harder than the tarnish on the garnish
Life is difficult like the oxidation that forms on a decorative item
And his gold seems to ?, gosh darn-it we, we hold heat
The gold he has attracts thieves so he always carries a gun for protection
Goin' all out to the fullest, all dipped
He is fully prepared when he commits a crime
Chrome four-fiddith, no bullets no clip
He has a gun with no bullets or clip, it's for show only
Black electric tape over the hole in the handle
He uses electrical tape to repair his gun
If you hold it right and hit 'em with it they can't tell
If he holds his gun the right way and hits someone with it, they won't know it's not loaded
But still you gotta be careful
He still needs to be cautious
Dudes be so scared they cop pleas by the earful
People are so afraid they will do anything to avoid being harmed
V personally favors, "please don't kill me"
He prefers when people beg for their life
Empty out your pockets and I probably won't willy
If you give him your money he most likely won't kill you
But if you don't hurry up and shut up, I'll kill ya
If you don't comply quickly he will kill you
So lay down and count to a hundred loud will ya?
He wants you to lay down and count to 100 loudly
When the nickle gleam like its greased up
When the nickel gun shines like it's polished
Thugs turn to icicles, hard rocks freeze up
Even tough guys get scared when threatened with a gun
This could all be a distraction just to buy time to blast you
He may use diversionary tactics to attack you
So keep something to cut in case you has to
Keep a weapon handy in case you need to defend yourself
If he was on the island he'd probably rob a millionaire
If he was stranded on an island, he would likely rob a wealthy person
And be known for wilin' out like Bob Dylan here
He'd have the same reputation as Bob Dylan for being eccentric
These clever war tips
These are tips for being successful in criminal activity
You won't get from cats who never wore skips
People who never grew up in this environment wouldn't know these tips
Now let's get down to brass tacks
Let's get to the most important part of this discussion
Follow procedure and count stacks like NASDAQ
Follow a methodical process to count money like NASDAQ stock exchange
Don't be caught snoozin'
Don't be caught off guard
In the early morning hours from a long night of boozin'
The time you are most vulnerable is the morning after a night of drinking
Stick 'em up chump, you know what this is
This is a stick-up and the victim knows it
Do the right thing you might live to see your kids
Do as instructed and you may get to see your children again
All he said was "c'mon don't shoot!"
The victim pleads for their life
So shook I think he shit his Sean Jean suit
He was so scared he may have defecated in his expensive clothing
Why you starin'? run your chain like an errand
Why are you staring? Give up your jewelry like it's a chore
And your girl's earrings, and what you wearin'
Give up your girlfriend's earrings and whatever you are wearing
Survival tactics for when things get too gritty
Tips for surviving in tough situations
He feels it's his duty to the people of the city
He thinks he is doing a service to the people of the city
Just so long as nobody get hurt
As long as no one gets seriously injured
It keep your average citizen on point and alert
It keeps the average person cautious and aware of their surroundings
And don't forget to check her d-cup
Check her bra size for hidden money
Now I bust how he got this duck for his re-up
He will detail how he obtained a woman's jewelry and used the profit to buy more drugs
Then he's back on the bricks, smokin' indo'
He is back on the streets smoking marijuana
Never let a handy fiend fix your broken window
Don't let someone who is a drug addict fix anything for you
Oh, who wanna hate the witty lurker
Who would hate someone who is cleverly waiting for their next opportunity?
Who follow y'all on the late, dressed like a city worker
He follows people late at night dressed as a city worker
Ok miss, come up off that bracelet
Give up that bracelet you are wearing
Just got your hair did don't make me waste it
Don't make him ruin your newly styled hair
So, go to Hades get the devil for his stash
Saying that he wants all you have even if you have to go to Hell and steal from the devil himself
But no old ladies unless you're sure they carry mad cash
Only rob old ladies if you're positive they have a lot of money
Like the one from the liquor store
Referencing a specific old lady who was robbed from a liquor store
He watched her for weeks now, ready for the quick score
He was scouting this old lady and waiting for the perfect moment to rob her
Before he told her whore get on the floor
He told the woman to get on the floor before he robbed her
She pulled out and let off like quick draw McGraw
The woman pulled out a gun and shot at him
Damn yo, he lucky, she barely nicked the camo
He was lucky the bullet didn't hit him, it only hit his camouflage clothing
He would've let her have it, if he had the ammo
He would have killed her if he had more bullets
Its all in good fun, true
This is all a joke to him
Moral of the story son duke
Here is the moral of the story...
Senior citizens'll bust their guns too
Older people can be dangerous too
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: D Dumile, Nathaniel W. Gosman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind