MF DOOM

Biography

Daniel Dumile (July 13, 1971 – October 31, 2020), best known by his stage name MF DOOM, was a British-American rapper and record producer. Noted for his intricate wordplay, signature metal mask, and "supervillain" stage persona, Dumile became a major figure in underground and alternative hip hop in the 2000s. Born in London and raised in Long Island, New York, he never gained American citizenship.

Early Career and KMD

Dumile began his career in 1988 as Zev Love X, forming the hip hop group KMD with his younger brother, DJ Subroc. They were signed to Elektra Records and released their debut album, Mr. Hood, in 1991. Tragedy struck in 1993 when DJ Subroc was killed in a car accident just before the release of their second album, Black Bastards. Elektra Records subsequently dropped KMD, and the album was shelved due to its controversial cover art, which depicted the lynching of a Sambo caricature. This led to Dumile's retreat from the hip-hop scene.

The Birth of MF DOOM

After a hiatus, Dumile reemerged in the late 1990s, performing at open-mic events in Manhattan with his face obscured. He adopted the MF DOOM persona, inspired by the Marvel Comics supervillain Doctor Doom, and began wearing his signature metal mask. In 1999, he released his debut solo album, Operation: Doomsday, on Fondle 'Em Records.

Alter Egos and Prolific Period

Throughout the early 2000s, Dumile released a string of critically acclaimed albums under various aliases. This included Take Me to Your Leader (2003) as King Geedorah, and two albums as Viktor Vaughn: Vaudeville Villain (2003) and Venomous Villain (2004). In 2004, he also released his highly regarded second MF DOOM album, Mm..Food.

Collaborations

Madvillain

In 2002, DOOM teamed up with producer Madlib to form the duo Madvillain. Their 2004 album, Madvillainy, is widely considered a masterpiece of underground and alternative hip hop, praised for its complex lyricism and innovative production. The album was recorded in a hotel room in Brazil with minimal equipment. An unfinished demo of the album was leaked online 14 months before its official release.

Danger Doom

In 2005, Dumile collaborated with producer DJ Danger Mouse under the moniker Danger Doom. Their album, The Mouse and the Mask, was created in partnership with Cartoon Network's Adult Swim and featured characters from their shows, such as Aqua Teen Hunger Force. The album reached #41 on the Billboard 200.

Other Collaborations

DOOM's collaborative work extended throughout his career, including projects like JJ DOOM with Jneiro Jarel, NehruvianDoom with Bishop Nehru, and Czarface Meets Metal Face with Czarface. In 2017, he worked with Adult Swim again on a project called "The Missing Notebook Rhymes," where a new song was released weekly. However, the series was canceled after only seven tracks were released.

Later Years and Death

In 2010, after a European tour, Dumile was denied re-entry into the United States and subsequently moved to London. He continued to release music and collaborate with other artists. On October 31, 2020, Dumile passed away at the age of 49. His death was not announced to the public until two months later by his wife, Jasmine. The cause of death was later revealed to be angioedema, a severe reaction to blood pressure medication.

Legacy

MF DOOM is remembered as one of hip hop's most enigmatic and influential figures. His distinctive flow, intricate rhyme schemes, and producer-helmed projects have left a lasting impact on the genre. He is often cited as an inspiration by a wide range of artists.